25. Dawn's Trial part 3
A burglary trial, an exceptional verdict (and inadmissible bad character evidence?)
It's the final day of Dawn's burglary trial. Will the jury convict or acquit? Based on the evidence they've heard, will they find her guilty or not guilty?
And what does the verdict tell us about evidence and proof in the criminal process?
Rape on Trial is a fly-on-the-wall style documentary podcast giving listeners a unique and detailed insight into the real life workings of the criminal process, criminal law and criminal proceedings in England and Wales. Through a series of in-depth case studies drawing on case files and real (but anonymised) trial proceedings, we see for ourselves how the criminal justice system really works in cases of rape and serious sexual offences--and how it doesn't.
Topics covered in this episode: split directions; closing speeches; route to verdict; failure to mention directions; biometrics retention rules; admissibility of evidence of the bad character of the defendant; the decision to prosecute under the full code test in the Code for Crown Prosecutors; what verdicts tell us about jurors' reasoning and deliberations (hint: nothing!).
The research behind Rape on Trial also features in our book: Doak et al, Cross-examination on Trial: Advocacy and Vulnerability in Criminal Trials (BUP 2025).
This is an Amazon affiliate link which pays me a small commission.
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, please visit our website https://criminaljusticeinaction.com for information about help and support.
Music: Hopeless Waltz by Alena Smirnova.
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