In this episode of "All Things Conflict," Maria welcomes Hesham Puri, a criminal defense lawyer and director at MK Law. They delve into the complexities of the criminal justice system, discussing the emotional and psychological toll it takes on clients and their families. Hesham shares insights from his extensive experience, highlighting the challenges faced by defendants, including the lengthy and often traumatic journey through the legal process. The conversation touches on the broken aspects of the system, the importance of legal representation, and the need for restorative justice practices. Hesham emphasises the necessity of support for clients beyond legal advice, advocating for a more compassionate approach to justice that addresses the root causes of crime and fosters community responsibility.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Understanding the Criminal Justice System: Navigating the criminal justice system can be traumatic and confusing for clients, who often find themselves overwhelmed by legal jargon and lengthy processes. It's crucial for clients to have a knowledgeable lawyer to guide them through this complex journey.

Impact of Delays: The criminal justice system is currently experiencing significant delays, with cases taking years to resolve. This prolonged uncertainty can have severe emotional and psychological effects on defendants and their families, as well as on the legal professionals involved.

Evidence vs. Truth: There is a distinction between evidence and truth in legal cases. Evidence can be misinterpreted or insufficient, leading to potential miscarriages of justice. Defendants often struggle to gather their own evidence due to lack of resources and support.

Legal Aid Challenges: The legal aid system has faced cuts and restrictions, resulting in a two-tier justice system where those who can afford private representation receive better outcomes than those reliant on legal aid. This disparity raises concerns about fairness and access to justice.

Restorative Justice: Introducing restorative justice programs could help address the root causes of crime and reduce the number of individuals entering the criminal justice system. By focusing on repairing harm and fostering dialogue between victims and offenders, the system could promote healing and accountability.

BEST MOMENTS

"My real job is trying to assist and advise those who find themselves in the criminal justice system, either being investigated or charged." - Hesham Puri

"The journey is up and down and I say to clients look there'll be good days and bad days." - Hesham Puri

"Evidence doesn't equal truth." - Hesham Puri

"If you've got money, you will have a fairer system. If you're on legal aid, we do the best we can within the parameters of the funding." - Hesham Puri

"I think I would like to somehow introduce some sort of restorative justice program within the system." - Hesham Puri

Maria's Training

⁠https://www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk/training/⁠

SOCIAL LINKS

⁠www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org⁠

⁠www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk⁠

⁠www.workplacehuddle.com⁠

HOST BIO

Maria founded the Centre for Peaceful Solutions in response to the fatal shooting of a 7 year old in her neighbourhood. She developed a model of conflict resolution for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).  

Over 30 years she has mediated everything from threat to life gang disputes to high stakes business deals gone wrong, Maria empowers people to resolve conflict without reliance on experts. So she trains violent prisoners to be facilitators, leaders to be effective communicators, teenagers to be peer mediators and neighbours to be tenant listeners within their respective communities.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠