Judge James Johnston of New Zealand; Cheerleader for serial criminal

The Law Society of New Zealand presented James Johnston with a law license in 1976 after he graduated from Victoria University School of Law

In one matter, Jimmy presided over a case involving Gavin Hawthorn who had more than 60 prior convictions, including for burglary, assault, dishorderly behavior and possession of marijuana.

In this instance, Hawthorn was charged with drunk driving. Unbelievably, it was Hawthorn’s twelfth (12^th) drunk driving offense. Four (4) people were killed in crashes while Hawthorn the Serial Drunk was driving.

Despite Hawthorn’s appalling record and recidivism regarding his serial drunk driving convictions, Jimmy sentenced him to six months home detention and 180 hours of community service for his 12th drink-driving conviction. He also was disqualified Hawthorn from holding or obtaining a license for two years.

Is it any wonder that the general public holds the judiciary in total contempt. This contempt grows even more strident as judges like Jimmy and those of his ilk fail to deliver appropriate sentences for the purpose of protecting the public from a serial drunk and killer like Hawthorn.

As we speak (ca. March 2019), Jimmy continues to sit as a Porirua District Court Judge in Porirua, New Zealand.