Treason Act 1695 (c. 3)

Treason Act 1695

1695 CHAPTER 3 7 and 8 Will 3

An Act for regulateing of Tryals in Cases of Treason and Misprision of Treason.

Whereas nothing is more just and reasonable than that Persons prosecuted for High Treason and Misprision of Treason whereby the Libties Lives Honour Estates Bloud and Posterity of the Subjects may bee lost and destroyed should bee justly and equally tried and that Persons accused as Offenders therein should not bee debarred of all just and equal Means for Defence of their Innocencies in such Cases In order thereunto and for the better Regulation of Tryals of Persons prosecuted for High Treason and Misprision of such Treason

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Short title given by Short Titles Act 1896 (c. 14)

I.—IV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F1 E+W

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 1–4, 7–12 repealed by Treason Act 1945 (c. 44), Sch.

V Indictment must be found by a Grand Jury within Three Years. E+W

And to the intent that the Terror and Dread of such Criminal Accusations may in some reasonable time bee removed That . . . F2 noe Person or Persons whatsoever shall bee indicted tryed or prosecuted for any such Treason as aforesaid or for Misprision of such Treason that shall bee committed or done within the Kingdome of England Dominion of Wales or Towne of Berwick upon Tweed . . . F2 unlesse the same Indictment bee found by a Grand Jury within Three Years next after the Treason or Offence done and committed . . . F3

Textual Amendments

F2 Words repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1948 (c. 62), Sch. 1

F3 Words repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1867 (c. 59)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 5 extended to Ireland by Treason (Ireland) Act 1821 (c. 24), s. 1

C3 Reference to finding of an indictment by a grand jury to be construed as including reference to preferment of a bill of indictment under Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1933 by Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1933 (c. 36), Sch. 2 para. 1 (as amended (retrospectively) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), ss. 116(1)(d), 182(1)(b), Sch. 22 para. 26, Sch. 23 Pt. 3)

VI Such Limitation not to extend to Assassination of the King. E+W

[X1 Always provided and excepted that if any Person or Persons whatsoever shall bee guilty of designing endeavouring or attempting any Assassination on the Body of the King by Poyson or otherwise such Person or Persons may bee prosecuted at any time notwithstanding the aforesaid Limitation;]

Editorial Information

X1 annexed to the Original Act in a separate Schedule.

VII—XII. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F4 E+W

Textual Amendments

F4 Ss. 1–4, 7–12 repealed by Treason Act 1945 (c. 44), Sch.