News
Release on Temporary Licence
The government has conducted a review of the process for prisoners to be released on temporary licence (ROTL); the drive behind the changes being the rehabilitation of offenders. Research has shown that working in the community prior to release significantly reduces the likelihood of re-offending. Ex-offenders in employment are up to nine percentage points less likely to commit further...Read More
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Mental Health, the Criminal Law and Sentencing
Mental Health is a complicated business. Conditions are not easy to diagnose, doctors can disagree on which disorder a person is suffering from, or even if they have a mental health condition at all. Those with mental disorders might have specific needs in court on top of those of the typical defendant. That’s if they’re mentally well enough to stand trial at all, or if the CPS deems it is in...Read More
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Who Guards the Guards?
This perennial question was back in the news following a ministry of justice announcement that further steps would be taken to root out dishonest prison officers and others working in custodial institutions. A new counter-corruption unit will be tasked with ‘proactively pursuing those suspected of corrupt activity in prison and probation services across England and Wales.’ The unit...Read More
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Speed – How Fast is Too Fast?
The idea of speed limits causes immense confusion, with many people believing that the speed limit is at least the minimum speed you should ordinarily drive at. Most of us have experienced the rage of a motorist behind us if we adhere to the limit. A step below it to any degree can often cause outrage. In reality, however, the safe speed is always linked to the conditions. We need to factor in...Read More
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Interview Under Caution: Do I need a solicitor?
An interview under caution at the police station is also known as a ‘Caution + 3’ interview, or a voluntary interview. You will usually be contacted by a police officer who will ask you to come to the police station at a certain time because they want to talk to you about an offence, usually a fairly minor one or something that happened a while ago. Sometimes they will tell you they just ‘want...Read More
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What To Do If You Are Too Unwell To Attend Court
Many people face very lengthy court proceedings, and it is therefore hardly unusual that on occasion a person may be unwell and unable to attend court. Despite this fact, courts are sceptical of alleged illness and unless the rules are followed in close detail, a non-attendee faces the serious prospect of being arrested by the police and taken to court in custody. This may involve a stay in...Read More
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Government Tightens Terrorism Laws
The Manchester Arena bombing, the London Bridge attack, Shamima Begum. These are some examples of terrorism headlines in the past few years. The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 is the Government’s latest answer to curbing and punishing terrorist activity. The Act creates new terrorism offences, changes some old ones, and increases the maximum sentence for many existing ones. The...Read More
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Policing Public Protest – A Question of Balance
Environmental protests across London in recent days have caused massive disruption and are set to spread across other towns and cities over the coming weeks and months. Public protest has always been a legitimate and important part of the democratic process and is enshrined in law. But, how do the police balance the right to protest as against the rights of other people to go about their...Read More
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Undercover Policing – Beyond the Line of Duty
The television drama ‘Line of Duty’ reaches a conclusion this evening, with audiences keen to discover the identity of ‘H’ and the top copper involved in organised crime gangs. Central to the plot of this series has been an undercover cop, sent in to expose the workings of organised crime gangs. Despite appearing otherwise legitimate, he appeared to go rogue and was...Read More
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Listen, do you want to know a secret?
Gavin Williamson MP has been sacked from the Cabinet for leaking confidential information from the National Security Council regarding Huawei. Theresa May considers that the matter is closed and won’t refer him to the police. However, they can investigate anyway, but would need the cooperation of the Cabinet Office. There are some sensitivities when it comes to investigating the workings...Read More
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