tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post518618762360983668..comments2023-07-10T10:57:18.522+01:00Comments on The Magistrates' Blog: A Straw In The WindBystander http://www.blogger.com/profile/10211688955428527960noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-68603084231290102112014-05-02T11:47:43.702+01:002014-05-02T11:47:43.702+01:00Since the start of the abolition of legal aid, I h...Since the start of the abolition of legal aid, I have wondered whether this argument would be valid: I would be able to mount a defence is I could afford a lawyer, but through no fault of me own, I cannot. If the bench accepts that I would otherwise be able to mount a defence, does that not constitute reasonable doubt? IOW, ALL cases without a lawyer must henceforth be dismissed until legal aid is restored.<br />Now watch the government scramble over that.Kimpatsuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06156184889287692016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727871367480602637.post-75836521775950137912014-05-01T17:40:11.247+01:002014-05-01T17:40:11.247+01:00The government imagines that counsel is available,...The government imagines that counsel is available, even if careful to limit that claim to high cost cases. Reality: DOJ is lying, again. Meanwhile, what about the average incompetent defendant in the magistrate's court ? Presumably, only high cost cases risk the wrong type of injustice.Tony Frostnoreply@blogger.com