Series 010 - Criminal Case Files of the Second Circuit Court

Contains cases A1 through A2035 and A2443 through A2783. Files for cases A38, A114, A1658, A2036 through A2442 were not transferred to the Archives.

A crime or public offense is an act committed or omitted in violation of a law forbidding or commanding it. Criminal proceedings were taken in the courts against persons charged with some violation of the criminal law. Criminal offenses include the following: murder, manslaughter, treason, dueling, assault and battery, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, child stealing, rape, abortion, polygamy, adultery, fornication, incest, sodomy, burglary, housebreaking, robbery, larceny, violation of postal laws, embezzlement, extortion, receiving stolen goods, arson, gross cheats, malicious injuries, perjury, conspiracy, forgery, counterfeiting of coins, libel, obstructing justice, drunkenness, affray, violating Sabbath, vagrancy, riot, unlawful assembly, gaming, sale of intoxicating drinks, prostitution and cruelty to animals.

Case files generally contain arrest warrants, criminal complaints, specifications of the charges against the defendant, writs, indictments, subpoenas, depositions, coroners' reports, physician's reports, bill of costs, arraignment documents, jury selection proceedings, defendant's pleadings, clerk's minutes, trial proceedings, instructions for the defendant, instructions to the jury, judgements and mittimus. Case files contain information about the crimes committed, defendant’s pleadings, verdict of the jury, and sentencing by judge. May contain personal information about the defendant such as place of residence and occupation. Appeals from the district or police court contain the lower court records relating to the case.