Who's For Some Third World Justice?

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Libertarianz Party

Who's For Some Third World Justice?

Libertarianz Justice Spokesman Bernard Darnton today hailed the decision by Phil Goff to review double jeopardy laws, saying that it "couldn't have come at a better time."

"If we're going to have a third world economy," he adds, "we really should have a third world justice system to go with it."

Mr Goff is upset that someone he believes should have gone to prison has been aquitted and apparently wants to keep re-trying him until a conviction is obtained.

"For hundreds of years, society has been wrestling with complex questions of justice. Now that we have an omniscient Minister of Justice we can clearly do away with 'old-fashioned rubbish' like trial by jury, or presumption of innocence, or even it seems protection from double jeopardy. Perhaps we can simply go back to trial by ordeal, and Mr Goff can then see if purification by fire brings about the results he desires?"

"No justice system will produce perfect results," Darnton adds in a more serious vein. "Denying someone's liberty by throwing him into prison is a serious step and it's up to the state to make sure that they get everything right. Protections like presumption of innocence and double jeopardy laws, which prevent multiple trials for the same offence, are there to make sure that the state does its job properly. Without these safeguards we would have a justice system in name only - which appears to be what Mr Goff is in favour of!"

ENDS

For further information please contact: Bernard Darnton, Libertarianz Justice Spokesman bernard@eglnet.com, +64-3-474-2081

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