¹⁶ I told them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone before the accused had met the accusers face to face and had been given an opportunity to make a defense against the charge.^{(A) 17} So when they met here, I lost no time but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought.^{(B) 18} When the accusers stood up, they did not charge him with any of the crimes^[a] that I was expecting.