Criminal corrects judge and avoids jail time
Criminal corrects judge and avoids jail time
A criminal challenged a judge on the legality of a sentence handed out in Whakatane District Court - and was proven right, avoiding more jail time.
Justice
High Court judge criticises Dept of Corrections
High Court judge criticises Dept of Corrections
An Auckland High Court judge today hit out at the Department of Corrections over a convicted killer's non-appearance for sentencing.
Legal aid lawyers face competency test
Legal aid lawyers face competency test
Competency testing for legal aid lawyers is one of the latest steps in the reform of legal aid services, Justice Minister Simon Power said today.
NZ Supreme Court allows appeal from Australian man
NZ Supreme Court allows appeal from Australian man
The Supreme Court of New Zealand has knocked back a Commerce Commission action against an Australian businessman involved in a wood treatment chemicals cartel case.
Thousands of unpaid fines collected
Thousands of unpaid fines collected
Eighty vehicles were seized and more than $47,000 in outstanding fines paid after a joint operation by the Justice Ministry and police in south Auckland.
Put victims first in line for reparation, MP says
Put victims first in line for reparation, MP says
Labour MP Rick Barker has drafted a bill to put the interests of victims first by placing the onus on offenders to pay reparation "in full and up front".
Family Court to fast track urgent child care cases
Family Court to fast track urgent child care cases
A shake-up of Family Court processes will speed up child care cases, with those involving abuse or violence to receive urgent attention.
Justice Minister to present human rights report to UN
Justice Minister to present human rights report to UN
Justice Minister Simon Power heads to New York tomorrow to report to the United Nations on how New Zealand's human rights obligations are being managed.
Preventive detention warning after indecent assault
Preventive detention warning after indecent assault
A man who indecently assaulted a girl in front of her brother was jailed for three years three months and given a judge's warning about a possible open-ended preventive detention sentence.
Law to ease pressure on crime victims enacted
Law to ease pressure on crime victims enacted
A law designed to ease financial pressure on victims of crime who receive legal aid to attend coronial inquests and parole hearings comes into force today.
Strike three
Strike three
It is surely unintended by the Government but nonetheless revealing that the proposed new sentencing law which bears some resemblance to that put up by Act New Zealand and its extra-parliamentary proxies, including the Sensible Sentencing Trust, is being promoted with the slogan "Three Strikes and the Max".
Judge's comments on three strikes policy 'wrong'
Judge's comments on three strikes policy 'wrong'
A judge erred in his assessment of the likely punishment for a repeat Christchurch offender under the new "three strikes" policy, the police minister's office said today.
Judge critical of 'three strikes' policy
Judge critical of 'three strikes' policy
A Christchurch judge has taken a swing at the new "three strikes and the max" criminal justice policy the Government is about to put in place.
Blogger 'attacking' justice system, police say
Blogger 'attacking' justice system, police say
High profile internet blogger Cameron Slater is "attacking the heart of our criminal justice system" and could face more serious charges, police say.
Crime victims owed $80 million
Crime victims owed $80 million
Crime victims are owed more than $80 million in reparations - a 33% jump over three years ago.
Most legal aid lawyers competent - Law Society
Most legal aid lawyers competent - Law Society
The New Zealand Law Society says most criminal legal aid lawyers are competent professionals who shouldn't all be tarred by a report saying some were abusing the process.
Resignations follow legal aid report
Resignations follow legal aid report
A scathing report into the state of legal aid has resulted in a cleanout of the Legal Services Agency (LSA) board.
Justice ministry 'disappointed' by pay rejection
Justice ministry 'disappointed' by pay rejection
The Ministry of Justice is "extremely disappointed" at the Public Service Association's (PSA) rejection of a pay offer, leading to continued industrial action.
Legal aid lawyers 'corrupt, incompetent'
Legal aid lawyers 'corrupt, incompetent'
A damning review of legal aid says a sea change is needed to fix a system undermined by incompetent, unscrupulous and sometimes corrupt lawyers looking after their own interests.
Provocation defence abolished
Provocation defence abolished
The partial defence of provocation, which can be used to reduce murder to manslaughter, has been abolished.