Letter: Trial by jury
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Letter: Trial by jury
Sir: Anyone who has ever attended a magistrates' court will have seen the magistrates suspiciously and aggressively question the defendant while falling over themselves to defer to the police before invariably finding for the prosecution ("Thousands lose right to jury trial", 19 May). To allow magistrates to try summarily many more of those offences which now go before a jury will, without doubt, lead to a much higher conviction rate - possibly, I would guess, as high as 100 per cent.
The Home Secretary's measure is half baked. If it is implemented, it will soon become obvious that much time and money will be saved if the formality of an appearance before the magistrates, with its inevitable conclusion, were to be dispensed with completely.
If Mr Straw were to think the measure through, he would surely come to the conclusion that it would be much more efficient if convictions could proceed automatically on the word of a single police officer.
Dr CHRIS PAYNE
Uxbridge, Middlesex
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments