Judgment can be arrested only on grounds of law.

On these you can be heard.

But, if you have none to offer, you must be silent and submit to your sentence." He then, without a pause, proceeded to point out the heinous character of the offense, but admitted there was one mitigating circumstance; and, in conclusion, he condemned the culprit to five years' penal servitude.
At this the poor wretch uttered a cry of anguish that was fearful, and clutched the dock convulsively.
Now a prisoner rarely speaks to a judge without revolting him by bad law, or bad logic, or hot words.

But this wild cry was innocent of all these, and went straight from the heart in the dock to the heart on the judgment seat.

And so his lordship's voice trembled for a moment, and then became firm again, but solemn and humane.
"But," said he, "my experience tells me this is your first crime, and may possibly be your last.