Are you 'of good character'?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (388994)
Rockingham, Australia
September 24, 2026 9:10pm CST
Recent legislation is about to ban the use of good character references when a person is brought before the courts for certain offences. The use of such references often resulted in a reduced sentence for convicted persons.
A recent case involved a senior manager in the state-owner utility, Western Power. Jeffery Spinner sexually assaulted (raped) a female colleague while on a work trip.
Eight workmates gave positive character references for the accused, saying it was ‘out of character’. Three of the eight have now been stood down and the case has hastened the introduction of the new bill. Not before time it seems.
The photo is mine of the open-cut mine at Kalgoorlie. The tiny trucks in the lower left of the photo are actually GREAT BIG TRUCKS! 
8 people like this
8 responses
@nawala123 (23686)
• Indonesia
6h
I think we face the similar problem. In Indonesia the judge often give some discount of penalty by saying that the accused performs good deed during the court sessions. Performing good deed during the court is a must for all and it doesnt indicate that he is a good character and deserve a discount several years in prison
2 people like this
@JudyEv (388994)
• Rockingham, Australia
Just now
@nawala123 That's a great shame. It's very hard to stamp out bribeable.
1 person likes this
@nawala123 (23686)
• Indonesia
2h
@JudyEv yeah you are right. Our judge is bribeable
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@AmbiePam (127942)
• United States
6h
That ticks me off.
It reminds me of a case where a father raped his teenage daughter. Several of his fellow church goers wrote letters of character to the judge for his sentencing. The result? The judge threw the book at him. It disgusted him so much that people would want mercy shown to him for such a heinous crime that it persuaded him to give the harshest penalty possible.
That’s my kind of judge. And it ticks me off to no end that people who call themselves Christians would speak out in defense of such a man.
2 people like this
@Ineeddentures (45896)
•
9h
Why have three of the eight been stood down
They were only giving statements as asked for by Spinners defense team.
Why just three, why not all 8?
I can understand character references being banned if it's an across the board ban for all court cases.
But I still don't get why people giving an honest opinion that they thought this guys actions were" out of character" is so bad
If he did it once and once only would it not have been out of character
Doesn't make the fact he did it any less awful.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (388994)
• Rockingham, Australia
2h
I wondered about that too. How did they determine the references weren't valid? I'm wondering if they searched their phones, emails, etc. and found compromising messages.
@Wrexxo (8151)
•
5h
This is honestly such a good change, character references have let too many people off easy for way too long. Doesn't matter how many people vouch for someone, it don't erase what they did to the victim. Glad the workmates who wrote those letters are facing consequences too, that's accountability finally showing up.
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