Case 8: Unreasonable delay led to charges being dismissed

QLDRight to liberty
Written By Rachel Richmond
Photo of the exterior of Queensland Parliament in Brisbane. Photo by patrickoberem on iStock

Photo by patrickoberem on iStock

Legal Aid Queensland successfully used the Queensland Human Rights Act to oppose the adjournment of a trial for a minor criminal offence. The prosecution asked for the adjournment because two of their witnesses weren’t at the hearing. The Legal Aid lawyer argued that granting the adjournment would breach the defendant’s right to be tried without unreasonable delay. The court refused the adjournment, the prosecution offered no evidence on the charges and the court ultimately dismissed the case.

Source: The First Annual Report on the Operation of Queensland’s Human Rights Act 2019-20

Rachel Richmond
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