now are criminal cases. Formerly, of course,
the civil courts were kept going for the purpose
of settling questions connected with property.
In spite of the loosening of all social
ties, there are less people brought before the
courts to-day than ever before on account of
offences of this character.
The person set to act as magistrate or judge over his fellows is elected. The permanent judges are elected by the Soviets and are elected from persons who have theoretical and practical knowledge of the law. But they must also have some experience of working class organisation. Permanent judges are elected for indefinite periods and are always liable to be recalled by the Soviet by which they are elected. Judges are also assisted by assessors and these are chosen from persons who possess elective rights. The lists of these are made up by workers’ organisations, such as village and rural Soviets, and are subject to the Revision of the Executive Committee of the Soviets. Lists are made for a period of six months, and each assessor takes part in six sessions without the right to resign his responsibility. While acting as an assessor, he is paid the local rate of wages, or such remuneration that may be equal to the maximum rate of living expenses for the locality in which he acts.
It may be taken as a rule that prisoners have a better chance before these Courts than they
