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From:
Subject: [PRISONS-UK] Criminal justice system 1800s
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2000 14:45:03 EDT


Hello,
i'd like to get some information, perhaps a discussion going of the criminal
justice system of mid-late 1800s so that i have a beeter understanding and
perhaps can trace a relative.

I'll present a hypothetical.

Suppose I were a young man, say, 16, and committed a serious crime: Major
theft, manslaughter, etc., in or near Wolverhampton, Staffs (Darlaston),
something that would be short of the death penalty. (assuming England still
had the death penalty in the 1870s.) How would the criminal system work?
After I was arrested and jailed, would I have to wait and be tried at the
Quarter Sessions and Assizes? Could someone explain those? I was under the
impression that Quarter Sessions were for lesser crimes and Assizes were for
major crimes. Does anyone know where those records would be kept? Locally?
Walsall? Wolverhampton?Kew? Would I be kept in staffordshire or would I be
sent to a national prison? Could i be sent all the way to HMP Portland? Is
there any way that I could get out early or have my sentenced reduced?
I'd like to be enlightened a bit on the criminal justice system of the
mid-late 1800s in England.

Thanks.

Paul

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