HELP MODERNISE THE DOUBLE JEOPARDY LAW IN QUEENSLAND

Most of us have probably watched or know of the movie Double Jeopardy (Ashley Judd) and the basic concept of it's meaning. Double Jeopardy is basically, you can't be tried for the same crime twice. If you are aquitted/found not guilty then you can't be re-tried for the same crime

There is a major downfall with this law. If new evidence is discovered it can't be used. For example someone found not guilty 30 years ago, can now be proven without a doubt to have committed that crime via technological advances such as dna testing. Many people have gotten away with murder because of the double jeopardy rule.

A prime example of this is the death of 17 month old Diedre Kennedy almost 30 years ago. Federal MP Peter Dutton  and Diedre's mother Faye Kennedy, have a petition to appeal to Queensland Premier Peter Beattie to amend this law to allow the use of such evidence to have people punished for crimes committed. They are trying to collect 100.000 signatures to present to the premier to show him that there is a need for such change to the laws in Queensland. They don't want the law abolished, simply modernised to reflect the advances in technology and resources that are available to solve such crimes.

For more information and to sign the petition go to

http://www.peterdutton.com.au/doubleJeopardy.asp

I'm sure you would want all resources to be used in the solving of serious crimes, no matter how old, especially if it was your family.

This is what would call, bringing justice to those who need it.