Crime Solicitors

As of the 20th March 2017, Magistrates and Judges now have the option to attach an additional electronic GPS monitoring requirement when making a community order or imposing a suspended sentence.

The scheme, which is the first of its kind in the country, aims to drive down re-offending rates. The new tracking scheme ensures offenders abide by the conditions of their sentence, for example a sex offender not going near a school or a gang member staying out of rival territory. If the offenders enter prohibited areas the police or probation officers will be alerted that the Defendant has breached a court order.

The pilot scheme is currently being carried out by North and East London Courts. This additional electronic requirement can be either as a stand alone requirement to track whereabouts of an offender 24/7 or imposed to support compliance with another requirement of the sentence. The first GPS tag was fitted on Monday 20th March. There are now dedicated Probation officers at both Highbury Corner and Thames Magistrates Courts to provide detailed information on the new proposals.

According to the former Justice Minister Dominic Raab the scheme aims to “reinforce public protection, strengthen rehabilitation so offenders are dealing with their problems, and critically drive down re-offending. The London pilot will inform our plans to roll out GPS tagging nationwide”.
Offenders will be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and face a potential prison sentence if they breach the terms of their court order.
The original system using existing tags only confirmed if someone is at a designated address during a curfew period. Now the authorities will know if tagged Defendants who do re-offend were at a crime scene. Priority for the new tagging will be given to female offenders and young adults.

The scheme is partly aimed at intervening with young people in their teenage years to help prevent them from re-offending.

It was proposed by former Mayor Boris Johnson who said:

“Cracking down on reoffending is essential as we continue to tackle crime across the capital. This innovative pilot uses the latest GPS technology to help deter reoffending and aid rehabilitation”.

“It’s these kind of pioneering projects, from body worn video and tablets, to sobriety tags that are helping us to ensure London remains the greatest and safest big city on earth.”

The £150,000 pilot, funded by a Home Office grant, is being delivered by Boris Johnson’s successor; Sadiq Khan, who has made tackling re-offending a priority.

Adult re-offending costs the capital £2.25 billion a year, the current rate of reoffending stands at 24% with 82 per cent of London’s 4,000 most prolific offenders estimated to commit new crimes.

Mr Khan told the London Assembly:

“These tags will monitor the offenders who cause the most harm to communities and greatest expense to the justice system, while also helping to detect whether someone was present at the scene of a crime and supporting victims by alerting probation officers if conditions are breached.”

Metropolitan Police Commander Neil Jerome also commented:

“Tackling those offenders who cause the most harm is a key priority for keeping London safe. We know there are a small number of offenders who repeatedly commit offences... this initiative will play an important part in reducing offending and preventing people falling victim to crime.”

Data from the GPS tags will be captured continuously and looked at when required.

Jenna McKinney, the author, is Director of Immigration at Duncan Lewis Solicitors’ Dalston Office. Specialising in deportation cases she has been working in the Immigration field for 15 years and has a vast range of experience in detained and fast track cases, appeals, asylum, general immigration and judicial review. She represents clients from all backgrounds and nationalities including: minors; clients with mental health issues; clients with medical issues including HIV and vulnerable women who have been raped.

Jenna sits part time as a Magistrate in the North East London Courts.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Crime Solicitors are Police station representatives – committed to a significant practice defending clients in serious complex criminal cases they can represent clients from the outset of a criminal investigation. Duncan Lewis' Solicitors regularly advise clients on sentence appeals and have significant experience advising and assisting in confiscation and asset recovery matters. Duncan Lewis also advise on whole life terms and release from prison on compassionate grounds, as well as assisting in preparing applications for appeal and applications to the Criminal Case Review Commission.