IN England and Wales, whoever takes a suspected criminal in court. Private criminal prosecutions, which can be started by individuals, companies or staff love, can give a shot of justice. They can also be open to abuse. Carried by the post office 918 Successful Private Prosecutions Against its employees to protect its own commercial interests – in a striking cost of the person set by an official report Last week. Rail companies take the Draconian measure of prosecuting people for the wrong purchase of invalid ticket: in 2023, a woman receives a record of criminal For misuse of his rails to save a total of £ 1.60.
In the context of a consumed budget of justice, these prosecutions appear to be more dystopian, allowing the rich to pay for their court day. There is no official record that exists for today’s number that is happening, even if there is a data that is suggested that there is a swift increase. In 2014, 32 “Cost Orders” . By 2019, it has been raised up to 276. Organizations such as DVLA Licensising and TV have long used these prosecutions for regular violations. But the gathering of criminal justice system cuts makes them more common, and creates what curdrutest service (CPS) calls a “Two Tier System of Justice”.
In their best, private prosecutions give a safe valve against the state malfeasce or disapproval. The parents of the murdered black teen Stephen Lawrence was famous with one against five main suspects in 1994, after the CPS prospect. For the victims of fraud, in the meantime, a private prosecution can only be their route of justice. In 2004 4.1m cases of fraud recorded in England and Wales – yet Only 6% In all cases reported to trick action, the Infective national hotlineactually mean to police. Of it, Less than 1% resulting in an offender charged or accused of.
In these cases, a private prosecution can only be one person’s hope. But the risks are not difficult to understand. Over FOR the most partIt costs £ 8,500 to bring one, justice justice for the majority. Counter-reventutution, they can also be more expensive for the state. Private prosecutors can raise their expenses from the ministry of justice, paid More than £ 11m To those who carry private prosecutions through crown courts in 2020.
A supermarket chain can carry a private prosecution against a shoplifter and have costs covered by the taxpayer, while most of the cheating victims never hear from the police. If the state is able to pay for the prosecution of financial crimes against companies, why is it not ready to ensure that police and cps have enough resources to ordinary people? This difference sends a message that some crimes, especially cheating individuals, not something for public concern.
After the post office scandal, the Labor Government recognizes the need for new protections. A new consultation from Ministry of Justice It is recommended that a compulsory conduct code and an accreditation system stops private prosecutions from being abused. But the government should go further. It is only a proper resourced criminal justice system that prevents justice to be equal to a Gated British community – where access depends on your ability to pay.
