JUSTICE IN AMERICA

Feilding Star, Volume 8, Issue 2497, 10 March 1930, Page 7

JUSTICE IN AMERICA

LACK OF DIRECTNESS AUCKLAND LAWYER’S VISIT Comments on Court procedure in America were made by Mr J. J. K. Terry, an Auckland .solicitor, who went to the United States to act for Air John- Grey, tl*o Helensville land agent.

Air Terry returned by the Aorangi, and with other passengers readied Auckland from tlio Alotuihi quarantine station. In the United States lie atc\ided several Cljurt cases apart from tlie one in which ho was officially engaged, and was amazed at the lack of dignity and ceremony and the tremendously j involved working *of American law.

“American Courts are mostly like vaudeville theatres or picture-shows, ’ ’ Air Terry said. “There is plenty of seating accommodation for tlio public, which attends Court eases much as ft docs recognised branches of entertainment. Judge and jurors seem to make it a point of honour to chew tobacco throughout the proceedings. Tlie Americans admit that their judicial procedure is not- what it ought to be. Judges, district attorneys, and all Court officials are elected by tlie people and not appointed for ability. Tlie district attorney handles all cases, and at his discretion they go before the grand jury, which has to return a true bill before a man can be brought to trial.” Practically any trial of importance was long and involved. Prisoners had the right to appeal on tho sliglicst technical point, and tune and again new trials ,were ordered. One man was tried for murder six times ail'd on the sixth anniversary of the case ho was acquitted. Prior to his acquital ho had been sentenced to terms of imprisonment varying from 99 to 7 years. Altogether, justice was dispensed in a. most liaplniza-rd fashion.

Americans could hardly understand the directness and speed of British justice. The Hatry case had proved an example-. Amerjca.ll newspapers had expressed great surprise that, within four months, the- whole case had been completed and Ha-try sentenced to l 4 years imprisonment. A similar case in the United States wo-uld have occupied the time of tho Courts for years.