Solicitor speaks out on high court costs

Paul Inns, a defence solicitor who works for Hanratty & Co in Newtown, said the £150 criminal court charge is forcing people to admit to crimes to avoid having to pay higher costs.

Mr Inns, who regularly appears Welshpool Magistrates Court, said he fears for the future of the justice system.

The charge has already resulted in one Shropshire magistrate quitting his post in protest.

Richard Stilwell, who spent 21 years working in Shropshire courts, walked away after he was forced to order a man who stole goods worth £5.86 to pay £385 in fines and costs.

Mr Inns said he fears it will force people into admitting to crimes they did not commit. He said: "It is a huge threat to justice being done and a final nail in the coffin for defence solicitors.

"Following on from the legal aid cuts earlier this year, this criminal court charge is now forcing some of the most vulnerable citizens into admitting to crimes they did not commit.

"You can be left with a huge bill for something that is relatively minor and people are admitting to crimes to avoid being hit by multiple fines and costs."

The charge has also been criticised by Welshpool Town Councillor Graham Breeze, who said: "When new rules were introduced in magistrates courts ensuring that convicted offenders were forced to pay for the cost of the conviction I was immediately concerned they would lead to guilty pleas simply to save money. And it seems I was right.

"It seems Mr Stilwell is not the only voice to be heard berating the rule brought in by former Justice Secretary Chris Grayling. New man Michael Gove is now being inundated by magistrates, lawyers and campaigners who can all see the daily injustices happening in courts across our land.

"Too many innocent people are already convicted in our courts – just one is one too many. The cost of risking being found guilty of an offence you did not commit should not deter anyone from trying to clear his or her name. There's a flat fee court charge of £150 simply for pleading not guilty and that can rise to as much as £1,000 if you lose.

"Mr Gove must surely listen to the swell of discontent against such costs.

"It seems now the only guarantee of a fair trial is if you have deep pockets."