The Secret Barrister
I’ve Reasons to be Cheerful to thank for introducing me to this book (and blog). It’s an insightful full account from inside the criminal justice system.
I’ll steer clear of the politics of crime and punishment, as far as I can. Setting aside the content of the laws in question, the efficient, proper and fair workings of the justice system to apply whatever laws are currently on the statute books seems something we should all be able to agree on.
The dismantling of the parts aimed to help prevent miscarriage of justice and punishment of the innocent seen most heinous. Given the lack of choice in matters of wrongful accusations the extent to which defendants have been cut loose is astounding.
The highest ideal of the system used to be encapsulated in two things, Blackstone’s ratio “It is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer” and “innocent until proven guilty”. Now it seems the reverse to both are more true. The innocent suffer to ensure more guilty are punished, and all accused are assumed guilty. I’m not sure either of these things are an improvement.
The swing to “tough on crime”, meaning more prosecutions, and the reduction in justice budget inevitably ends in lack of ability to process these prosecutions. Which seems like the worst case for everyone.