Dispense with the 12 'Good Men'!

[Peikko 1,575]

The court of appeal today ruled that a criminal trial can be heard without a jury for the first time.

Three judges in London, headed by the lord chief justice, Lord Judge, gave the go-ahead because of a "very significant" danger of jury tampering. Lord Judge said the case concerned "very serious criminal activity" arising from a robbery at a warehouse at Heathrow airport in 2004.

Reporting restrictions ban the identification of four defendants. Their trial will take place "in due course".

Today's decision by Lord Judge, sitting with Lord Justice Goldring and Mr Justice McCombe, means the new trial will be the first crown court case in England and Wales to be heard by a judge alone since new legislation came into force in 2003.

In his written judgment, handed down in open court, Lord Judge said: "The case concerns very serious criminal activity, including possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery, and conspiracy to rob."

During a "carefully planned and professionally executed armed robbery", a firearm was fired at a supervisor. "The objective of the robbery was something in the region of £10m in sterling and mixed foreign currency. As a result of a misreading of a flight manifest, the proceeds amounted to £1.75m, which are largely unrecovered."

Lord Judge went on: "In this country, trial by jury is a hallowed principle of the administration of criminal justice. It is properly identified as a right, available to be exercised by a defendant unless and until the right is amended or circumscribed by express legislation."

Link

[almaty 19]

Lord Judge went on: "In this country, trial by jury is a hallowed principle of the administration of criminal justice

facists rejoice

[Peikko 1,575]

I can see why they made this decision. Four times the jury was dismissed because of tampering accusations but still, not sure if this is the way out.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm now confused on the difference between the crown court and a magistrates court...

[Peikko 1,575]

Magistrates, 3 judges. Has to be majority decision. They can choose not to try a case if they believe it warrants a jury as well.

The judges are also members of the general public, not trained in the legal profession.

Edited June 18, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[almaty 19]

still a bad decision ....