Can I get Legal Aid in Nowra?
The outcome of a court case can have serious consequences. It may mean that your freedom or access to your children are at stake. But what if you can’t afford an expensive criminal defence lawyer? Not everyone can! Which is...
What Rights do Shop Assistants or Security Guards have to Search my Bag?
It is not uncommon upon leaving a store for a request to be made to check your bags, either by a security guard, or the retail staff. While being treated like a potential thief is never pleasant, do you have...
Torture is to be ruled out under Proposed Terrorism Laws
We recently published a blog looking at some of the implications of the National Security Legislation Amendment Bill. This Bill exempted ASIO officials from criminal charges and civil liability in some circumstances – ones that could include the use of...
Police Hacking in Australia: A Case of Breach of Privacy?
Recent documents published by WikiLeaks have revealed that over the past three years, the NSW Police Force has spent in excess of $2 million on software and technology to enable them to hack into people’s computers. It is believed that...
‘Sextors’ receive jail time at Downing Centre Court House Sydney
With nude pictures of celebrities going viral, threats that there are more leaked images to follow, it is clear that technology can be misused in ways that invade personal and very private parts of our lives. Morally, there are many...
What does the Prosecution consider when deciding whether or not to Prosecute a Criminal Case?
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (‘the ODPP’) is the independent prosecuting authority for the State of New South Wales. The ODPP Prosecution Guidelines states that a prosecutor is a ‘Minister of Justice’. A Prosecutor’s central role is...
What does the Crimes Act 1900 say about Kidnapping?
It may surprise you to know that kidnapping occurs in Australia, and more than three times per week in NSW, on average. In the last financial year, there were 289 instances of kidnapping and abduction across NSW, according to the Bureau...
Intellectual Disability and Mental Health Orders
In the NSW court system, people with an intellectual disability or mental illness can sometimes be given special provisions, including mental health orders, to allow them to bypass the usual legal system and instead be diverted into treatment programs. Although...
What penalties do the courts really hand-down for drug possession charges?
Ever wondered what the penalties are for drug possession ? Not the maximum penalties – but the penalties that are really handed-down by the courts? It might surprise you that most people who are guilty of drug possession receive criminal...
Proposed Law could allow ASIO to use Torture when Investigating Terrorism
On September 18, ASIO conducted what has been called the largest anti-terrorism raids in our history. Over 800 specially trained officers conducted raids on 25 houses across Brisbane and Sydney. Two people were arrested, and one charged. While the threat...
