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Opposition has flared
over the Justice select committee's policy changes
which gives the government control to allocate legal aid lawyers.
The select committee says this will ensure legal aid lawyers
have a manageable workload through a fairer allocation.
Kingi Kiriona has this report.
Finding time for the family is very important to Sophie Baz now.
Two years ago she was jailed for neglecting her dog.
She says her lawyer was to blame for that.
Lawyers like Sophie's are the reason the Justice select committee
is urging that the government allocate lawyers to defendants.
But Sophie doesn't believe that is the solution.
Many are deeply affected, because they don't understand the system.
Legal aid seems to be important for Maori,
as 50% of inmates who apply for legal aid are Maori.
The select committee says the rights of the defendants
still need to be upheld,
like the language they would like the proceedings carried out in.
This matter is still before the Justice select committee.
Kingi Kiriona, Te Karere.