Describe the advantages of access to justice in criminal
cases 12
An initial advantage of access to justice in criminal cases is that it is more efficient that
access to justice in civil cases. This is an advantage because more people will qualify
automatically for legal aid than in a civil case where the consequences are less serious. This
is also an advantage because it means that people are less likely to be unrepresented when
they go to court meaning that it is fairer for them. However, some people believe that this is
a problem and that both sectors should be equally funded.
A further advantage of access to justice in criminal cases is that there is no fixed budget.
This is an advantage as it means that in cases that may take a long time or a lot of experts
the defendant does not have to pay after a certain amount of money has been spent on the
case. This is also an advantage as it increases the consistency of outcomes as people who
have more money are not able to abuse the system. However, some people believe that too
much money is spent on criminal cases even though they are often very serious.
Another advantage of access to justice in criminal cases is that it makes it fairer. This is an
advantage as the majority of people who go to court will have legal representation. This is
also an advantage as it reduces the chances of misunderstanding of legal jargon as the legal
representatives will be able to explain the case to their client which can often change the
verdict of a case if the correct advice is given. However, some people believe that this
increases the time that a case is in court for as people will try to fight cases more.
Finally, another advantage of access to justice in criminal cases is that some non-
governmental advice is possible to be gained by first time offenders through things such as
pro-bono units. This is an advantage because it means that people do not have to pay for
the advice they are given meaning that a case can be cheaper. This is also an advantage as
it will increase the understanding of the offender so that they do not go to court completely
unknowing of what may happen. However, some people believe that this does not fully
prepare clients to go to court and try to defend themselves.
cases 12
An initial advantage of access to justice in criminal cases is that it is more efficient that
access to justice in civil cases. This is an advantage because more people will qualify
automatically for legal aid than in a civil case where the consequences are less serious. This
is also an advantage because it means that people are less likely to be unrepresented when
they go to court meaning that it is fairer for them. However, some people believe that this is
a problem and that both sectors should be equally funded.
A further advantage of access to justice in criminal cases is that there is no fixed budget.
This is an advantage as it means that in cases that may take a long time or a lot of experts
the defendant does not have to pay after a certain amount of money has been spent on the
case. This is also an advantage as it increases the consistency of outcomes as people who
have more money are not able to abuse the system. However, some people believe that too
much money is spent on criminal cases even though they are often very serious.
Another advantage of access to justice in criminal cases is that it makes it fairer. This is an
advantage as the majority of people who go to court will have legal representation. This is
also an advantage as it reduces the chances of misunderstanding of legal jargon as the legal
representatives will be able to explain the case to their client which can often change the
verdict of a case if the correct advice is given. However, some people believe that this
increases the time that a case is in court for as people will try to fight cases more.
Finally, another advantage of access to justice in criminal cases is that some non-
governmental advice is possible to be gained by first time offenders through things such as
pro-bono units. This is an advantage because it means that people do not have to pay for
the advice they are given meaning that a case can be cheaper. This is also an advantage as
it will increase the understanding of the offender so that they do not go to court completely
unknowing of what may happen. However, some people believe that this does not fully
prepare clients to go to court and try to defend themselves.
