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![handle is hein.slavery/ssactsva0625 and id is 1 raw text is: CRIMINAL CODE.
CHAP. 120.-An ACT to reduce into one tho several acts concerning crimes
and punishments, and proceedings in criminal cases.
[Passed larch 14, 1848.]
Whereas it is expedient that the general statutes of this common- Preanmble.
wealth concerning crimes and punishments, and proceedings in cri-
minal cases, should be arranged in appropriate chapters, titles and
sections; that omissions and defects therein should be supplied and
remedied, and that the whole should be rendered concise, plain and
intelligible: Therefore,
Be it enacted by the general assembly, in manner following, that Criminal Code
enacted Iby titles.
is to say: chapters and sec-
TITLE I. ionis.
COMMON LAW AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
CIIAP. I.
OF TEE FORCE OF TIlE COMMON LAV, AND OF TIlE RULES WHIICII
GOVERN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TillS STATUTE.
SECTION SECTION
1. Common law. 2 Rules for the construction of thkis
4. statute.
1. The common law of England, so far as it is not repugnant to Common law or
the bill of rights and constitution of this state, shall continue in full England In force.
force within the same, and be the rule of decision in ascertaining
and punishing all offences against the state, except in those respects
where it is, or shall be altered by the general assembly.
2. The words preceding, and following, when used by way Construction
of reference to any section or sections of this act, shall be construed Rive, to words
to mean next preceding, or next following that in which such refe. prlowind.
rence is made, unless where some other section is expressly designa.
ted in such reference.
3. In the construction of this statute, the following rules shall be Rules of con-
observed, unless such construction would be repugnant to the context struction.
thereof, or inconsistent with the manifest intent of the legislature :
First. The word state, when applied to a part of the United Vor words
at and
States shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Co- 'Ute'd states.
lumbia, and the several territories so called, and the words United
States shall be construed to extend to, and include the said district
and territories.
Second. The words the governor, shall be equivalent to the For words , the
executive power of this commonwealth. governor.
Third. The words insane person, shall be construed to include For -insane
every person who is an idiot, lunatic, non conpos, or distracted. penon.
Fourth. The word oath, shall be construed to include an af. For words
firmaton i all oath,ad
firmation in all cases in which by law an affirmation may be substi- s'r.n
tuted for an oath, and in the like cases the word sworn shall be
construed to include the word affirm.
Fifth. Unless otherwise expressed, the word month shall be con- For words
strued to mean a calendar month, and the word year a calendar ::nt'nd
year; and the word year alone, shall be equivalent to the expres.
sion year of our Lord.](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.slavery/ssactsva0625&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)