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Media Release - 3 January 2008 - Victorian Law Reform Commission Inquiry into Jury Directions

The Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions Mr Jeremy Rapke QC said today that he welcomes the announcement by the Attorney-General Mr Hulls of the formal Terms of Reference for the Victorian Law Reform Commission's inquiry into the necessity and complexity of instructions given by trial judges to juries in criminal cases.

“There is no doubt that directions to juries have become more complex and lengthy in recent years. The possibility of errors being made in those directions has been identified as one of the major contributing factors to the allowing of appeals against conviction.”

“It is in the interests of all parties in the criminal justice system, including victims, that we seek to ensure that jury directions given by trial judges avoid undue complexity and length, and thus reduce the risk of errors being made by the judge or the jury failing to fully understand the directions.”

“I welcome the Law Reform Commission's inquiry and look forward to contributing to it,” Mr Rapke said.