Capacity of Systems: The Management of Resources
摘要
This chapter examines how resource management impacts the capacity of the criminal justice system to address miscarriages of justice. Prompted by the significant challenges posed by inadequate legal aid funding, we highlight how this deficiency hinders defence lawyers’ ability to conduct thorough investigations and prepare adequately, increasing the risk of wrongful convictions. The chapter also addresses the impact of the growing volume and complexity of evidence, especially digital data and covert recordings, which creates additional burdens to defence, prosecution, and law enforcement. Funding constraints exacerbate these issues, limiting the time available for crucial tasks like reviewing extensive materials and scrutinising police evidence, as illustrated by the case of a detective falsifying evidence. These pressures contribute to delays, stress, and potential procedural errors for both defence and prosecution.