AM, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s early morning current affairs program, reported this morning that Australian legislators and jurists may be contemplating a change to the Australian criminal justice system. Under consideration is the use of mediation in place of jury trials in criminal matters, a system already utilized in Canada. Judges would serve as mediators between the prosecution and defense counsel, although the victim and the accused would not be present for the negotiations.

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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

- Margaret Mead