St. Ambrose induced Theodosius to enact a law which forbade the execution of the death penalty and the confiscation of property until thirty days after sentence had been passed.
In case the prison-keepers were found to be inhumane or remiss in their duty to their prisoners, the bishops were to report these abuses to the emperor.
Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus, interceded with Empress Pulcheria in behalf of the poor of his diocese, who were overburdened with taxes.
The Third Council of Carthage, held in 399, requested the emperor to accede to the wishes of the bishops by appointing advocates to plead the causes of the poor before the courts.
The Council of Mâcon, held in 585, forbade all civil authorities to begin judicial proceedings against widows and orphans without previously notifying the bishop of the diocese to which the accused belonged.