Author: Morgan Harris Burrows LLP
Title: Research into the impact of bad character provisions on the courts
Summary: This report is based on research that tracked bad character applications received in 6 court centers over eight months in 2006, and interviews with key practitioners. Overall the study found that the new law has had a beneficial but not revolutionary impact on criminal trials. Overall, the new bad character provisions represent a major codification of the behavior relating to the admission of the bad character evidence. The percent of contested cases with a bad character application in the magistrates' court was between 5 and 6 percent. While there was greater variation in the Crown Court: ranging from 72% in Sheffeld and 27% in Bradford. Many of these cases related to the new provision or statutory 'gateway' where evidence of bad character can be put forward which shows the defendant's propensity to commit offences and be untruthful.
Details: London: Ministry of Justice, Office for Criminal Justice Reform, 2009
Source: Ministry of Justice Research Series 5/09
Year: 2009
Country: United Kingdom
URL:
Shelf Number: 115659
Keywords:
Admissible EvidenceCourtsCriminal Procedure |
