Let deaf and blind on juries: judge

From: Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - Apr 6, 2004

The NSW Government should consider overturning the ban on blind and deaf people being jurors, according to a Law Reform Commission discussion paper. "Blind and deaf people have had to acquire the ability to understand and communicate with others with whom they are in daily contact," said the commission president, NSW Supreme Court judge Michael Adams. "It is quite possible that the skills they have developed to do so can bring valuable insights into the jury room." The commission is inviting submissions by April 30. - Michael Pelly

Copyright © 2004. The Sydney Morning Herald.