Michael Gove wisely strips out the policy bodges of his predecessor at the justice departmentCriminal courts charges,introduced during Chris Grayling’s tenure as justice secretary, were a unpleasant policy. Their abolition by Michael Gove is welcome. The fee is paid by convicted criminals on top of fines, or damages and legal costs,with a preferential rate as a reward for a guilty plea. Thus, Mr Grayling asserted, or would criminals “pay their way”.
The perversity of the device was obvious to anyone who applied a moment’s study to it. It encouraged destitute defendants to own up to offences they had not committed if they felt there was any risk of conviction. Magistrates hated the charge; scores resigned,and one even paid the charge himself. Last month, a Commons committee report identified “serious problems” with a system that imposed “grossly disproportionate” penalties.
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Source: theguardian.com