Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
I would say experience as well as knowledge.
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Anyone going to heckle our* supposed MP as she stands trial in court on criminal charges..
I would say experience as well as knowledge.
It takes much longer than 30 minutes to select and swear in the jury for starters. Then there's the Judge's explanation of process and procedure. Then the reading of the charges. And all that's before the presentation of the prosecution and defence cases and then the jury deliberations. Even if the person pleads guilty the moment they step into the dock it would take way, way, way more time than 30 minutes.
I did jury service on a very simple case of someone stealing a lawnmower - it took 4 and a half days.
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
There isn't a jury at magistrate's courts, it's a summary charge only. It does depend on how many witnesses have to give evidence, both for the prosecution and the defence.
dougdeep
New member
I've done jury service twice. My point was that Joe Public wouldn't have time to let this go to court. They'd plead guilty and get back to work.
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,639
Just making the point that court appearances frequently take bloody ages, for the most trivial of things, and it's simply not true to suggest that "if it were you or I", it would be a lot quicker. The only genuinely quick ones are the guilty pleas.
I get called to appear as a witness plenty of times. I've lost count of how often I've changed my shift to go, headed down to the court, sat around for an entire day, only to have them say "sorry, we're not going to fit it in today now" and adjourn it for another occasion (on which the same thing happens again). Even when they do get started, legal arguments (and I think it's fair to assume that Ms Lucas will be legally represented for this matter) can take hours as magistrates- lay magistrates anyway- aren't legally qualified, so they have to have everything researched and explained to them by another court official as it goes along. Even for a simple drunk & disorderly case, or someone accused of using their phone while driving.
This is a case of greater public interest than most others, so, on the plus side, I don't imagine it will get shunted aside in favour of a plea & case management hearing for shoplifter as might otherwise happen, but even so...
They always book these things in for several days, as they simply don't know when it will start, owing to all the other cases listed for the same day.
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,639
This is a magistrates' court case for a summary offence, so no jury. But there is still plenty of legal procedure to be observed and witnesses to be introduced, so as you say. Time-consuming process.
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
There have been several acquittals in the fracking protest trials.
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1105...gainst_Balcombe_protesters_despite___4m_bill/
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- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,639
People plead not guilty to things all the time, otherwise I wouldn't spend so many days staring at courtroom walls.
If they feel they have a demonstrable case to argue, then why shouldn't they? I'm sure Ms Lucas will be introducing a number of witnesses of her own, as she's entitled to do.
dougdeep
New member
No one will miss her if it takes a month. It's not like she works or is short of money.
happypig
Staring at the rude boys
Setting time for a trial is a fairly simple business based on number of witnesses, interview transcripts to be read out and the like. If it's a multi-handed trial, then you can have cross examination of each witness by two or three solicitors/barristers (often asking the same questions which is frustrating).
There could be video evidence to be watched (often more than once).
Also remember that a court day runs from 10:00-13:00 and 14:15 to 16:45 but they won't start hearing someone's evidence if it's going to mean "running over" so lunches are flexible and finish times often become earlier.
It has nothing to do with how 'famous' the defendants are.
Oh, and Edna, everyone is all too aware of the frustration of having police officers hanging around doing virtually nothing but, believe me, there's very little alternative when trials are double/treble booked and there are so many factors that can lead to them going tits-up. I will always get them all in and explain why it's being put off, apologise for the inconvenience and thank them.
There could be video evidence to be watched (often more than once).
Also remember that a court day runs from 10:00-13:00 and 14:15 to 16:45 but they won't start hearing someone's evidence if it's going to mean "running over" so lunches are flexible and finish times often become earlier.
It has nothing to do with how 'famous' the defendants are.
Oh, and Edna, everyone is all too aware of the frustration of having police officers hanging around doing virtually nothing but, believe me, there's very little alternative when trials are double/treble booked and there are so many factors that can lead to them going tits-up. I will always get them all in and explain why it's being put off, apologise for the inconvenience and thank them.
desprateseagull
New member
An MP with principles. who knew?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-26719153 article states she is charged with 'obstruction of the highway'.
Is this the same highway which was, erm, closed off because of the fracking protests..? A flimsy case at best, yer honour.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-26719153 article states she is charged with 'obstruction of the highway'.
Is this the same highway which was, erm, closed off because of the fracking protests..? A flimsy case at best, yer honour.
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,639
Wasn't moaning at all, just trying to explain how often cases overrun or get adjourned etc, for someone who asked why it takes a while.
(I should have my own private suite at Horsham Magistrates' lately
).The Birdman
New member
We might need all the Gas and oil we can find if the Russians turn the supply off.
Let's turn Britain back into a forest. We can all have log burners to keep our houses warm, and we can use electric cars for short journeys.We might need all the Gas and oil we can find if the Russians turn the supply off.
Southover Street Seagull
Well-known member
How about bigger investment into local renewable energy? Fracking seems to be the only answer when our reliance on foreign energy imports is mentioned. With the right investment and strategy this country could be less foreign energy reliant, which would be better for the country as a whole, and most importantly the general public.
Southover Street Seagull
Well-known member
Anyone going to heckle our* supposed MP as she stands trial in court on crimi...
What has BN1 got to do with the title of this thread?
What has BN1 got to do with the title of this thread?
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Growing trees is renewable. And it costs very little to implement.
What renewable energy do you think performs the best? I'm not sure much of it is capable of returning more than it costs.
Southover Street Seagull
Well-known member
Anyone going to heckle our* supposed MP as she stands trial in court on crimi...
Solar PV is not as widespread as it should be and air and ground heat pumps can be added to that list. More investment by government into Micro CHP is needed too.
I know solar doesn't work everywhere in the UK but the amount of houses that have solar power in the UK is woeful. If say a third of UK households had solar power it would reduce our reliance on imported energy and also reduce consumers' utility bills.
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk...sing-a-renewable-technology/Solar-panels-PV#3
Solar PV is not as widespread as it should be and air and ground heat pumps can be added to that list. More investment by government into Micro CHP is needed too.
I know solar doesn't work everywhere in the UK but the amount of houses that have solar power in the UK is woeful. If say a third of UK households had solar power it would reduce our reliance on imported energy and also reduce consumers' utility bills.
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk...sing-a-renewable-technology/Solar-panels-PV#3
The problem with solar power on our homes, is that it produces energy when we don't need it. We need most energy in the evenings of our cold dark winters, when our solar panels are producing nothing at all.
As for it being a good idea (for the country as a whole) for helping a little with our electricity: what happens to the energy we can't use in the day? It's supposed to be sent to the grid, but does it actually get used, and how efficient is that?
