Clause 77 - Bail and custody during and after hearing
Criminal Justice Bill
6:15 pm
Mr Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield, Conservative)
That is an interesting observation, but I do not think that there is any equivalence between the two concepts. I accept that if a person is acquitted on the second time round, he might count himself fortunate—or perhaps unfortunate; I do not know. It would depend on his circumstances at the time. He might consider that he would have been happier starting his sentence earlier, but then I suppose he should have pleaded guilty. It is probable in cases of the kind that we are considering that the person would be in prison for a very long time, because they involve serious offences.
There is an issue to be dealt with. I fully accept the basic principle that being deprived of liberty for a trial process is something that a person might have to endure. However, if it happens a second time, and the jury again return a verdict of not guilty, compensation should be paid.