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Monday May 21, 2012

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Should we be able to vote for judges?

Posted by: 2UE | 24 January, 2012 - 9:29 AM
Why is Magistrate Brian Malone being driven away from the courts?

In light of the controversies surrounding Magistrate Pat O'Shane, should Australians be able to vote for their judges like in some states of the US. David Oldfield on the possibility with Professor Andrew Lynch.

 

 


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Blog comments Your Say

  • If we have elected judges, and we voted for them on the basis of how many people they sentenced to gaol and for how long, then we would just about go broke trying to pay for all the new gaols that would be needed. Has anyone checked the incarceration rate for NSW and the US lately. The last time I looked we had about 6.5 million people and 10,000 in gaol. That is 1 prisoner for every 650 people. The US has 300 million people and 2 million on gaol which is 1 for every 150. That is what happens when you have things like elected judges, minimum prison terms, zero tollerance, three strikes and you are out etc.etc. Elected judges would have a field day here with the 120,000 or so convictions in NSW courts each year and they could easily take us up to the US rate. We would have to build new gaols by the dozens. No political party is going to sign itself up to a scheme like that.

    Greg O Tuesday 24 January, 2012 - 9:38 PM

  • Yes. Many of them are some half dozen slices short of a full loaf. It is time for an overhaul of the system and selection by vote would be a great start.

    Jonathon L Tuesday 24 January, 2012 - 3:03 PM

  • LEGAL-POLITICAL REFORM?
    For very obvious reasons, our dictatorial politicians will never allow us to vote for Judges. [Solicitors] In case you have not noticed, we are mushrooms, fed on bulls#!t & kept in the dark! Whatsmore, judges are part of an arrogant, egotistical "theatrical" money-making $$legal-fraternity. Who have got their game completely wrapped-up, ever so tightly. i.e. Marcus Einfield. Keep in mind 99% of them give the other 1% a bad name. Got the message now? For a good society, we the people should be the judges & the jury! And rid these expensive, overpaid smart-arses who are the problem, not the solution. I think reliable computer technology should be used for impartial, appropriate prison sentencing. Furthermore, just look at all the greedy $$$solicitors on the Labor-Gillard gravy train. Plane-loads of them flying up to Christmas Island on a daily basis and for what!!! Australia has far too many problems...I feel very sorry for our children who now apparently have no future!

    Ted Tuesday 24 January, 2012 - 10:48 AM

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