Scaled-back services at Dargaville District Court defeat logic, a criminal defence lawyer who works at the courthouse says.
Changes to the district court network announced yesterday will see Dargaville District Court - one of nine nationwide - become a "hearings only" court by early next year.
The changes, the first in 30 years, announced by Minister for Courts Chester Borrows, are part of efforts to modernise court operations and will see four courts close, including Warkworth's. Whangarei solicitor Melissa Russell, who regularly represents clients in the Dargaville court, opposes the changes. She said Dargaville had a high crime rate per capita and reducing the court's function "defeats all logic".
The court, which sits about six days a month, will lose the availability of a registrar to bail people arrested in Dargaville.
"Arrested people will have to be transferred by police to the court in Whangarei to be bailed. If they don't make a same day court appearance, they are remanded in custody in Whangarei until the next available session."
Mrs Russell said that, once bailed, people had to find their own way back to Dargaville.
"Often they have no money ... there is limited bus service ... some [in the past] have resorted to stealing a vehicle to get home."
She said the changes would not only make it difficult for people to get to court, but to consult their lawyer.
While court services could be accessed via the telephone and the internet, many of her clients did not own or know how to use a computer, let alone have access to a credit card to use these options.
The changes will result in 31 jobs losses at those 13 courts facing closure or reduced opening hours, and more than 100 job losses across the 63 district courts nationwide.
The changes have been attributed to a 30-year low in the crime rate, which has resulted in reduced use of some small courts.
The Government is also proposing to reduce High Court work done at Whangarei Courthouse and having the work centralised to Auckland, although High Court hearings would still be held in Whangarei.