Police Accused of Excessive Force as Arrest Video Goes Viral
The Queensland Police Union (QPU) has defended a police officer who was filmed pushing a mother to the ground during the arrest of her son at their Brisbane home over the weekend. The QPU says the officer acted “entirely appropriately” despite...
Life Sentences Without Parole: A Violation of Human Rights?
In his research paper from this month’s Human Rights Law Review, Andrew Dyer, a Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Sydney, argues that not having a statutory charter of rights means Australia has been left without...
Useful Tips for Those with a Loved-One in Custody
Having a loved one in prison can be distressing, but being able to visit them from time to time can make the ordeal a little easier to bear. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to navigate the prison bureacracy in order...
About Time! Convictions for Gay Sex to be Removed
Gay sex was historically a crime - one which saw hundreds of Australians receive criminal records which could affect their careers and travel plans, not to mention their reputation in the community. Now of course, there is no criminal law...
Sovereign Citizens: The Real Terrorist Threat?
73-year-old John Wilson does not look like your stereotypical terrorist. Hunched and with the remains of his white hair flying from the sides of his head, the former dentist is a regular fixture outside NSW courts. Spouting his hyperbole about being...
Beating a Drink Driving Case, Naturally
A New York woman who was charged with drink driving has had the charges dropped after being diagnosed with a rare medical condition which causes her body to produce alcohol. The woman, who cannot be named, was pulled over after...
‘Making a Murderer’: Is Steven Avery Innocent or Guilty?
Over the Christmas and New Year break, many of us spent precious time with loved ones, eating, drinking, and being merry. Others were glued to their TV screens, binge-watching the Netflix true crime series, Making a Murderer, which was released...
How Inmates Made the Work of Prison Staff Easier
Imprisonment that focuses on containment rather than rehabilitation is not generally successful at reducing reoffending; with about two-thirds of sentenced Australian inmates having previously served time behind bars. As prison populations grow, there has been an increasing emphasis on making...
Seven Myths About the Criminal Justice System
Radio shock jocks, newspapers and social media are rich sources of fiction about the criminal justice system. Here are some of the most popular myths: 1. Juries are more lenient than judges While the right to a jury trial for...
Sydney Police Officer Faces Assault Charges
In yet another horrifying case of alleged police misconduct, it has been reported that a Sydney police officer is facing numerous assault charges for allegedly brutalising two men held in custody at The Rocks Police Station. 25-year-old Constable Rabi Farsheed is...
