New legislation will modernise criminal procedures and reduce court delays.Changes will see cases finalised faster and protect victims from being retraumatised with repeat court appearances.This is part of the Finocchiaro CLP Government's Reducing Crime Strategy.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is introducing legislation this week to reform long-standing criminal procedures, in an effort to help cases move faster through the courts.
The practical reforms are aimed at reducing delays, resolving cases sooner, and easing pressure on the courts, while protecting victims - including domestic violence survivors - from repeated appearances which risk retraumatising them.
Attorney-General, Marie-Clare Boothby said the changes were about modernising criminal procedures - some of which have been in place for nearly a century.
"When cases move through the courts faster, it provides certainty to victims, consequences for offenders, and confidence in the justice system," the Attorney-General said. "Our local court system is built on legislation which has been in operation since 1928. This is about modernising our system to improve its efficiency, fairness and function."
"Under Labor, red-tape and chronic under-resourcing left a justice system under strain. We've worked with industry to identify where we can strengthen the justice system and finalise cases faster."
The reforms come after consultation with a Local Court Criminal Procedure Working Group, comprising stakeholders working in the criminal law system every day, including the NT Legal Aid Commission, North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, NT Police, Department of Corrections, Criminal Lawyers Association of the NT, the Bar Association of the NT, and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The changes will ease unnecessary administrative burdens in the criminal procedure process. It is also the first step in establishing an Early Appropriate Guilty Plea List. More matters will be dealt with by the Local Court, and fast-tracked to the Supreme Court, while court processes will be streamlined, allowing the use of audio-visual links for appearances to reduce pressure on police, courts and witnesses while improving outcomes for victims.
Across the Territory, the number of victims of crime is down 10.2%. That's 2,737 fewer victims than under Labor.
Just yesterday the latest results from the Finocchiaro CLP's Government's innovative TIG-ER Taskforce were released. The Targeted Intervention Group - Early Resolution was set up to finalise cases sooner through early intervention, and has handled nearly 1,000 cases, with around 760 matters finalised - 60% of which resulted in early guilty pleas.
This is on the back of a record $1.5 billion law and order budget, and a record number of judges appointed to hear cases.
"We promised to reduce crime, put victims first, and hold offenders accountable. A more efficient justice system is a critical part of that reform, and in our year of growth, certainty, and security, we're delivering real results for Territorians," the Attorney-General said.
