EMBRACERY, in law, the attempting to influence a jury man corruptly to give his verdict in favour of one side or the other in a trial, by promise, persuasions, entreaties, money, entertain ments and the like. It is an offence, both at common law and by statute, and punishable by fine and imprisonment. As a statutory offence it dates back to 136o. The offence is complete, whether any verdict has been given or not, and whether the verdict is in accordance with the weight of evidence or otherwise. The per son making the attempt, and any juryman who consents are equally punishable. The false verdict of a jury, whether occasioned by embracery or otherwise, was formerly considered criminal, and jurors were severely punished, being proceeded against by writ of attaint (q.v.). The Juries Act of 1825, in abolishing writs of attaint, made a special exemption as regards jurors guilty of embracery (s. 61).