The historical development of the Criminal Code (2)

Abstract

IT will be remembered that when the Criminal Court was constituted, in 1814, it was to consist of two judges. Rules were also laid down on the manner of proceeding in that Court. In 1825, the Government found it expedient to increase to three the number of Judges in the same Court. One of the said three Judges was to sit in rotation to try and determine all offences where the maximum punishment provided by law did not exceed three years hard labour with chains, or simple imprisonment for the said period, or a fine to the amount of five hundred scudi. For offences of a higher nature, all three Judges were to sit, and the decision lay with the majority. As previously, the decision was to be final and without appeal.