Estos jueces ejecutan sus procesos por medio del alguacil mayor (sheriff) o del juez de instrucción (coronor) del condado, o por agentes de su propia designación. Si alguna persona libre comete un delito contra la mancomunidad, si es inferior al grado de felonía, es obligada por un juez de paz a comparecer ante su tribunal para responder a él mediante acusación formal (indictment) o información. Si equivale a felonía, es remitido a la cárcel;
un tribunal de estos jueces es llamado: si ellos tras el examen lo consideran culpable, lo [r. 251 ] envían a la cárcel del tribunal general, ante el cual va a ser juzgado primero por un gran jurado de 24, de los cuales 13 deben
concur in opinion: if they find him guilty, he is then tried by a jury of 12 men of the county where the offence was com- mitted, and by their verdid, which mull be unanimous, he is acquitted or condemned without appeal. If the criminal be a flave, the trial by the county court is final. In every cafe, however, except that of high treafon, there refides in the governor a power of pardon. In high treafon, the pardon can only flow from the generaly alfembly. In civil matters thefe juftices have jurifdidlion in all cafes of whatever value, not appertaining to the department of the admiralty. This jurifdiftion is twofold. * If the matter in difpute be of lefs value than four dollars and one-fixth, a fingle member may try it at any time and place within his county, and may award execution on the goods of the party call:. * If it be of that or greater value, it is determinable before the county court, which confifts of four at the least [ 25^ ] of thofe juftices, and affembles at the court-houfe of the county on a certain day in