Beechworth Court of General Sessions Criminal Record Book 1874-1942

The Court of General Sessions exercised a purely criminal jurisdiction. In 1968 all local County Courts and the Court of General Sessions were abolished and one County Court for the whole of Victoria was established. Therefore all cases after 1968 are criminal cases of the County Court sitting on circuit at a particular location.

The County Court heard cases of a more series nature than the Magistrates’ Court. Cases heard include robbery, common assault and driving under the influence.

In accordance with the provisions of Instructions to Clerks of Courts, the Clerks of the Peace were required to keep a Criminal Record Book. This book which formed the record of criminal trials and judgements in General Sessions was kept in the form provided. The sentence was fully set out with months as calendar” months, hard labour (if the sentence included that), and the name of the gaol to which the prisoner was committed.

The despatch of the triplicate return of prisoners convicted to the Law Office was to be noted in the Remarks column and it was forwarded immediately upon the conclusion of the sitting of the court.

The time of commencement and termination of the Court Sittings and the time of retirement and return of Jury was to be noted in the Remarks column.

The book was signed and sealed by the Clerk or Deputy Clerk of the Peace after each sitting.

Any fine imposed on jurors, in General Sessions was recorded in the book.