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11/06/2013
Video Evidence To Protect Vulnerable From Courtroom Stress
Following concerns for the wellbeing of children giving evidence in sexual abuse cases the government have announced a new pilot scheme that will see them questioned by defence lawyers on video prior to the case reaching the court room.
According to the BBC, justice minister, Chris Grayling has said the move will help avoid the “cauldron of the courtroom”.
Currently children and vulnerable adults can give their evidence via video link or from behind a screen. And on occasion prosecutors will use pre-recorded videos of police interviews, to reduce the amount of time the person has to appear in court.
A number of recent cases have been targeted for criticism for overly aggressive question, with one witness allegedly being questioned by 7 different defence lawyers over the course of 3 weeks.
Ministers have now said that they will implement section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999,
This allows the cross-examination of children and the most vulnerable adult victims to be recorded before trial so that they do not have to take part in the live process.
The new system will now be piloted for six months in Leeds, Liverpool and Kingston-upon-Thames.
(MH/CD)
According to the BBC, justice minister, Chris Grayling has said the move will help avoid the “cauldron of the courtroom”.
Currently children and vulnerable adults can give their evidence via video link or from behind a screen. And on occasion prosecutors will use pre-recorded videos of police interviews, to reduce the amount of time the person has to appear in court.
A number of recent cases have been targeted for criticism for overly aggressive question, with one witness allegedly being questioned by 7 different defence lawyers over the course of 3 weeks.
Ministers have now said that they will implement section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999,
This allows the cross-examination of children and the most vulnerable adult victims to be recorded before trial so that they do not have to take part in the live process.
The new system will now be piloted for six months in Leeds, Liverpool and Kingston-upon-Thames.
(MH/CD)
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Five men have denied charges over the alleged attempts to carry out bomb attacks on the London transport network last July. Ibrahim Muktar Said, 27, Ramzi Mohammed, 23, Yassin Omar, 24, and Hussain Osman, 27, all from London, denied charges of conspiracy to murder and cause explosions.
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Double Jeopardy Tried Again
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Falconer pledges better deal for victims and witnesses
A better deal for victims and witnesses, with more specialist facilities in courts, was announced today by Constitutional Affairs Secretary Lord Falconer. Lord Falconer said: "The needs and safety of victims must be at the heart of the way trials are managed. Giving evidence is a nerve-racking experience, especially for victims.
Falconer pledges better deal for victims and witnesses
A better deal for victims and witnesses, with more specialist facilities in courts, was announced today by Constitutional Affairs Secretary Lord Falconer. Lord Falconer said: "The needs and safety of victims must be at the heart of the way trials are managed. Giving evidence is a nerve-racking experience, especially for victims.
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