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Young offenders could be named
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22534540-29277,00.htmlOctober 05, 2007 12:15am
Article from: AAP
YOUNG offenders committing serious crimes like murder, rape or arson could be named and shamed under a new NSW government plan.
NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos has ordered a radical overhaul of laws preventing the naming of offenders under 18 years of age, News Ltd newspapers reported today.
The move for publishing young offenders' names follows public anger that two 11-year-olds were only cautioned after admitting they caused a bushfire in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.
Mr Hatzistergos told the paper a series of previous serious crimes committed by young people led him to believe it was time to look at the reasons why young people could not be named, even when they appeared in an adult court.
He cited the gang rape trial of six Pakistani brothers, four of whom had their identity suppressed because one of them was under 18 at the time of the crime.
“There have been some recent cases which have highlighted areas which need farther examination,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“This is a particularly sensitive area of the law which must balance the interests of open justice with the need to protect young people, including those who are victims,” he said.
Mr Hatzistergos will give victims groups input into the idea that will be examined by a bipartisan committee.
I'd say their parents should be liable for damages done by juvenile. In that way some people might take their parenting responsibility seriously.