Speech to the 82nd Annual Conference of the JPs Association
Good evening and thank you for inviting me to the 82nd annual conference of the Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices' Association.
Office of a Justice of the Peace is an ancient one. It has changed and adapted over centuries and continues evolving to meet the needs of the community.
Conservators, wardens, or Keepers existed in England for thousands of years. In 1361 King Edward the Third gave them the power of trying felonies, and they acquired the title of "Justices".
This statute aimed for peace to be kept and justice administered in each county by a noble appointed by the King, assisted by "some learned in law."
They had "Power to restrain the offenders, rioters and all other barrators, and to pursue, arrest and chastise them".
The first JP in New Zealand was missionary Thomas Kendall, appointed in 1814. Regular appointments began after New Zealand became a British colony in 1840.
The role of a JP has always been to serve the public. It is done on a voluntary basis, with no expectation of payment.
JPs represent a wide cross-section of the community, and are expected to exhibit a high standard of honesty and integrity. The purpose of such an appointment is not to bestow an honour on a deserving citizen, but to serve the public.
JPs are seen as community leaders. People seek your advice, assistance and support over and above your specific JP duties.
As the Associate Minister of Justice with responsibility for JPs, and the local Member of Parliament for Otaki, I have seen first hand the time, effort and energy you put into the work you do. My own father is a JP.
I would like to commend you for the role you play, and thank you on behalf of the Government and New Zealanders.
Gerard McGreevy from the Ministry of Justice will be touching on the specific issues facing JPs and their relationship with the Ministry of Justice. I'd like to give you an overview on the Government's justice policy, and what our priorities are this year.
Last year we brought in changes to bail, tougher sentencing for violence against children, and legislation to expand and enhance the tools available to police to tackle domestic violence.
This year we have a number of new priorities.
The Criminal Procedure Bill Plan changes the operation of criminal courts. These include:
- changes to the threshold at which an accused can elect a jury trial
- clarifying the rules around when the courts can proceed without a defendant
- requiring the defence to identify issues in dispute so the court can focus on those issues at trial.
Already we have been testing some of these procedural improvements in Tauranga and Manukau.
The Government has recently adopted a private members bill by Tauranga MP Simon Bridges, which raises the penalties for animal cruelty offences.
Animal cruelty shows a lack of empathy and understanding. Studies show it is strongly linked to antisocial behaviour and violent behaviour towards other people.
We will be giving Judges the tools to protect animals and to stop more serious future offending.
The Search and Surveillance Bill at the Justice and Electoral Committee, reforms the existing law to deal with situations where Police need a warrant urgently. Issuing officers will be available 24-7 to grant search and surveillance warrants.
Many of those who will train to become issuing officers are likely to be Justices of the Peace.
This year we are also advancing changes to the legal aid system, in light of Dame Margaret Bazley's report, and the rules governing name suppression.
We are making changes to the laws regulating the sale and supply of alcohol, and I'm overseeing changes to the law regulating private security guards, in advance of the Rugby World Cup next year.
A big priority is focusing more on the victims of crime. Too often victims find their involvement with the justice system leaves them feeling even more powerless and re-victimised.
The Sentencing (Offender Levy) Bill will be fully operational by this July, and will alleviate some of these costs by channelling a $50 levy on all convicted offenders into a fund for victims.
A comprehensive review of the Victims Rights Act is also underway and is out for public consultation. This will enhance victims' rights and their role in criminal justice processes, and improve how government agencies respond to the victims of crime.
Thank you for the opportunity to be here tonight, and thank you again for the work you do to serve the public. I can assure you it is well known and well appreciated by the Government, and the wider community.
I wish you all the best for your conference and I hope you come away from your time together energised and revitalised to continue the important work you do serving your communities.