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Criminology unit 3 ac2.4
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Criminology unit 3 ac2.4
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Criminology unit 3 ac2.4Evidence - correct answer-- main influence on jury's verdict
- Before a case goes to court, there must be enough evidence to convince the CPS that the
case presented is suspect to answer and there must be confidence in a successful
prosecution
- the prosecution will present evidence and arguments against the defendant and the
defence will challenge the prosecution's case by a cross examination of a prosecution
witness and their own substantial evidence
Expert witness - correct answer-Expert witnesses are people with specialist knowledge that
members of the public don't have. Unlike other witnesses who may give evidence on their
observation, they can express opinion. The testimony given can have a huge impact on the
case and they are required to be transparent with evidence and statistics they present in
court. In complex cases reliant on technical evidence, a testimony given by an expert witness
are crucial. As members of the public, jurors are unlikely to have specialist knowledge e.g.
forensic pathology. The accuracy of evidence, provided by experts, is heavily relied on. One
problem is jurors assume the expert is right or their knowledge misunderstood, jurors expect
expert witnesses to be right and some may be better at communicating knowledge to lay
people. Another problem is experts may adjust their opinions adjusting the accuracy
For what?
Politics - correct answer-There are two main laws; common law (from precedent where
courts follow rulings made by judges in previous cases) and statue law (made my parliament,
passing Acts or statues). Politics is vital in making statue law as it is politicians who are in
court. The government proposes legislation laws which parliament debate and therefore
amend. The government is formed by a party of MP's, therefore can get its legislation passed
by parliament
There are three ways politicians can affect the outcome of cases: Creating new offences (for
example the firearms amendment Act 1997 banning handgun ownership after the moral
panic over the Dunblane Massacre), abolishing existing offences (sexual offences Act 1967
decriminalising homosexual acts between two males over the age of 21) and changing
penalties (the abolished death penalty for murder in 1965 by parliament)
Media - correct answer-The media can influence outcomes with public concern through
moral panics. One impact this may have is a change in sentencing guidelines (London riots
2011, a male stole a bottle and was given 6 months in prison, usually would've been a
caution) and changes in the law (Dangerous Dog act 1991 where certain breeds were
outlawed). Also, there is the possibility of 'trail by media' which suggests that high profile
cases attract media interest and sensationalise reporting's which are usually extremely
negative of the defendant, making a fair trail impossible. This can make it difficult for a juror
to be unbiased as the media have found the accused guilty, this creates prejudice against
the defendant.
Barristers - correct answer-Barristers are a type of lawyer in common law jurisdictions along
with solicitors. They mostly specialise in higher level courts and act as advocates. The work
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