Criminal neglect or wrongful execution of duty, especially by a public official; a specific instance of this. In full misprision of felony or misprision of treason: originally, a less serious form of felony or treason; later, the crime of (intentionally) failing to give…
A guide to misprision
• Criminal neglect or wrongful execution of duty, especially by a public official; a specific instance of this.
• In full misprision of felony or misprision of treason: originally, a less serious form of felony or treason; later, the crime of (intentionally) failing to give information about a felony or treason that one knows about; an instance of this.
• Misinterpretation or misunderstanding; an instance of this; a mistake. Incorrect or unfair suspicion; an instance of this.
• Misinterpretation or misunderstanding; an instance of this; a mistake.
• Incorrect or unfair suspicion; an instance of this.
(Noun) Despising or holding in contempt; disdain, scorn.
• Not seeing the value in something; undervaluing.
Why misprision is relevant in U.S. law
misprision appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
When and how misprision applies
In practice, misprision is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.