A Different Sort of Justice: The Informal Courts of Public Opinion in Antebellum South Carolina (original) (raw)

This research explores the informal courts and extralegal methods of justice in antebellum South Carolina, highlighting the limitations of formal legal systems and the cultural significance of honor in society. It examines specific social interactions, like the altercation between William Bailey and Thomas Prince, to illustrate broader themes of lawlessness and the reliance on community judgment and violence as alternatives to formal judicial processes. Ultimately, the study provides insights into the legal culture during this pivotal historical period, emphasizing how informal resolutions shaped social order.