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WA Chief Justice Questions Ban on Character References in Criminal Cases
WA's Chief Justice says character references can help judges understand more about an offender, as the state considers banning them. The proposed ban comes after a senior manager was jailed for raping a former colleague on a work trip.
SR
By Staff Reporter
News reporter · Updated about 17 hours ago
Western Australia's Chief Justice, Peter Quinlan, has expressed concerns about the government's plan to ban character references in criminal cases, saying that they can help judges understand more about an offender.
The proposed ban comes after it was revealed that three Western Power staff provided references to a senior manager who was jailed for raping a former colleague on a work trip. However, Justice Quinlan believes that the legislation, which has not yet been drafted, needs to be carefully considered.
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