Although there was an appeals system this was primarily used to challenge the category of crime rather than determine guilt or innocence.
![death by a thousand cuts movie snece death by a thousand cuts movie snece](https://www.documentary.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/images/sponsored-films/dbatc_narrative_highres_final_v03_laurels.jpg)
There were five categories of punishment: light beating, heavy beating servitude, exile and death. Witnesses would give the evidence to the magistrate who would then pronounce his verdict.
![death by a thousand cuts movie snece death by a thousand cuts movie snece](https://westernnews.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2020/08/11/A_thousand_Cuts_2.jpg)
There was no concept of defense or prosecution lawyers arguing the case and no jury system. Each town would have a yamen which contained living accommodation, prison cells and the court room.
Death by a thousand cuts movie snece license#
Image available under a Creative Commons license ➚įor most crimes the Imperial official (the magistrate) stood in judgment at his ‘yamen’. Official session at a Chinese Yamen, Guangzhou, pre-1889. Your only real hope of acquittal would be the rapid intervention of influential family and friends. hanging by thumbs or kneeling on chains or crushing ankles). There was no real concept of defense, once arrested you were more or less condemned a confession would be routinely extracted by torture (e.g. There was a good reason for this, China had developed a system of torture that frightened people into obeying the law. When the Jesuit missionaries came to Beijing in the early 17th century they were amazed at how low the crime rate was compared to back home in Europe. White ➚ available under a Creative Commons License ➚ Modern history People's Republic of China Future Leaders Government Space Exploration Economy Long March Republic of China May 4th Movement History | In Depth | Torture Chinese Torture 酷刑 Kù xíngĬhinese justice - prisoner kneeling on chains, thumbs supporting arms, Mukden c.1906.