magistrate simon smart criticises dpp for court delays that 'beggar belief' | adelaide now -g-icon-error cloudy-day nav_small_right nav_small_right nav_small_right nav_small_right nav_small_right nav_small_right nav_small_right nav_small_right nav_small_

A magistrate who warned the police criticized the late prosecutor, saying the criminals would walk freely if they did not appear in court in time.
Presiding over the trial list at Adelaide District Court this morning, local judge Simon Smart was frustrated when prosecutors kept asking for an extension.
Mr Smart said that some of his previous cases had been in place for more than six months.
"If a court adjournment is requested, the reasons need to be explained," he said . ".
In one case of alleged crime that occurred in January, Mr. Smart said: "In another case, no one has given priority to this matter since the past six months ", mr. smart said he did not believe how long it took the prosecutor to obtain and submit key evidence.
"No one will deal with these things with any adventure.
"If I postpone the matter, it will take seven months for a toxicology report.
"It's worse than faith.
Mr. Smart criticized the South African police for a long delay in handling the arrest.
At that time, he said the prosecutor was obliged to have the accused appear in court as soon as possible.
"You may want to inform the DPP, or who is looking at them (police)
"The file shows that the court will adjourn at four o'clock P. M. ," he said at the time . ".
"If the file is not here (
The accused criminal before four o'clock P. M)
In the wind.
"The court practice is that the police bring charges to the registry and bring people to the district judge within 24 hours of any arrest within a week.
It was revealed that a panel of magistrates would be assigned to preside over and expedite the trial of all criminal detention cases in the state.
Also that month, SC's attorney general, Adam Kimber, said his staff were unfairly accused of delays in the court.
"If the criticism was that we came to court with all the evidence but did not read it, there would be no excuse," he said at the time . ".
"But what we are seeing is that the prosecutors are responsible when they request an extension because they are waiting for the SA Police and forensic SA's materials.
"I didn't blame these organizations because they were asked to do a lot and they did a good job.
"But when I heard these criticisms, I didn't think they were right about the office.