Did the Court of Star Chamber routinely order people brought before it to plead (guilty or not guilty) without informing them of the charges against them?

zbeckabee

Court sessions were held in secret, with no indictments, no right of appeal, no juries, and no witnesses. Evidence was presented in writing. As the U.S. Supreme Court described it, "the Star Chamber has, for centuries, symbolized disregard of basic individual rights. The Star Chamber not merely allowed, but required, defendants to have counsel. The defendant's answer to an indictment was not accepted unless it was signed by counsel. When counsel refused to sign the answer, for whatever reason, the defendant was considered to have confessed." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_of_Star_Chamber#History Sep 16 08, 7:18 PM

bloomsby

Many thanks. Sep 17 08, 3:59 PM