Quote Originally Posted by Flashing Red View Post
Getting legal representation does not mean someone is guilty of anywrong doing. I would never, ever go to an appeal, hearing, whatever, without legal representation, no matter how small the infraction is. IMHO harness racing hearings, appeals etc have A LOT to be desired in regards to due process/natural justice and I would want to make sure that those prosecuting me are playing within the rules. Has absolutely nothing to do with guilt or innocence.
The risk is that if procedures aren't followed correctly there is always a chance decisions could be overturned down the track. There was a race at Tamworth a while back that resulted in long suspensions/disqualifications that were subsequently overturned upon appeal. If I was a steward that would be enough for me to turn it up. A lot of the evidence is always circumstantial and in most rorts the driver is always a "victim of circumstance". Again it's a fine line to balance both sides in terms of fairness and maintaining the integrity of the sport but hopefully we can find the happy medium.

I despise the use of Lawyers by persons who wish to escape their right whack on technical grounds. I would find it hard to compete against those who have confessed to being involved in a systematic scam designed to defraud everyone related to the harness racing industry. The damage this has caused to the Industry would be hard to quantify but I'd suggest to you that there are many 000's on the end of it.