Backlash Grows Over Proposed Cuts to Jury Trials in England and Wales
Groups warn that reducing jury trials could undermine justice for victims of violence against women and girls, urging Justice Secretary David Lammy to reconsider the plans.
Backlash Grows over Proposed Cuts to Jury Trials in England and Wales
In a strongly worded letter to Justice Secretary David Lammy, a coalition of 30 organizations representing victims of violence against women and girls (VAWG) have voiced their opposition to the government's plans to significantly reduce the number of jury trials in England and Wales. The groups argue that these proposals will only serve to deepen mistrust in the justice system among victims and distract from measures aimed at reducing offending.
The letter highlights the groups' concerns that judge-led decisions are more likely to be influenced by bias than those made by 12 random members of the public serving on a jury. They assert that this shift away from jury trials risks undermining justice for vulnerable individuals, particularly women and girls who have experienced abuse.
Source: The Guardian
