Image courtesy of mrpuen / FreeDigitalPhotos.netBlogger and tweeter @fchralph posted an article a few months ago about the criminal diversion program we have in Victoria, which now operates under Criminal Procedure Act 2009 s 59.He suggested one shortcoming is that it relies on police discretion. And, that sometimes that can be subject to whim and caprice.The …
Continue reading Police discretion, diversion and choices to prosecute
Victoria Legal Aid are reducing the number of cases their duty solicitors will become involved in at sittings of the Magistrates' Court. The changes to their criteria are discussed here.They say on their website:From July 2012 duty lawyer services in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria will prioritise people in custody, and people who cannot afford …
Last year Elucubrator posted on the expansion of the powers of judicial registrars.The full list of matters that they may deal with are contained at rule 4 of the Magistrates' Court (Judicial Registrars) Rules 2005. The problem with that rule is that it contains a long list of section numbers, and references to many different …