Inquest Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Inquest.

Inquest (noun) : An official investigation, usually led by a judge, coroner, or a panel of jurors, that is conducted to establish the facts surrounding a case, particularly involving a sudden, unusual, or violent death. This procedure is typically open to public inspection. A jury is not always required for an inquest; in cases where a jury's presence isn't mandated, the coroner carries the responsibility of examining the circumstances of the death and making the final determination.