The mayor was commenting on criminal sentencing following an interview on Dubbo radio about law and order in Dubbo.

Cr Dickerson told the Daily Liberal he would push for greater accountability for magistrates in response to a growing belief sentencing of the city's criminals was too lenient

NSW Attorney General Brad Hazzard said he was aware of the mayor's comments.

"These issues are ones for the entire community to be worked on in a constructive and positive way."

Mr Hazzard said he met with judicial officers at Dubbo courthouse to discuss the challenges at the request of Dubbo MP Troy Grant during his visit to Dubbo.

"Young people are our future and the community's best outcome is if leaders in the community work together to achieve positive outcomes," he said.

Mr Hazzard said while every individual was entitled to his or her view they should also respect other's views and the roles each of the leaders had to play.

"From my discussions with local judicial officers they have an extremely good grasp of the challenges. I think the community should have faith in their carrying out of their roles - albeit that there needs to be better communication across various government agencies to proactively work with young people with challenging behaviours."

Orana Law Society secretary Peter Bartley claimed the local community had the utmost respect for the justice system in Dubbo and in NSW.

A report in the Daily Liberal said local court rulings were a "joke".

"This is irresponsible and deplorable conduct," he said.

"Our courts and our judicial officers are not a joke and there is a long-standing tradition of ensuring that the independence of the judicial system is not undermined by ignorant and knee-jerk reactions from politicians.

"It is crucial that public discussion of these important legal processes does not descend into attacks and abuse.

"Dubbo is well served by two resident judicial officers, both of whom live and work in our local community and who are hard working and responsive professionals.

"These are not fly-in, fly-out workers. They live and circulate every day in this community and hear and listen to the concerns and feelings of the local residents like any community member does. They then apply the law to the facts of the cases they are dealing with. The result will often not please everyone and appeal processes exist to be used if necessary.

"It is ridiculous for the mayor to call for greater "accountability" when the work of magistrates is done publically and is able to be reviewed on appeal if their sentencing is too lenient or too harsh. In addition the work of magistrates is already overseen by the NSW Chief Magistrate."

Mr Bartley said much of the crime rate was due to poverty, drugs, alcohol abuse, and unemployment issues and the criminal justice system merely saw the end result.

"Those issues need to be tackled first and foremost through health and social strategies if a real difference in the crime rate is to be achieved," Mr Bartley said.

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