The Ministry of Justice wants to hear from the public about two proposals related to jury trials, with the aim of reducing wait times in criminal courts and improving timely access to justice.
It says demand for jury trials, particularly in the District Court, has grown in the last five years and are also taking longer to resolve, which adds to court delays overall.
The Government is considering whether the current threshold for giving a defendant the option of being tried by a jury instead of a judge sitting alone is appropriate. The threshold should strike the right balance between the seriousness of an offence, and the extra resource and time required to hold a jury trial, the Ministry said in a statement.
To inform Government decisions, the Ministry is seeking public feedback by October 31 on two proposals that would:
- increase the threshold for being able to choose a jury trial. Currently the threshold is reached when charges carry a maximum penalty of two years or more in prison;
- enable more time for a defendant to decide between a trial before a jury, or a judge alone.
The proposals and options for change are set out in more detail in a discussion document [PDF, 447 KB] which also discusses the history and importance of jury trials and the relevant rights protected under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.
A summary version [PDF, 229 KB] and te reo version [PDF, 450 KB] of the document are also available.
Information about the proposals, is also available on the Ministry’s Key Initiatives page.
How to have a say
People can give their feedback directly online using a questionnaire on the Ministry’s Citizen Space consultation hub. Alternatively, feedback and submissions can be sent in writing to the Ministry either by:
- email to courtspolicy@justice.govt.nz
- or by post to:
Courts System Policy
Ministry of Justice
National Office
DX SX10088
Wellington.
