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Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 12:10 GMT 12:10 UK

Can you imagine the outcray from the PC-brigade if we favoured the VICTIM over the "human rights" of the THUG, YOB, BURGLAR, RAPIST, MURDERER, PAEDOPHILE, ARSONIST, MUGGER etc etc etc etc etc etc.
[laughingChrisCS], United Kingdom

Its the same PC-brigade that complains about CCTV and DNA database, and stand up for the rights of rapists and help them get off by claiming there DNA was taken without permission.

Andy Salter, Bournemouth, United Kingdom

Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 12:02 GMT 12:02 UK

All the lawyer-bashers on this HYS would want the best lawyer they could find if they were prosecuted - whether they were innocent or guilty.

As for "found not guilty on a technicality" - if the evidence is lacking or the magistrates or jury are not satisfied that's not a technicality; that is justice in action.

Or shall we just convict people on a certificate from a police officer that they are guilty?

Andrew, London

Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 11:59 GMT 11:59 UK

I know my government supports criminals and politicians. Most everyone in Washington has made one or another shady deal or didn't pay their taxes or did something counter to U.S, law. You can't have an honest justice system untl you have an honest government.

clamdip lobster claws, United States

Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 11:59 GMT 11:59 UK

The criminal system is not about 'justice' let alone restitution. It is supposedly about dealing with offenders - and it's pretty feeble even at that. We need proper sentencing that both deters others from contemplating offending and prepares convicts to become lawabiding citizens upon release... so don't let them out until they are ready to behave! Early release for good behaviour should be replaced by extension of sentence for anything less than excellent behaviour.

Megan, Cheshire UK

Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 11:57 GMT 11:57 UK

To: [Algol60]

I agree, I lived around prisons (married a prison officer) and for many years it has been the case that there are many organisations looking after criminals welfare, rehab, rights and on and on and on, with enough to count on the fingers of one hand (with fingers to spare) looking after the victim. Try the internet and just count them!

Silly Wad, No Town, United Kingdom

Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 11:57 GMT 11:57 UK

"This is typical of our government giving jobs to people who are not appropriate or qualified for the job. why don't the government startbasing decisions on quality scientific investigation rather than media frendly spin

paul, Leeds"

Soo true, the government seems more interested in feeding public opinion rather than looking at the facts and doing what is right for the country. They need to realise that most of the time the public dont know what is best from them.

Darren, London

Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 11:52 GMT 11:52 UK

" Law is not justice; it's just some sort of Radio 4 panel game..."

Everything in the UK is some sort of Radio 4 panel game.
Until the issues that make everyone (criminals & victims alike) unhappy, unfulfilled & dysfunctional e.g. unreal life expectations resulting in the pervasive culture of immediate personal gratification, poverty, poor housing, childhood abuse & the politics (both personal & party) of "divide & rule" are addressed via long-term commitments, we're all screwed, basically.

Richard Mason

Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 11:45 GMT 11:45 UK

A couple of year ago, our family business was a target of an attempted robbery. A guy walked in with a gun shot a round in the roof and went to shoot the 2nd round at my dad but the gun jammed, he then attempted a string of robbries in the area. he was caught later but wasnt sentence to jail cuz he claimed to be mentally ill. 2 years later he now being considering for probational release. what happened to 5 years in jail for carrying a gun?? pathetic law

tariq, birmingham

Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 11:43 GMT 11:43 UK

My identical twin sister was stabbed to death by her husband who was sentenced to 7 years in prison and served just 3 1/2 years. He was treated as the victim, not my sister or us. What is wrong with Britain that we seem hell bent on looking after the criminal whilst letting the victims just get on with it. It's about time things changed and I was lucky to help with the Victims' Advocate Scheme introduced by the Government. A step in the right direction as victims should count not criminals.

Paula Watt, Aberdeen

Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 11:40 GMT 11:40 UK

The first mistake this article makes is equating the law or legal process with justice.
The law exists to enable those in power to control those without power.
The police exist to maintain that power.
There seems to be a movement nowadays where a belief exists that nothing bad should ever happen, get real the world is full of evil people of all sorts.
The way laws are used by the authorities is open to their interpretation as to their current political fancies.

Keith, welshpool

Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 11:39 GMT 11:39 UK

The judiciary (also known as the judicial system or judicature) is the system of courts which interprets and applies the law in the name of the sovereign or state.

There is no justice for victims, victims are regarded no differently than just being a piece of statistical evidence, they have NO input into sentencing or punishment.

(lex talionis) is a military theory of retributive justice, which says that reciprocity should be equal to the wrong suffered, which to me is moral justice.

[MrWonderfulReality]

Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 11:35 GMT 11:35 UK

Justice system on the victims and victimisers may have need of overhauling giving greater clarity about jail terms besides other refinements.

A R Shams, Pakistan

Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 11:34 GMT 11:34 UK

However in a civilised society we also consider the rights of those convicted. We ensure that they are treated consistently, we try to rehabilitate - Pinko-one Leftie

Pinko you typify everything that is wrong with our society. Lock them up 10, 20, 30 to a cell [I really don't care...] and leave them to rot. Rehabilitation is not required as these criminals should never be let out. Prison will become the deterant it should be and the righteous will re-inherit the streets.

Pem BO, LEEDS

Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 11:30 GMT 11:30 UK

Greater transparency on sentencing simply requires fulfilment of term - 7 years in jail should MEAN 7 years in jail.

I hate how offenders can get out after 3 years on a 7 year sentence because of "good behaviour".

Jon D, Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Added: Friday, 6 November, 2009, 11:30 GMT 11:30 UK

There should be more focus on the victims. Time and time again we hear about the problems of the aggressor, about his/her state of mind, the influence of drugs or alcohol and rarely about the devastating effect their criminal actions have on the innocent.

Momentary actions can have a lifelong affect on the victim yet the system attempts to analyse the mind of the lawbreaker and put the emphasis on rehabilitation without a thought for those who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

David Hankey, Great Easton, Leics., United Kingdom