Defence Regulations - Death Penalty

Death Penalty

Originally the regulations did not create any capital offences, since the law of treason was thought to be sufficient. Defence Regulation 2A provided that "If, with intent to assist the enemy, any person does any act which is likely to assist the enemy or to prejudice the public safety, the defence of the realm or the efficient prosecution of the war, he shall be liable to penal servitude for life."

However, in 1940 amendments to the regulations created two capital offences: "forcing safeguards" (breaking through roadblocks etc.) under regulation 1B, and looting under regulation 38A. A third new capital offence, called treachery, was created soon afterwards by the Treachery Act 1940.

Read more about this topic:  Defence Regulations

Famous quotes containing the words death and/or penalty:

    If thee thy brittle beauty so deceives,
    Know then the thing that swells thee is thy bane;
    For the same beauty doth, in bloody leaves.
    The sentence of thy early death contain.
    Sir Richard Fanshawe (1608–1666)

    [I support] term limits for career politicians and the death penalty for career politicians.
    William Frist (b. 1952)