Quarter Sessions

The Courts of Quarter Sessions date back to 1363 when Keepers of the Peace were formally called Justices and empowered to meet four times a year. The four sessions were held at Epiphany, (early January) Easter or Lent, Midsummer, and Michaelmas. The court dealt with both criminal and administrative matters, though many of its administrative functions ceased in 1888 when county councils were introduced.

County Quarter Sessions were held in all counties in England and Wales (except Middlesex) which for this area would have been the Staffordshire Quarter Sessions whose records are held at Staffordshire Record Office .
From 1864 the Borough of Wolverhampton was granted its own Quarter Sessions (abolished in 1971) whose records are held by Wolverhampton Archives & Local Studies.

Amongst the most useful records for family historians are :

Record or Order Books

These give summary details of the cases presented at the court and lists of Coroner's Inquests. The majority of the books for Wolverhampton have separate index books.

Depositions

These are statements made under oath before a magistrate or constable. They often give the informant's place of abode and usually their trade or occupation.

Indictments

The formal accusation of the crime which records the name of the accused, date, and nature of the offence.

Calendars of Prisoners

Pre or post trial lists of the persons accused of crimes to be tried at a court hearing including details of the crime and previous convictions, as well as the prisoner's name (sometimes including aliases), age, trade, sometimes their degree of literacy, and the verdict.

Jury Lists

A list of the jurors for each session usually containing an address or place of abode.

Newspapers

Local newspapers normally report on the trials held at the Petty Sessions, Quarter Sessions, and Assizes. They often include more details.