Merchant Shipping Law Amendment Act 1853

LIV All Offences under 7 & 8 Vict. c.112, 8 & 9 Vict. c.116, 13 & 14 Vict. c.93 14 & 15 Vict. c.96, 14 & 15 Vict. c.79 14 & 15 Vict. c.103 punishable as Misdemeanors.

All Offences which by the Act of the Eighth Year of Her present Majesty, Chapter One hundred and twelve, the Act of the Ninth Year of Her present Majesty, Chapter One hundred and sixteen, "The Mercantile Marine Act, 1850," "The Mercantile Marine Act Amendment Act, 1851," "The Steam Navigation Act, 1851," "The Seamen's Fund Winding-up Act, 1851," or this Act, are described as Misdemeanors, or are made punishable by Imprisonment for Periods exceeding Six Months, may, in Scotland, be prosecuted by Indictment or Criminal Letters at the Instance of Her Majesty's Advocate before the High Court of Justiciary, or by Criminal Libel at the Instance of the Procurator Fiscal of the County before the Sheriff, and shall be punishable with Fine and with Imprisonment with or without Hard Labour in default of Payment, or with Imprisonment with or without Hard Labour, or with both, as the Court may think fit; and such Court may also, if it think fit, order Payment by the Offender of the Costs and Expenses of the Prosecution: Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall be held or construed to extend to the Prosecution of Offences punishable by Transportation.