Judge Criticized for Handling Sexual Assault Case

A New South Wales district court judge, Robert Newlinds, may be removed from hearing criminal cases following a watchdog's report that found he abused his judicial power. The report detailed Newlinds' public criticism of the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) during a 2023 sexual assault trial, where he suggested the proceedings were unfair to the accused. His remarks included labeling the crown's case as “hopeless” and making disparaging comments about the sexual assault complainant, questioning her understanding of consent. The Judicial Commission of New South Wales, which oversees judicial conduct, indicated that Newlinds' behavior was serious enough to warrant a referral to parliament for potential removal. However, the commission opted to refer the matter to the chief judge of the district court instead, recommending that Newlinds should not preside over state criminal matters for the foreseeable future. The initial complaint, lodged by DPP Sally Dowling, included allegations of incompetence, lack of impartiality, and unreasonable criticism of both the complainant and the DPP. The commission's panel substantiated all four allegations, concluding that Newlinds exhibited a “generalised prejudice” against the crown, undermining his ability to conduct fair trials. In response to the findings, Newlinds acknowledged that some of his statements were inappropriate, admitting that he “ought not to have said” certain things. Appointed to the district court in 2023, Newlinds previously focused on commercial law. The NSW district court has yet to comment on the situation.