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Justice delayed is justice denied, and it is for that reason that the initiatives unveiled today for "virtual courts" deserves support.
This newspaper has described at length over the years the failings of the magistrates' courts to handle cases promptly and efficiently, even though they involved straightforward incidents of minor crime.
Inadequate computer systems and poor prosecution are often to blame, and the use of virtual courts but the chances of a case being conducted successfully would seem to be higher if it is promptly brought before the bench, while memories are fresh and the chances of the defendant failing to appear are reduced.
Obama and Burma
President Obama did not mince words last night as he condemned proceedings against Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as a "show trial based on spurious charges".
Ms Suu Kyi was due for release this month after spending most of the last 19 years under house arrest. Then, a ago, the Burmese regime used the uninvited visit of an eccentric American who swam to her lakeside home as a pretext to re-arrest her.
The Nobel laureate could be jailed for five years if convicted. The US president has therefore called for her immediate and unconditional release, along with that of other political prisoners.
The show trial, President Obama said, cast serious doubt on the regime's willingness to be a responsible member of the international community.
Now that the President has spoken out in such forthright terms, it is time for our own Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, to add his voice to the calls for Ms Suu Kyi to be released.
Her treatment is an affront to justice and a further demonstration, if any were needed, of the depths to which Burma's military junta is prepared to sink in its attempts to kill off any role for Ms Suu Kyi in the elections scheduled for next year.
Race track
Kempton Park racecourse has invited the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to play the William Tell Overture to accompany its race programme.
The thunder of hooves is excitement enough for dedicated followers of horse racing, but for those new to it some stirring Rossini could be just what it takes to get a taste for the sport.
And why not try Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries, too?
Reader views (1)
I do not think we should treat this issue lightly. The young and impressionable are the most likely to use shoplifting as their first incursion into transgression.
Even though society considers these a less significant crime it opens the door to more serious crime unless the youngster feels the full weight of the judicial system. Both the police and judges need to be involved in proactive deterrent not trendy virtual hype cyber men parties.
Strategically this brainless idea could promote more crime by making it chic to have been sentenced to 500 lines by max headroom in Tron's backroom bedroom
- Gary, Brentwood, 27/05/2009 15:55
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