The closure of local magistrates' courts has been criticised by south Oxfordshire MP Boris Johnson.
He spoke out in the House of Commons against the loss of locally dispensed justice and has asked for a rethink.
He said 96 magistrates' courts, including Abingdon, Wantage, Henley and Thame, had closed in England and Wales since 1997 and more were expected.
Mr Johnson said: "Local justice is under threat as the Government shuts down magistrates' courts. Under these closures, magistrates will have less knowledge of the locality in which crimes took place.
"Not only will defendants have to travel longer distances, but so will the victims of crimes and witnesses.
"Local media will find it more difficult to report court cases, reducing the chance that the convicted or the acquitted will appear in the papers - and that prevents justice being seen to be done."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article