LEGAL REFORM WANTED

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 25 March 1924, Page 4

LEGAL REFORM WANTED

POLICE COURT TRAGEDIES. LONDON, Feb. 6. Every day in our police courts tra( dies are enacted which rarely come the public. Legal reformers, aam band, have been hammering away the authorities to obtain some mi'tig tion of this scandal, and at last offici attention is going to be given to tl subject. To-morrow afternoon the Law Sociel is to receive a deputation from tl Magistrates’ Association, and propa als by Mr Holford Knight will be pn sented for consideration. Public opii should be . invited to weigh th“se gestions, so that when the Law Sain undertakes an inquiry into them i may be known that the public are an cerned about their effect. The daily scandal is that of persot being sent to prison for small offenti amenable to summary jurisdiction, tn heard in their defence, and with no or to speak for them. It is not gene ally known that the Poor Prisoners D fence Act is not in operation in ot police courts. Whereas at quarters? sions and assizes a poor prisoner am be assigned legal aid, similar help not given in the courts o suminai jurisdiction. in many cases this assistance is at required, and no injustice is cams by its absence. But there are num ous cases, distributed over the eountr where legal aid is necessary, and whei by poverty of inability this cannot obtained, it should be supplied in otl ways. For it is intolerable that pern should be sent to prison, prehap! fori first time, without their answer to tl charge being placed adequately beta the Court, so that the justice shall I in possession of all the facts before i« fence. All systems are oj»n to abuse, an care must always be taken to ensui that the undeserving do not receii benefits not intended for them. Bi m the person of a Probation Officer, i

experienced official is available to san guard any further assistance to p<* persons being obtained by those fi whom it is not intended. With this reservation, for sponge abound on every hand, it will be * ful to outline Mr Holford Knignt simple and expeditious suggestions. He proposes that the Home o®' should circularise the summary cour to authorise, the Probation Officer, scrutinise the charge-sheet, so t# cases requiring aid may be set w< lor consideration. The other work < the Court can be proceeded with, i that no delay is caused, and the reset cases should be investigated by » 80 citor who volunteers for the task ‘ this point the difficulties of the r formers are likely to begin. Ho *, this charitable solicitor to be obta |n ” On this it is desired to gain tte • of the Law Society. Mr H°lw Knisrht is urging that the Law should ask solicitors in each u>un from a rota for the service, ana} *'"beves the response of the pro‘ e “* will be equal to supplying th« ® It will be interesting to see the come of this simple plan.