Beyond A Reasonable Doubt

Today I'm going to share with you a story that happened many years ago, but is as pertinent today, as it was back then.

I was about 27, and at that time in my life, it wasn't unusual for me to be stopped by the police whilst driving.

I had just passed a junction near Marble Arch in London, when I was signalled to pull over.

After complying, I was told that I was being charged for having driven through a red light.

I denied having done so, but that was wasted effort on my part.

Several weeks later, I had to attend a criminal court on the Marylebone road.

As luck would have it, I was doing my social work training at the time and working in a law centre.

Not having been to court before, I was worried about what the likely outcome would result from my attendance.

I mentioned it to my Practice Teacher who was a lawyer.

I can't recall his exact words, but they went something like this:

"What you have to remember is, when the prosecution brings a case to court, the onus is on them to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that you committed the offence."

"Thanks," I mouthed appreciatively, but quietly wondered how on earth, I was ever going to get the chance to use that information.

On the day of the hearing, I arrived well dressed wearing a jacket, shirt and tie.

It was a warm summer's day...and yeah, I did feel a bit overdressed. But somewhere - don't ask me where - I'd read or heard that dressing well for court, gave the impression you respected the court and/or that in some way, it was beneficial to do so.

I didn't know what to expect when I entered the court, but for several reasons my memory of the experience has dimmed very little over the years.

On entry into the building, I saw a long line of young men (I would estimate that 90% of them were black but that's another story) all waiting for their names to be called, to stand in front of the judge and receive the judge's judgement.

One by one I saw each guy stand before the judge and receive the judgement. Some received points on their licence, some received fines, others were disqualified.

Watching them one by one, I couldn't dislodge from my head the thought - that we were nothing more than a flock of animals - waiting to be slaughtered.

When my turn came, after the police officer had provided the evidence against me, the judge asked for my account of the incident.

I told him that it was a close call, as the lights were changing from amber to red as I went through them, and so, although it was close, I hadn't broken the lights.

"I see." He said, matter of factly. "Do you have anything more to say, before I pass judgement?"

My god, this was it!

"Yeah...erm...when the prosecution brings a case to court, I believe they have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that I committed the offence...in this case, it comes down to my word and the police officers word, and I don't think that's proof beyond a reasonable doubt!"

The judge said nothing for a long, uncomfortable moment, a flicker of a smile seemed to cross his features. Then he said the words I have never forgotten: "I think, I'm forced to agree with you. He gave the slightest of nods and said: "You're free to go."

I was euphoric.

What had just happened?

I could hardly believe it, and neither could any of the other guys at court, who were all staring at me in disbelief.

After I floated out of the court building, on a massive high. I began to wonder how many of those young men had been just as innocent as me. But had been penalised by a system because they didn't know a key piece of information, that I had been lucky enough to have been given.

Amazing isn't it, just one piece of knowledge, applied at the appropriate time, can be the difference between whether you are penalised for an offence or not!

I now recognise that the knowledge and information you gain has the power to positively change the trajectory of your life, and for me that's true beyond a reasonable doubt!