Hard case: when police evidence and human rights collide
Should the police be able to rely on evidence that has been obtained in violation of a person’s human rights? Join Dr Alexandra Allen-Franks as she delves into this issue by examining an argument recently heard by New Zealand’s Supreme Court. The case in question centres around a photo taken by police of a man who, at the time he was photographed, was not suspected of having committed any crime. However, the photo, which was uploaded to a police database, later played a pivotal role in the man being convicted of aggravated robbery. The man is now appealing that conviction on the basis that the taking and uploading of the photo to a police database was in breach of his right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure, making the evidence improperly obtained.
Join Alexandra as she explains the facts of this case and speaks about the general approach New Zealand courts take to the admissibility of evidence and what happens when important evidence has been wrongfully obtained.
Bio
Dr Alexandra Allen-Franks is a lecturer at the University of Auckland’s Law School. She is a co-director of the New Zealand Centre for Human Rights Law, Policy and Practice, as well as an enrolled barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. She recently completed a PhD at the University of Cambridge on approaches to admissibility of improperly obtained evidence.
Event
6:30pm @Good George North Wharf, 1 Jellicoe Street, North Wharf, Auckland 1010
Also speaking at this location at 8:00pm is Grant Covic
Venue Note: The venue will be offering a limited menu on the night for Raising the Bar guests. If you're wanting to order from their full menu, please reserve a table with the restaurant to dine before your Raising the Bar talk.
