A Philosophical Question

[Pond31]

Just something that went through my mind this morning. If a case is delayed for months by the CPS taking time to come to a NFA or Charge decision, then how come they expect a jury to examine the same information plus the defense information, in say a week and them come to a decision in minutes, hours or days. If the jury, who are legal amatures, can come to a decision, in lets says hours, with the information at hand why can't the CPS, who legal professionals, come to a decision to NFA or Charge quicker. I hope my question is not confusing as I am dyslexic.

OK try to make simple. If a jury deliberation takes, in a example 3 days with both Defense and Prosecution Evidence, why does the CPS take so long with just the Prosecution alone.

[Peter1975]

The short answer is probably because they stack the files and don't read them for months at a time. I doubt they spend more than a couple of hours reading through the papers when they eventually get around to it.

Doesn't help that police have their own backlog either.

Hang in there.

[Pond31]

Statutory Time Limits in Scotland

Just out of interest I discovered that there are Statutory Time Limits in Scotland after which if a case is not brought then it is dead no matter the possible charge. If Scotland can do a timely job, why can't England and Wales and Northern Ireland.

[Peter1975]

As I understand it (not much) The Scottish system is completely different but there can be similar delays to the PF serving the petition and actually starting proceedings which is when the 12 months starts counting down, and that can also be extended by a judge with just cause. There are regular calls to abolish the time bars.