Is the UK Criminal Justice System Fair?

OP

Original post by DecagonX

It is really just pot luck, sometimes you get lucky, other times you get the book thrown at you. Or you could just be black.

To some extent I do agree, especially more recently it seems the case of how good a day the judge is having. Cannot say this is really letting on for good precedent. Person A and B do the same crime but get very different sentences under similar circumstances.

I would say it is almost enticing future offenders to commit such crimes instead of acting as a deterrent.

Reply 4

DecagonX

6

Original post by RPT

To some extent I do agree, especially more recently it seems the case of how good a day the judge is having. Cannot say this is really letting on for good precedent. Person A and B do the same crime but get very different sentences under similar circumstances.

I would say it is almost enticing future offenders to commit such crimes instead of acting as a deterrent.

Person A and B would be having a really bad day if the police actually managed to catch them, that alone is bad enough.

Reply 5

username2965904

19

Less unfair than many countries, but still not very good. There is no real justice for victims I feel. Waiting very long times for court cases to take place is no justice for either victim or the accused.

Reply 6

OP

Original post by DecagonX

Person A and B would be having a really bad day if the police actually managed to catch them, that alone is bad enough.

I lol`d

Reply 7

OP

Original post by KingHarold

Less unfair than many countries, but still not very good. There is no real justice for victims I feel. Waiting very long times for court cases to take place is no justice for either victim or the accused.

Comparing the justice system to many other countries is pointless also many of the countries you will be comparing too are third world and it is more so that they do not have correct resources to prosecute efficiently.

Also court cases do take a long time, its astonishing actually that many criminal trials can take up to 4-6 months to be heard in the Crown Court. But on the other side providing the offender is remanded (if the crime is serious) then it is only a positive as this allow the CPS and the police to build a strong case.

Many countries have a criminal justice system were people are genuinely petrified off, here people laugh.

Reply 8

Sabertooth

Entertainment Forum Helper, Debate & Current Affairs Helper

Not until they bring back hanging.

Reply 9

Andrew97

This whole behave well and you’ll be out early nonsense should be scrapped, life should mean life no matter what. Furthermore there seems to be some cases in which women are treated better than men by judges, which is grossly unfair.

Reply 10

Angel_Chen

I don't think it's just UK, justice isn't ever completely fair throughout history there are people who didn't get what they deserved and I think justice depends on your view. If you are rich and powerful I doubt you'll get even get a sentence, just a tarnished reputation. But that is very serious to them and I think that's why it's different for different ages. Arguably before 18 you aren't fully mature and even if not sentenced then its on their record, we are more impressionable at a younger age and capable of change so I don't think it's wrong for under 18s to have a shorter sentence.

Reply 11

OP

Original post by Sabertooth

Not until they bring back hanging.

I would dis-agree as these can often lead to innocent people being killed. Although I would support a system where if an offender is found "red-hand" guilty of murder etc then yes.

Reply 12

username2393237

21

I've studied the law of evidence and I think that the whole system is a complete farce.

Reply 13

PersonHere123456

1

Shanie wouldn't approve of this...

Reply 14

TimmonaPortella

21

Original post by YaliaV

I've studied the law of evidence and I think that the whole system is a complete farce.

And what exactly are your objections to the law of evidence, as it stands?

Reply 15

cherryred90s

Original post by erratic_deus

I don't like the whole "half time" for good behavior.
A girl who threw acid on her childhood best friend was released in 6 years while the victim is scarred for life.

Naomi Oni?

Reply 16

pjm600

18

Original post by RPT

In light of recent events, there has been a spiralling debate about the legal system and its sentencing guidelines here in the UK.

There have been repeat cases in the media involving the most serious offences, murder, attempted murder etc and the sentences for these have varied so greatly that there has been great public scrutiny of the judiciary.

Is it fair to say, that two people who commit the same crime, be liable to be sentenced for the same period of time? Should the period of sentence depend on the offenders age? Is it fair to give a more lenient sentence to an offender simply because they are not yet 18?

What is everyone's opinions of the sentencing of offenders in this country? Is real justice really being served?

No. It is not, can not, and will not be fair. No two cases are identical and opinions will always differ on what is fair in respect of the circumstances.

Original post by Sabertooth

Not until they bring back hanging.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DrsVhzbLzU

watch

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 17

Dheorl

17

No two people are the same, and it therefore seems reasonable that no two trials are the same.

If someone who has a history of sadistic and violent behaviour commits murder, then of course they are likely to need more time to rehabilitate than a "normal person" who commits the same murder, and therefore assuming rehabilitation is a key aspect of a countries prison system, a longer sentence seems perfectly logical.

Reply 18

Sabertooth