This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6406889.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
More victim families may get say More victim families may get say
(about 2 hours later)
A scheme which allows relatives of victims to speak at murder or manslaughter trials in England may be extended, the government has said. A scheme which allows relatives of victims to speak at murder or manslaughter trials may be extended, the government has said.
Since last April, 21 families have chosen to make statements in a pilot scheme running in five Crown Courts.Since last April, 21 families have chosen to make statements in a pilot scheme running in five Crown Courts.
Constitutional Affairs minister Harriet Harman says if the 12-month experiment is a success, the government will look at extending it to other crimes. Constitutional Affairs minister Harriet Harman said if the 12-month experiment is a success, it may be adopted by other courts and apply to more crimes.
Some judges though fear statements make an already emotional situation, worse. But some judges fear statements make an already emotional situation worse.
The Victim's Advocate scheme allows relatives of victims the chance to address the court - before sentencing - about the impact of the death.The Victim's Advocate scheme allows relatives of victims the chance to address the court - before sentencing - about the impact of the death.
Road deaths
Ms Harman said until now bereaved relatives have had to sit at the back of the court "in complete silence".
"How it feels to be the victim's relatives is that everybody speaks about the person who is dead except the person who is affected most," she told BBC News.
"If it helps just a bit, I think the legal system should be prepared to cope with it."
To impose on the judge an increase in the emotional atmosphere as a result of this kind of response is to make the judge's role that much more difficult John Samuels, of the Council of Circuit JudgesTo impose on the judge an increase in the emotional atmosphere as a result of this kind of response is to make the judge's role that much more difficult John Samuels, of the Council of Circuit Judges
At the time of its launch, Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer said families of murder or manslaughter victims must have more of a voice in court. A spokesman for the Department of Constitutional Affairs said causing death by dangerous driving was among the offences which could be included in the scheme.
He said the fact that families of those killed could never see their loved ones again meant they were in effect handed a life sentence.
The scheme has the backing of a number of victim support groups but John Samuels, a member of the Council of Circuit Judges, argued it can make their job more difficult.The scheme has the backing of a number of victim support groups but John Samuels, a member of the Council of Circuit Judges, argued it can make their job more difficult.
"It's the judges' responsibility to lower the emotional temperature," he said."It's the judges' responsibility to lower the emotional temperature," he said.
"Judges are human and to impose on the judge an increase in the emotional atmosphere as a result of this kind of response is to make the judge's role that much more difficult.""Judges are human and to impose on the judge an increase in the emotional atmosphere as a result of this kind of response is to make the judge's role that much more difficult."
But Ms Harman said: "The judges that hear murder cases are at the top of their profession.
"We can be confident of their judgement and professionalism - that's why they are doing their job."
London's Old Bailey and crown courts in Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester and Winchester are part of the scheme.London's Old Bailey and crown courts in Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester and Winchester are part of the scheme.