Simon Corbell has announced the passage of his bill to restore the role of juries in judging guilt or innocence for serious crimes.
“I am pleased that a majority of the Assembly has decided to support this important ACT Government reform to judge-alone trials in the ACT,” Mr Corbell said.
“Jury trials are an integral part of our justice system, and this legislation ensures that the most serious offences are subject to scrutiny by a selection of community peers.”
“The ACT currently has the highest rate of judge-alone elections in Australia and this legislation will see a change back to the intended procedure of jury trials being the norm except for in cases where there is significant pre-trial publicity which could prejudice a fair trial or those cases that involve complex and lengthy legal issues.
“Charges of murder, manslaughter, causing death by culpable driving and sexual counts such as possessing child pornography are among the most serious matters a court can hear and they deserve to be heard by a jury.”