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Unfitness to Plead Consultation Responses - Law Commission ...

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out in Crown, magistrate and youth courts with regard <strong>to</strong> incapacity. There are a number<br />

of reasons for this logic. First there is a standardised test that can be applied at an<br />

earlier stage in the criminal justice system. With regards <strong>to</strong> our client group this could<br />

mean the chance <strong>to</strong> receive treatment earlier on before potentially having committed<br />

further graver offences, which can be attributed <strong>to</strong> a deterioration of an untreated<br />

condition. If screened and dealt with in the Magistrates’ court the burden on Crown court<br />

in either way offences, which would have at present <strong>to</strong> be sent <strong>to</strong> the Crown court if<br />

unfitness <strong>to</strong> plead was a live issue so that it can be appropriately dealt with. Finally if<br />

dealt with at the Magistrates’ court, there should be a positive cost implication for the<br />

criminal justice budget. The above would also be our response in relation <strong>to</strong> a similar<br />

procedure being mirrored in youth courts.<br />

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