Vagrancy Act 1824

1. Introductory Text

2. Provisions heretofore made relative to Vagrants shall be repealed, except as to Offences committed before the passing of the Act.

3. II. Provisions of recited Act as a give power of passing convicts on Discharge from Prison repealed

4. III. Persons committing certain Offences how to be punished.

5. IV. Persons committing certain Offences to be deemed Rogues and Vagabonds.

6. V. Who shall be deemed incorrigible Rogues.

7. VI. Any Person may apprehend Offenders. Penalty on Constables, &c. neglecting their Duty.

8. VII. Justices to examine Persons apprehended, and if Matter be proved, to commit them.

9. VIII. Vagrants to be searched, and Trunks, Bundles, &c. to be inspected. Effects found upon Vargrants to be sold, and applied towards the Expenses of maintaining such Offenders.

10. IX. Justices may bind Persons by Recognizance to prosecute Vagrants at Sessions. Power of Sessions to order Payment of Expenses to Prosecutors and Witnesses.

11. X. Power of Sessions to detain and keep to hard Labour, and punish by Whipping, Rogues and Vagabonds and incorrigible Rogues.

12. XI. Penalty on Officers neglecting their Duties, &c.

13. XII. On Conviction of Officers, &c, Justices to make Order for Payment of Expenses of Prosecution.

14. XIII. Lodging Houses, &c. suspected to conceal Vagrants may be searched, and suspected Persons brought before a Justice.

15. XIV. Persons aggrieved may appeal to the next Sessions.

16. XV. Visiting Justices of Gaols, &c. empowered to grant Certificates for enabling Persons discharged from Prison to receive Alms in their Route.

17. XVI. Justices not to grant Certificates enabling Persons to ask Relief on Route, except to Soldiers and Sailors. Other Persons asking Alms to be deemed Rogues and Vagabonds.

18. XVII. Form of Conviction under this Act. Conviction to be transmitted to the Sessions, and a Copy thereof to be Evidence.

19. XVIII. Justices, &c, to have Treble Costs if Judgment be in their Favour.

20. XIX. Limitation of Actions. General Issue.

21. XX. Persons convicted under this Act to be chargeable to the Parish in which they shall reside.

22. XXI. Persons committing Offences under former Acts to be punished under this Act.

23. XXII. Not to extend to repeal any Act in force in Scotland or Ireland relative to the Removal of Poor, &c.