What is a joint enterprise?

Excellent article with the above title in the Mail on Sunday sets out clearly the legal principle which stretches back more than 300 years.

A person can be found guilty even if they were not present at the scene provided there is an agreement to act together. This is similar to a conspiracy, but not quite the same. Encouragement can be sufficient rather than actual involvement.

There is no doubt there have been wrongful convictions and that this will continue to happen. The most famous is “Let him have it Chris” which we may all remember from the film of the same name.

We all want to deal harshly with violent criminals, but also the law must be fair.

One day believe it or not it could be you or a member of your family.

If you have a criminal problem seek expert legal advice immediately and do not give statements to the police – remain mute. Avoid “no comment”. Not a good idea. It enrages the prosecutors and sounds terrible when it is raked over in court. Legal aid solicitors tend to be compassionate dedicated and useless. The prisons are full of people on legal aid.

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