08/07

STUDENTS SEE JUSTICE IN ACTION

20/06/2007

On Tuesday 19th June, Bournemouth Crown Court opened its doors to allow local students to see justice in action.

The legal awareness course organised by Parkstone Grammar School gives Year 12 students (16 17 year olds), who are aiming to read law at university, the opportunity to learn about the criminal justice system first hand from Criminal Justice agencies and from second year law students from Bournemouth University.

Tuesdays Crown Court visit opened with a talk from His Honour Judge Beashel who told the students about the workings of the Crown Court. He explained the roles of all those involved in bringing a criminal case to justice.

The students were then given the opportunity to ask Judge Beashel questions, where he addressed issues raised around sentencing, witness care and the role of the judiciary. The students then went on to observe real cases in Court with the students from Bournemouth University whose role was to explain the procedures to them.

His Honour Judge Beashel said: Our criminal courts are open and there for all to see.  Those involved in criminal justice are keen to improve the communitys understanding of the work of the courts thereby increasing respect and confidence in the Criminal Justice System.  It is tremendously important that we encourage young people to see the courts in action.

Teacher and Course Organiser, for Parkstone Grammar School, William Franklin said: This was the first opportunity for our school and the CPS to work together. It was a fantastic experience for our sixth form students and hopefully we will be able to do some really good joint ventures in the future.

Parkstone Grammar School students said: Our visit to the Crown Court was wonderful! From interrogating a circuit court judge to witnessing an actual criminal case was a thrilling eye-opening experience.

In addition one Parkstone Grammar School students said: There is nothing like the atmosphere of a courtroom and it reinforced my ambition to pursue a career in the Law.

Equality, Diversity and Communications Manager, for CPS Dorset, Carrie Sanderson said: We were delighted to be involved in the day as we feel it is important for the younger generation to understand the role the Criminal Justice System plays in society.

The day provides students with a great opportunity to see justice in action and learn about the Criminal Justice System as apposed to reading about it in text books.

In addition to Tuesdays visit, the students will be visiting Bournemouth University on Friday, where with the assistance of University law students they will learn more about the Criminal Justice System.

Fridays programme includes presentations from the CPS on the role of the CPS, how decisions to prosecute are made, Conditional Cautioning, and Charging. The students will then participate in an exercise which demonstrates some of the factors that the CPS has to consider when deciding whether a prosecution can be brought. 

There will also be presentations from a Dorset Magistrate, and Professor Nick Grief and Sue Warnock from Bournemouth University.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. For further information please contact Carrie Sanderson on 01202 498719.
2. Photographs of Parkstone Grammar School students and HH Judge Beashel (Taken in Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday) are included. They are to be used only in conjunction with this press release.