Justice is Everywhere

The justice system in Ancient China was simple and practical. Back then each town will have its own court. This is followed by provincial court and then of course the equivalent to the Appeal Court in Malaysia the Ministry of Justice or something like it at the Ancient China Capital (Peking.. Beijing.. not really sure ;>). The highest authority however is the Emperor himself who can give Royal Pardon to any accuse. But what make this really interesting is that the Town Courts presided by magistrate. These town judges who often would be appointed by the government will conduct hearing right in the middle of town. They start by announcing impending trials by hitting the drum or wooden sticks to the floor. Here is when the court gates will be open to the public and everyone can enter and hear the proceedings. Next the accuse is brought before the judge. Any complainant and witness alike would have to show respect the court or else the judge has at his disposal an array of punishment like slapping the mouth and flogging the backside finger clamps and even leg clamps. The plus point for this is that the members of the public present in the court will know about what constitute an offence under the Empire law and what's the punishment. These very people will then leave the court and spread the court's happenings by word of mouth. This way the community that reside in that town will be informed. With time however this method is super seeded by technology and the power of the media. Currently the media play a major role as the eyes and ears of the public to report court cases. Cases dealt with in the interior district needs media exposure to spread awareness especially to the people that reside in that district. Such cases like the following news clipping is for the people of Kudat and Kota Marudu. Parting message.. justice is everywhere..