Show why anglo saxon countries other than america have fewest felons L by H A FORSTER of new yoa among the enlightened nations the united states leads the world in manumitting manu murderers and enlarging felons while anglo saxon countries not under the american rag flag have the least percentage of murderers and felons this extraordinary and deplorable phenomenon is not due to obscure causes if americans wish to remove this reproach they have only to study the criminal procedure of anglo saxon countries the vital f features in which the english australian and canadian criminal procedure differs from that of the majority of american criminal courts are the following the british scottish canadian australian south african or indian trial judge is a strong judge not a mere moderator he gives the jury the benefit of his experience and skill by advising them in difficult cases respecting the weight and effect of the evidence what he believes the evidence has shown but he also informs the jury that they are the sole judges of the facts and are at liberty to disregard his advice the distinctive tive features of anglo saxon jury trials is a strong and experienced trial judge aiding and advising the jury but leaving the ultimate decision of all disputed questions of fact to the jury instead of acting as a weak and opinion less moderator as the trial judge must do in three fourths of our states in canada the judge may try most criminal cases without a jury where a jury is waived by defendant no trial by newspaper fio no publicity bureau work is allowed while any action whether criminal or civil is pending only a true and fair lepor report t of evidence and court proceedings is allowed to he be published pendente pen dente lite sweatbox and third degree are unknown alike among the police and public prosecutors trial by newspaper and publicity bureau work by vigorous enforcement of the common law pendente pen dente lite are suppressed practice in relation to contempt of court |