Frontier law was often handled by self appointed?

Frontier law was frequently managed by self-appointed individuals, such as vigilantes or local leaders, due to the absence of formal legal systems in newly settled areas. These individuals took it upon themselves to enforce order and dispense justice, often relying on community consensus or personal judgment. This system, while sometimes effective in addressing immediate conflicts, could lead to arbitrary outcomes and a lack of due process. Ultimately, it reflected the challenges and complexities of governance in rapidly expanding frontiers.