There are several good books on the subject: Peter Charles Hoffer and 
William B. Scott, ed., Criminal Proceedings in Colonial Virginia, Richmond 
County; Arthur Scott, Criminal Law in Colonial Virginia; Hugh Rankin, 
Criminal Trial Proceedings in the General Court of Virginia; and many 
others. A dissertation by Gabriele Gottlieb, "Theater of Death: Capital 
Punishment in Early America, 1750-1800," University of Pittsburgh, 2005, is 
available on line.
HBG
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Drake" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 4:50 PM
Subject: [VA-ROOTS] Punishment for early crimes


> Many folks have asked about early punishment for crimes, including one
> question this morning.  How often have we heard that in early England and
> the American colonies there were something on the order of "300 crimes 
> that
> brought death" and as many that had "transportation" as the punishment?
>
> Contrary to popular belief, the law, then as now, was flexible and not
> carved in stone.  Again as now, judges had wide discretion in selecting
> punishment appropriate to the crime in each case presented.   Here is an
> excellent article that we all should copy and save.  HYPERLINK
> "http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/history/crime/punishment.html#transportation
> "www.oldbaileyonline.org/history/crime/punishment.html#transportation
>
> Paul
>
> HYPERLINK "http://www.DrakesBooks.com"www.DrakesBooks.com
>
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.13.32/1033 - Release Date: 
> 9/27/2007
> 11:06 AM
>
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.13.32/1033 - Release Date: 
> 9/27/2007 11:06 AM
>
>