Having founded Residents Against Crimes back in 2007 also a member of Cairns Crime alerts on facebook it amazes me how many people criticises the Magistrates & Judges in relation to sentencing.

Firstly the police do the investigation then arrest the offenders when evidence has been collected and statements taken.

Then the offenders appear in court usually the local court and then may progress to the Magistrates court then if required to the Supreme Court.

Once matters have been dealt with the Magistrate or Judge after hearing submissions from the offenders Solicitor or Barrister will then proceed with the sentencing process.

It is important to note that the Detention Centres and & Jails are at their capacity and the Magistrates & Judges have to make the best decision available to them as sending offenders to over crowded Detention Centres or Jails could cause more trouble than it's worth.

Don't blame the Magistrates or Judges blame the sitting government as they are the ones setting the laws in place and the Magistrates & Judges have to use them as a guideline.

Also the criticism on these sites about people charged or facing court leaves the person commenting open for litigation and if you use an anonymous identity they will track you down so be careful how you comment.

People are innocent until proven guilty.

The Magistrates & Judges are dammed if they do and dammed if they don't.

Thanks your Honor

Crime stats

The government of the day MUST for the present crime to bought under control they have to make a decision on the penalties for these young criminals who are running wild knowing full well that they will get a slap on the hand and be released back into the community to again create havoc for all residents.
The government must also revisit the judicial system and make law the penalties that must be handed down.
The Magistrates & Judges are "Dammed if they do & Dammed if they don't" and the judges know full well that the jails & detention centres are full and if they keep sending these people to jail or detention centres the chances of fighting or riot are extremely high.
So the government MUST step up and start looking at the legal system.