Restore the principles of justice to the British legal system.

An idea by - Tagged: , , , , - Discussion: Comment

The idea

Firstly, I'd like to say that this idea is a gimmick.  Nick Clegg may tweak around with a few laws here and there, but look at his flip-flopping on the extradition of Gary McKinnon as soon as he actually was in a position where he could do something about it…

In Britain today, the principles of justice have already been eroded, and will not, I believe, be rediscovered.

Under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 I can have my vehicle seized on the whim of a police officer, with no involvement of judge or jury.

Under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 the civil courts can create bespoke criminal offences.  My liberty can be removed if I don't behave in a manner that is not, per se, illegal, but which contravenes directives given to me by the lower institutions of the State.  ASBO legislation does not work, and circumvents the checks and balances built into centuries of British justice (the right to trial by jury, thresholds of evidence etc.)  Freedom of association and curfews can affect those not found guilty of any offence.

Under Section 49 and Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), it is an offence to fail to disclose when requested the key to encrypted data (with a penalty of two years in prison).  My right to silence has been removed.

And while we're at it.  Why is there hate crime legislation?  Surely you should legislate for behaviour, not motivation?  My right to think bad thoughts has been removed

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the police can legally seize my cash.  My right to walk around with a large amount of money in my pocket has been removed.  Seizure of my assets will likely remove my ability to fund my defence in any trial.

Not to mention the large number of fines issued by local authority jobsworths for feeding the birds, putting your bin out on the wrong day, putting rubbish in the wrong bin. All of these things imply a degree of summary justice – pay now it's £40, pay later it's court fees and £300.

Why is my internet usage being monitored? (RIPA).  Every phone call and website I visit. I use internet radio.  The Government has a complete profile of my Radio4 listening!

Speaking of which… the addition of intrusive "Smart Meters" into the Energy Act at the very least has questions over it's legitimacy ( http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/4401188/Lord-Truscott-Peers-charge-up-to-5000-a-day-to-facilitate-law-changes.html ).  Very intrusive, wouldn't you say?

There's much, much more.  It's an impossible task to fix it.  Nothing will change.
 

Why is it important?

Society needs to be built on the foundation of justice, otherwise it will lay the foundations for an inexorable deteriation into tyranny.

Share this idea

Related ideas

Comment on this idea

Good idea? Bad idea? Totally insane? Let us know your thoughts on this idea.