Juries Doing jury service Do I have to serve on the jury if I’m called up? Juries Act 1981, ss 15, 32 If you are selected for jury service, you have to serve unless: you belong to a category of people who…
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The criminal courts Juries Selection of jury members How are juries selected? Juries Act 1981, ss 23–26 The names of all the people who have been summoned for jury service on that day are placed in a ballot box. The court registrar…
The criminal courts Juries The jury’s decision The jury’s decision must usually be unanimous – that is, every juror must agree with the verdict. However, a majority verdict will be accepted where a jury has deliberated for at least four hours and…
The criminal courts The clean slate scheme What is the clean slate scheme? Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004, ss 6, 14 The clean slate scheme allows some people the right, in some circumstances, to withhold information about their criminal convictions. It…
Where to go for more support Community Law Your local Community Law Centre can provide you with free initial legal advice. Find your local Community Law Centre online: www.communitylaw.org.nz/our-law-centres Access the free “Lag Law: Your Rights Inside Prison and on Remand” book.…
Common crimes Some common minor offences, and the defences and penalties that apply What this chapter covers Overview How criminal sentencing works How judges decide sentences, including making reductions for pleading guilty Shoplifting Your rights and a store’s powers if they think…
Common crimes Overview This chapter has information about some common minor offences that people may face in the criminal courts, particularly when facing criminal charges for the first time. This chapter covers shoplifting, tagging and graffiti, assault, drug offences (like possession of…
Common crimes How criminal sentencing works Starting points, uplifts and discounts: How a sentence is decided Case: [2005] 3 NZLR 372 (CA) If you’re convicted of an offence (either having pleaded guilty or been found guilty at a trial), the judge will…
Common crimes Shoplifting Overview This section explains your rights and the store’s powers if they think you’ve been shoplifting, including: whether the shop can search your bag whether the shop can stop you leaving the store what the shop can do to…
Common crimes Shoplifting The shop’s powers and your rights Does a shop have the right to search my bag? Shop staff have no right to search your bag, even if they have a sign by the entrance or inside the store that…
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