Who established Recognizance and where?

Recognizance is a legal concept that allows a person to be released from custody, typically after having been charged with a crime, based on their promise to appear in court at a future date without having to post bail. This practice emphasizes the trust in individuals to meet their court obligations rather than focusing on financial penalties.

The correct answer attributes the establishment of recognizance to Judge Thatcher in Boston in 1830. Judge Thatcher's influence in this city was pivotal during a time when the criminal justice system was evolving, and the use of recognizance represented a progressive shift toward a more rehabilitative and less punitive approach in corrections.

This historical context highlights the movement towards alternatives to incarceration and reflects broader social changes in attitudes toward justice and punishment. Judge Thatcher's reforms were part of a broader recognition of the need for a justice system that considered the personal circumstances of defendants, which was innovative for that era.