Criminals Could Avoid Court by Saying Sorry
Tue July 22, 2003 10:24 AM ET
LONDON (Reuters) - Criminals could avoid being taken to court if they agree to apologize personally to their victims, under plans outlined by the UK government Tuesday.
The proposals -- dubbed "restorative justice" -- could see offenders held to account by their victims, in some cases by-passing the court system, Home Secretary David Blunkett said.
"Supporting victims and witnesses better is not just about what happens in the courtroom, it is also about the impact that crime has on their lives," he added in a statement.
"Being a victim of crime can be a harrowing and traumatic experience...Restorative justice means victims can get an apology from their offender.
"It (also) provides the victim with an explanation of why the crime was committed."
The announcement comes just a week after figures showed a 28 percent rise in violent crime in England and Wales over the past year.
The data also showed a 16 percent increase in drug-related crime, although overall crime dropped by two percent.
The Home Office said the initiative would target offenders guilty of anti-social behavior as part of a wider strategy to put victims at the center of the criminal justice system.
It will be used to keep some offenders away from court, as well as being tied into sentencing and probation conditions, a spokesman said.
The scheme brings victims and offenders into contact, either face-to-face or through a mediator. As well as helping victims, restorative justice "forces offenders to understand the damaging effect their crimes have on their victims," the spokesman said.
The Chief Executive of charity Victim Support, Dame Helen Reeves, said the strategy was good news for victims of crime.
"This strategy brings the promise of statutory rights for victims...which should bring substantial benefits for people whose needs have too often been overlooked in the past," she said
linky This is just too good to pass up. Feels good and it feel right too, eh
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DD
