Legal Rights And Responsibilities

Question 1

Victims rights

Answer 1

P: Victims of crime in the UK have access to victims rights.

E: For example victims of crime can prepare a victims statement to read out to the court during sentencing.

R: However many criminals refuse to show up to court and hear this statement, causing further harm.

E: For example in 2022 Thomas Cashman murdered Olivia Pratt Korbel and didn’t arrive at sentencing.

Question 2

The Right to a fair trial

Answer 2

P: UK citizens have the right to a fair trial.

E: For example the comtempt of court act 1981 makes it illegal to publish anything which may prejudice or influence a trial.

R: however this act has been hard to enforce against social media communications as info can be shared easily.

E: for example in 2011 a juror was jailed for 8 months for contacting the accused on Facebook.

Question 3

The right to be innocent until proven guilty

Answer 3

P: UK citizens have the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty.

E: Blackstone, 1700s justice for common pleas. It is better that ten guilty escape than one innocent suffer.

R: However can be overridden by free speech.

E: For example Caroline Flack, Fathers for Justice suicide.