In French law. The name given to the public functionary who is churg-ed in chief with the administration of the laws, in each department of the country. Merl. Repert. See Crespln v. U- S., 168 U. S. 208, 18 Sup. CL 53, 42 L. Ed. 438. The term is also used, in practically the same sense, in Mexico. But in New Mexico, a prefect is a probate judge
Source: Black’s Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)
