Childrens’ Court too adversarial?

On Thursday the State Ombudsman tabled his Own motion investigation into the Department of Human Services Child Protection Program.In the report, Mr Brouwer said,In my view the appropriateness of a legal system that generates such a degree of conflict ought to be reconsidered by government and an assessment made as to whether better outcomes for …

Continue reading Childrens’ Court too adversarial?

Childrens' Court too adversarial?

On Thursday the State Ombudsman tabled his Own motion investigation into the Department of Human Services Child Protection Program.In the report, Mr Brouwer said,In my view the appropriateness of a legal system that generates such a degree of conflict ought to be reconsidered by government and an assessment made as to whether better outcomes for …

Continue reading Childrens' Court too adversarial?

Does jail work?

That's a loaded question bound to get a few responses. It all depends on what we mean by 'work', and what we think jail is supposed to achieve.One stated aim of jail — and any sentencing option — is to reduce offending. Surprisingly, there's not a lot of research to see if jail achieves this …

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Summary time limits in the Children’s Court

With the arrival of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009, the time limit for the filing of a charge against a child for a summary offence will fall from twelve months to six.The relevant provision can be found at s 376 of the Criminal Procedure Act. This section inserts a new Part 5.1A into the Children, …

Continue reading Summary time limits in the Children’s Court

Summary time limits in the Children's Court

With the arrival of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009, the time limit for the filing of a charge against a child for a summary offence will fall from twelve months to six.The relevant provision can be found at s 376 of the Criminal Procedure Act. This section inserts a new Part 5.1A into the Children, …

Continue reading Summary time limits in the Children's Court