Obama Frees Drug Offenders: Is Clemency Ever Justified?
In what has been hailed a remarkable act of mercy, President Obama last week used his power to order the release of 46 inmates who were serving sentences for non-violent drug offences. The move came as part of Obama’s promise...
Freedom of Information Laws Under Threat
Freedom of information laws (FOI) give individuals the ability to access various documents held by government agencies - subject to exceptions. What does the legislation say? FOI is governed in NSW by the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009. Section...
Help, I Want to Work! Getting a Job After Prison
Imagine going to interview after interview, many of which seemed to be going well until you were asked about your criminal record. The reality is that many who have spent time behind bars struggle to find a job, despite having...
Overturning a Jury Verdict: The Case of M v The Queen
For centuries, juries have played an important role in criminal trials, scrutinising all the evidence that is presented by both sides before attempting to reach a unanimous verdict. But is a jury’s verdict always the end of the matter -...
Ten Celebrity Arrests
They might live a life of glitz and glamour, but A-list stars have a knack of finding themselves on the wrong side of the law. The mega trials of Michael Jackson, OJ Simpson and the ‘Blade Runner’ are known to...
Should We Help Those Who Are Attracted to Children?
Child sex offenders are regarded with great disdain by the general public, with many suggesting that we should ‘lock’em up and throw away the key’, or even castrate or execute them. But when it comes to those who admit being...
The Tragedy of Murder Suicides
News headlines over the weekend spoke of tragedy. In Kelso, in rural NSW, police discovered the bodies of well-known local couple Elie Issa and Nadia Cameron. Meanwhile, in Mayfield, Chicago, a family of three were found fatally shot. Although murder-suicides...
Extravagant MPs: What does the law say about excessive spending?
Parliamentary Speaker Bronwyn Bishop is on probation after she claimed a $5,227 helicopter ride to attend a Liberal Party fundraising dinner. While this may seem like an extravagant use of taxpayer money, Bishop denies breaking any entitlement rules. And while...
Help! The Media Wants to Report My Case
Imagine having to go through the stress and anxiety of a criminal case - only to find your name in the papers for friends, family and colleagues to see. This happens most often to celebrities and public figures, but even...
Should Lawyers Be Required to Undertake Pro Bono Work?
Hiring a criminal lawyer can be expensive, and many people are ineligible for Legal Aid. So while the wealthy have no problem getting a good legal defence, and the most disadvantaged may qualify for Legal Aid, the current system leaves...
