Removing juries: 'A move towards an authoritarian state'
3 days ago
- #criminal justice reform
- #legal system
- #jury trials
- Justice Secretary David Lammy announces changes to reduce jury trials in England and Wales, reserving them for serious offences like murder or rape.
- Abrar Javid, a defendant in the Rotherham 12 case, shares his positive experience with a jury trial, which restored his faith in the justice system.
- Dorothy, a victim of coercive control, expresses concerns about magistrate trials and suggests specialized courts for violence against women and girls.
- Keir Monteith KC criticizes the proposed changes as unconstitutional and warns of increased unfairness for Black and minority ethnic defendants.
- Mark Fenhalls KC emphasizes the importance of jury trials for democracy and argues that limiting them won't address the backlog in courts.
- Retired judge Chris Kinch praises juries for their diligence and warns against removing them, citing increased hostility towards the judiciary.
- Adam, a juror in a sexual abuse trial, highlights the value of diverse juries and opposes the reduction of jury trials despite court backlogs.