BREAKING: England and Wales are facing a drastic proposal to “remove the right to trial by jury” and introduce “intermediate courts” as solutions to the severe backlog in their crown courts. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) watchdog chief, Anthony Rogers, says these radical measures may be the only way to address the crisis. Is this the end of democracy? The end of justice?
"Removing the right to trial by jury" and "intermediate courts" may be the only way to clear the crown court backlog in England and Wales, says CPS watchdog chiefhttps://t.co/BvZpcZaAkv
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 16, 2024
Currently, the backlog in crown courts stands at a staggering 73,105 cases, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Court closures and delays have nearly doubled the number of delayed cases since before the pandemic, leaving the justice system in disarray.
Rogers proposes two solutions: removing the right to trial by jury for lesser offenses, reserving it only for serious crimes like rape, murder, and terrorism, and introducing intermediate courts to handle cases too serious for magistrates but not severe enough for crown courts. These changes, Rogers believes, could clear up to 30,000 cases from the backlog.
While the intention is to speed up the judicial process, critics like Richard Atkinson, President of the Law Society, argue that removing the right to a jury trial could undermine fundamental rights and have dangerous constitutional consequences. The proposed intermediate courts, made up of a judge and two magistrates, may require significant resources and are not seen as a quick fix.
In the midst of this crisis, Vicki Crawford, a sexual abuse survivor, shared her personal experience of waiting over five years for her trial. The emotional toll, anxiety, and uncertainty have left her scarred. Her abuser was eventually sentenced to seven years in prison, but the prolonged wait left her feeling betrayed by the system.
The government is conducting a once-in-a-generation review, led by former High Court judge Sir Brian Leveson, to address the backlog. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasizes that “no reform is off the table,” acknowledging the need for bold solutions to ensure timely justice for victims.
This proposed overhaul of the criminal justice system is generating fierce debate, with many fearing it will erode constitutional rights in the name of efficiency. Is this the only way to bring justice, or are we sacrificing our most basic freedoms?
Sources:
https://www.aol.com/jury-trial-under-threat-leveson-094325870.html
7 views