witness statements uk law

[wallstone]

if 2 people made statements , and one person withdraws there statement .......is it the defendants rights to be informed of this , before he enters a plea of guity or not guilty thanks from uk

[bednobs]

why? surely the person knws whether they themselves are guilty or not guilty and it shouldnt depend on what other people do or do not say

[wallstone]

i know what u saying ... about some being guilty or not ..........but you didnt answer the question though is it in the defendants rights ... to be told about all the evidence agaist him/her

[wallstone]

before he enters a plea of guilty or not guilty

[New Judge]

Before entering their plea defendants have the right to know what evidence exists against them. If a statement is withdrawn they are entitled to know.

They may well know whether they are guilty or not, but the onus is on the prosecution to prove that guilt. If the evidence does not exist the defendant is entitled to know this and so enter his plea accordingly.

Many people may not like this, but it is the law.

[wallstone]

new judge

would that mean .......... a coinviction would be unsafe ??..... if the prosecution didnt inform the defence of all the facts ...... before entering a plea ....