You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio. Waking up at the beach, the badge or at home having a staycation. Either way, stayed up to date. We're Tim Bebridge on Summer Breakfast News Talks EDB.

You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio. Waking up at the beach, the badge or at home having a staycation. Either way, stayed up to date. We're Tim Bebridge on Summer Breakfast News Talks EDB.

Yes, seven past seven. Abuse in the courtrooms is getting worse. Since twenty nineteen, there have been nearly four hundred and fifty assaults, including verbal outbursts, intimidation and brawls. Now there's calls for greater security in courthouses country wide. Law Association of New Zealand council member Samir Tagarvey joins me.

Yes, seven past seven. Abuse in the courtrooms is getting worse. Since twenty nineteen, there have been nearly four hundred and fifty assaults, including verbal outbursts, intimidation and brawls. Now there's calls for greater security in courthouses country wide. Law Association of New Zealand council member Samir Tagarvey joins me.

Now, good morning, Good morning, Tim. Have you your year? Yeah?

Now, good morning, Good morning, Tim. Have you your year? Yeah?

Is there a reason why the assaults are increasings, particularly a lot worse than in past.

Is there a reason why the assaults are increasings, particularly a lot worse than in past.

Yes, Tim, there are. It's a combination of reasons, combination of factors. People are generally angrier these days. They're struggling with serious mental health challenges, and they are losing trust and and the justice system. And adding to that since twenty nineteen and the COVID lockdown, and of course people losing their draws is also now we're dealing with the cost of living, missing work for court, waiting all day for a five minute hearing, bringing their kids along, while worrying about paying bills. It's just all very, very overwhelming. And bear in mind them that defense lawyers. As defense lawyers, we often become the easiest target for that frustration. Everybody sees us as the villains, blaming us for the delays or the decision we don't even control. So those are generally the reasons that we see the assaults going up, which is really really frustrating.

Yes, Tim, there are. It's a combination of reasons, combination of factors. People are generally angrier these days. They're struggling with serious mental health challenges, and they are losing trust and and the justice system. And adding to that since twenty nineteen and the COVID lockdown, and of course people losing their draws is also now we're dealing with the cost of living, missing work for court, waiting all day for a five minute hearing, bringing their kids along, while worrying about paying bills. It's just all very, very overwhelming. And bear in mind them that defense lawyers. As defense lawyers, we often become the easiest target for that frustration. Everybody sees us as the villains, blaming us for the delays or the decision we don't even control. So those are generally the reasons that we see the assaults going up, which is really really frustrating.

So it's the loss of trust related to the process or to the outcomes and the court.

So it's the loss of trust related to the process or to the outcomes and the court.

I think it's mainly about the process at the moment, because the process is taking so so long. For example, someone who needs a brief hearing, even for example the remands without flea or entering and not skuilty plea, which is a two minutes in totally, we take two minutes from the time the matter is called. But sometimes they are coming at eight thirty in the morning and they're waiting until four in the afternoon for that matter to be called. This is why we've been pushing the Law Association, Law Society and other organizations. We've been pushing so hard for the Remote Participation Act to be amendous, and a year later, after several consultations that hasn't happened yet. They would seriously help everybody in the system.

I think it's mainly about the process at the moment, because the process is taking so so long. For example, someone who needs a brief hearing, even for example the remands without flea or entering and not skuilty plea, which is a two minutes in totally, we take two minutes from the time the matter is called. But sometimes they are coming at eight thirty in the morning and they're waiting until four in the afternoon for that matter to be called. This is why we've been pushing the Law Association, Law Society and other organizations. We've been pushing so hard for the Remote Participation Act to be amendous, and a year later, after several consultations that hasn't happened yet. They would seriously help everybody in the system.

Do you feel safe at work?

Do you feel safe at work?

The answer to that is difficult. Yes, generally I personally, I personally do feel safe, but I am worried on a daily basis. But I can't speak for all the other lawyers. I don't imagine they're coming to court feeling safe and I'm not worrying daily about not being assaulted because the verbal abuse is very, very common. So putting aside the physical abuse, the verbal abuse is very common at lawyers, at court staff, at judge and that is just not acceptable. But we just have to take it with grace and basically just say will calm down, somebody will come and help you.

The answer to that is difficult. Yes, generally I personally, I personally do feel safe, but I am worried on a daily basis. But I can't speak for all the other lawyers. I don't imagine they're coming to court feeling safe and I'm not worrying daily about not being assaulted because the verbal abuse is very, very common. So putting aside the physical abuse, the verbal abuse is very common at lawyers, at court staff, at judge and that is just not acceptable. But we just have to take it with grace and basically just say will calm down, somebody will come and help you.

Is a question of greater security or do we need to be more innovative about speeding things up.

Is a question of greater security or do we need to be more innovative about speeding things up.

It's a combination of fourth. For sure, we definitely need more security personnel in court. It's just eleven for Auckland Court. It's just not enough. And on top of that, we do need to be more innovative. It's shocking to me than in the twenty first century. Some basic measures are still missing. For example, there are no cameras in the court lifts. It's just unbelievable. Lifts are small, confined spaces. We can see incidents happening there, people being assaulted. Also, we do need more of those RS alarms that they are using in Auckland Court and I think from day but we do need the modern and reliable ones because I have been told that in some courts that they do have the DRS alarms. However, there's still rely on the outdated ones. They don't track your location, which is ridiculous because if you get one then they need to be able to see where you are unless you tell them in advance. I'm going to be for example, and could from steven. If you move from seven to five, they won't be able to locate you.

It's a combination of fourth. For sure, we definitely need more security personnel in court. It's just eleven for Auckland Court. It's just not enough. And on top of that, we do need to be more innovative. It's shocking to me than in the twenty first century. Some basic measures are still missing. For example, there are no cameras in the court lifts. It's just unbelievable. Lifts are small, confined spaces. We can see incidents happening there, people being assaulted. Also, we do need more of those RS alarms that they are using in Auckland Court and I think from day but we do need the modern and reliable ones because I have been told that in some courts that they do have the DRS alarms. However, there's still rely on the outdated ones. They don't track your location, which is ridiculous because if you get one then they need to be able to see where you are unless you tell them in advance. I'm going to be for example, and could from steven. If you move from seven to five, they won't be able to locate you.

Gosh, sounds steam driven in some respects. Hey, thanks so much for your time. That's samiir to Gavich from the Law Association of New Zealand.

Gosh, sounds steam driven in some respects. Hey, thanks so much for your time. That's samiir to Gavich from the Law Association of New Zealand.

For more from News Talks, it'd be listen live on air or online and keep our shows with you wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio

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