Serious shoplifters in the UK may soon lose their right to a jury trial as part of a crackdown proposed by government ministers. The plan aims to ensure that prolific offenders are swiftly dealt with by magistrates, freeing up crown courts to focus on more important cases, such as rape.
High Street Giants Call for Tougher Action on Shoplifting
High street retailers have been urging ministers to take stronger measures against shoplifters in order to alleviate the crisis. Shoplifting has become an epidemic in the country, leading retailers to lock up even basic products and confront offenders within their stores.
Reforms to Streamline Legal Proceedings
Currently, most shoplifting cases are heard by justices of the peace (JP). However, defendants have the option to choose a crown court trial. Ministers are considering reforms that would prevent repeat offenders from opting for a jury trial, unless it is their first offense. This would help prioritize serious sexual cases that require the attention of crown courts.
A source familiar with the matter stated, "It's reasonable to have a case heard by a jury if the accused has never been convicted before, as it determines their credibility. But repeat offenders should not be allowed to burden crown courts when there are more pressing matters at hand."
Tackling the Backlog of Court Cases
Implementing this change would begin to address the significant backlog of court cases that has arisen due to the pandemic. Currently, suspects are waiting up to four years for their trials to be heard, leading to an unprecedented backlog of 65,000 cases in crown courts. Additionally, a staggering 345,285 cases are waiting to be heard by magistrates.
The Ministry of Justice aims to reduce the crown court backlog to 53,000 by March 2025, as part of their plan to improve overall efficiency.
