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What a great evening we had yesterday as guests of the Mt Barker club at Auchendarroch. There were 80 guests from 6 different clubs and each club was given the opportunity to give a brief 3-minute overview of their activities.
The speaker was Justice Stephen Pallaras KC.
His talk was basically about the outdated practices in our law with the question "Why do we do it that way?"
Unfortunately the answer is, "Because we have always done it that way" and it is this that Stephen is hoping to change by keeping in mind that 'Sacred Cows are often a lot of Bull'.
He gave some examples:
- Why is a guilty plea often treated with more leniency than a not-guilty plea that is later disproved? Surely the crime is exactly the same, so why?
Because we have always done it that way!
- If someone behaves themselves while in prison they may be released early. Surely they should be made to serve the full sentence for the crime they have committed and be given extra time if they misbehave, so why parole?
Because we have always done it that way!
- In a civil case, the loser will pay the legal costs of the trial but in a criminal case the (convicted) loser has the case costs payed by the government (us). Why?
Because we we have always done it that way!
- In a criminal case, the defendant has the 'Right to remain silent' but the prosecution doesn't. This means that the slightest mistake in the prosecution's case may be manipulated by the defence in order to get a not guilty verdict. Why?
Because we have always done it that way!
- Why is the vague phrase 'Beyond reasonable doubt' still used?
Because we have always done it that way!
- In cases of domestic violence, the victims (usually, but not always, wife and children) are normally removed from the family home while the perpetrator is left there. Surely the perpetrator should be the one to be removed so why not?
Because we have always done it that way!
As you can imagine, this led a very lively discussion and a most enjoyable evening. Thank you to the Mt Barker club.
Just to remind you that next week (24th) we have Stephen Noble as our speaker talking about Cyber Crime and Scams and the following week (31st) Prof. David Patton will tell us about the problems with kangaroos in the Mt Lofty Ranges.
On the 7th April we shall hold our meeting at Marshi's Kitchen in Stirling. This will be a partner event. We did it once before and it was a most enjoyable evening. Please let me have your intentions as soon as possible as Marshi needs time to organise the menu.
Finally, on Sunday 30th March Pauline is organising a Birthing Kit session at Mark Higgins' house and we need about 20 volunteers for this. Please do your best (with friends or family) to help with this important item.
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