Wheels of justice riding out of Dumfries, Could back-fire.
Written by author on June 7, 2012
Jury trials could be halted in Dumfries and Galloway and moved permanently to Ayr.
Local politicians are warning the ‘highly alarming’ option being floated by the Scottish Courts Service could ultimately lead to the complete closure of the sheriff courts in Dumfries and Stranraer.
Voicing alarm at the option presented in consultation document Shaping Scotland’s Court Services, Dumfriesshire MSP Elaine Murray said: “Once again Dumfries and Galloway draws the short straw as this proposal would mean no jury trials take place anywhere in our region.
“Local people in Dumfries would face more than a three-hour round trip to Ayr to attend court, which is completely unacceptable. I also have real concerns about lengthy delays to the justice system because there will be fewer courts to deal with jury trials.”
Only summary crime and civil cases heard by a sheriff would take place in Dumfries and Kirkcudbright.
And the document says Justice of the Peace courts in Annan and Kirkcudbright could be considered for closure due to ‘insufficient business volume’.
SCS executive director of field services Eric McQueen said: “The need for change to current arrangements was recognised but there is an understandable concern about the impact those changes will have on court services and those who use the courts.
“The purpose of these events is to listen and understand those views.”
Dr Murray added: “The only winners from reducing access to justice are the criminals.”
This news is shocking, the simple state of play here is Scottish Government are trying to get as much power as close to the central belt as possible. The merger of the regions police forces, the proposal last month to reduce the number of local councils from 32 to 18, is this the start of a streamlined Scotland??
The “Braveheart” factor that was used to promote the idea of an independent Scotland and catapulted the SNP to political prominence in the country is about to be re-launched. The sad state of affairs in MY opinion is that the move to get as much power towards the central belt as possible is only going to give those “Idealistic Scots” the view that the powers that be in Holyrood are able to run a country.
As of yet no-one can answer the important questions about, Defense, Monetary Policy, EU Membership and of course the big question “Will Scotland get its own Eurovision entry?”
This move could backfire, by moving the wheels of justice away from the place the incidents occurred the Scottish government could alienate the voters, which means when the devolution vote takes place the voters of Dumfries & Galloway may feel as isolated from the Scottish decision makers as they do there Westminster counterparts.
