Privatization of justice

Proliferation of "do-it-yourself" justice
Trial by media

Nature

The privatization of justice refers to the transfer of legal services, law enforcement, and correctional functions from public to private entities. This trend raises concerns about accountability, equity, and access to justice, as profit motives may overshadow the principles of fairness and impartiality. Critics argue that privatization can lead to disparities in service quality, prioritizing wealth over need, and undermining the rule of law. Additionally, the involvement of private companies in the justice system may create conflicts of interest, eroding public trust and compromising the integrity of legal processes essential for a just society.

Incidence

Alleged cases of miscarriage of justice are being retrialed on television.

Claim

It is a shameful indictment of our present legal system that people whose cases have never been properly aired should have to rely on trial by media. A growing number of prisoners, desperate in their pursuit of legal redress, but disillusioned about the appeals system, may see the media as their only hope and turn themselves into one-man publicity stunts, hoping that their case in intriguing and photogenic enough for someone to find the fresh evidence that might just get it back to the Court of Appeal.

Counter-claim

Media reexamination of doubtful verdicts can lead to the eventual freeing of the innocent by disclosure of new evidence and the marshalling of public opinion. Cases chosen to be investigated by the media represent only a tiny minority of those seeking the attention and research, but are often those that do not satisfy the slow and narrow appeal procedure of an inflexible legal system. Those chosen benefit from six months researching, which a defence lawyer cannot afford to do.