Thread: Another fine example of our corrupt justice system

Originally Posted by KarlB

I wondered who would be the first to bite!

........and I was believing that I was good with the big spoon

There are many many cases of the "privileged few" escaping punishment within the SA courts.

The public has for a long time doubted the court results, when cases appear on the weight of the evidence, to warrant prison time, only to find the alleged offenders either escape conviction due to them playing the law, or the penalty not fitting the crime.

To keep both Inc & myself out of court, I won’t name the cases, but anyone who follows court proceedings in SA will know that the DPP is not a popular person in these parts.

The coppers work hard to find the offenders, and build a case, only to have the DPP plea bargain it down, or suggest alternative, lesser charges, so that his conviction rate can remain high. He will NOT fight the tough battles, and prefers to secure a conviction to a lesser charge, rather than let the courts decide on the weight of the evidence before them.

And, when there is a conviction, the courts are placing too much weight on "mitigating circumstances", therefor reducing the sentences.

The coppers & prosecutors work hard to bring criminals to justice, only to be let down by weak judges, and an ineffective DPP.

To top it off, the fact that prisons are for "rehabilitation" and not punishment, is just plain stupid. I would love to see the comparison of repeat offenders now, compared to 100 years ago.

Case in point:
Julian Knight demands jail jelly | Courier Mail

A convicted mass murderer wants designer sunglasses, and a better choice of chips.... I mean, WTF????

Originally Posted by Chucaro

One thing that people have to realize is that is is not the "Court of Justice" it is the "Court of Law"

And that is not the end of the story. There is a memorable exchange between the barrister, Sir Robert Morton, and Catherine Winslow in Terence Rattigan's play "The Winslow Boy" that suggests that justice is not the ultimate achievement.

Sir Robert Morton: I wept today because right had been done.
Catherine Winslow: Not justice?
Sir Robert Morton: No, not justice. Right. Easy to do justice. Very hard to do right.

Originally Posted by Chucaro

Just wonder what would happen to an Aborigine in the same situation

not much anymore they get too many gov handouts aswell

Originally Posted by Chucaro

Karl
One thing that people have to realize is that is is not the "Court of Justice" it is the "Court of Law"

"This is not a court of justice, this is a court of law" Oliver Wendell Holmes, US Supreme Court Justice.

Originally Posted by Basil135

The coppers work hard to find the offenders, and build a case, only to have the DPP plea bargain it down, or suggest alternative, lesser charges, so that his conviction rate can remain high. He will NOT fight the tough battles, and prefers to secure a conviction to a lesser charge, rather than let the courts decide on the weight of the evidence before them.

And, when there is a conviction, the courts are placing too much weight on "mitigating circumstances", therefor reducing the sentences.

The coppers & prosecutors work hard to bring criminals to justice, only to be let down by weak judges, and an ineffective DPP.

In my DSS days we would refer files for prosecution and eventually have the files returned without action. The DPP would only prosecute where they considered the case was a lay down misere with a 100% chance of conviction. They seemed to not notice that ALL files referred to them were thoroughly well investigated and prepared and the clients had made statements admitting guilt, much proving documentation, statements from employers etc.

The DPP was most reluctant to prosecute cases involving domestic circumstances ( pensioner/beneficiary receiving single payment whilst in an undeclared relationship) or spouse earnings being undeclared or under-declared.