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Summary justice needs reform |
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Thursday, 06 December 2007 |
Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill has called for reform to Scotland’s summary justice system ahead of a Ministerial statement and debate on the subject this afternoon
MacAskill says the summary justice system needs to become swifter and more flexible, and more responsive to the changing needs of victims, witnesses and the accused.
“Over 90 per cent of all cases that call in our criminal courts are summary cases and these reforms will help lay the foundations for the kind of justice system that will deal quickly and efficiently with offenders and help break the cycle of reoffending. At the moment two-thirds of summary justice cases reach a conclusion within six months -but that still leaves a third that are not, prolonging the agony for victims and witnesses, needlessly taking up the valuable time of our dedicated police officers and wasting taxpayers' money in the process.
“Is this a system we wish to retain? We need to face some home truths about the system as it currently stands. There is simply too much delay and inefficiency at the moment. These reforms will help introduce a system that is more responsive to the needs of victims and witnesses but remains firmly rooted in the principles of fairness, independence and integrity on which our entire justice system is based,” he said.
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