Twice more this week we have seen criminal trials collapse as a result of woeful breaches of disclosure from the Police, HMRC and the Crown prosecution Service.
The defendant in the below article faced 3 – 6 years in prison before his trial for VAT fraud collapsed once evidence that should have been disclosed was found on an investigating officer’s laptop.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43923056
The defendant in the following article faced a possible 5 – 8 years in prison for rape before it was discovered that the alleged victim had made a statement which completely cleared one defendant of any wrongdoing.
This statement was not disclosed and was only discovered after the defence noticed a reference to this statement within a police officer’s investigative notebook.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43952462
The sad reality is that arguments over disclosure are occurring in almost all of our criminal defence cases here at the firm.
Now – more than ever – it is vitally important that criminal defence firms protect the defendant’s right to a fair trial and ensure that all disclosable evidence is received.
If you feel a lack of disclosure is effecting your case – please feel free to contact us for more information.
Our Brighton criminal defence solicitors press for full disclosure in every case. Call 01273 673226.
