NCJ Number
182350
Date Published
May 1999
Length
310 pages
Annotation
This discussion of the role of justices of the peace in Queensland, Australia, resulted from a request from the Attorney General to focus in particular on the desirability of maintaining this office, given the changes in Australian society.
Abstract
The foundation for the discussion was issues paper published in 1998. This paper summarized the development of the role of the justice of the peace, examined the existing categories of justices of the peace and the office of commissioner for declarations, reviewed the main powers of these positions, and raised specific issues about their roles. Justices of the peace and others provided 123 comments to the paper. Further information for the discussion paper came from a survey of magistrates’ courts regarding the matters heard by justices of the peace and a questionnaire survey that received responses from 133 of the 478 justices of the peace from whom information was sought. The analysis resulted in comments and preliminary recommendations in 12 areas. These areas included the witnessing function, summonses and warrants, police interviews of juveniles, the extension of detention for questioning and investigation, coronial powers, and court powers. Other areas included justices of the peace in Aboriginal, Torres Strait Island, and remote communities; safeguards; appointment to office; liability; and reimbursement of expenses. Tables, footnotes, and appended background information and instruments