Poder e justiça no Maranhão colonial da magistratura monocrática ao tribunal da relação

Abstract

The study analyses how a new institutional element was introduced into the colonial state structure: the Maranhão Court of Appeal in 1811. We know how old problems persisted in Maranhão’s justice, such as the strength of local elites and corruption of some judges. The new body aim to apply the centralization policy guided since Rio de Janeiro by the Portuguese Court, subordinating distant counties to not only judicial but also political and administrative guidance from the government of D. João.