Description
Object description
Original wartime caption: No. 1 Picture : This is a General MilGovt. Court, It is the highest court in the British Zone of Germany carrying powers up to and including the death sentence. Its President must carry the minimum of Lieutenant Colonel or the equivalent rank in the other two services. Starting from the left and furthest away from the camera are the three judges whose work it is to hear the evidence, reach a decision on guilt or innocence, and then it is necessary to pass sentence. IN front of them are seated on the left the Clerk of the Court and on the right holding a paper the Interpreter. All proceedings and evidence aretranslated into both German and English and in cases where other nationalities than German are being tried the proceedings are interpreted into the language of the accused in addition to the German and English [see Picture 3]. Standing facing the judges is the accused with his escort. Visible in between the accused and escort is the prosecuting Counsel. In the foreground are witnesses who have already been called and must remain in the court. The table in the left foreground is occupied by the defending Counsel Picture No.2: This is a court of the same constitution as No.l Picture. A General Court. Picture No,3 : This is a summary court. Can inflict penalties up to 1 year imprisonment or 250 Pounds Sterling fine. Left back facing the camera, the judge who tries and makes findings passes sentence, etc. At the table in front of him - left to right - The clerk of the Court, an Interpreter for the German and right a second interpreter for Polish, which was the nationality of the accused. Standing on the right is the prosecuting Counsel. Picture No,4: This is also a summary court dealing with minor infringements, The constitution is the same as Picture No.3 and carrying the same powers. Owing to the fact that this court was dealing with very minor offences it is rare that Counsel would appear either for the prosecution or the defence. Picture No.5 : Same as No.3 - case of absenteeism. Picture No.6 : Also summary Court for minor offences. Woman on the left of no particular import a counrt attendant-cum-wardress. Picture No.7 : Constitution of bench of a General Court. Picture No.8 : Same as No.7. Picture No.9 : Clerk of the Court Swearing in the interpreter this is done at the start of each day's hearing.
Physical description
Photographic negative