COURT’S WIDE POWERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 197, 20 August 1931, Page 6

COURT’S WIDE POWERS.

venditions of Probation may be Exacting. | The powers given to a Magistrate in imposing conditions for men placed on probation are very wide, and almost unlimited. The Act states that the Bench may impose such terms and conditions as are thought fit. An unusual case in which this power was exercised was heard in the Kaiapoi Court, when counsel for the defence m a case of theft stated that the defence agreed to the recommendation of ' the police that, as a motor truck had been used in taking away the stolen goods, accused should be deprived of ■ the use of a motor vehicle during his j three years’ term of probation. Counsel i stated that if probation were given j accused would agree to forego the use of a motor vehicle, and would return to a hire company the truck at that time in his possession. The fact that accused had had the truck had given him the opportunity for theft, it was said.

The Magistrate adopted the recommendation of the police and made it a condition of probation, that accused should refrain from using any jjnotor vehicle during the probationary period. There have been cases where Magistrates, in entering a conviction, have ordered defendants to donate as a penalty a sum of money to a charitable fund.