News
Rushed Probation Reforms: NAO Report
Problems with the partial privatisation of the probation system in England and Wales have cost taxpayers almost £500m, the government spending watchdog says.
Under the changes, introduced when Chris Grayling was justice secretary, firms were given contracts to supervise low and medium-risk offenders. The National Audit Office says reforms were "rushed" and warns more people are being returned to jail for reoffending.
The report can be found here.
Inspectorate Reports on Police Response to Victims of Domestic Abuse
Overall, the police are getting better at dealing with calls about domestic abuse.
We are concerned that the police are sometimes too slow in getting to domestic abuse incidents... We found delays in responding to cases in over a quarter of forces. In a small number, the delays are because the forces don't have enough officers available to attend.
One aspect in particular they could improve is their training about behaviour that is coercive and controlling.
We found that most officers know how important it is to arrest the offender in cases of domestic abuse. But the arrest rate is still falling. This concerns us.
We found that the number of people being released on bail for domestic abuse crimes has dropped by 65 percent. This figure is for the use of all bail... This suggests that they may not be monitoring the use of bail, which is extremely worrying.
Expanded Explanations in Sentencing Guidelines Consultation
The Sentencing Council today launched a consultation on plans to provide expanded explanations in offence specific guidelines in England and Wales. The expanded explanations will embed additional information in digital guidelines and are designed to reflect and encourage current best practice rather than to alter sentencing practice.
Key features include expanded explanations for: Commission of offence while under the influence of alcohol, Vulnerability of victims, Age and/or lack of maturity, Sole or primary carer for dependent relatives
Youth Justice System Standards
These standards for children in the youth justice system define the minimum expectation for all agencies that provide statutory services to ensure good outcomes for children in the youth justice system. They are set by the Secretary of State for Justice on the advice of the Youth Justice Board (YJB).
Standard 1: out of court disposals, Standard 2: at court, Standard 3: in the community (court disposals), Standard 4: in secure settings, Standard 5: on transition and resettlement
'Sally Challen murder conviction quashed over husband's death'
A woman who killed her husband in a hammer attack after saying she suffered "decades of abuse" has won an appeal to have her murder conviction quashed.
Sally Challen, 65, of Claygate, Surrey, admitted killing 61-year-old Richard in August 2010 but denied murder. She was convicted in June 2011 and ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years, later reduced by four years on appeal. She will now face a retrial.
'Could barristers earn more working in McDonald's?'
Chris Henley, who chairs the Criminal Bar Association, said: "Too often fees for prosecuting produce hourly rates worse than wages at McDonald's," adding that this "sadly" was not hyperbole.
A junior prosecuting barrister (who may have a decade of experience) will receive £46.50 for a single court appearance. If that takes a full eight-hour day, factoring in the court appearance itself, preparation and travel time, then this works out at £5.80 an hour - way below the minimum wage.
Cases
Richardson v DPP [2018] EWHC 428 (Admin)
The issue on this appeal is whether the magistrates were entitled to find on the evidence that the Appellant was in control of his vehicle in a 'public place' within the meaning of s 4(2).
A second problem for the prosecution was the absence of evidence of any use by the public, as opposed to members of the public who happened to have business at the premises served by the car park including, for example, those patients visiting 'Enhance Aesthetics'. In the absence of such evidence, there was no case to answer: Spence, supra. This case is wholly different from cases such as May, supra, which also concerned a car park at commercial premises, namely a Volvo franchise. In that case there were signs inviting members of the general public to enter and to park. That was held to be sufficient.
Education
Victim Advocates: A Rapid Evidence Assessment
What evidence is there on advocacy as an intervention provided to victims of crime in England, Wales and similar jurisdictions, at all stages from prior to reporting a crime to post-court experiences?
Tentative conclusions can be drawn as to advocates’ ways of working that are perceived to be beneficial to victims. These are: Advocates’ personable approach. Advocates are often described by victims as supportive, compassionate, sympathetic and caring... Consistent, proactive and frequent contact. These elements were identified as important across a range of studies... Practical and emotional support. Overall this review concludes that advocates from a range of intervention models provide support to victims of crime that is both practical and emotional.
Other
'The controversial tech used to detect problems before they happen'
At least 53 councils are using computer models to detect problems before they happen, according to new research by Cardiff University and Sky News, which shows the scale of the controversial technology in UK public services. Almost a third of the UK's 45 police forces are also using predictive algorithms.
Kent Police, which recently introduced a predictive algorithm to help decide which cases to follow up with further investigation, told Sky News that the system was only used to advise police officers. The algorithm, called EBIT, is used to analyse a third of all crime in Kent. Before Kent Police began using EBIT, it pursued around 75% of cases. Now, it investigates 40% - although Kent Police stresses that it is 98% accurate.
Obscurity
Planting Giant Kelp
Planting Giant Kelp in the wild is contrary to Section 14(2) and Part II of Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Sponsored
Crime Fees - Free AGFS Calculator for iOS and Android
Crime Fees enables criminal barristers in England and Wales to easily calculate defence advocate fees under the new April 2018 AGFS (Scheme 10), and also under the proposed new Scheme 11 (currently under consultation).
No need to compare complex fee tables. Simply select the type of hearing and offence, set the number of trial days, and the app will tell you the fee.
Add each fee in the case to the basket and save for convenient reference until you have been paid.
Every permutation of case under the AGFS is catered for - the 3 advocate types, the 19 types of hearing, the 17 offence bands, and the 915 offences.