Criminal Procedure and Evidence
New legislation to streamline criminal procedure and improve evidence laws is expected to commence in late 2009. The Criminal Procedure Act 2009 will help to reduce delays in the justice system and provides modern, clear, efficient and fair procedures.
The Evidence Act 2008 will bring Victoria into line with uniform evidence laws across much of Australia and cut red tape for Victorian businesses, government and the not-for-profit sector.
Both Acts are initiatives from the Attorney-General’s Justice Statement, which sets out a range of initiatives to modernise Victoria’s justice system.
The new laws mean a significant amount of change for people working in the justice system, particularly in the criminal jurisdiction.
The Department of Justice is coordinating implementation of the reforms, which depend on the efforts of many, including the courts, the Judicial College of Victoria, the Office of Public Prosecutions, Victoria Legal Aid, Victoria Police, the Law Institute of Victoria, the Bar Council and Criminal Bar Association and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
A comprehensive guide to the Criminal Procedure Act and accompanying Ready Reckoner will be available shortly.