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watch One-Minute World News Last Updated: Wednesday, 27 October,
2004, 09:41 GMT 10:41 UK Should juries be told sex offenders'
pasts? Mr Justice Owen and members of the Judiciary Juries could
be entitled to be told about a defendants previous convictions,
if a proposed shake-up of the court system goes ahead.  Home
Secretary David Blunkett said the reforms of the rules to child
sex and theft trials would put victims "at the heart of the
justice system".  At present juries are rarely told of any
previous convictions for fear of hindering a fair trial and
human rights groups are concerned that if the plans are
implemented miscarriages of justice will increase.  Do you think
juries should be told of previous convictions in child sex abuse
and theft cases? Do you think this will affect the right to a
fair trial?   The following comments reflect the balance of
opinion we have received:  This topic was suggested by Sue from
Herts: Should juries have the r