Is it legal to give alcohol to a minor?
Section 117(4) of the Liquor Act makes it a criminal offence to supply alcohol to a minor. The maximum penalty is 12 months imprisonment and/or an $11,000.00 fine. However, it is a defence if: (a) the alcohol is supplied by...
How to get a ‘Section 10 Dismissal or Conditional Release Order’ for Drink Driving
This video and blog post is about how to avoid a criminal conviction and licence disqualification when you are pleading guilty to drink driving. What is a ‘Section 10 Dismissal or Conditional Release Order‘? ‘Section 10 Dismissals and Conditional Release Orders’...
How long after an incident can a criminal charge be brought?
A ‘limitation period’ is a period of time within which criminal charges can be brought. It normally runs from the date that the offence allegedly occurred. In the United States, there is a ‘Statute of Limitations’ which sets down various...
Reversing a Guilty Plea
I am often contacted by both unrepresented and represented defendants who have pleaded ‘guilty’ in the Local Court but, for good reasons, wish to change their pleas to ‘not guilty’ before their matters are finalised. This article summarises the law...
Will a Criminal Record Affect My Visa?
Holders of ‘temporary visas’ such as ‘student visas’, ‘work visas’ and ‘sponsored visas’ often ask: Will a criminal conviction (or ‘criminal record’) make me lose my visa? or Will a criminal conviction (or ‘criminal record’) stop me from getting permanent...
