Scrap Plea bargaining when in relation to crimes against children.

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

A NHS senior paramedic was arrested and charged for meeting a child for sex after grooming. Whilst on bail he was further arrested for indecent photos and voyuerism. During his plea hearing for the initial crime a guilty plea was entered in doing so the latter two charges were dropped.

i believe we need to safeguard our children. I also believe that if you are charged with a crime and there is sufficient evidence of this crime (enough to charge) then you should face the court for this crime. Being able to use a plea bargain and therefore for these crimes to be dropped, not only disrespects the vicitms of a crime but it also diminishes the trust the British people have in their own law and justice system.

JUSTICE SHOULD BE SERVED FOR ALL CRIMES COMMITTED. Not what they choose

Why it was rejected

It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.

Decisions about whether to accept a guilty plea to fewer or lesser charges are the responsibility of the Crown Prosecution Service, which is independent of the Government and Parliament.

The Attorney General, who is a Government Minister, gives guidance to the CPS. You can see the current guidance on plea bargains here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-acceptance-of-pleas-and-the-prosecutors-role-in-the-sentencing-exercise

You could start a new petition asking for a specific change to the guidance.

Timeline

9 Nov 2017	Petition opened for signatures
22 Nov 2017	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21

Status Rejected

Rejected 22 Nov 2017

Follow this petition