In 2016 the Supreme Court held that the joint enterprise laws needed revisiting, holding that previous cases were wrongly decided:
‘The unanimous conclusion of the court is that Chan Wing-Siu and Powell and English did take a wrong turning and these appeals should therefore be allowed.‘
At the time, it was felt that this ruling would lead to many other successful appeals and a drop in prosecutions based on the law of joint enterprise.
Six years later, it is clear that none of these predictions has shown to be true.
Figures obtained by The New York Times reveal that the Crown Prosecution Service has stepped up the pace of such prosecutions since the ruling — despite the murder rate remaining broadly stable.
The NY Times reports:
“Black defendants are three times as likely as white defendants to be prosecuted for homicide as a group of four or more — a widely accepted measure of joint enterprise cases — according to the new data.”
Ministry of Justice data shows that the number of homicide cases involving four or more defendants increased by 42% in the five years after the Supreme Court decision. The number of convictions rose by nearly 50%.
The CPS has rejected allegations of bias, responding:
“If a person helps or encourages another to commit a murder, it is right they can face prosecution for their involvement in the crime.”
As a firm, we have specialist lawyers who fully understand the case law relating to joint enterprise. We work with only the best advocates to ensure a fair trial and leave no stone unturned in establishing the facts.
How can we help?
If you need specialist advice on a matter of criminal law, then get in touch with our Crime Team on 020 7935 3522 or crimelawyers@freemanssolicitors.net or in an emergency please call our 24/7 number 07973 259382 and let us help. We can advise on a plea, defences and potential sentences in a wide range of circumstances.
Whatever your personal circumstances the above is only a guide and we would advise you to contact us to obtain definitive advice as you will appreciate that each person’s circumstances are unique to them.
Image credit: © Crown Copyright