Chapter 421 Circuit Court and Death Penalty Review
Seeing everyone's eyes focused on him, Schroeder immediately stood up and gave a military salute.
"The army will resolutely obey your decision."
"Very good." Paul was very satisfied with Schroeder's reaction.
In fact, there are already several layers of insurance in the army. For example, the Equipment Department and Logistics Department are not subordinate to each other and the Staff Department. They are all directly responsible to Paul. In particular, the army's salaries are directly paid by the Logistics Department. To personnel at all levels without going through military chiefs at all levels.
If it’s not enough, Paul thinks it would be better to add an extra layer of insurance.
Schroeder asked: "Um...Master Graiman, if the instructor and the military commander disagree on the march and combat..."
He felt that there were some things that needed to be clarified. .
Paul replied: "Don't worry, I will not let laymen command experts. Marching and combat are still the responsibility of the military commander. In this regard, instructors only have the power of staff advice."
"My lord is wise."
Schroeder was relieved.
......
Thomas slowly walked through the already dark corridors of the Lord's Castle. It was already approaching 5 pm, and he was already preparing to end the day's work. Returning home, he suddenly received a summons from Count Grayman. As the chief judge, he did not dare to neglect and hurried to the Lord's Castle.
Arrived in front of the Earl's office, Thomas walked in slowly after being informed by his secretary, Mr. Bernard Wood Francis.
He saw that the lord he served was not sitting behind the desk as usual, but was sitting crookedly on the single sofa in the corner. The Earl supported his head with his right arm and his elbow. Leaning on the armrest of the sofa, the afterglow of the setting sun shines through the window on the floor in front of him, but the count himself is entirely in the shadow of the corner, so that his face cannot be seen clearly.
In Thomas' opinion, the earl seemed to be in a bad mental state and seemed a little decadent. He secretly reminded himself to be careful with his words.
"My lord, Thomas has come at your summons."
"Please take a seat."
"Yes."
The Chief Justice is leaving Paul sat down not far away.
"Thomas, I have been thinking about a question recently."
"Please speak clearly."
"Should we limit the power of the so-called [civil courts] scattered throughout the countryside, or He said that we should simply ban them all and let Huxin Town take charge of all cases. Thomas had a surprised expression on his face and asked softly: "Why do you suddenly have such an idea?"
Paul touched his chin: "I think if the landowners continue to be allowed to hold the power of punishment, their deterrence to the farmers will be too great, and the farmers will be in a situation where they are almost unable to resist. You see just now What happened..."
His expression became indignant, "Fubin used his power to arbitrarily decide to let farmers use their family's fields to pay debts. If this matter is left to Huxin Town to decide, we can discover Fubin's despicable methods early." .”
Thomas knows this. After all, he is now a senior official in the Government Affairs Council. He was present when Paul got angry. Thomas frowned: "Uh... Lord Graiman, I advise you to think carefully and rashly ban these private courts. The possible results may be contrary to the purpose you expect to achieve."
< br>"Why? If Fobin hadn't used his power to cause trouble, would such an unfair thing have happened? Then wouldn't it be enough if we took away the power in his hands?"
Thomas thought for a moment , explained to Paul: "Lord Graiman, there are only ten officials in the Lord's Court, including me, who are in charge of various towns in Alda, Bailding, and Emden, and are responsible for hearing cases in relevant places, but for the vast majority of In rural areas where we are unable to govern, we can only rely on well-known local gentry to form private courts to handle cases. This is also the way since ancient times.”
In fact, the ten officials in Arda's lord's court are already the result of expansion. In the northwest region (maybe not just the northwest region), most lords are only equipped with a legal adviser. The lord himself is a natural judge, but They themselves basically cannot remember all the laws that they and their ancestors have enacted, so they need a special assistant to help memorize or review them.
“Once the vast rural areas lose the authority to mediate disputes, I personally pessimistically believe that they will soon descend into chaos and disorder. When their own interests are not involved, those local snakes are maintaining order. It can still play some role."
"Wouldn't it be enough to let people go to nearby cities to litigate?"
"Uh..." Thomas said awkwardly: "Maybe. For you, a trip to Port Fulan is no big deal, but for most of us here, going all the way to town just for a lawsuit we don’t know whether we can win or not, so What they gain is not as good as what they lose, maybe... this will make them prefer to solve it privately."
After hearing Thomas' words, Paul covered his head in frustration: "Isn't there any good way? ?”
After a moment of silence in the room, Paul suddenly straightened up.
"Okay, Thomas!"
Paul looked at the chief judge with a very solemn look, which made Thomas also look serious.
"I want to increase the number of our judges, and the Lords' Court will be independent from the Council of Government and known as a separate system."
"You mean... uh, I You heard that right.”
Thomas's breathing became a little rapid. Does this mean that he will be on the same level as the two big guys, Ford and Schroeder?
"You heard me right, let me ask you, if all cases were brought to the lord's court for trial, how many manpower would we need."
"It's hard to estimate, because it has never been like this. I have done it. Moreover, Lord Graiman, I have to remind you that a qualified judge may not just be able to read, write and do arithmetic like your ordinary political officials. He must have rigorous logical abilities. And becoming familiar with various legal provisions may take several years to develop. ”
Time! It takes time!
Paul's fingers tapped on the armrest, how he wanted to do it in one go.
"Okay, but the reform must start now. I decided to set up one or several small circuit courts as soon as possible to conduct inspections in various places. They must go deep into each rural area to check whether there are unjust, false and wrong cases. The authority of the lord must be Go deep into everyone's heart, instead of just following the example. Come back and come up with a plan immediately."
"Yes, Mr. Grayman"
Thomas secretly sighed. Circuit Court? It's a chore.
"In addition, the power to sentence the death penalty will be withdrawn. Even if the evidence clearly requires the execution of a criminal, a file detailing the interrogation process must be submitted to Huxin Town for review by the Lord's Court before sentencing. ."
"Okay!"
Thomas fully agreed with Paul's decision.
(End of this chapter)