SOUTH CHINA
MORNING POST MAY 24th '73
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V N N X X X H
Bill to increase sentencing powers of Magistrates
Four Bills. seeking to introduce tougher measures against criminals. were introduced in the Legislative Council yesterday in support of the Government's effort to reduce violent crime.
The bills aim mainly at increasing the sentencing powers of Magistrates and District Court Judges. introducing
preventive
detention for habitual criminals and tightening the mandatory sentence for possession of offensive weapons.
In moving the second reading of the District Court (Amendment) Bill 1973, the Acting Attorney-General, Mr J. W. D. Hobley, said the Jegislation was designed to empower District Court Judges to hear serious cases currently tried in the Supreme Court.
a
It was, therefore, proposed to increase the maximum sentence of imprisonment which District Court Judge may impose from five to seven years.
Referring to the Magistrates (Amendment) Bill 1973, Mr Hobley said in order to relieve the pressure on the District Court, it was proposed that some of its cases should be transferred to the Magistrates' Courts.
To enable the Magistrates to deal adequately with such cases, the Bill sought to empower the Chief Justice to appoint Principal Magistrates with enhanced power of sentencing.
Initially, he added, it was intended that five such Magistrates should available to deal with more serious cases.
These selected Magistrates would have the power impose a maximum sentence of,
to
four years instead of two years. For consecutive sentences the maximum would be five years instead of three years.
The Chief Justice had applied for the appointment of additional superscale posts of Principal Magistrates to ensure that the wider powers of sentencing were only exercised by Magistrates of considerable experience.
On the Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill 1973, which seeks to introduce a system of preventive detention from five 10 14 years, the Attorney- General said the system would only be used against "hardened criminals who are a positive menace to society."
A sentence of preventive detention might only be passed
on
the application of the Attorney-General and if certain prescribed conditions are met.
Mr Hobley also moved the second reading of the Public Order (Amendment) Bill 1973, which tightens the provisions for the mandatory sentence for possession of offensive weapons.
He explained that the proposed changes would provide â wider range of penalties for use by the courts
in accordance with the circumstances of the individual case "while at the same time maintaining the principle that severe punishment is unavoidable for any person found guilty of this particular offence."
Toll rates for review 1
Recommendations of the review of the toll rates/of the Cross Harbour Tunel will
soon bo submitted to the Governor-in-Council, the Acting Financial Secretary, Mr D.J.C. Jones, said.,
When the present tolls were approved last year, it was decided that the company should review the rates six months after the opening of the tunnel.
These recommendations have already been submitted to and considered by the Transport Advisory Committee.
\Said no
M'r Jones information could yet be given on the subject, but a statement would be made as soon as a
decision is reached.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.