High misdemeanor

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High Misdemeanor is an archaic term in English Law for a number of positive misprisions, neglects and contempts. The most important example being that of maladministration in high office.

Contents 1 Examples in English Law 2 References 3 Notes 4 See also

[edit] Examples in English Law

A number of United Kingdom Statutes refer to particular crimes as being high misdemeanors:

• Discharging or aiming firearms, or throwing or using any offensive matter or weapon, with intent to injure or alarm the Sovereign ^[1]
• Where a Roman Catholic advises the Crown on the appointment to offices of the Established Church ^[2]
• Where a Jew advises the Crown on the appointment to offices of the Churches of England, Ireland and Scotland ^[3]

Blackstone describes a number of offences as being high misdemeanors, for example:

• treasonable words
• receiving stolen goods
• prison break
• maladministration of high office
• firing of one's house in a town

A number of statutory references to high misdemeanors have subsequently been repealed, including:

• The conviction of a Returning officer for corrupt practices during an election to the Parliament of Ireland ^[4]

[edit] References

• Halsbury's Laws of England
• Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England

[edit] Notes

1. ↑  Section 4, Treason Act 1852
2. ↑  Section 18, Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829
3. ↑  Section 4, Jews Relief Act 1848
4. ↑  Section 25, Parliamentary Elections (Ireland) Act 1820 and Section 75, Parliamentary Elections (Ireland) Act 1823

[edit] See also

• High crime
• High crimes and misdemeanours