NCJ Number
197037
Date Published
August 2001
Length
128 pages
Annotation
This report discusses legal aid and public prosecutions in Queensland, Australia.
Abstract
The report focuses on the financial situation and workload of Legal Aid Queensland (formerly the Legal Aid Commission) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. In addition to presenting data on the funding of these agencies, the report identifies issues which have an impact on the public perception of the funding situation, and on the ability of those agencies to make the most efficient use of the limited funds available for the provision of their services. There is a a widely shared view that the time is right for realignment of the jurisdiction of the various courts in Queensland and for the active encouragement of, and financial commitment to, the early disposition of criminal matters. A further indication that the time is right for change is the marked degree of activity within criminal justice agencies and across government and private sector agencies relating to consideration of reform options. There are needs for legal assistance within the community that are not being met, in part because of the lack of funding that include: (1) non-prescribed crime; (2) employing legal representatives; and (3) assistance to people before their first appearance in court. Abbreviations, notes, figures, tables, appendixes, references, cases cited