The Jury - Should the system be reformed?

[sadoldgit]

Lots of discussion about the proposed changes to the jury system in this country, driven by the huge, unmanageable backlog of court cases.

I would probably have argued against any changes previously, but having watched The Jury: Murder Trial, I am not so sure. If you haven’t seen the programme it ran a previous murder trial using actors and the actual court transcripts and presented the case to two new juries. I won’t give a spoiler but the process throws in to doubt the process of how different people process the same information and how those people can influence other people.

Of course, we already have a two tier system depending on the seriousness of the crime so not everybody is tried by their peers as things stand. The mooted change will not effect the most serious crimes.

So, good thing or not?

[badgerx16]

Perhaps the Legal system needs reform, but this won't solve the problem.

There is insufficient funding, the building infrastructure is crumbling, there is a lack of capacity within the system, and the prisons are at breaking point. This would only be a solution if the problem was a lack of jurors.

 

[sadoldgit]

I don’t disagree with the problems within the CJS, but when they are booking trials in for 2030 something needs to be done.

[badgerx16]

14 minutes ago, sadoldgit said:

I don’t disagree with the problems within the CJS, but when they are booking trials in for 2030 something needs to be done.

But if, as reported, there is a shortage of Barristers and Judges, and a backlog within the CPS due to staff overload as it processes case files, how will Lammey's reforms help ?

Edited 42 minutes ago by badgerx16

[badgerx16]

If they are putting more workload onto the volunteer Magistrates, will they be willing to give additional time ?

[Lord Duckhunter]

2 hours ago, sadoldgit said:

I would probably have argued against any changes previously, but now labour are proposing it and not the wicked Tories, I’m all for it. 

Amended for you..