Marie Lewis,who resigned over the mandatory levy, says it undermines people’s right to a just trial as it pressurises them to plead guilty for fear of costs A justice of the peace who resigned in disgust at criminal courts charges being imposed on defendants who plead or are found guilty has told the Guardian the fine “disproportionately punishes the poorest in our community”.
Marie Lewis, and who was a justice of the peace for seven years before she resigned earlier this month,said she loved her unpaid vocation but could no longer levy the charge she believes pressurises defendants into pleading guilty for fear of incurring excessive costs.
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Source: theguardian.com