Share |
It just goes to show what money can buy you. John Terry is charged with a minor public order offence. People charged with the offence can only have a trial in the Magistrates' Court. Obtaining legal aid is problematic. Only if one has the relevant lack of income and lack of capital would one pass the Means Test. If one is at risk of custody would one pass the Interests of Justice test. Therefore the ordinary employed person would have to represent himself or pay for legal representation.
Even then the ordinary person would only be able to pay for probably a one day trial-not 5 days.
Is it right that John Terry should be able to pay for a QC and a lengthy forensic examination by his lawyers of the case against him? Is it right that most other people don't get that level of Justice?
Why is Justice able to be bought?
It just goes to show what money can buy you. John Terry is charged with a minor public order offence. People charged with the offence can only have a trial in the Magistrates' Court. Obtaining legal aid is problematic. Only if one has the relevant lack of income and lack of capital would one pass the Means Test. If one is at risk of custody would one pass the Interests of Justice test. Therefore the ordinary employed person would have to represent himself or pay for legal representation.
Even then the ordinary person would only be able to pay for probably a one day trial-not 5 days.
Is it right that John Terry should be able to pay for a QC and a lengthy forensic examination by his lawyers of the case against him? Is it right that most other people don't get that level of Justice?
Why is Justice able to be bought?
