Cases Heard in the Lower Courts.
The figures below show the penalties which were awarded at the Hong Kong and Kowloon Magistracies in respect of cases heard during the whole year 1948. Corresponding totals for the year 1947 are also given.
Hong Kong Kowloon Total for Total for
Prosecutions against
1948
1947
adults and juveniles 77,889
55,112
133,001
103,847
Convictions against
adults & juveniles
73,174
47,719
120,893
82,227
Adult Offenders
Fined
37,425
26,173
63,598
46,808
Imprisoned in default
of payment of fine
9,980
9,791
19,771
9,266
Imprisoned without
option
2,688
2,665
5,353
5,765
Bound over
587
536
1,123
1,114
Cautioned or discharged
3,175
5,466
8,641
6,998
Defendants fined and
allowed time to pay fine
425
425
304
Expelled from the
Colony
934
846
1,780
1,755
Juvenile Offenders
Fined
19,914
2,591
22,505
7,317
Sent to Reformatory
24
33
57
151
Committed to approved
institution
57
13
70
106
Bound over
229
179
408
571
Placed on probation
21
21
70
Cautioned or discharged
564
1,708
2,272
18,514
Whipped
234
4,297
4,531
1,307
Imprisoned
424
53
477
94
Expelled from the
Colony
1,225
114
1,339
545
Maintenance Cases
Orders made
I I
ΙΟ
21
18
The Magistrates at Taipo and Yuen Long decided between them 2,634 criminal cases during the year.
War Crimes Trials.
At the beginning of 1948, two War Crimes Courts, which had been appointed by Royal Warrant with authority to try Japanese war criminals in respect of any war crime committed in the
IOI