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Criminal & traffic law

Ways to stay out of court: Diversion and Restorative Justice

Restorative justice conferences

What is Restorative Justice?

Restorative Justice is a process that aims to put things right for the people involved and affected by the offending. This is done through a meeting between the victim and defendant called a Restorative Justice conference. The conference is private and run by trained facilitators. Lawyers do not attend the conference.

Sentencing Act 2002, ss 24A, 25

Although Restorative Justice takes place outside the criminal court system, the law specifically requires judges to put off (“adjourn”) each case to give an opportunity for Restorative Justice. Restorative justice should be explored every time there is a guilty plea, an identifiable victim and when a Restorative Justice programme is available.

Judges also have a separate power to adjourn a case to allow for a Restorative Justice process to happen or to be completed, even if the defendant didn’t plead guilty but was found guilty after a trial.

Victims’ Rights Act 2002, s 9

Court staff and police employees also have a specific duty to refer a case to a Restorative Justice process whenever the victim of the offence asks them to arrange a meeting with the offender.

When is a Restorative Justice conference available?

When a defendant pleads guilty to an offence that has affected a victim, a Restorative Justice conference may be available if the victim consents to the process and the Restorative Justice facilitators agree that it is appropriate.

In many parts of the country, there are court-referred Restorative Justice programmes. In these programmes, court co-ordinators interview the defendant to check whether Restorative Justice will be suitable and refer the case to trained facilitators, who start meeting with the parties and decide with them whether it should proceed to a face-to-face conference with the other party.

In order to decide whether a Restorative Justice conference is suitable, a facilitator will meet the defendant, the victim and their support people (each of these pre-meetings are confidential). Both the defendant and the victim must be willing to take part; the defendant must accept responsibility and the aim must be for the conference to produce a positive outcome.

For a list of restorative justice providers go to www.justice.govt.nz and search “restorative justice providers”.

Note: In parts of the country where a court-referred Restorative Justice programme is not available, there may be a Restorative Justice community group operating an approved programme. If the defendant wants to take part in one of these programmes, they will need to contact the Restorative Justice community group.

Who do I speak to, to see if Restorative Justice is appropriate?

If the defendant has pleaded guilty to the charge and a Restorative Justice process is available, the judge must put the case off to provide an opportunity to find out whether Restorative Justice is appropriate.

Ideally you will have the chance to speak to the RJ co-ordinator in court before your appearance so you know what to expect and can ask any questions before a referral is made. You can ask you lawyer to introduce you to them in person or over the phone.

What happens at a Restorative Justice conference?

A Restorative Justice conference is a meeting between the defendant and the victim, each with their support people. Lawyers are not involved in the meeting. Trained facilitators help the victim and the defendant discuss their ideas to help make things right and prevent it happening again.

The victim gets a chance to talk about how they’ve been affected by the offence and to have a say in how the harm can be repaired. The defendant has a chance to accept responsibility for what they have done.

The aim is for the victim and defendant to come to an agreement about a way forward. Sometimes this includes an agreement on a plan for how the defendant can put things right. Any concrete asks or offers that are agreed to together are highlighted in the report.

How does a Restorative Justice conference affect a defendant’s sentence?

The facilitators write a report about what happened at the conference and any agreements reached. The report is shared with both parties.

Sentencing Act 2002, s 8

The Restorative Justice report is given to the judge, who must take the report into account in deciding the defendant’s sentence (see “Sentencing” in this chapter).

Next Section | Specialist Courts

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The criminal courts

Where to go for more support

Community Law

www. communitylaw.org.nz

Your local Community Law Centre can provide free initial legal advice and information.

“Lag Law: Your rights inside prison and on release”

https://communitylaw.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Lag-Law-text-2021-1.pdf

Lag Law answers heaps of common questions you might have if you’re going to prison, you’re in prison, or you’re getting out of prison. It talks about your rights in prison, and sets out the laws and rules that affect you when you’re put in prison.

Order hard copies from:
Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley
Phone: (04) 499 2928
Email: laglaw@wclc.org.nz

Ministry of Justice

www.justice.govt.nz/about/publication-finder/

The Ministry of Justice website has a range of pamphlets and other information on topics covered in this chapter. You can access this information online, or you can order hardcopies of the pamphlets from:

Phone: 0800 587 847
Email: publications@justice.govt.nz

Fines

Ministry of Justice Collections Unit – www.justice.govt.nz/fines

Phone: 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637)
From overseas: +64 4 915 8586
From Australia: 1800 144 239 (toll free)

You can check or pay your fines by phone or online. The website has information about both infringement fines and court-imposed fines, and about reparations. The website also has information about District Court Collections Units.

Department of Internal Affairs – www.passports.govt.nz/what-you-need-to-renew-or-apply-for-a-passport/before-you-travel/

This webpage has information about paying your fines to avoid being stopped at the border.

Phone: 0800 PAYORSTAY (0800 729 677)

“Giving evidence” (Law Society pamphlet)

www.lawsociety.org.nz/about-us/about-our-publications/law-awareness-brochures

This pamphlet is for people who have to give evidence in court as a witness.

You can order hardcopies from the New Zealand Law Society:

Phone: (04) 472 7837
Email: pamphlets@lawsociety.org.nz

Department of Corrections

www.corrections.govt.nz

This website has information:

for offenders

for family and friends of offenders

about the Department of Corrections’ role in the community, including community work, supervision, home detention, and the role of probation officers

about the New Zealand Parole Board.

Victim Notification Register

www.corrections.govt.nz/information_for_victims/victim_notification_register

This page on the Department of Corrections website has information about the victim notification register including, the process, how to apply, information victims can receive and how to make a complaint.

Restorative Practices Aotearoa

www.restorativejusticeaotearoa.org.nz

This website provides information on when Restorative Justice may be appropriate, and where in New Zealand Restorative Justice is available. You can also make an enquiry about Restorative Justice by filling out a form on their website.

Phone: 0800 RJA INC (0800 752 462)

Victim Support

www.victimsupport.org.nz

Victim Support provides 24-hour support services to help New Zealanders rebuild their lives following a trauma or crisis.

Phone: 0800 842 846
Email: nationaloffice@victimsupport.org.nz

Victims Information

www.victimsinfo.govt.nz

This is the website of the government’s “Victims Centre”. The site provides links to a range of services available to help victims deal with the practical and emotional effects of the crime, at each stage of the criminal and youth justice process.

Phone: 0800 650 654

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