Families 'to have voice in court' [View All]

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

Families of manslaughter and murder victims in England and Wales should be allowed to tell the courts of their grief, ministers say.

A government consultation paper will propose bereaved relatives address the judge after the conviction but before the sentencing of a killer.

Families could speak in person or via a lawyer or "victims' advocate".

The Victim Support charity and lawyers expressed doubts about how much effect it would have on sentencing in reality.

The government said the move will be trialled in five courts from April and the results will be closely monitored.

(...)

Judges already take into account the affect on victims. A victim impact statement - a written statement from relatives taken by police - is presented to the judge before sentencing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4202618.stm