Judges Comments Bonkers – McVicar

Napier Conservative Party Candidate Garth McVicar is accusing a Judge of forgetting that he is the gate-keeper for the community and not a benevolent caregiver for law breakers. "The comments by this Judge are not just alarming, they're completely bonkers," Mr McVicar says.

Garth McVicar, who recently resigned as spokesman for the Sensible Sentencing Trust to stand as the Conservative Party candidate for Napier is commenting on a Judges remarks when sentencing a woman caught driving with seven unrestrained children in her car (see story here http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11312109).

Mr McVicar says the Judges comments were ludicrous, “it appears this Judge has forgotten that the role of a Judge is as the gate-keeper for society. A Judge has the responsibility of setting the criteria and boundaries that our communities operate under.”

“This woman was found with seven unrestrained children in the car including three in the boot and had no licence and resisted arrest.”

“For a Judge to excuse this woman’s actions on the basis that ‘30 years ago everyone did it’ is in a nut-shell, totally unacceptable.”

McVicar has been a staunch advocate for justice reform and victims’ rights since he founded the Sensible Sentencing Trust 13 years ago. In that time the Trust has had many successes including longer sentences for murder, three-strikes for violent offenders, greater use of DNA, the $50 offender levy and many more.

As the newly appointed Justice Spokesman for the Conservative Party Mr McVicar has decided to stand as a candidate in his home town of Napier.

“Napier was one of the safest cities in New Zealand when I was growing up in Taradale. I have a responsibility to see that my home town is returned to that status, our people deserve it, and Napier deserves it. Safer streets and safer communities are our fundamental right – a right we must demand.”

“I think the Judge in this case has sadly forgotten he is a gate-keeper for our community. Public safety must be our paramount consideration and enshrined into the laws of the land.” ENDS

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