The Conversation

Juries will soon learn more about people accused of child sex crimes. Will it lead to fairer trials?

Author: Marilyn McMahon, Deputy Dean, School of Law, Deakin University

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The NSW government has just introduced a bill that will, among other significant reforms, make it easier for a jury to be informed about the prior convictions of a person on trial for a sex offence involving a child.

The governments of Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the NT and the Commonwealth are likely to introduce similar legislation.

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