Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Innocence not compensation enough

By Tim Meehan - posted Thursday, 23 March 2006


Above all, magistrates have the power to stop a line of questioning. The safeguards are already there to protect child witnesses and complainants.

Other measures to protect children giving evidence include using closed circuit TV or pre-recording of evidence with video played to a jury. Before the law was changed, children could be cross-examined live in court through either closed circuit TV or behind a screen.

The key thing is a child’s allegations could be tested at the committal hearing, but not now, which means their complaint is unchallenged. It effectively ensures some cases go to trial which could and should be stopped long before that time.

Advertisement

The Ipswich case went to trial and the jury conclusively rejected the allegations, finding the father not guilty nine times to each charge he faced.

Although the accused has been acquitted, the story does not end yet. The conduct of various prosecution witnesses during the course of the trial is now the subject of formal investigation.

In theory, justice has been done and been seen to be done. A family has fractured, and the trauma faced by mother and father could take years to heal, if it ever heals. And at the end of the day the system says the defendant is entitled to not a cent back for lost income, expenses and costs.

This is wrong.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. Page 3
  5. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

13 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Tim Meehan is a Brisbane criminal defence lawyer, and Managing Partner of Brisbane-based national criminal defence law firm Ryan and Bosscher Lawyers.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Tim Meehan

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Tim Meehan
Article Tools
Comment 13 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy