Jury trials scrapped for crimes with sentences of less than three years

The UK government has announced the scrapping of jury trials for crimes carrying a likely sentence of less than three years, as part of reforms aimed at addressing significant delays in the court system. Serious offenses such as murder, robbery, and rape will still be tried by a jury, while community magistrates will take on a larger role in handling cases. Justice Secretary David Lammy described the changes as both bold and necessary, although critics from the Conservative Party have raised concerns about the implications for the future of jury trials.