Criminal Law and Procedure

Sentencing Council

The Sentencing Council website provides information on the work of the  Sentencing Council for England and Wales. This body "promotes greater consistency in sentencing, whilst maintaining the independence of the judiciary". There is information on sentencing guidelines, the Sentencing Code and how sentencing works. There is also guidance on going to court and the sentences handed down for common offences. 

 

Shipman Inquiry

The Shipman Inquiry was an independent public inquiry that began work in February 2001 under the chairmanship of Dame Janet Smith DBE. The Inquiry looked into the deaths of former patients of Harold Shipman and examined the systems and procedures in place. The website provides background information and documentation from the case, as well as details of the Inquiry team, ministerial statements and terms of reference. The site has transcripts of procedural meetings, witness statements, all the Inquiry reports and other documents.

Swedish Ministry of Justice

Official website of the Swedish Ministry of Justice, the government department responsible for legislation concerning the constitution, general administrative law, civil law, procedural law, criminal law, migration and asylum policy. The site has profiles of ministers, news items and publications on the Swedish judicial system.

Cornell Death Penalty Project

The Cornell Death Penalty Project is based at the Cornell Law School in New York. The aim of the Project is to foster "scholarship related to the death penalty and its administration". The Project conducts research and sponsors a clinic enabling students to assist with the representation of capital defendants. The site includes details of clinic case studies and a list of articles on the death penalty written by faculty members. Links are given to the full articles which are made available on subscription services, Westlaw and Lexis Nexis.

CrimeLynx

CrimeLynx is a web portal produced by Colorado-based criminal defence attorney Jeralyn Merritt. The site is aimed at criminal defence practitioners and has an emphasis on US law. There is a collection of legal research links, covering Federal criminal statutes, rules and circuit court opinions, Supreme Court materials, criminal defence organisations and resources focusing on the death penalty and computer crime. There are also links to investigative tools and policy organisations.

Road Law

The Road Law website is produced by Martin Davies, a former solicitor, and forms part of his Law on the Web gateway to legal information. The site is aimed at drivers and provides advice on motoring law and road traffic offences. There are sections on motor accidents, mobile phones, seat belts, endorsements, a survey of insurance premiums for drivers with penalty points on their licence and information relating to different driving offences including drink driving, speeding and failing to stop after an accident.

Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission

The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) was set up in 1999 to look at cases involving possible miscarriages of justice. The website describes the work of the SCCRC, provides a description of Commission's statutory powers and case statistics. There is advice on how to apply to the SCCRC and a downloadable form. Brief details are given of cases referred to the High Court by the SCCRC along with links to relevant High Court opinions. The site also has a selection of case studies and information surrounding the legal issues affecting the work of the SCCRC.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) deals with compensation claims from people who have been physically or mentally injured because they were the blameless victim of a violent crime in England, Scotland or Wales. CICA is an executive agency, sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. Its webpages, hosted by the official website Gov.UK, gives access to its reports and other publications.

Victims of Crime in Scotland

The Victims of Crime in Scotland website aims to provide information and advice for victims of crime. The site gives guidance on different aspects of the Scottish Criminal Justice System covering the different stages of the legal process such as reporting a crime, arrest, prosecution, attending court, sentencing and compensation. The site provides details of where victims can go for support,and links to related websites covering the police, solicitors, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and victim support groups.

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