Alexander II and the emancipation of the serfs 1855-81 - Legal Reforms
3 important questions on Alexander II and the emancipation of the serfs 1855-81 - Legal Reforms
How did the Russian judicial system function prior to Alexander II's reforms?
Before the Emancipation Edict the administration of justice was inefficient, slow socially discriminatory and appalling corrupt:
- Trials took place in secret,
- The accused, witnesses or any legal representatives weren't present at trials
- cases frequently judged by men without legal training
- Written evidence used to prosecute was often altered by the police
- before the trial the accused could be held in prison for years without knowing their crime
- For peasants, they were assumed guilty until proven innocent
According to Alexander II in November 1864 what were his aims in introducing judicial reforms?
"to establish in Russia, courts of justice that are swift, fair merciful and equal to all our subjects; to raise the authority of the judiciary and to give it the independence that benefits it'
How were trials carried out after Alexander II's judicial reforms?
- Accused granted a defence lawyer
- Case would be argued between defence and prosecutor in front of a Jury
- Jury to be made-up of the wealthy chosen using property qualifications
- Both sides could call witnesses
- Jury would decide if guilty or not
- Judge would give the sentence; and were specifically advised to consider each case on its own merits and not to follow precedents
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