Justice in England and Wales is on its knees, with huge court delays adding to the suffering of crime victims and grieving families
Justice is grinding to a halt. The handcuff-rattling home secretary, Priti Patel, likes announcing draconian new sentences – but without adequate police, prisons and, above all, law courts to hear cases, her bombast is empty.
Justice delayed is justice denied when a four-year-old alleged victim of sexual abuse has to wait so long – purely for lack of court time – that they could be aged eight before their case reaches court. What will they remember? The defence can make a reasonable argument to the jury that after so long, such a young child’s memory will be unreliable. That’s not exceptional, just one case I have come across while interviewing solicitors.
Continue reading...source https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/commentisfree/2021/jul/06/priti-patel-tories-law-and-order-justice-court-delays
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