| The so called UK Justice system, especially where motoring offences are concerned, has moved away from a principle that has been the bedrock of the UK Justice system for hundreds of years, innocent until proven guilty.
UK police now fulfil the role of police, magistrate/judge and hand down kerbside sentences as, when and how they see fit. Yes, some may fulfil that multiple role using the same standards that applied when they weren't running their own kerbside courts, some don't.
Rule number if you end up a participant in a kerbside court, say nowt to incriminate yourself, say as little as possible.
The facts are that now, in far to many motoring and low level offences an individual has to gather evidence prove themselves innocent, not have the police gather evidence to help prove them guilty. The burden of proof has shifted from the accuser to the accused. Basically you are guilty unless you can prove otherwise.
It has become too much trouble for police to prove people guilty for many motoring offences now so their political masters have given the police the power to run their kerbside "courts" with the motorist now having go to all the trouble in gathering evidence that the police used to do.
Oh and while I'm at it what is this victim surcharge all about for a simple speeding offence, where is the victim in a simple speeding offence?
The simpering oh but you might have had an accident, run someone over, etc is the work of an over eager imagination, dreaming things up that didn’t in fact happen, but we’ve added a bit more to the fine on the basis that they could have, even though if we did actually think about, didn’t happen so it’s a bit unfair, but hey, while you’ve got your cheque book out a little bit more doesn’t do any harm does it.
Don't get me wrong I'd have 100 trafpol on the roads for every one trick pony, AKA a speed camera, but those trafpol would be producing reliable evidence that would be tested in court, not "blimey that looked a bit quick, here's yer 3 points and a £60 fine". Sure it's more trouble to go to and more importantly expensive, but what price a respected police force with the support of the public and system where your were innocent until proven guilty.
Some time ago we were proud of UK bobby, what the majority of them did to protect us from crime and the justice system they were part of, is that still the case?
Nurse me tablets..............
Ray.  |