The Conversation

In Australia, criticising a judge can land you in jail. This is a danger for democracy

Author: Bill John Swannie, Lecturer in College of Law and Justice, Victoria University

Laws against 'scandalising the court' are intended to prevent conduct that may undermine public confidence in the courts. Shutterstock

Under Australian law, a person can be jailed or fined for criticising a court or a judge, an action that is known as “scandalising the court.”

This type of contempt has been described as...

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