Administration of Justice Act (1774)

The Administration of Justice Act was one of five laws enacted by the British Parliament in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party. Collectively, the acts were known as the Coercive Acts, or the Intolerable Acts. The Administration of Justice Act, passed on May 20, 1774, authorized the governor of Massachusetts to move trials of royal officials accused of committing capital offenses, while performing their official duties, to another colony or to Great Britain, if he believed the accused would not receive a fair trial in Massachusetts. The act is sometimes referred to as the Murder Act because of colonial fears that it might enable royal officials to escape punishment for committing capital offenses. The Administration of Justice Act and the other Coercive Acts provided further ammunition for a growing radical element in the colonies and prompted the calling of the First Continental Congress on September 5, 1774.

Quick Facts About Administration of Justice Act (1774)

The British Parliament enacted the Administration of Justice Act on May 20, 1774.

The Administration of Justice Act was one of the Coercive, or Intolerable Acts, enacted by Parliament in reaction to the Boston Tea Party.

The Administration of Justice Act authorized the governor of Massachusetts to move trials of royal officials accused of capital offenses to another colony or to Great Britain if he believed the accused would not receive a fair trial.

The Administration of Justice Act applied only to royal officials who committed capital offenses in the act of performing official duties for the crown.

The Administration of Justice Act applied only to the colony of Massachusetts.

The Administration of Justice Act and the other Coercive Acts provided further ammunition for a growing radical element in the colonies and prompted the calling of the First Continental Congress on September 5, 1774.

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"Administration of Justice Act (1774) ," American History Central, 2013, American History Central. 21 May 2013 <http://www.www.americanhistorycentral.com/entry.php?rec=505>

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"Administration of Justice Act (1774) ." (2013) In American History Central, Retrieved May 21, 2013, from American History Central: http://www.www.americanhistorycentral.com/entry.php?rec=505

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