escalating violence in our community Become a member of the Sensible Sentencing Trust

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Dear Members;

The Sensible Sentencing Trust has had some fantastic results since our inception.

We would like to thank our members for their continued financial support and ideas; without you none of the following would have been possible;

SOME OF OUR ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

Victims Rights Legislation

Victims are now given the opportunity to put a victim impact statement before the judge to consider at sentencing.

DNA Legislation

Police can now demand a DNA sample from anyone sentenced for a crime carrying a jail sentence of two years or greater and are presently gathering DNA from inmates who meet this criteria.

Sentencing

Many offenders are now being given sensible sentences; this can be gauged from the prison population, but still improvement to be made here.

Parole Court Action

As you may be aware the Crown is being sued for negligence in their handling of William Bell (the RSA killer); this is still before the Courts but already changes have been made to the way offenders are being managed while on parole.

Criminal Compensation

The Minister of Justice is presently appealing this ridiculous court decision, this would not have happened without SST persistence.

Parole Board

By supporting victims and families at parole hearings the parole board have become more victim aware, criminals are being kept away for longer, with deferments of three years in some cases. The Parole Board has also become far more open to public scrutiny, with parole decisions now being put up on their website, along with details of the board members who make these decisions. The parole process has become far more transparent - as it should be

Family Group Conferences

These have been exposed for what they are, a disastrous failed experiment....... watch this space

Public Awareness

Our biggest success by far is the huge public awareness that has been achieved to date, to political parties your voice through the Sensible Sentencing Trust equates to votes : There lies the secret of our success!!!!!

We also won the New Zealand Trustees Association 2006 Trust of the Year Award as detailed here. Click on the images below to see full size images

The Sensible Sentencing Trust is presently promoting or developing the following legislation changes on our members behalf

Life to mean Life :

Mandatory life without parole sentence for pre-meditated or aggravated murder

Abolish Parole :

All recidivist offenders to serve judge given sentence with a compulsory community re-integration order to come into effect at the end of the sentence.

Right of Crown to appeal "Not Guilty" verdict :

The Crown to have same legal opportunity as the defence to appeal a not guilty verdict

Illegally gained assets :

Assets purchased with the proceeds of crime to be confiscated

Right to defend your property :

The right of self defence to be expanded to give property owners or occupiers the right to use whatever means necessary to repel a burglary or assault.

Vehicle as a weapon :

Legislation to cover habitual drink drivers or anyone who deliberately uses a vehicle as a weapon to be charged with murder or manslaughter.

Frivolous appeals :

To discourage wasting the Court's time any frivolous appeals will attract an additional punitive sentence and defence lawyer fined.

No Bail for violent offenders

All violent offenders with previous convictions to be automatically denied bail.

Cumulative Sentences :

All violent offences to receive mandatory cumulative sentences.

Super Prison :

A large capacity "super prison" to be built in Central North Island, as an option to the proposed four new prisons. To be privately operated. Incentive bonus paid to operators based on criminals who do not reoffend

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