If sentencing is put into the hands of police and prosecutors, plea bargaining will begin on arrest. "Do you want to put your hands up for [lesser crime], in which case I can offer you [sentence A], or shall we prosecute you for [greater crime] and risk [sentence B]?" will become a more common question in Britain than "What would you like to drink?"
If the policeman arresting you can influence your sentence, the temptation for him to take bribes will become even greater too. This is an undemocratic, illiberal and potentially corrupt proposal.
Telegraph | News | Thieves no longer have to appear in court
Monday, January 16, 2006
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6 comments:
It is illiberal, but is it undemocratic?
Sounds like it is getting close to Judge Dreddrevinke
Deogolwulf, you have me bang to rights. It must be democratic because less than half the population voted for a party that didn't put it in its manifesto, right? If indeed, two wolves and a sheep voting for what's for dinner is a democracy, then it's democratic. B^)
As I see it, the fundamental problem is that there aren't enough prisons. The response has been to try and avoid custodial sentences - and all the various "orders" the Govt have introduced all lead towards just getting the money off people if possible. I agree, it is illiberal - but that's the Britain we now live in :-(
I hope you didn't take mine as a snotty comment! Wasn't meant to be!
Not at all, Deogolwulf. I hope my tongue-in-cheek response didn't give that impression. I am always happy to have comments and generally - given the theme of my blog - I would be delighted to convinced I was wrong!
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