What Happens During an Identification Parade?
According to the Australian Law Reform Commission, identification parades are still the most reliable form of eyewitness identification. They are used when a witness who allegedly saw the suspect is asked to identify him or her from amongst a group...
Does Forum Sentencing Really Work?
As of July 25, new changes to forum sentencing have been implemented all around NSW. These changes aim to make forum sentencing more effective. Forum sentencing is an alternative way of dealing with adult offenders aged between 18 and 24....
Help with Traffic Infringement Notices
If you have allegedly committed a traffic offence like speeding, you may be issued with a traffic infringement notice. Traffic infringement notices the date, time and nature of the alleged offence and what the penalty is. In some cases, they...
What Powers do the New NSW Transit Officers Have?
In a move to make public transport more secure, the NSW Government has stopped employing transit officers - designated public transport staff with limited powers of authority - in favour of using police officers. Under the new system, rolled out...
What Does Jury Duty Pay?
If you are an Australian citizen over the age of 18, you are required to undertake jury duty if requested. Although some people enjoy spending time in court and seeing how the legal system works, for others jury duty can...
Do Men Commit More Crimes than Women?
Men have always had a reputation for being more inclined to criminal behaviour than women, especially when it comes to committing violent offences such as assault or murder. The statistics would appear to support this, with only one fifth of...
A Quick Guide to Marine/Waterway Offences
Being behind the wheel of a car is not the only way you can get in trouble for your driving. If you are driving a boat there are a number of different offences and penalties you can face if you...
How Accountable Should Police Be In Domestic Violence Cases?
In Western Australia, the family of a victim of domestic violence is suing the state government and the police service for failing to act or investigate breaches of domestic violence orders which took place. This failure in the duty of...
What is the Penalty for Threatening a Person?
Making a threat towards someone can be a criminal offence under certain circumstances. Depending on the nature of the threat and who it is made to, you can face a number of different penalties for threatening a person, from a...
New Chief Judge Appointed to NSW District Court
Like the rest of the legal community, I am saddened by the retirement of Chief District Court of NSW Judge Reginald Blanch AM who will be stepping-down on 7th August 2014. Justice Blanch is respected by members of the legal...
