Etymology

be judge and jury

Today it means: As an authority, to have the power to make a decision affecting someone or an organisation by oneself. Full definition →

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The story

In most jurisdictions that practice jury trials, the defendant's guilt is determined by jury, while his or her sentence is determined by the trial judge. An authority that can exercise the powers of a jury and judge therefore lacks a balance of power.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.