Definition of answer for

The phrase "answer for" in its modern legal context derives from the Anglo-Saxon legal procedure known as "inquest of office", a process to determine who was eligible to hold a particular office or position. During the inquest, the candidate would be asked a series of questions, or "inquisitions", to assess their suitability. In the 13th century, this procedure evolved to a system called "presentment", where local jurors would be sworn in and would report to the king's justices any suspicious or criminal activity they had witnessed. Known as the "presentment jury", they were also required to "answer for" any wrongdoings they experienced firsthand, thus taking legal responsibility. The phrase "answer for" was adopted into English law to describe the duty of an accused person or witness to provide a defense, explanation, or justification for their actions or presence during an inquiry or legal proceeding. It is still used in contemporary legal contexts, such as in criminal or civil trials, to affirm that the individual has been made accountable for their behavior.