PERCENTAGE OF ACQUITTALS IN ENGLAND. Criminal Proceedings. Summary Proceedings. 1858 62 … … … 25 … … … 34 1863-7 … … … 24 … … … 31 1868-72 … … … 26 … … … 24 1873-7 … … … 25 … … … 21 1878-82 … … … 24 … … … 21 1883-7 … … … 22 … … … 20
Here also it appears that the growth of crime in England, though less than in France, is not due to the weakening of judicial severity through the greater number of acquittals. The number has, in fact, constantly diminished, especially in summary proceedings, which is just where the greatest increase of crime is manifest.
Passing now to the other factor of judicial repression, that is to the percentage of persons sentenced to graver kinds of punishment, we have to take into account, amongst assize cases in France, the prisoners <p 89>sentenced to death, penal servitude, and solitary imprisonment, excluding such as are sentenced to correctional punishment (simple imprisonment and fines) as well as young prisoners sent to reformatories; and in regard to the Tribunals, we must take the percentages of those who are condemned to imprisonment, which is the most serious punishment, the remainder being fined, or handed over to their parents, or sent to reformatories.
Condemned at Assizes Condemned
FRANCE. —————————————— by Tribunals
To death. To penal servitude. to imprisonment.
1826-30 … … 2.5 … … 58 … … … 61
1831-5 … … 1.5 … … 42 … … … 65
1836-40 … … .7 … … 37 … … … 65
1841-5 … … 1 … … 40 … … … 61
1845-50 … … 1 … … 39 … … … 62