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Victorian Justice . By: Briana Hall. Justice Ranking. The criminal’s social ranking was incorporated in criminal charges. Higher classes (wealthy) : their problems were seen as moral. Lower classes (workers) : considered dangerous, disorderly, and always guilty. Crimes.
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Victorian Justice By: Briana Hall
Justice Ranking • The criminal’s social ranking was incorporated in criminal charges. • Higher classes (wealthy) : their problems were seen as moral. • Lower classes (workers) : considered dangerous, disorderly, and always guilty.
Crimes • Throughout the Victorian Era, theft crimes were the most common. • Any reported theft crimes would be considered “lost property” with little importance. • “Garroting”, or street robberies, were considered serious crimes.
Crimes… con’t. • Violent crimes such as murder, street robbery, and sexual violence were highlights in newspapers. • Domestic violence incidents at home were rarely justified. Family’s reputation was considered instead of the crime.
The Judge Is Always Right • English courts were rude toward jury members, witnesses, and clients. • They were rarely given details about a crime. • If the jury disagreed with the judge, they would be bullied and disrespected.
The Judge… con’t. • Clients were not given an attorney if they could not afford one. • The Judge held past crimes and character against the client.
Court Conditions • Courtrooms were disorganized, unsanitary, and had terrible ventilation. • Courtrooms usually smelled like sewers. • The court did not give out resources for lawyers. They had to share supplies of towels, combs, and water.
Punishment • Punishments depended on the client’s social status and the degree of the crime. • Common crimes often resulted in hanging, drowning, abuse, isolation, etc. • Serious crimes resulted in hanging.
Punishment… con’t. • Garroting resulted in flogging and imprisonment. • Some prisoners were transported to Australia and left to die. • “Houses of Correction” were prisons that isolated prisoners with only a Bible. This usually resulted in mental disorders.
Imprisonment • Prisons were typically old, small, and badly-run. • Children were put together with adults in degrading surroundings. • Prisoners had to provide their own food and had access to little water.
Imprisonment… con’t. • Prisoners would pay the “Gaoler” for punishment and food fees. • If prisoners lacked money, they had to beg citizens who were passing the prison. • If they behaved well, the prisoners were released early.
Work Cited Anderson, Jane. “Victorian Crime and Punishment.” EEBN. 2006: 1-4. Print. Dickens, Charles. “Courtroom Experiences in Victorian England.” The Victorian Web. 1996. Web. 11 Nov 2011. www.victorianweb.org Emsley, Clive. “Crime and the Victorians.” BBC. 2002: 1-4. Print. 12 Nov 2011. “Victorian London in Depth.” The Victorian London. June 2006. Web. 12 Nov 2011. www.victorianlondom.html