Prominent Palmerston North defence lawyer Mike Behrenshas been made a District Court judge.
Mr Behrens, who has been practising in the city on and off since 1967, says his views of the justice system are likely to change.
"I have been critical of judges in the past and, to be fair, I'm now going to perhaps wear some of those criticisms myself."
His career has involved several high-profile trials, including those of Mark Lundy, convicted of killing wife Christine and daughter Amber in 2000; and Brent Garner, the detective supposedly tortured by a Satan-worshipper in 1996 and left to die in his burning home.
Mr Behrens said: "Judges have to be discreet and so I shall be discreet. But the problem of people committing criminal offences is a societal one and it seems to me that some politicians' and the media view is that society will be improved by harsher sentences.
"Looking at it as a member of society rather than a judge, that is a bankrupt view, but I have to accept that as a judge I will be directed by the law, so my discretion at sentencing is limited."
From defence to judge for prominent Palmerston North lawyer
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