Trial by jury

Catherine21
Catherine21 Posts: 8,448 Championing

Lammy announced wants to scrap trial by jury for less serious crimes?? Please tell me they cant just do this ??? Ive emailed my mp on this and digital ID and im getting no case number back or confirmation is anyone else experiencing this

Comments

  • vikingqueen
    vikingqueen Scope Member Posts: 1,893 Championing
    edited November 27

    My cousin was a QC before he retired, he was once the prosecution barrister for a man that stole half a pound of butter... that trial (by jury) at a crown court lasted about 4 days, at a cost of thousands of pounds.

    The accused was found not guilty.... All that time and money on a nonsensical offences, but because he pleaded not guilty it resulted in a very costly trial.

    And you think Lammy is wrong.

  • Chris75_
    Chris75_ Online Community Member Posts: 3,986 Championing
    edited November 27

    I testified in a serious assault case at the Sheriff Court, which was thrown out for lack of evidence ( I was the only witness who didn't balk at threats if I testified). A jury would have added yet more expense to the proceedings.

  • vikingqueen
    vikingqueen Scope Member Posts: 1,893 Championing

    Exactly @Chris75_ people don't realise the cost of some of the trials.

  • Catherine21
    Catherine21 Posts: 8,448 Championing
    edited November 27

    I thought it was a bad thing as people saying its a step towards state run judges ? And they can do as they pls

  • Chris75_
    Chris75_ Online Community Member Posts: 3,986 Championing
    edited November 27

    Talking about waste of money, did you see a judge in the US has thrown out that farcical case against James Comey?

  • Chris75_
    Chris75_ Online Community Member Posts: 3,986 Championing
  • vikingqueen
    vikingqueen Scope Member Posts: 1,893 Championing

    I wouldn't believe everything you read, most of it is click bait, and what even is a state run judge...we don't have states that'll be the good old USA.

  • vikingqueen
    vikingqueen Scope Member Posts: 1,893 Championing

    I've never understood American law @Chris75_ it baffles me. I'm just glad we have a decent judicial system.

  • WelshBlue
    WelshBlue Online Community Member Posts: 955 Championing

    Sort of mixed on this

    It could be a lottery of what judge a defendant is given. How much money the CPS have wasted is more the point. Or how dis-honest the arresting officer is in some cases

    The best example I can give is my own son

    Travelled from Liverpool to Cardiff to watch Wales play football, got lost on the way back to the hotel by himself, stopped 3 men to ask directions … one of whom started to attack him

    Ended up with my son knocking him out. Subsequently charged with GBH.

    The initial presiding judge wouldn't let the "victim's" convictions be made public, or all the CCTV be played

    Cut to the day of the trial … a new judge, allowed the defending barrister to question the victim … turns out he likes putting his grandmother in hospital

    CCTV showed my son defending himself after being attacked, also the broken nose and fractured cheek the victim sustained didn't come from my son, but an earlier altercation the victim had

    The judge just laughed and asked the Prosecution if they were embarrassed … then instructed the jury to bring a case of not guilty as it was in her eyes a malicious prosecution of someone acting in self defence. She awarded my son hundreds in travel and hotel costs, also instructed his barrister to open a civil case because the CPS tried to with hold evidence.

    My point - it can't be down to luck on the day

    As for the arresting officer … he stayed behind to shake my son's hand and to say he's glad he took it all the way because he didn't want to prosecute