Discussion Forums » Topic of the Month
Topic for May - The Justice System
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This is a possible discussion agenda below. You might find it useful as input to your own.
Discussion Agenda – The Justice System
Useful overviews of Criminal and Civil Justice System
https://www.clinks.org/criminal-justice/guide-criminal-justice-system
https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/the-justice-system/jurisdictions/civil-jurisdiction/
Govt. Policy:
The legal system must uphold fairness in society: both in business and for individuals. We want to ensure justice for victims of crime and better rehabilitation for criminals, with a reduction in the rate of reoffending.
The justice system must punish the guilty, protect our liberties and rehabilitate offenders. We will ensure that more criminals make amends to victims and communities for the harm they have caused and help them break the destructive cycle of crime.
See https://www.gov.uk/government/topics/law-and-the-justice-system
Possible Topics
Note that there is a lot below. Don’t suggest we cover everything but use as a checklist to prompt discussion of areas we think very important and/or we have specific ideas to improve.
Do we agree with the policy statement above?
Criminal Justice
Crime and Detection
What are the root causes of crime?
How do we tackle these?
Role of education?
What crimes aren’t being adequately dealt with?
e.g. Drugs, Internet Crime, Fraud, Rape, Knife crime, Mental health associated, ……..?
Policing and Crime detection – how do we improve it? Use of technology
Deprived areas
Anti-social behaviour v crime
Family disputes
Immigrants and Ethnic minorities
Prosecutions
Evidence and Prosecutions, Pleas and Plea bargaining, Lawyer quality
Courts
Magistrates and Judges – including quality
Our adversarial system
Quality and Cost of Lawyers
Legal system or Justice System?
Getting off on technicalities
Time devoted - ?conveyor belt
Jury system
Intimidation of Jury/Witnesses
Sentences
Conditional discharge, Fine, Community Sentence, Suspended Sentence, Custodial Sentence
Young offenders
Alternatives to custodial sentences. Does technology open other possibilities?
Length of sentences
Punishment v rehabilitation
Wrongful convictions
Prison/Custodial
Overcrowding, Manpower
Probation and re-offending
ASBOs, Tagging, Other surveillance, Technology
High volume offending/Family offending
Cost of the Criminal Justice System
Organised Crime
Terrorism
International Courts – UN etc
Civil Justice System
Cost of Justice prohibitive unless rich or poor.
Cost of Lawyers - access to best lawyers only for rich
Small claims court
Internet contracts and the young
Standardised business contracts/Standardised clauses
Mediation
Companies and letter of law e.g. avoiding taxation versus ethical decision making
Privacy
This post was edited by # Probably42 at May 9, 2018 10:34 AM BST -
The Output of the Deep Thought Group Pie and Pint discussion this month detailing Issues and Ideas can be viewed at
http://www.probably42.net/documents/2/29/the-justice-system-output-from-deep-thought-group-pie-and-pint-meeting-11If you want to view previous discussion outputs you can see them at:
http://www.probably42.net/group/3/p42-pie-pint-discussion-group-deep-thought-west-berks