News Item

Retain the oath in trials

You may have read this headline in the Australian of 19 April 2023 “Religious jurors more likely to find secular defendants guilty.” It is not true.

This the main finding of the study was that “Overall, the defendant was not considered guiltier when affirming rather than swearing, nor did mock-juror belief in God moderate this effect.”

The publicised conclusion and the article are a long way separated from the fact. The claim of discrimination is an assertion not a finding. The study also shows that jurors who affirmed discriminated in that they were more likely to find defendant not guilty. That too may be a bias.

The study does nothing substantial to take account of submissions, evidence, judge’s direction and most importantly jury deliberations. Artificial research leads to poor conclusions.

The oath is a significant part of our trial system and must be retained.

More from our articles…

QLD Prostitution Decriminalisation Bill

On 15 February 2024, Yvette D’Ath, the Queensland Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, tabled a Bill to fully decriminalise prostitution in

A Lament for Babies we Kill

Will you hear my cry?Or will you let me die? Before I see the light Or jump up high in delight So many like me will dieO will you hear my cry? With the

Canberra’s Calvary

The closure of a Catholic hospital has become a matter of life, death and conscience.Has Canberra become a hostile environment for those of religious faith?Many observers of the compulsory acquisition

WA: Abortion laws to change…for the worse

In November 2022 the McGowan Government announced that it was moving to modernise WA’s abortion laws. Public submissions were called for.  ACL provided a detailed and well-researched submission.  The Health Department