NCJ Number
141267
Date Published
1992
Length
40 pages
Annotation
The task force proposes recommendations to reform Australia's criminal justice system on the basis of delay, pending caseload, and case processing statistics as well as the experience of its members.
Abstract
A fundamental flaw in Australia's criminal justice system is the late identification of pleas of guilty. Reporting this to be a chronic problem which requires immediate change, the task force resolves that there be involvement, together with the private profession, of the offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Legal Aid Commission post charge and precommittal and subsequently with appropriate continuity of representation. Task force recommendations charge, committal, and trial proceedings, plea incentives, legal fees, summary proceedings, and case management information system requirements. In regard to the latter, a computerized case management system, capable of providing comprehensive information, is identified as crucial in order to reduce delay in the criminal system. 5 notes