Report Proposes New Law on Criminal Jury Directions
Source: Victoria. Attorney General. Media Release
"The Brumby Labor Government will consider a report on how to improve laws around jury directions in criminal trials to avoid unnecessary retrials and appeals. Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls said the Government was committed to ensuring that accused persons receive a fair trial and that complex jury directions do not delay the justice system.He said the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s (VLRC) final report, which would be tabled in Parliament, looked at changes to jury directions that could reduce court delays and the number of appeals. Importantly, victims of crime can be further traumatised by court retrials and it is important we reduce court delays and appeals to reduce unnecessary hardship for victims.”