Informative Essay: Olaf Dietrich V. The Criminals

Standing up in front of a court room, with no one else to support your side, other than yourself. How would you feel? Imagine being forced to represent yourself, with no professional help. Underprivileged to have access to money for a lawyer which costs up to hundreds. How is that a fair trial? Olaf Dietrich, was in this position when he was taken to court due to breaking the law under three counts. Dietrich was unable to afford legal representation, but he was still forced to speak for himself. He was found guilty and was sentenced to imprisonment of seven years. Dietrich then claimed that he was not given an unjustifiable trial. He went to appeal to the Supreme Court but was no accepted, so he then appealed to the High Court. The Crimes
act 1958 did not cover that Australians have the right to a fair trial as there was no right for a person to be provided with a counsel provided at public expense. He argued that a ‘Poor’ person who wish to be represented, was allowed to have counsel provided by the public and their expense. This was only for the cases that were indictable offences that may result in imprisonment.