Is It a Crime Not to Help Someone in Danger?
You may know about the Biblical parable of a man attacked and beaten by robbers during a long journey. He lay by the side of the road, dying. Two people passed him by, without stopping or offering help, while only...
Law and Order Promises: Just a Vote Grab?
If state election campaigns tend to follow a theme, the recent NSW election was no exception. There were the usual promises about improving services and infrastructure, and building better roads. And, of course, promises relating to law and order were...
The Treat That Can Make You Fail A Breath Test!
Cherry Ripes, tooth-pastes, Strepsils, mouthwashes, cough medicines and antibiotics have all been blamed for causing drivers to fail breath tests. But can these seemingly innocuous substances ever really be the culprit? It is well-known that alcohol from some mouthwashes and...
Illegal File-Sharing Club: The Implications of the iiNet Ruling
Have you ever illegally downloaded a movie, music file or software? If you’re among the estimated 29% of Australians who answered ‘yes’, you may be getting a nasty letter in the mail threatening legal action unless you pay the owners...
Can I Drop the AVO and Assault Charges Against My Partner?
It’s no secret that some people use Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs) for purposes other than protecting themselves from violence. Nor is it a secret that many complaints of assault are exaggerated or completely unbased. Allegations of domestic violence are sometimes...
Abortion in Australia – What Does the Law Say?
We recently published a blog about foetal homicide laws (‘feticide’) which have been gaining attention in America. That blog incited an interesting and thought-provoking discussion amongst our readers - some of whom were surprised to discover that abortion is against...
Are Our Extradition Laws Fair?
How would you feel if you were being held in prison for 15 months without charge while you awaited the outcome of an extradition application? You would probably feel frustrated, angry, trapped - and after many months of uncertainty, your...
How Reliable is Identification Evidence?
Eyewitness testimony is commonly used in hearings and trials to assist the prosecution to secure a conviction. However, in recent years a number of wrongful convictions have been made on the basis of unreliable eyewitness testimony, casting doubt on whether...
Can police interview a drunk person?
Imagine that during a night-out, you get into a drunken fight and are arrested and taken back to the police station. While you are still drunk, police want to put you in an interview room and ask you questions about...
How Can We Stop Women From Being Killed by Strangers?
It was a regular evening on 8th of March 2015 when Prabha Arun Kumar embarked on her usual route home through Parramatta Park in western Sydney. Just minutes later, tragedy unfolded as she was brutally stabbed to by a stranger...
