Traumatised crime victims forced to pay thousands for court records
A woman who tried to take her own life after a court cleared her ex-partner of coercive control is backing a campaign to open up the justice system.
Charlotte, 30, is supporting the Open Justice campaign, which is calling for a change in the law to make court records freely available. She is just one of the serious crime complainants too traumatised to attend full hearings being asked to pay for court transcripts to understand judges’ decisions.
Crown courts can charge thousands of pounds for these and magistrates court sessions are not routinely recorded. One rape victim was quoted £7,500 for a transcript of the full trial. It typically costs around £45 to £60 to provide a transcript of a judge’s sentencing remarks.
Charlotte, who asked that we not use her last name, was devastated after her ex-partner was cleared of coercive control in January. After giving evidence at a magistrates court, she was too upset to attend the rest of the hearing in person.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk (PA)But she said: “If I had, I would have been sat in the public gallery next to my ex-partner’s sister. I wasn’t given the option of watching a video link in a side room so I have no idea what happened in the trial and why the district judge reached the verdict she did.”
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Charlotte claims that all she has is a solicitor’s note saying the judge thought she was “unreliable” because it took her eight months to go to the police. She said: “My mental health has gone down the drain. The day I got the verdict, I tried to kill myself... I need to know what was said to get closure and move on.”
Charlotte, of Hackney, East London, has joined London’s Victims Commissioner, Claire Waxman, to call for crown court sentencing remarks and judges’ summing-up to be given for free. They also want crown court sentencing remarks routinely published, magistrate hearings to be recorded and the Victims Code updated to say victims can attend trials after giving evidence.
Charlotte said there are at least 10 people formally involved in the campaign and more backing it. And Lib Dem MP Sarah Olney is among 38 ministers and charities to send Justice Secretary Alex Chalk an open letter highlighting it. She said: “It beggars belief some victims are charged thousands to read what was said in a trial that impacts them so profoundly. Justice should not have a price tag.”
The Ministry of Justice said judges may provide transcripts to victims at their discretion, adding: “The fee covers the considerable costs [of] writing up the recording of potentially weeks of hearings.”
Visit openjusticeforall.com to support the campaign.
If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch.
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