Friday 2 April 2010

Crazy bail laws !

Two dangerous men are on the run in Australia because - despite being accused of very serious crimes - they were granted bail.

Graham Gene Potter was convicted of a vicious Wollongong murder and served fifteen years in prison. On release, he was involved in the supply of illicit drugs and is presently awaiting a court decision on a charge of " conspiracy to commit murder ".

Dragan Vasiljkovic is awaiting a court decision on an application from Croatia for him to be deported to face war crimes charges.

In both cases, conviction will inevitably lead to a long prison sentence - which makes it highly questionable why bail was even considered. It would be a reasonable assumption that both men would do anything possible to continue their freedom.

Two dangerous men are on the run and this will put at risk both the police tasked with their capture and the general public who may become involved in a siege or hostage scenario.

Part of the problem is the protracted time our courts take to dispense justice. Some prisoners end up spending years on remand - which in itself is a de facto gaol term - before they get their day in court.

That is often the reason that magistrates take the risky choice of granting bail.

What is needed is a tightening of court procedures so that those charged will be promptly put before a court - the case dealt with - and a guilty or innocent decision made.

Justice delayed - is justice denied !

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