Government proposals concerning the Right to Silence

17/08/2012

As reported in In Brief earlier this week, the NSW Government has announced proposals to amend the Evidence Act to allow juries and the judiciary to draw an adverse inference against an alleged criminal who refuses to speak to investigating police, but later produces evidence at trial. The Bar Association has publicly expressed its opposition to the proposals�and will be making representations to the government on the issue. Members may wish to contact their local member of parliament��or the premier�to convey their views. Members may also be interested to know that an Online petition – “Save the Right To Silence”� - has been established to enable the community to register their protest against the proposed laws.

17 August 2012