Judge exposes Govt sham, wins public support

19 January 2016

“We congratulate Judge Roberts; it appears he has found the back-bone the National Government has lost. It appears he is encouraging National to put a bit of spine back into sentencing legislation and give Judges the tools to ensure public safety is of paramount consideration.” McVicar

John Keys National Government got elected in 2008 by listening to the voters and promising to get tough on crime. In their first term they introduced 3 strikes legislation and parole reforms to keep violent criminals locked up for longer.

While the tough talk has continued the action hasn’t and in the latest scandal the Government has been accused of meddling with sentences in a push to keep offenders out of jail.

But New Plymouths most outspoken Judge has had enough and lambasted what he believes is a government directive to ensure fewer offenders are sent to prison.

While Judge Allan Roberts will no-doubt get hauled over the coals for being so brazen the Sensible Sentencing Trust says he deserves a medal.

SST Founder, Garth McVicar said Judge Roberts was simply putting into words what most New Zealanders knew, that crime was once again a viable and lucrative career choice and the National Government was now simply paying lip service to their once-upon-a-time tough-on-crime war cry.

“Crime pays handsomely for criminals who are prepared to take the gamble, they know that the chances of being caught are very remote and even if they are that Judges have been instructed to give the least restrictive sentence possible and give a community sentence as opposed to sending the offender to jail.”

McVicar said that Judges are the gate-keepers for society and public safety should always be the priority when a Judge was considering an appropriate sentence.

“We congratulate Judge Roberts; it appears he has found the back-bone the National Government has lost. It appears he is encouraging National to put a bit of spine into sentencing legislation and give Judges the tools to ensure public safety is of paramount consideration.”

ENDS

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