Abstract
The results of more than 60,000 'general' cases which terminated at the Courts of Petty Sessions during 1972 have been analysed in terms of the offenders' sex, place of residence, the 'principal offence' (essentially the offence which attracted the highest penalty), the plea entered in respect of the principal offence, whether or not the defendant was legally represented, previous convictions and the action taken in respect of the principal offence.