- The middle colonies had a variety of punishments for crimes, including:
- Death
- Mutilation
- Whipping
- Banishment
- Imprisonment
- Fines
Common Crimes
- Some of the most common crimes included:
- Theft
- Murder
- Adultery
- Fornication
- Blasphemy
Punishment Severity
- The severity of the punishment depended on the crime. For example, murder was typically punished by death, while theft might be punished by a fine or whipping.
Judicial System
- The judicial system in the middle colonies was based on English common law.
- Trials were held before a judge and jury.
- The accused was presumed innocent until proven guilty.
- The accused had the right to an attorney.
Rehabilitation
- The middle colonies also had a focus on rehabilitation.
- Many prisons had programs to help inmates learn job skills and become productive members of society.