Metropolitan Police Courts Act 1839

XLIV Proceedings on Information before Magistrates.

And be it enacted, That all Offences committed within the Limits of the Metropolitan Police District, which under this or any other Act are punishable on summary Conviction before a Justice or Justices of the Peace, may be heard and determined by any of the said Magistrates sitting at one of the said Police Courts, in a summary Way, within Six Calendar Months at the farthest next after the Commission of such Offence, or within such shorter Time as shall be limited by the Act specifying the Offence, and not afterwards, whether or not any Information in Writing shall have been exhibited or taken by or before such Magistrate ; and all such Proceedings by Summons without Information in Writing shall be as valid and effectual as if an Information in Writing had been first exhibited in that Behalf; Provided always, that a Note or Memorandum in Writing, according to a Form to be approved by the Secretary of State, shall be made and kept in the Court of the Substance of every Charge for which a Summons or Warrant shall be issued: Provided also, that the Magistrate, if he shall think fit, may require an Information in Writing to be laid in every Case in which it shall seem to him to be expedient, before the Matter of the Complaint or Charge shall be brought before him; and the Magistrate shall examine into the Matter of every Complaint or Charge brought before him, and if, upon the Confession of the Party accused, or on the Oath of any One or more Witnesses, the Party accused shall be convicted of having committed the Offence charged or complained of, the Party so convicted shall pay such Penalty as to the Magistrate shall seem fit, not more than the greatest Penalty made payable in respect of such Offence, together with the Costs of Conviction, to be ascertained by such Magistrate.