The Criminal Procedure Act 1851
WHEREAS Offenders frequently escape Conviction on their Trials by reason of the technical Strictness of Criminal Proceedings in Matters not material to the Merits of the Case: And whereas such technical Strictness may safely be relaxed in many Instances, so as to ensure the Punishment of the Guilty, without depriving the Accused of any just Means of Defence: And whereas Failure of Justice often takes place on the Trial of Persons charged with Felony and Misdemeanor by reason of Variances betw...