Commonwealth v. Horregan

The St. of 1870, o. 359, § 11, provides that “ when a boy” under the age of seventeen years “is convicted by a judge of the probate court of any offence,” “he may be sentenced and committed to any institution established by authority of the laws of the Commonwealth for the reformation of juvenile offenders; or, if below the age of twelve years, to the state reform school; ” “ or, in the discretion of the judge, to such other punishment as is provided for the offence.” By the St. of 1872, c. 358, the governor is authorized to designate and commission the judges of municipal, district and…