Up to 60% of criminal cases are now handled by courts using the Single Justice Procedure (SJP). These are mainly cases where no plea has been entered for unknown reasons and the case is dealt with by magistrates (typically only one) in secret. The defendant is not present and there is no public access to a hearing which can last as little as one minute.

Such cases are for those of speeding offences and other motoring offences, non-payment of television licence fees and truancy. The Magistrates’ Association – representing Justices of the Peace – has called for an overhaul of the system which has resulted in vulnerable people being prosecuted without being present or having any legal representation. Letters of mitigation are often ignored.

The Ministry of Justice is apparently considering some changes.

Comment: this is an example where justice has been undermined by the desire to save money. If you get prosecuted for a motoring offence make sure you enter a plea and go to court to explain any mitigating circumstances if you are pleading guilty. Plead not guilty if you think the prosecution is unreasonable. You do not need legal representation to do this.

See these Telegraph articles for more information:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/25/magistrates-secret-court-for-speeding-and-licence-fees

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/27/single-justice-procedure-magistrates-courts-secret-chalk

Roger Lawson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London

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