The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
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>...the causing of criminal damage to Her Majesty's buildings. This, of course, is the kind of thing that policemen say in court. We don't need lawyers to use the same hyperbolic language. We're talking about some red paint splashed on a wall, for god's sake. > As a citizen, I object to people causing disgraceful acts of vandalism.. > As a law student, I object to people deciding that they can break the > law whenever they choose. As a citizen, Alan could vent more of his anger on the illegal vandalism of Iraq. As a lawyer, he ought to know that the law changes from week to week - there is nothing permanent about it, and it certainly doesn't require our respectful awe. > It is nonsense to say that the individuals concerned risk six months in > prison... Even if they are jailed, it will be for a very short period. People can go to jail for far less than criminal damage. Alan should spend 'a very short period' in jail and then testify to its democratic character. > Thank God they are facing a fair trial in open court.. I agree that this trial probably will be a small affair, but Alan should not make too many assumptions about British Justice in general; Birmingham 6, Winchester 3, Guiildford 4, Casemount 6... Lawyers tend to come from the class of people who never sit on the wrong side of a magistrate's bench. Consequently, they believe the ideal picture described in their textbooks. Alan might be less enthusiastic if he'd ever tried to defend himself, with no legal training and no legal aid, in front of a vicious stipe who believes everything the police say. > The judge cannot but do his duty and convict these people. Thank you, Judge Bates. It's comforting to know that we needn't listen to any evidence. J Vernon (Not speaking for CASI or Milan Rai) -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To be removed/added, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk, NOT the whole list. Archived at http://linux.clare.cam.ac.uk/~saw27/casi/discuss.html