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Say sorry, and get off scot-free?
BillieTheBot
Posts: 8,721 Bot
According to the BBC: "Young criminals could avoid court if they apologise to their victims, under government plans. The Lord Chancellor intends to pilot the scheme in four police force areas in the coming year for first-time offenders guilty of low-level crimes. The plan is one of a number of measures proposed by Lord Falconer to help speed up and improve criminal justice." Click here for details.
So, is my reaction one of horror and disgust? Not quite. There are some interesting ideas being presented here. For instance, I like the idea where some offenders for low-level crimes would be brought before the courts within a day or two. Anything which brings about an end to the glut of minor cases that take weeks and months to clear up is welcome. Not quite sure what they're defining as a "low-level crime" here, but I welcome the concept. I also welcome the idea that some may not have to go to court at all, for instance, TV licence evaders. It doesn't answer the wider question of whether there should be a licence fee in this day and age, but no matter.
However, I've got my doubts about the idea that grabbed the most headlines. It does seem to me like the message is "say sorry for mugging that old woman and you'll be off scot-free". The document that had all these proposals claims "A face-to-face apology is often quite difficult for a young person to do". Really? Have they never heard of fake apologies? I mean, our politicians are perfectly capable of it - for instance, Patricia Hewitt's once completely insincere apology on Question Time on behalf of her boss for misleading the country into war - so why do they think that "young persons" can't do the same? I get the feeling this is one proposal that may not work.
Your thoughts...
So, is my reaction one of horror and disgust? Not quite. There are some interesting ideas being presented here. For instance, I like the idea where some offenders for low-level crimes would be brought before the courts within a day or two. Anything which brings about an end to the glut of minor cases that take weeks and months to clear up is welcome. Not quite sure what they're defining as a "low-level crime" here, but I welcome the concept. I also welcome the idea that some may not have to go to court at all, for instance, TV licence evaders. It doesn't answer the wider question of whether there should be a licence fee in this day and age, but no matter.
However, I've got my doubts about the idea that grabbed the most headlines. It does seem to me like the message is "say sorry for mugging that old woman and you'll be off scot-free". The document that had all these proposals claims "A face-to-face apology is often quite difficult for a young person to do". Really? Have they never heard of fake apologies? I mean, our politicians are perfectly capable of it - for instance, Patricia Hewitt's once completely insincere apology on Question Time on behalf of her boss for misleading the country into war - so why do they think that "young persons" can't do the same? I get the feeling this is one proposal that may not work.
Your thoughts...
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I'm the same. It depends what exactly is classed as 'low-level crime'.
Well that happens anyway, you pay for the damage and also go to court. What they want is to pay the damage and say sorry.
Depends on what their view of "justice" is though, doesn't it?