Top prosecutor calls for tough criminal cases to go to DPP over police
COMPLEX criminal cases would pass through the courts faster if handled by the Director of Public Prosecutions instead of police lawyers, the state’s top prosecutor says.
SERIOUS criminal cases before the Magistrates Court could be resolved faster and more appropriately if handled by the Director of Public Prosecutions rather than police lawyers, the state’s top prosecutor says.
SA Police agrees the DPP should take some of the more complex cases off its hands but the State Government says it has no plans to change the way matters are handled.
Director of Public Prosecutions Adam Kimber said in his 2017/18 annual report, tabled in State Parliament this week, that his office “should be responsible for more prosecutions than it is currently obliged to conduct”.
“There are many prosecutions in the Magistrates Court which are handled by police prosecutors which involve very serious offending and complex issues,” he said.
“If resources can be found, such prosecutions should be the responsibility of my office which can draw upon the skills of some of the most experienced criminal lawyers in the state.”
Mr Kimber said such a move would benefit both the Magistrates Court and police by expediting cases and achieving more fitting results.
“In some matters, there will be quicker and more appropriate resolutions,” he said.
“This would also benefit accused and victims.”
In response to Mr Kimber’s comments, an SA Police spokeswoman said: “SAPOL agrees the director should prosecute some complex matters in the Magistrates Court and discussions have commenced regarding this issue.”
The South Australian court system has long been plagued by case delays, some of which has been attributed to a lack of available courtrooms.
The State Government released plans for a $31 million redevelopment of the Supreme and District Court buildings on Victoria Square in August.
The proposed upgrade added three extra criminal courtrooms in an effort to reduce a lengthy backlog of cases.
It came after previous plans for a $500 million redevelopment of the city courts precinct were scrapped.
Attorney-General Vickie Chapman said the Government “noted the role of police prosecutors and the DPP and does not propose any changes at this stage”.
“The DPP plays an integral role in the prosecution of criminals and providing justice to victims and I will continue to work with them regarding budget and resourcing in the future,” she said.