Record all proceedings at magistrates’ courts

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Petition Action

Record all proceedings at magistrates’ courts

Petition Details

Proceedings within Magistrates Courts are not recorded. That means anything said in court is not recorded, unlike in a majority of courts. Magistrates have the power to imprison defendants for up to 6 months and without a record, defendants cannot prove issues such as perjury on oath.

Additional Information

The government has an obligation to ensure defendants have a right to a fair trial, which I believe should mean defendants having the ability to seek a transcript of proceedings in the event that perjury or other inconsistencies have been identified. Unless there is a recording, it is not possible to get the evidence required. This in other happens courts, such as Crown and Family (Civil), so when a Court has the ability to impose such sanctions, we believe the Right to a Fair Trial should involve recording.

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