Research suggests that individuals with a mental illness and/or intellectual disability are over-represented at all stages in the criminal justice system. As such, it appears that traditional criminal justice responses may not be as effective with this offender group. Alternative criminal justice processes that have attracted the attention of policymakers are specialist mental health courts...

The High Court has rejected the view that a state-appointed decision maker’s conduct can be immune from review, writes David Hume in this article for APO.

NZAID contracted an external evaluation team with the combined purpose of assessing the results achieved under the ISP for learning and accountability, informing the MJCA and the Samoan LJS about outstanding institutional strengthening priority needs, including any gaps that have not previously been identified.

The aim of this study was to identify factors that improve jury understanding and use of inculpatory DNA evidence.

This publication presents nationally comparable statistics relating to the criminal jurisdiction of the Higher (Supreme and Intermediate), Magistrates' and Children's Courts across Australia for the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009. Some time series data are also included where available. The statistics describe the characteristics of defendants, including information on the offences and...