individual campaigns that affec policy making - double jeopardy

Question 1

what is DOUBLE JEOPARDY?

Answer 1

an 800 year old law which says a person cant be tried for the same crime twice

Question 2

background to campaign

Answer 2

• ann ming’s daughter, julie, was murdered by billy dunlop in 1989
• the jury failed to reach a verdict twice and dunlop was found not guilty
• in 1998, dunlop admitted to the murder
• no action could be taken because of the DOUBLE JEOPARDY RULE

Question 3

how did ann ming campaign?

Answer 3

ming lobbied politicians using the press, TV, and radio to publicise the case

Question 4

which law was a result of ann ming’s campaigning?

Answer 4

• the CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT 2003
• it allows certain serious crimes to be re-tried if fresh and compelling evidence was found

Question 5

what happened to billy dunlop as a result of this law change?

Answer 5

the law was applied retrospectively to dunlop’s case and he was the first person to be tried and convicted of murder under the law