Re: Barry George found Not Guilty
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:10 am
Interesting statistics. The CPS are concerned with low conviction rates and so it could be argued that they're more interested in 'winning' than they are in justice. They equate value for money in terms of public money with convictions when it could equally be argued that an acquittal is also good value for money where it is the right decision.
Perhaps rather than looking at the kinds of factors they cite as reasons for low rates of conviction they ought to look closer to home at the strength of the cases they are proceeding with. This was referred to by the CPS spokeswoman who spoke after the Barry George verdict who said something to the effect that they can't proceed only with those cases where there is a very high probability of conviction (ie watertight), but this being the case you'd have to accept that in other cases the balance of probability is not as favourable. You'd also need to acknowledge (but not publicly) that you'll lose some of these cases.
Perhaps the CPS ought to be more meticulous in it's assessment of the merits and soundness of the case for the prosecution.
Perhaps rather than looking at the kinds of factors they cite as reasons for low rates of conviction they ought to look closer to home at the strength of the cases they are proceeding with. This was referred to by the CPS spokeswoman who spoke after the Barry George verdict who said something to the effect that they can't proceed only with those cases where there is a very high probability of conviction (ie watertight), but this being the case you'd have to accept that in other cases the balance of probability is not as favourable. You'd also need to acknowledge (but not publicly) that you'll lose some of these cases.
Perhaps the CPS ought to be more meticulous in it's assessment of the merits and soundness of the case for the prosecution.