The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-14
CIT AFT AIRS.
TIE CRIMINAL COURT OF CHARLES
TON COUNTY.

This new court, OF which Geo. Lee is elected
Judge, Is established for the trial of criminal
causes, and has exclusive appellate jurlsdic.
ton of all criminal causes from the courts OF
trial justices for Charleston County, and ex-
elusive original Jurisdiction OF all criminal
causes less than capita, and not at present
conferred by law upon the courts OF trial. JUS
tices. In these cases the same laws, fees,
powers and practice will prevail in the Crlmi-
nal Court as in the Court of General Sessions,
and the jures will be drawn and empanelled
In the same manner as is provided by law for
the Court of General Sessions; but the grand
,uries drawn for the Court Of General Sessions
will. also be the grand juries in the Crimi-
nal Court. The Criminal Court will have
the same power and Jurisdiction as the
Court of General Sessions, in reference to de-
faulting Jurors, estreating recosnizances
taken In all causes within It's jurisdiction, and
Furnishing for contempt, and may Issue rules,
orders and attachments, in the same manaer
and In like cases as the Court of General Ses-
sIons. The Judge of the Criminal Court will,
ex-oficlo, have all the powers OF trial
Justice. The judge Of the Criminal Court Will
have power to execute the provisions of the
habeas corpus act, and will exercise jurlsdic-
ton under habeas corpus, at Common Law,
In all cases arising within the County OF
Charleston; but during the session of the Court
of General Sessions he will exercise no
common law Jurisdiction, under habeas corpus.
The Criminal Court Is required to hold
four regular terms during each year, on
the first Monday of January, April, July
and October, each term to be continued
go long as business may require, and, If neces-
sary, to be adjourned from time to time, In
the discretion of the Judge. The judge has
power to hold special sessions, at any lime, In
his discretion, and all processes Issued and
recognIzances taken for the next regular
term shall be held to refer 10 such special
term, due notice haYlng been given, by publ
cation In one or more of the newspapers OF
the county, at least ten days before the COM
mencement of such special session. Appeals
from the Criminal Court lie 10 the Supreme
Court, in all cases within the jurisdiction of
the Criminal Court, as is provided by law Tor
appeals from the Circuit Court. The judge Of
the Criminal Court, Immediately after his
election, must order special term of the
court, to be held within ten days after the
publication of such order. All cases, less than
capital, now on the dockets Of the Court OF
General Sessions. shall be transferred to the
dockets OF the Criminal Court at the special
term. The clerk of the Court OF General ses-
slons and the sheriff of the county are the
clerk and sheriff of the new court. All prose-
cutions must be conducted by the attorney
general or circuit solicitor. The Judge holds
his Office for four years.
New Judge.
George Lee, black man, haillng from
Salem, Massachusetts,, and enjoying the
privileges of trial justice In the Town
OF summerville, has been elected judge of the
Inferior Court for the County of Charleston.
BE came to this State from bis native Massa-
chusetts Just after the. war, and acquired some
notoriety among the freedmen of the islands.
He was elected delegate 10 the Constitutional
convention, and has represented Charleston
County in the State Legislature ever since
Reconstruction. His color and ultra Radical
Ism are his only qualifications for the import
ant position to which he is elected.