- American colonists were considered English citizens and therefor had the same rights, including a voice in their government
- Every colonial assembly chose its own laws about crime and punishment, but most were very similar
- Murder, treason, and piracy¹ were punished by death
- Some crimes, including theft, forgery, or highway robbery¹ were punished by jailing, whipping, or branding.
- Smaller crimes were punished with things like fines, short time in jail, or public humiliation¹, such as drunkenness or breaking the Sabbath, which said you couldn't work or travel on Sundays.
- New England Puritans said everyone had to go to church on Sunday and couldn't work or play, and made some laws based on the bible punishable by death, such as denying the true God.