DAVID LAMMY’S planned changes to criminal courts in England and Wales could have a “far-reaching” impact on race relations, a cross-party committee of MPs warned today.The justice select committee said the Deputy Prime Minister’s proposal to remove the right to elect for a crown court trial “has the potential to increase mistrust in the criminal justice system among the black community,” as black defendants are more likely to choose jury trials.In 2022, 26 per cent of black defendants elected for crown court trial, compared with 15 per cent of white defendants.

DAVID LAMMY’S planned changes to criminal courts in England and Wales could have a “far-reaching” impact on race relations, a cross-party committee of MPs warned today.

The justice select committee said the Deputy Prime Minister’s proposal to remove the right to elect for a crown court trial “has the potential to increase mistrust in the criminal justice system among the black community,” as black defendants are more likely to choose jury trials.

In 2022, 26 per cent of black defendants elected for crown court trial, compared with 15 per cent of white defendants.

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