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| James Alexander Hart Member of Parliament (1993-2000) |
My
work schedule means that I am going to have a few guest opinion pieces
in the next week or two -- which you will likely / hopefully find a
refreshing change of pace. This first is coming your way today, and is
from Vernon resident, and former Reform MP Jim Hart, and it is on the
topic of the justice system.
BC will lose 2500 criminal charges soon … and delays getting drug dealers and criminals in front of a judge... means that justice has been delayed and denied under the BC Liberals.
Our Charter of Rights guarantee that those charged with a criminal offense, have the right to face their accusers in a reasonable amount of time. Our economy, largely due to the global recession and Liberal mismanagement, has resulted in an increase in criminal cases.
BC will lose 2500 criminal charges soon … and delays getting drug dealers and criminals in front of a judge... means that justice has been delayed and denied under the BC Liberals.
Our Charter of Rights guarantee that those charged with a criminal offense, have the right to face their accusers in a reasonable amount of time. Our economy, largely due to the global recession and Liberal mismanagement, has resulted in an increase in criminal cases.
The BC Conservatives, under John Cummins, have stated that our policy
is for the RCMP/Police to be able to lay charges. This will speed up the process at the front
end, but we still will have a bottle neck in the courts.
I would like to see BC examine other jurisdictions that have Masters
Magistrates, or like the old TV show Night Court judges, that have a lower court
to deal with minor or civil offenses.
These lower courts would deal with traffic cases, bail hearings, civil disputes and a variety of other court issues that could be dealt with under this "lower court" model. This would free up judges to deal with important criminal matters that need juries and higher criminal matters - felonies etc.
As in the Night Court model, these courts could operate 6 days a week 24 hours a day until such time as the bottle neck is resolved. We have the infrastructure already, our court rooms are empty most of the day, yet we have a backlog. This just makes sense to institute a BC court system to address the problem.
The only alternative is for police/prosecutors turning a blind eye to some criminal activity - this is not an acceptable alternative for law abiding citizens that want safe streets, schools and playgrounds.
These lower courts would deal with traffic cases, bail hearings, civil disputes and a variety of other court issues that could be dealt with under this "lower court" model. This would free up judges to deal with important criminal matters that need juries and higher criminal matters - felonies etc.
As in the Night Court model, these courts could operate 6 days a week 24 hours a day until such time as the bottle neck is resolved. We have the infrastructure already, our court rooms are empty most of the day, yet we have a backlog. This just makes sense to institute a BC court system to address the problem.
The only alternative is for police/prosecutors turning a blind eye to some criminal activity - this is not an acceptable alternative for law abiding citizens that want safe streets, schools and playgrounds.
The thoughts, and words, today from former MP Jim Hart.
About Jim Hart:
Mr. Hart is a seasoned management professional with over 20 years of experience as an elected official, party organizer, strategist, fundraiser, trainer and spokesperson on a variety of legislative and policy issues. Mr. Hart brought his political, management and governance experience to international development in 2004. In Georgia and Iraq Mr. Hart has developed significant and strategic relationships with parliamentarians, government leaders and civil society for the purpose of strengthening the institution of parliament. Hart recently returned from a short-term mission relating to recent elections in Afghanistan.
About Jim Hart:
Mr. Hart is a seasoned management professional with over 20 years of experience as an elected official, party organizer, strategist, fundraiser, trainer and spokesperson on a variety of legislative and policy issues. Mr. Hart brought his political, management and governance experience to international development in 2004. In Georgia and Iraq Mr. Hart has developed significant and strategic relationships with parliamentarians, government leaders and civil society for the purpose of strengthening the institution of parliament. Hart recently returned from a short-term mission relating to recent elections in Afghanistan.
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