YOUR CHANCE TO BE JUDGE AND LAY DOWN LAW
shoes of a judge and decide on a sentence based on real events.
Former Queensland Law Society president and Southport-based criminal lawyer Bill Potts said the event, run by the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council, was a great way to demystify the sentencing process.
“The sentencing of criminals is one of the most misunderstood and difficult tasks,” he said.
“(It) often involves complex facts ... and complex issues such as drug addiction, mental health, capacity and personal circumstances.”
The experienced lawyer said people often believed judges handed down “soft sentences”, but once they knew all the facts involved, tended to give more lenient sentences than judges.
The event runs from 10am - 11.30am or 1.30pm - 3pm at the Southport Community Centre.
To register head to sentencingcouncil.qld.gov.au.