Can Modern Slavery be used as a defence for drugs offences or other offences for that matter? Well the answer is maybe – depending on the circumstances and the offence committed. Here we look at using modern slavery as a defence.
The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 has completed its parliamentary journey and will, in the main, come in to effect over the next few months. Here, we look at what the new changes mean and how it will impact on both sentencing and access to data.
The government has announced the introduction of drug detection scanners at ten of the country’s “most challenging” prisons. The scanners will be able to detect drugs on clothes, paper and mail. The technology will be able to detect minute traces of substances that would have otherwise been invisible. This would include drugs which have been soaked into clothes or letters as a way to bypass normal security.
Recently, there has been a review of the Parole Board. Here’s it’s findings. The role of the Parole Board is as an independent body to analyse the risk surrounding prisoners serving certain sentences in order to assess whether or not it is safe to release them into the community.
In a recent case His Honour Judge Jeremy Richardson QC was challenged with the task of sentencing 3 offenders for the roles they played in causing the death of 4 people, as well as seriously injuring 3 others. The most significant sentence handed out was 11 ½ years to Elliot Bower, who was the main offender.
As leading criminal defence solicitors here in the North West, we have put together this helpful guide for being called forward as a defence witness. Here we answer some of the most common questions about the procedures involved.
