http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/oct2004/jury-o28.shtml
Julie Hyland
"The Blair government has outlined a fresh attack on civil liberties under the guise of �putting victims first.�
Under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, from mid-December judges will have discretion to allow evidence of a defendant�s previous convictions to be put before juries.
The Act makes a fundamental change in law. Previous convictions were usually only revealed at the time of sentencing, as their introduction during trial was regarded as prejudicial to the outcome. Disclosure of such convictions during trial proceedings could lead to the case being stopped and a retrial ordered by the judge."
