5 has commissioned Good TV to produce a 4 x 60’ series of You Be The Judge presented by Anne Robinson, following a successful one-off special last year.
Anne Robinson returns to 5 for the returning crime and justice format which allows viewers the chance to compare their judgements of convicted criminals against the ones decided by the real judges.
You Be the Judge will reconstruct three real sentencing hearings in each episode. Viewers can also compare their judgements against groups who know the justice system better than most – retired judges, former inmates, retired police officers, former prison officers and relatives of crime victims.
The format, distributed by All3Media International, will allow viewers the chance to compare their judgements about convicted criminals against real judge and more crucially, to understand how sentencing works in England and Wales. Whether it’s murder, manslaughter, death by dangerous driving, GBH with intent, or less serious offences like common assault or breaching an injunction, the majority of the crimes featured result in controversial outcomes.
Anne Robinson says: “How does a prison officer having sex with an inmate receive twice the sentence of a man who cold-bloodedly kills his wife? Our Justice system is in chaos. Our jails are bursting at the seams. Do sentences any longer fit the crimes ? You Be The Judge.”
Executive Producer, Elliot Reed of Good TV, commented: “This challenging social experiment is public service television on 5. Sentencing is a controversial part of the justice system we rarely see. You Be The Judge informs and educates, and it’s also addictive TV.”
Commissioning Editor, 5: Dan Louw added: “You Be the Judge is a moving, infuriating, complex and always fascinating look at how the justice system really works. After last year’s one-off, I couldn’t wait to see to see more.”
Executive Producer is Elliot Reed and the Producer/Directors are Tom Peppiatt and Fred Jacobsen.
Jon Creamer
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