HIST 3130 Lecture : Introducing the Old Bailey.docx
27 Nov 2013
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
. legal system in 18th-19th century britain was messy and didn"t develop on a logical framework. Much developed from law structures from the middle ages. only a small number of crimes led to a trial (a result of cost and burden of the apprehending the criminal). Many crimes were bargained before making it to the courtroom. In the absence of a police force (until 1829) london essentially policed itself and many crimes went unreported, people expected to apprehend the criminal themselves. Yet there were levels of law enforcement 1. Royally appointed sheriffs and baliffs (primary law enforcement officials in countryside), 2. Parish appointed petty constables (urban and volunteer). before the police force they were few in numbers. once arrested, those accused of felonies were brought before a magistrate (justice of the peace/jp) which would then be persecuted or put into courtroom, if in the magistrate it was much more likely they"d be brought to the court.
