Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-07-05
OiHoial.
LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Passed at Af First Session of lie THRU. EYglth
Congress.
TPuBLlc-No. eo
NDLIU-NUs ~.
AN ACT to provide for the sunnnty t,iol 80 ,,,;o.

AbbLiJ-NO. ~
An Acr to provide for the summary trial of mipor
offences against the laws of the United statea
ne = cHaeiea M tie Seaafe and House of Repre.
senfatres cj lila United States Of 1gierie1 IN Ton
gFsss assse6ied, That it shall bo lawful for tbe
Judge of any district court Of the United States
70 bold special session Of said court at npy
ume, whether in term or vacation, Tor tho trial
o. mlnof licences against the laws Of the United
Safes as hereinafter provided.
Sec g And be IL Jttrther enaeied, That when
ever q complaint shall be made against any mas
Ter olhaer, or mariner of any ship or vessel be-
longing, in whole OF in part, to any citizen or
ciu1eas Of the United States, Of the commission
ol any offence, not ceptal or ctherwise infamous,
againsI any law of the United States made for
the protection of persons or property engaged in
commerce or navigation il shall be the duty Of
the district attorney to investigate the same, and
the general nature thereof, aud it, in his opinion,
the case is such a5 should be summarily tried
uuder the provisions Of this act, he shall report
the same TO the district Judge, and the Judge
shall forthwith, or as soon MS the ordinary bust
pcss of the court viii permit, proceed to Try the
cause, and for that purpose may, if necessary,
hold o Hpecinl session of,the court.
Sec. q. And be Il further enacted, That at such
irlol it shatl not be necessary that the accused
shall have been previously indicted, hut a state.
nent OF complaint, verified by oath, in writing,
shall be- presented to the court, setting out the
offence IN such manner hs clearly to apprize the
accused Of tue character of the offence COM
planned Of, aud to enable him to answer the COM
rlaiut, And the said complaint or statement
shall be read 10 the accused, who may plead to
or answer the came. or make a counter state
ment
See. :, .4nd BE il jurAey enacted, That the
sad 'rial shall thereupon be proceeded with in
summary manner, and the case shall he decided
BY The court, unless, at the time fer pleading or
answering, the accused shall demand a iurv. in
which case the trial shall be upon the Complaint
aud plen Of not guilty.
Sec. o. Ind De HJariher enacted, That it shall
not be lawful for the court to sentence any per
sou convicted on such trial to any greater punsh-
inent than imprisonment in Jail for one year, or
to lino exceeding five hundred dollars, or both,
in iia discretion, in those cases where the laws
Of ihe United States authorize such imprison-
inent and fine.
Sec G. Ind be Il further caaetsd, That, it shall
bo lawful for the court 70 allow the district at &.
torney to amend his statement or complaint at
any stage Of the proceedings, before verdict. if.
in the opinion of the court, such amendment
will work no injustice 70 the accused and if it
appear 10 the court that the accused is unpre-
pared TO meet the charge as amended, and that
mn adjournment Of the cause will promote tAe
ends Of insdce such adjournment shall be made
until further day, to be fixed by the court.
Sec Z. And be il further enaciei, That at such
ttial, it by jury, thes United Statrs and the ae-
cused shall each DO entitled to three peremptory
challenges. Challenges Tor cause, in such ca Sc 3,
shall be tried by the court without the aid OF
triers lApproyed, Juno II, 1861.