18 August 2008

First time on the (court) bench

The resident magistrate has a worthy program in which he invites community members to sit with him on the bench. Today it was my turn.

I am probably more familiar with court procedure than most of his guests, but I found it interesting to compare what happens here with what I have seen in Kalgoorlie and Myrtleford.

There were far fewer indigenous defendants than Kalgoorlie, but many cases involved people from the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum, which was also true in WA and at Myrtleford.

I can’t believe as many people turn up for court as they do in casual clothes, work gear or jeans/track suits.

Here’s a memorised summary of some highlights from my 90-minute session: Read more »

Tags: justice, law, society
3 comments


23 July 2008

When decades-old charges go to court

We have been following a jury trial for the past few days involving an 80-year-old man charged with sex offences which the prosecution alleged occurred 40 years ago involving his niece, who was a child at the time.

The man was found not guilty.

This type of trial troubles me for several reasons. Read more »

Tags: justice, law, society
0 comments


8 May 2008

Murder mystery

I feel quite drained at the end of this working day. A lot of my time was spent dealing with the investigation into a suspicious death.

A tradesman on a remote job was taking a leak in the bush when he discovered human remains concealed beneath a pile of wood near Menzies in the northern Goldfields.

He came into our office today and provided photos of the grisly find.

Earlier, one of my staff had called me aside to say he suspected whose body it might be. Read more »

Tags: crime, justice, law, media, murder, news
5 comments


28 April 2008

Free the press in China

The World Association of Newspapers is asking newspapers worldwide to show their support for press freedom in China by publishing editorials, advertisements, political cartoons and other materials on 3 May, World Press Freedom Day.

More than 30 journalists and 50 cyber-dissidents are in Chinese prisons, making China the world’s biggest jailer of journalists.

I’d like to see bloggers join the campaign. Link to the World Press Freedom Day website.

Tags: justice, media, newspapers
0 comments


18 March 2008

Myrtleford murder mystery

It sounds like the remains of missing Myrtleford toddler Daniel Thomas may have been found today after human bones were discovered under a house in the North East Victorian town.

Daniel went missing in October 2003.

The house is the one Daniel’s mother Donna Thomas and babysitter Mandy Martin rented together when Daniel was reported missing. Ms Martin has been a police suspect. Read more »

Tags: justice, media, news, PR, public-relations, society, Victoria
1 comment


3 March 2008

Hoon problem

Western Australia has a hoon problem. It exists everywhere to some extent, I suppose, but I never encountered it in the parts of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia I lived in previously.

Hoon activity can be doing a burnout; dangerous or reckless driving; racing another vehicle, speeding, and accelerating or braking and skidding wildly.

I think it’s fair to say WA is the hoon state of Australia and Kalgoorlie-Boulder is the hoon capital. I saw some figures last year which showed there were more hoon arrests here than anywhere else. Read more »

Tags: Australia, features, justice, Kalgoorlie, motoring, opinion, police, society, Western-Australia
1 comment


27 February 2008

Think twice about complaining

I’ll think twice before I ever complain about slow service in a restaurant after reading this report in The Age:

“A restaurateur has been jailed for seven years for the manslaughter of a patron who complained about slow service. After a fight broke out at the Bon Mua restaurant and karaoke bar, co-owner and chef Khanh Vo went to the kitchen and grabbed a small-bladed paring knife, normally used to cut fruit.

“He then returned to the scene of the conflict and stabbed 56-year-old Anh Dung Nguyen three times to the left side of his body.

“Mr Nguyen was helped outside, but died the next day in hospital despite emergency surgery.”

I’m generally not one to complain. I once sent a steak back to the kitchen because it was rare and I had asked for medium; the chef didn’t come chasing me though.

Tags: dining, justice, news, society
0 comments


30 January 2008

Reward good drivers

I wrote a few weeks ago about the road toll and an idea to reduce it.

I suspect that most traffic-related charges these days result from cameras and ray guns. When was the last time you heard of someone charged with overtaking on double lines, failing to indicate when turning or failing to stop at a stop sign?

And how many times have you seen someone fail to indicate? I see it almost every day on the road.

That’s my rant over with. Read more »

Tags: Australia, justice, motoring, society
0 comments


2 January 2008

Bushfire inquiry

I feel quite strongly now there should be a Royal Commission or a judicial inquiry into the WA bushfire deaths.

A 19-year-old girl is the latest casualty, killed in a motoring accident on the alternative gravel route. Four lives have now been lost because of a poor decision and a failed system.

Police are currently investigating on behalf of the Coroner. I think it should go further. A judge with wide-ranging powers should lead the investigation.

I’ve seen two statements from the Department of Environment and Conservation today which seek to pass blame and responsibility. In one instance they imply the weather bureau got the forecast wrong, and in another case they suggest there was undue pressure from motorists.

The problem with police investigating is that they were also involved.

I believe a judge or a Queen’s counsel is best qualified to conduct the inquiry. A key outcome needs to be strong recommendations to prevent this ever happening again.

Tags: justice, Kalgoorlie, Western-Australia
0 comments


12 December 2007

Gang rape sentencing concern

There is widespread concern that none of the nine males who gang raped a 10-year-old girl in Queensland have been sent to prison. The Queensland Government is appealing the sentences.

Six teenagers who pleaded guilty last month were placed on a 12-month probation order and had no conviction recorded against them for the 2005 rape of the 10-year-old girl in Aurukun on Cape York. Three others - aged 17, 18 and 26 - were given suspended jail sentences.

In sentencing, Judge Sarah Bradley (pictured) said the girl had “probably agreed” to have sex with the nine, prompting calls for her sacking this week.

The judge has come under intense criticism and I was going to join the pack.

In researching this article however, I came across the Courier Mail’s edited version of the transcript. It’s been edited to avoid identifying the victim and the juvenile defendants.

Read more »

Tags: Australia, justice, media, politics, society
12 comments