By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, July 16 NZPA - Over 200 people asked to do jury duty last year had a good excuse for not attending court -- they were dead.

Wellington, July 15 NZPA - There were 61 mistrials last year, but no records are kept of how many of those went to a new hearing.

Wellington, July 6 NZPA - Making attacking police officers and prison guards an aggravating offence is a positive step, says the Police Association, but there needs to be more respect for law enforcers.

Wellington, July 6 NZPA - People who attack police officers or prison guards are set to face tougher sentences after the Government decided to legislate to make assaults against them an aggravating factor.

Wellington, June 6 NZPA - Government moves to tighten up on knife crime are positive, clinical psychologist Ian Lambie says, while calling for more research to be done into reasons people carry them as weapons.

Wellington, June 5 NZPA - The Government is moving to increase maximum sentences for knife-related offences while beefing up education and placing restrictions on the sale of knives, Justice Minister Simon Power announced today.

Wellington, June 17 NZPA - More fines were being collected with an additional $20 million expected to be paid back in the coming year, MPs were told today. Officials today appeared before Parliament's justice select committee.

Wellington, April 29 NZPA - The Government will reprioritise $1 million of Justice Ministry funding into sexual violence prevention education programmes over the next two years and will provide ongoing funding for the survivor advocate role, Justice Minister Simon Power announced today.

Wellington, April 13 NZPA - Eighty vehicles were seized and more than $47,000 in outstanding fines paid after a joint operation by the Justice Ministry and police in south Auckland.

Wellington, April 8 NZPA - It could be a year before legal aid lawyers face competency testing under reforms of legal aid services outlined by Justice Minister Simon Power yesterday.