the black act of 1723, sponsored by robert walpole, strengthened the criminal code for the benefit of the upper class. it specified over 200 capital crimes, many with intensified punishment. arson, for example, was expanded to include burning or the threat of burning haystacks. the legal rights of defendants were strictly limited. for example, suspects who refused to surrender within 40 days could be summarily judged guilty and sentenced to execution if apprehended. local villages were punished if they failed to find, prosecute and convict alleged criminals.