Great Britain

[Maxi_77]

That is where we have problems with Magistrates and Judges in general.
They are paid to look at the whole picture before coming to a decision about a case, this should include character references as well as past convictions, and in my opinion it should include aquitals (sp?) as well.
If some smarmy git is stood in front of you with a string of let-offs (can't spell aqui oh feck it!) then you should really ask yourself whats going on here. I know the way things are, you have to take each case on its merits etc, but sometimes that just doesn't work.

I used to know a magistrate (how he got on the list is a mystery) and his story about the training they get would indicate they are trained to try and see the truth in the cases they try, but they do depend on the evidence put before them and one of the problems is the experienced thug knows which buttons to press where as we inocents can c*ck the whole thing up just by telling th truth. Also the 'opposition' is not always the classic ned, often enough they have good jobs etc and can put on the artifical innocent air.

 

[The_Caretaker]

When I was in, long time ago had a fight at home got nicked, so had to appear in court, had a major as my rep at court. Tryed to nick me for GBH. Got off when he said that I was trained to kill and the guy was alive and well and if I did hit him and not kill him then the Marines would court martial me for not killing him.
After that I tryed to keep out of trouble.

 

[Shakey]

I'd rather be judged by twelve men than carried by six.