[ noun ] (law) a security entered into before a court with a condition to perform some act required by law; on failure to perform that act a sum is forfeited <noun.possession>
Recognizance \Re*cog"ni*zance\ (r[-e]*k[o^]g"n[i^]*zans or r[-e]*k[o^]n"[i^]-), n. [F. reconnaissance, OF. recognoissance, fr. recognoissant, p. pr. of recognoistre to recognize, F. reconna[^i]tre, fr. L. recognoscere; pref. re- re- + cognoscere to know. See {Cognizance}, {Know}, and cf. {Recognize}, {Reconnoissance}.] [Written also {recognisance}.] 1. (Law) (a) An obligation of record entered into before some court of record or magistrate duly authorized, with condition to do some particular act, as to appear at the same or some other court, to keep the peace, or pay a debt. A recognizance differs from a bond, being witnessed by the record only, and not by the party's seal. (b) The verdict of a jury impaneled upon assize. --Cowell.
Note: Among lawyers the g in this and the related words (except recognize) is usually silent.
2. A token; a symbol; a pledge; a badge.
That recognizance and pledge of love Which I first gave her. --Shak.
3. Acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition.
She was released Wednesday on her own recognizance.
Mrs. Beugen was cited for assault and battery and released on her own recognizance.
They were released on their own recognizance.
Secord was released on his own recognizance after being arraigned before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Aubrey Robinson.
Claiborne, 69, was released on his own recognizance by East Hampton Judge Edward Horne.
In Oakland Park, Fla., 107 people who blocked the entrance to the Women's Clinic were arrested, but the demonstrators were freed within hours on their own recognizance, an organizer said.
Fitts' bond initially was set at $40,000. After two days in jail, he was released May 22 on a personal recognizance bond.
All were released on personal recognizance bonds.
Monroe, known as the "father of bluegrass music," was released on his own recognizance pending a preliminary hearing next Wednesday.
Federal Magistrate Nina Gershon in Manhattan scheduled a hearing for Jan. 12 on Berrigan's removal to New Orleans and released him on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.
Badolato and Leo were released on their own recognizance under a $250,000 bond.
Each of the felony charges carries a possible jail term of two to 10 years and a maximum fine of $10,000. Mahaffey was released from jail Friday on a personal recognizance bond.
Lederer's announcement complied with a law requiring that a defendant charged with a felony be indicted within five days of his arrest or be released on their own recognizance.
He had been released on his own recognizance the previous day.
He set May 31 as the sentencing date, released McCray on his own recognizance and ordered him to stay away from Gotti.
The case was continued to Dec. 11 and Leuchter was released on his own recognizance.
Lowe also released Doolittle and Brinson on their own recognizance.
He was freed on his own recognizance.
Ms. Underwood, who surrendered to authorities and is cooperating with investigators, has been released on her own recognizance, he said.
He was released on $5,000 personal recognizance bail.
Samuel Royal, 18, who is not a student at the university, was released Thursday on his personal recognizance from the Travis County Jail following his arrest Wednesday night.
She was free on personal recognizance from that charge when the latest incident occurred.
District of Columbia Superior Court Hearing Commissioner Kaye Christian scheduled trial for Sept. 22, and released Rowan on his own recognizance.
Bardoff was detained overnight in the District of Columbia jail after a bond hearing, while Hornbuckle was released on his own recognizance, Nichols said.
He was released after his arrest on a $100,000 personal recognizance bond.
She pleaded innocent in Guam Superior Court and is free on her own recognizance.
The 45-year-old Rogerson, a supermarket produce manager, has pleaded innocent and remains free on his own recognizance while awaiting trial.
Under the old INS procedures, immigrants applying for asylum had to wait weeks while their applications were processed, during which they were released on their own recognizance.
The protestors are gingerly arrested, released on their own recognizance.
He is free on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond.