New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-19
CODE OF CRIMINAL PRACTICE.

Our readers are aware, or ought to be, that
among the most important provisions introduced
into our State Constitution at its last revision was
one providing for much-needed reforms in the
practice of all our Courts, criminal and civil. To
this snd the Constitution directed the appointment
of Commissioners to revise and reform the practice
in all Courts of Rec0rd-three Commissioners to
report thereon to the Legislature, subject to their
adoption kpd modification from time to time.
Such a Commission was accordingly adopted.
They performed the duty imposed upon them with
distinguished ability, which has attracted the
notice and elected the Communications of the uriss
of Europe as we'll as of America. So long ago as
the commencement Of the year 1850, they reported
10 the Legislature complete and systematic codes
of civil and criminal procedure. Their code of
civil practice, or at least considerable part of it,
has since been adopted and put into operation and In
spite of all the workings and croakings and squrm
ngs and artful attempts to cripple or disparagci it,
on the part of persons who considered themselves
interested in preserving the glorious uncertainty
"Of the law" il has been found to operate to the
very great advantage ofthe honest part of the public
The Criminal Code of procedure reported at the
same time, and the introduction of which into
practice was no less imperatiyely needed, remained
by the criminal neglect of the Legislature-un-
touched for Ave long years, during which the
condition of our criminal law, and especially of its
administration, was becoming year by year more
and more disgraceful. The last Legislature, much
to their honor, walked up to sense of their duty
They referred the Criminal Code to a committee Of
ten, whose report On the subject We give in an-
other column. Appended TO this report is the Code
as proposed by the Commissioners, with some mod
fcations 10 adapt it to subsequent legislation, and
in this revised form the Committee recommend ITS
adoption Notice of bill for such purpose has,
we perceive, been already given at the present ses-
sion OF the Legislature, which, we trust, VIII not
be permitted TO close without the fulfllment by
that body OF the duty Of revision and reformation
imposed upon them by the Constitution.
Recent Developments as TO the existing condition
of the administration of criminal justice in this
acknowledgements which will be officially brought
10 the notice of the Legislature in the report OF the
Legislative Police Committee-giye additional ill.,
terest 10 the subject, and will furnish new and very
strong arguments for immediate and decisive ac-
ton on the part OF the Legislature.
We have examined with great satisfaction the
proposed new Criminal Code. Ii is divided into
seven parts, with subdivisions, with titles chap
tiers and sections, and contains carefully prepared
system of criminal Jurisprudence, which begins
with a statement Of the courts Of criminal juris-
dctOn, and then setting out from the arrest Of the
party charged with crime, goes through oil the pro-
ceedngs to the sentence and execution. after which
follow various miscellaneous processes connected