1. Due Process: The concept of due process became an essential principle of justice. This meant that individuals accused of crimes were entitled to certain rights and procedures, such as a fair trial, the right to legal representation, and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
2. Criminal and Civil Codes: Codified systems of criminal and civil laws emerged during this period. These codes were intended to be comprehensive and accessible, reducing the ambiguity and inconsistency that characterized earlier legal systems.
3. Humanitarian Reforms: There was a growing emphasis on humane principles in criminal justice. Torture and cruel punishments began to be discouraged as the aim was to rehabilitate rather than simply punish offenders.
4. Legal Equality: Though social hierarchies and privileges persisted, there was some progress towards the ideals of equality before the law. Certain legal privileges based on social status began to diminish.
5. Written Constitutions: With the rise of the Enlightenment came the establishment of nation-states with written constitutions. These constitutions delineated the fundamental rights and powers of citizens, setting limits on arbitrary judicial actions.
6. Professionalization of Law: Legal education and professional training became more formalized during this period, leading to a growing number of licensed and qualified lawyers.
7. Legal Treatises: Jurists and philosophers authored influential legal treatises and books, analyzing and commenting on laws and legal institutions. Notable individuals contributing to legal discourse included Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Blackstone.
8. The Jury System: The jury system, where impartial citizens decide the verdict in a trial, became more widespread as a way to ensure fair and equitable justice.
Despite these developments, the justice system was still a work in progress, and inequalities and challenges remained. Nevertheless, the Age of Reason marked significant steps towards a more equitable and enlightened system of justice.