New rules will mean innocent defendants will go to prison!

markmcdonald Mon Oct 09, 2006 at 10:04:03 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

The Government has passed more than 40 pieces of criminal legislation since 1997.



There are now more criminal offences and consequently more people in prison since the end of the Second World War. But soon the Government will introduce new provisions which arguably will ensure that even more people will be imprisoned, but this time potentially innocent ones. Under the new Legal Aid rules defendants will now be means-tested. Those who earn above 11k will likely get no legal aid and will have to pay for representation. This may lead to defendants charged with criminal offences not being legally represented in court, this undoubtedly will lead to miscarriages of justice.

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New rules will mean innocent defendants will go to prison! | 5 comments (5 topical)

Re: New rules will mean innocent... (#1)

by Glass House on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 08:55:35 AM GMT

Yep. Shitty legislation at it's most shittiest.

Spoke to a solicitor friend the other day - he can't believe how ill thought out the new rules are.

One point though - he told me that you could get at least some legal aid up to around 20-21k. Are you sure about the 11k figure?


Re: New rules will mean innocent ... (#2)

by markmcdonald on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 12:17:25 PM GMT

Above 20k there is no entitlement to legal and below 11k there is. In the middle there is a complex range of rules and arguments, but it is not clear and will lead to chaos!


Re: New rules will mean innocent ... (#3)

by Glass House on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 12:29:13 PM GMT

Yeah, that's what I meant. You said that people earning over 11k will not get legal aid - you meant 20k.

Regardless of specifics, it's a horrible mess that's going to need sorting out later. Why does we rush through this rubbish?


[ Parent ]

Re: New rules will mean innocent ... (#4)

by alexswanson on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 02:10:00 PM GMT

"Why does we rush through this rubbish?"

Have a think about this comment next time you're inclined to attack people for supporting the Conservative Party.


[ Parent ]

Re: New rules will mean innocent ... (#5)

by Glass House on Tue Oct 10, 2006 at 03:05:13 PM GMT

Nope, I don't think I will.

I support the Labour party because it, on the whole, has the right approach to reconciling the progressive values with modernity and globalisation.

To quote a fictional character (maybe someone can guess who):
"We have to say what we feel. That government no matter what its failures in the past -- and in times to come, for that matter -- government can be a place where people come together. And where no one gets left behind. No one gets left behind. An instrument of good."


[ Parent ]

New rules will mean innocent defendants will go to prison! | 5 comments (5 topical)