New-York tribune., 1881-09-01
THE NE W CRIMINAL CODE.
BENEFITS THAT MAY RESULT FROM IT.

BENEFITS THAT MAY RESULT FROM TT.
ITS OPERATION TO BEGIN To-pAY-How IT WILL
AFFECT CRIMINAL PRACTfCE-PoINTs EsPECI-
ALLY INTERESTING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
The Code Of Criminal Procedure goes into
operation in this State to-day. Since its passage by
the last LEGISLATURE, few months ago, it has re-
espcciallv from lawyers, rs were never given
to il during the twenty or thirty years for
doors of the State Legislature. The chsnrcs that
have been made since il drafted by the original
them of MINOR character But probably very few
lawyers have become aware until this summer of
me character of the work, which, since its adoption
has met with almost universal approval.
II ls expected that the law will prove of great
The bors Of the DsrictAtorney D s'' pMy'Ts Wi Sc
lcssened. The form of indictments will be
simpler, 1t will be more difficult TO
secure the discharge of guilty prisoner because of
faulty indictments IL will hc much easier TO draw
one that will stand the test Of an opposing counsels
technical objections. 1t will simplify to some ex-
tent the work of the prisoners lawyer for il will
put in concise form before him the methods he is
81 ing at criminal trials will be aided he win have
definite guide to define the course of Justice and
to to limit and control the procedure upon trials. All
THESE things heretofore had To be sought for through
lnnumerable statutes decisions of the courts nd
the conclusion might often he underlined or doubt
The code will also be definite guide to the Gov
ernor, to the Sheriff, 10 Grand Juries and to The
people OF the state generally II ia not anticipated
that those who not lawyers will become So In
mlliar with this little book to know all the de-
| tdllS OF praCtco IN the criminal courts Iut ia
considered probable that large proportion of the
people OF the State will gradually become aconanted
wltn the general outline OF tins practice because
OF the convenience with which they can
turn to this book for information. This ia of
course, not so true OF this Code as of the Penal
Code which goes into effect next year, aud winch
dehneS crimes and their penalties rather than Ihe
method by which the accused prisoner shall lie
Tried But 1t will be especially true of both when
| they are III operation together. One of the chan
icrs thot VIII prove most interesting to tho gen
9ral student Is that on " Proceedings Respecting
% he icfn nd.
glng children are to be disposed Of and how
citzcns may arrest disguised persons, may he re-
CURED TO aid peace officer IN making such arrests
The disposition To be made of disorlerlv ncrsons
forms another interesting chapter. 1t NAV not be-
| commonly known that the law includes among such
| persons those who actually abandon their wives or
children without adequate support" persons pre-
visible profession or calling by which to maintain
themselves, but who do so for the part by gam
| mountebanls, who exhibit or perform for nr"Gt %i'
| puppet shows wire or rope dancers or other idle
shows acts, or ieats These ami all the others that
ihls Code enunerates as "disorderly persons" NAV
Oe required to give security for good behavior for one
year, or the court may in its discretion order them
10 be kept III jail at hard labor for six months If
there are no means of employ the ia In, court
must direct the keeper to furnish such other
nent as 1t may specify. These and many other nro
visions (including that on proceedings rcspectimr
! the support OF poor perSonsJ persons other than
with through the enactment of the Code than thc,
otherWisc would. and the law is likely to be en-
forced with corresponding thoroughness
Very few complaints have been made ogoinst
spechc sections OF the Code and still fewer oganst
II as whole. Attention has already been cn led in
lliE Tribune to what are pointed out as the most
vicious faults, and doubtless some of these
Will be amended by the NEXT Ie%
made against sections Nos. 2O3 and 2O5 which
provide that prisoner brought before % maeistrate
may nave all persons eNccDt the Judge the officers
ana the lawyers excluded during the examination
and that other persons shall have access to the
written depostlons. The dangers arising from the
conducting of such secret tribunals have oiraadU
been commented upon by Justices of the Peace and
lawyers in THE Tribune. '' ""u
The Board oi Police Justices last night increased
Ihe Ihe l'ay 0l ther Secretary, George Creiger from
$500 to 5000, i'll view of his increased abors under
the CODE A
Add Personal.