I am about the fundamentals of law.

The ‘presumption of innocence’ is the most basic fundamental principle!

But, apparently it is not to the Media, the masses (unless of course you are accused of a crime?) and to just about anyone in a position of power.

I want to really ramble and give all these really cool and pertinent references; but, I know most people won’t read it because it doesn’t involve a cat on a vacuum cleaner, a ‘fail’ video reel or something that requires more than the attention span of a goldfish.

So, without reference to anything other than my memory and of course the most important thing, my personal opinion.

THE RANT!

People are often accused of horrible crimes and actions, sadly some of those are done under parliamentary ‘privilege’ (explanation: you can just about say what you want in parliament so long as you don’t mislead parliament – you are only allowed to mislead the Australian People?).

Notwithstanding the severity or unsavoury nature of any allegation, not matter what ‘evidence’ the media decide to editorially supply to us, the accused is INNOCENT until proven guilty….. this is the LAW!

Of late we have had terrible ‘allegations’ of crimes and behaviour thrown at us from the most disaffected people in our society to the halls of power.

Where the allegations come from are irrelevant, the ‘accused’ is INNOCENT until PROVEN guilty. This fundamental of law is being stealthily taken away from us and we applaud it.


THE EXAMPLE

You are stopped, breath tested and give a positive reading (YOU ARE INNOCENT).

The Police cancel your licence on the spot (YOU ARE INNOCENT).

They impound you car for 28 days at a cost more than undercover parking at the Adelaide Airport for the same period of time (YOU ARE INNOCENT)

If you are caught driving under this licence suspension imposed by the Police you are charged with driving disqualified: even if you are acquitted of the drink driving the drive disqualified charge stands (YOU ARE INNOCENT)

END RANT….. almost

I could go on, and on, and on…. which is my gift.

Yet, we all agree that drink driving is a very bad and reckless thing (I don’t call all drink drivers are Selfish Pricks, some people make mistakes. Perhaps you should call all Police who pull you over Selfish Pricks as apparently it is not ‘offensive language’ as the powers to be are calling a lot of people that?)

But, and there are a lot of BUTs in this, I do not think the Police should be the ‘judge, jury and executioner’ on the side of the road.

And, under no circumstances do I think the public should be ‘randomly’ Policed. What next? Laws to close of streets and randomly search houses just in case someone has drugs and/or stolen property in their house???

So, next time you hear of a call for ‘resignation’ or some other ‘punishment’ because of an allegation – remember that person is presumed innocent.

Next time you hear of the summary seizure of cars and cancellations of drivers licences remember that person is presumed innocent.

Okay… Really the End of My RANT…..

I am scared that the fundamentals of our legal system are being eroded because we are taught to be afraid of the rampant criminals everywhere, the risk to life and limb on the road, etc etc etc

(Noting today, 20/6/2023, the Acting Assistant Commissioner of the South Australia Police Linda Williams, told the media crime in the city of Adelaide was down…. just don’t walk alone, politicians being escorted to their cars….. and I dare any of you to go down North Terrance near Parliament House and the Casino late on a Friday or Saturday night….)

So the crime rates are dropping…..
Issuing of Traffic Infringement Notices are up…..
Just like the road toll…..???

I don’t know what to do about all this, so I wrote this…..

I am working on my two next Posts which are:
(they will be linked when I write them unless I am ‘randomly’ arrested for something I am innocent of…..)

1. The Police (our beloved SAPOL) are insane and I can prove it.
2. Never pay an ‘on the spot fine’ again: ever.