NCJ Number
62583
Date Published
1977
Length
30 pages
Annotation
GOALS, LEGAL WORK, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA, PRIMARILY DURING 1977, ARE DISCUSSED; CRIMINAL JUSTICE LAW, FAMILY LAW, AND THE LOWER COURTS ARE EMPHASIZED.
Abstract
DURING 1977, THE COMMISSION CONTINUED TO WORK FOR THE COUNTRY. THE NEW LEGAL SYSTEM MUST BE FOUNDED ON CUSTOMARY LAWS, BE A TRULY NATIONAL LEGAL SYSTEM, BE BASED ON THE NEEDS AND VALUES OF THE PEOPLE, AND BE ARTICULATED IN LEGAL MATERIALS. AS A RESULT OF COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS, SIMPLIFIED LAWS ON ARREST, SEARCH, AND BAIL WERE PASSED BY THE PARLIAMENT DURING 1977. IN ADDITION, THE SUMMARY OFFENSES ACT WAS AMENDED ACCORDING TO RECOMMENDATION TO DESCRIBE TWO NEW OFFENSES AS WELL AS HEAVIER PENALTIES FOR BEING DRUNK AND DISORDERLY AND FOR IMPROPER USE OF FIREARMS AND MISSILES. THE COMMISSION'S MAJOR PROPOSAL IS THAT A PERSON CONSIDERED INNOCENT BY CUSTOM SHOULD EITHER BE FOUND INNOCENT UNDER THE CRIMINAL LAW OR, IN THE CASE OF SERIOUS OFFENSES, BE GIVEN A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF 3 YEARS. LEGAL RESEARCH IN PROGRESS FOCUSES ON INTERROGATIONS AND CONFESSIONS, COMMITAL PROCEEDINGS, AND INDICTABLE OFFENSES. COMMISSION WORK HAS ALREADY LED TO SOME REVIEW OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURES IN THE LOWER COURTS. ADDITIONAL COMMISSION ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SEMINAR AND CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION. (LWM)