Originally Posted by Tired&Emotional
You need to look at this from a wide angle as well.
If there is no respect for due process we run a dangerous risk of bringing down the whole judicial system.
The system is not just something that has been thrown together like a government-commissioned health report. It's proceedings are there to see justice is done using a carefully constructed forum.
The addendum to her VIS may only serve to undermine or possibly remove the same opportunity for future victims. If you think that a solicitor draws up the Statement -you're wrong a VIS is supposed to come from the victim(s) - that's why they have been introduced. In the future the court registrar will probably have to read these out as the victim's now cannot be trusted to stay within the confines of this privilige. This may mean that future victims will not be able to speak "from...the... heart" as you put it.
As a state we cannot have a situation where a case is tried with the DPP present (which some people seem to forget:confused: ), a full book of evidence, a jury and a fair trial overseen by a qualified judge and then have nonfactual stories/convictions published about the defendant in the public press. Now which part of due process are you not satisfied with???? If you ever find yourself on the defence side of a case I guarantee you will be the FIRST person who would want to see a fair trial and due process and then, for example, after a conviction have reems of rubbish printed about you!!!!
Open your eyes to the FULL FACTUAL story before making emotional statements that are not based on fact. Every victim will always have unanswered questions but due process must be at the top.