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More victim families may get say More victim families may get say
(30 minutes later)
A scheme which allows relatives of victims to speak at murder or manslaughter trials may be extended, the government has said.A scheme which allows relatives of victims to speak at murder or manslaughter trials may be extended, the government has said.
Since last April, 21 families have chosen to make statements in a pilot scheme running in five Crown Courts.Since last April, 21 families have chosen to make statements in a pilot scheme running in five Crown Courts.
Constitutional Affairs minister Harriet Harman said if the 12-month experiment is a success, it may be adopted by other courts and apply to more crimes.Constitutional Affairs minister Harriet Harman said if the 12-month experiment is a success, it may be adopted by other courts and apply to more crimes.
But some judges fear statements make an already emotional situation worse.But some judges fear statements make an already emotional situation worse.
The Victim's Advocate scheme allows relatives of victims the chance to address the court - before sentencing - about the impact of the death.The Victim's Advocate scheme allows relatives of victims the chance to address the court - before sentencing - about the impact of the death.
Road deathsRoad deaths
Ms Harman said until now bereaved relatives have had to sit at the back of the court "in complete silence".Ms Harman said until now bereaved relatives have had to sit at the back of the court "in complete silence".
"How it feels to be the victim's relatives is that everybody speaks about the person who is dead except the person who is affected most," she told BBC News."How it feels to be the victim's relatives is that everybody speaks about the person who is dead except the person who is affected most," she told BBC News.
People need to hear the ripple effects of what is caused - he's not just taken that person's life but he has devastated an entire family Yvonne Davenport
"If it helps just a bit, I think the legal system should be prepared to cope with it.""If it helps just a bit, I think the legal system should be prepared to cope with it."
To impose on the judge an increase in the emotional atmosphere as a result of this kind of response is to make the judge's role that much more difficult John Samuels, of the Council of Circuit Judges
A spokesman for the Department of Constitutional Affairs said causing death by dangerous driving was among the offences which could be included in the scheme.A spokesman for the Department of Constitutional Affairs said causing death by dangerous driving was among the offences which could be included in the scheme.
The scheme has the backing of a number of victim support groups but John Samuels, a member of the Council of Circuit Judges, argued it can make their job more difficult. The scheme has the backing of a number of victim support groups.
"It's the judges' responsibility to lower the emotional temperature," he said. Yvonne Davenport, whose partner Lee Pickles was murdered at a house party last year, prepared a statement which was read out in court after his killer was convicted.
"People need to hear the ripple effects of what is caused. He's not just taken that person's life but he has devastated an entire family," she said.
"You should have the right to say this crime has done this to my life."
'Influence sentences'
But John Samuels, a member of the Council of Circuit Judges, argued it could suggest to the public that the relative might influence the judge in his sentencing.
"We think that would be quite wrong because the judge must impose the appropriate sentence for the case which comes before him.
"Judges are human and to impose on the judge an increase in the emotional atmosphere as a result of this kind of response is to make the judge's role that much more difficult.""Judges are human and to impose on the judge an increase in the emotional atmosphere as a result of this kind of response is to make the judge's role that much more difficult."
But Ms Harman said: "The judges that hear murder cases are at the top of their profession. But Ms Harman said judges who hear murder cases were at the top of their profession and there can be confidence in their "judgement and professionalism".
"We can be confident of their judgement and professionalism - that's why they are doing their job."
London's Old Bailey and crown courts in Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester and Winchester are part of the scheme.London's Old Bailey and crown courts in Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester and Winchester are part of the scheme.