Charles Spurgeon Commentary Acts 16:22

"And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods." — Acts 16:22 (ASV)

They beat them first, and tried them afterwards. That is often the rule with those who persecute God's people: let them be hanged out of the way, and then we will inquire what they teach.