Daniel Weed comments on the current state of the Criminal Justice System and whether the recent change in government will result in improvements.

With almost a quarter of a century of experience in criminal law and a regular attender at both the Magistrates and Crown Courts, Daniel is certainly qualified to provide his opinion on the state of the criminal justice system. As Chair of the Manchester Law Society Crown and Magistrate Court Committee he was asked by the Law Society Messenger to comment on whether the recent change in government will have any impact on the issues faced by those working in the criminal justice system.

Daniel is passionate about his job in the legal sector and as with most members of society he wants to see people treated fairly, justly and given the support that they need. Whether it is legal advice and assistance when somebody has been wrongly accused or receiving assistance from the Probation Service or other agencies to lead a law abiding, life it is clear that the current system is in turmoil and needs to be improved as it failing it’s users and society in general.

Daniel’s full article is below.

Can Labour make a real change to the Criminal Justice System Crisis?

Any Court professional court user who has experience of Magistrates or Crown Court daily workings post COVIO will have their views, (some very strong and some probably not suitable for publication) as to the Court’s efficiency.

Unless Labour ls willing to invest much needed time and money into much needed resources in the Criminal Justice System, for some time hereon In It will, remain a broken as described In Labours manifesto. The questions they should ask themselves are, how high up their list of priorities is the Criminal Justice System and those that work within it and is the broken system salvable?

It is evident from the increase in criminal charges and overnight remands of prisoners that Greater Manchester Police wish to remain out of special measures they found themselves In. The Increase in charges and overnight remands are an added pressure to a broken system still trying the tidy up from the tsunami caused by COVIO delays. Police charges increase but Court resources are being reduced at the same time. That equation doesn’t result in efficiency within an already broken system.

Labour recognises that more prosecutors are needed. Labour also recognises they need to address an under resourced Probation system. I agree. However, I see no mention of an under resourced administrative sector within the Courts and a depleting. despondent defence fraternity and an increase in Legal Aid payments.

The defence fraternity is now more than ever predominantly based on the goodwill of those that still see it as a vocation rather than a profession. That goodwill is dwindling fast. You just need to look to the Courts corridors to see that the average age of Duty Solicitors is increasing, those already within criminal defence work are vacating the vocation to look to other sectors of the law to work in and as a result the criminal defence solicitor becoming a dying breed.

Newly qualified solicitors seem attracted to the better paid legal sectors with wellbeing and work life balance a priority, without the out of office hours demands of early morning police station call outs, late night Court preparation and following morning Court lists Including a Saturday Court list and demands of clients.

Any changes to the system decided by Labour will take time, but the broken criminal justice system is a ticking time bomb.

Will the new Government invest to reignite the Criminal Justice System efficiently, its current inefficiency being a major factor in the well being of those that find themselves day in, day out, morning, noon and most nights engaged in the continued battle of working In the Criminal Justice System.

The Criminal Justice System may be better served if those still willing and trying to serve and assist the system in its day-to-day survival are remunerated fairly and given the necessary resources.

The Current Cabinet have a few members with a legal background, some have built their previous career on securing justice for those that need it, defending ordinary people against the powerful. Let’s hope those in power that can make meaningful changes to a system they know of old and don’t forget their professional grass roots.

Labour promised they would win back our streets from antisocial behaviour. One of their 1st tasks in power – early release of prisoners back onto those streets due to overcrowding of prisoners. That will only add to the pressure for those working in the Probation Service, those responsible for managing offenders released back into the community. Further demands. Further pressures. Is that the answer for an already over worked, under resourced group of professional court users?

Labour will be busy trying to revive the system. Being busy doesn’t always equate to efficiency and productivity, both of which are a much needed boost for all practitioners In the Criminal Justice Service.  The system needs to be injected with a cocktail of efficiency and proactivity and it needs to be done fast.

Let’s hope they are in Government long enough, if only to revive the broken Criminal Justice System they describe.

Daniel Weed

Chair, MLS Crown and Magistrate Court Committee

Danel is a Director of Burton Copeland, the Compliance Partner & Supervising Solicitor, he passionate about criminal and regulatory law and defending his clients and ensuring that they get the representation and support that they need. You can read more about the work that he does by viewing Daniel’s profile here or you can view the full Law Society Messenger Edition here.