The Aztecs had a sophisticated and
strict system of law and order.
The emperor and his closest advisers
and nobles probably made the laws. There were laws against murder,
theft, crimes against the state (treason) etc., as you would expect.
There were also laws against being drunk in public, practicing
witchcraft, and cheating on a husband or wife.
Punishments varied, but the death
penalty was common. Death sentences were usually carried out by
strangulation or by cutting out the criminal’s heart in sacrifice
to the gods. Other punishments included being held in a cage, having
your head shaved in public, or being put into slavery. Interestingly,
nobles, priests, and higher-level citizens were usually punished more
severely than common folk.
There were several levels of courts in
the Aztec court system. Serious or important cases were heard by
higher courts, as were cases involving nobles and other high level
citizens. Lesser cases or trials of the lower classes were usually
heard in lower courts.
Judges heard and decided the court
cases. They were appointed for life by the chief justice, and the
emperor appointed the chief justice. Cases were heard in public, and
the accused were allowed to defend themselves.
As the supreme leader of the empire,
the emperor had the final say in any case.
