Special reports

What questions would you like answered about the criminal justice system? Send your questions to Donna

David
In many charge cases the case is adjourned several times and listed for contest by the defence who then advise their client to plead guilty at the last minute. Is this because legal aid in NI is paid per appearance and not at a flat rate as in the rest of the UK where funnily enough first appearance guilty plea's are much more common!!?

Donna
Why are crimes against property treated more seriously that sexual cimes. My 14 year old son had his bike stolen by an offender who was given 2 years jail for that offence but only received 1 year sentences to run concurrently for other crimes which took place at the same time i.e. indecent assault on 6 persons and inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency. Why are higher value sentences given for robbery than for sexual offences against women and children?

Catherine Hegarty
i've been the victim of identity fraud, the criminals had rented my old house after i sold it and obtained goods in my and my husbands name, they were prosecuted and now another case has come to light, i have lost my good credit rating and am having to clear my name and provide the proof it wasn't me, i'm the victim but feel like the criminal. Today the detective told me although they will pursue the matter it is highly unlikely the culprits will get prosecuted again?? What justice is this if crime pays???? They didn't even get a fine the last time, they had to pay back the price of the goods and got probation, which i don't even know if they had done, i see these people regularly and believe me i wish i didn't, i am still left to deal with all the stress and upset and credit issues it has left me and my husband. What justice?????

David Mills
I have the perception that, often, all that is required to have a case thrown out is for a defendant to identify a loophole in the procedures, such as an incorrect cautioning procedure on arrest for example. Whilst I agree that such formalities are indeed important, surely the technical burden on Police would be unduly in favour of the defendant if such loopholes were automatically allowed to derail a case, rather than, say, being taken into account and given reasonable weight but not necessarily given overriding status?