A Wagga justice advocate is calling on the community to add their voices to the fight to keep a "crucial service" afloat.
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Tanya Jones works with the Justice Advocacy Service Regional branch, which helps victims, witnesses and defendants with cognitive impairment to exercise their rights and fully participate in the justice system.
At the end of this financial year, the service will fold unless the government agrees to fund it again.
"It was always contracted for two years, so we did know that it was a fixed term," Ms Jones said.
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"It's such a great service, and we are worried about what is going to happen if we do fold."
Ms Jones explained that there is no other service that does what the Justice Advocacy Service does.
She added that they help those in need between West Wyalong and the Victorian border.
"Some people who use our service cannot advocate themselves, and a lot of people are not going to put their hand up to say 'I have a cognitive impairment'," Ms Jones said.
"We need to stand up for them. They will fall through the cracks in the system without the Justice Advocacy Service."
Ms Jones said there are three ways that Riverina residents can lend their voice to the cause.
"We are asking people to sign the petition, we are hoping for 15,000, and we already have more than 11,000," she said.
"You can call or write to your local MP. You can also call or write to Attorney General Mark Speakman."
NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman said the NSW Government is committed to helping people with mental health issues or cognitive impairment to navigate the criminal justice system.
That's one of the reasons why the NSW Government introduced landmark reforms last year to update the forensic mental health system," he said.
"These reforms enable people with mental health or cognitive impairment, who are accused of low level offending, to be diverted into treatment and support to reduce the likelihood of reoffending and to keep the community safe.
"The findings of an independent evaluation examining the effectiveness of the Justice Advocacy Service are currently being considered. Additional services to support diversion for people with cognitive impairment are also being considered as part of the NSW Budget process."
Wagga MP Joe McGirr said the justice system should provide fairness to all and it is critical that those with any sort of disability are supported through the courts.
"The Justice Advocacy Centre provide important services," he said.
"I have raised this matter personally with the Attorney-General and have written to him."
To contact the Attorney General, go to https://idrs.org.au/jas-lobbying-guide or to sign the petition go to www.change.org/p/please-give-people-with-cognitive-disability-a-fair-go-in-the-justice-system.
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