and cousins, as also their sons- in-law and nephews; and moreover the father, mother, or wife of an officer of government of the 4th or 5th rank, and the sons or grandsons, if inheriting their rank, shall, in each case, although their offences shall be investigated by the magistrate of the district, not be finally condemned to any species of punishment, except by a decree of His Imperial Majesty.Nevertheless, no distinction shall be made in favour of those persons in cases of treason, rebellion, rapes, robberies, murders, or bribing for unlawful purposes.
When any of the relations of privileged persons, not being themselves privileged, or their slaves, servants, stewards, tenants, and such like, avail themselves of the authority and credit of their lords, masters, or relations, to oppress and injure the people, or to insult and resist the magistrates, they shall be punished one degree more severely than in ordinary cases of similar offences, but the privileged person shall not be implicated in any judicial proceedings without a special reference being had on the subject to His Imperial Majesty.
When the tribunals of government undertake the investigation and trial of offenders so connected with privileged persons, if such persons interpose their influence and authority to interrupt the course of justice, and prevent the offenders from answering the summons of the magistrate, the proper officer in the department in which such inter position takes place, shall lay a true and faithful report thereof before the Emperor, by whom alone the punishment to be inflicted for such offence can be determined.
One clause.
