CRIMINAL TRIALS—A SUGGESTION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 967, 7 November 1910, Page 4

CRIMINAL TRIALS—A SUGGESTION.

_ Sir,—Allow mc to ask-your consideration to ray suggestion in an alteration m the procedure of the Supreme Court (criminal code). I submit that an accused should have the right to be tried by a jury or judge ouly. My reason for this is that it would give the accused the great benefit of an impartial trial, in the case, as often happens, that a witness for the prosecution would if a truo verdict were recorded find himself (the witness) in a very dangerous position. It cannot be gainsaid that local feeling and: influence often has great.consideration from a jury, whichwould not.be the case if a judge acted alone. The jury list is so cosmopolitan ■in character that some members of a jury are unfit to try a dog, let alono a fellow being. It is, uniortunatcly, in small centres like this for those who are jurymen to study their own interests, and members of orders, societies, etc., it may bo unconsciously, but nevertheless, have a bias in the favour of those in their circle. As the panel of the jury is known long before the Court sits, it is within tho power to influence, the jury list. An accused can now elect to plead guilty at tho magisterial inquiry. Why should ho not bo allowed to elect to bo tried by a judge ? It is in small towns where tho Supremo Court sits that the' benefit I suggest would bo felt, and with this inestimable boon that when on. trial the accused would have the integrity and honour of tho judges to sed he was rightly convicted. Tho Hon. Dn.Findlav has done work in :h;s department that will','-bo a monument' to hfs-'lasting' praiseV and I hope that my suggestion will meet his eye and have his approval.—l am, etc., ■ ■■.' WANGANUI. Wangaimi, November 1. .