The Wire

High Court reads down ‘paperless’ arrests power

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Northern Territory Attorney General and Minister for Justice John Elferink says the law de-escalates social disorder situations before they become major incidents and saves the Police filling out long-winded arrest files.Since enactment, one Aboriginal man has died under detainment and of the 731 paperless arrests made between January and March, 525 have been Indigenous people.Assisted by the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency and the Human Rights Law Centre, Miranda Bowden who was held for 12 hours mounted a legal challenge to the constitutionality of this police power.

The High Court has decided in favour of the controversial ‘paperless’ arrest legislation enacted in the Northern Territory. If a police officer suspects a person has committed or would commit a minor offence then they can be detained for up to four hours under the new laws.

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Thursday, November 12 2015

Produced By Parashar Das

Featured in storyHuman Rights Law Centre Senior Counsel Ruth BarsonNorth Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency Senior Counsel Jonathon Hunyon

The Wire

High Court reads down ‘paperless’ arrests power

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