Imperial China:I As viewed from above,a pure criminal legal system As viewed from below,tort law masquerading as criminal law In addition to important stuff,there are minor matters Loans,land,marriage,and inheritance. I charge you with not paying back the loan The magistrate schedules a court date,comments on the case I then bargain with you,you pay back the loan We humbly ask the magistrate to cancel the court date The magistrate,being a busy man,agrees If we don't reach agreement,the trial is held,the magistrate tells you to pay If you do,he generously cancels the punishment for your offense Imperial China: I • As viewed from above, a pure criminal legal system • As viewed from below, tort law masquerading as criminal law • In addition to important stuff, there are minor matters • Loans, land, marriage, and inheritance. • I charge you with not paying back the loan • The magistrate schedules a court date, comments on the case • I then bargain with you, you pay back the loan • We humbly ask the magistrate to cancel the court date • The magistrate, being a busy man, agrees • If we don’t reach agreement, the trial is held, the magistrate tells you to pay • If you do, he generously cancels the punishment for your offense