Can I Drive once my Disqualification Period has Expired?
When your licence disqualification period expires, you are not permitted to drive until you have attended the Roads and Maritime Services (the ‘RMS’, previously called the RTA) and re-issued with a fresh licence. This is the case even if you...
Is Drug Purity Relevant?
The seriousness of a drug charge will largely depend on the weight of the drug. But what constitutes the weight of the drug? Is it the total impure weight of the substance containing the drug? Or only the pure weight...
Sex Offence Prosecutions – to proceed or not to proceed
Our video and blog post below discusses the importance of choosing an experienced criminal lawyer when charges will be brought and continued for sex offences. People charged with sex offences will often ask me: ‘how can they charge me when...
Can I Appeal the Suspension of my Good Behaviour Licence?
Holders of ‘Good Behaviour Licences’ frequently ask whether any suspension of their licence can be appealed. The answer is, only if you: plead ‘not guilty’ and successfully defend the offence which caused the ‘breach’ of the good behaviour licence, or...
Sniffer Dogs and ‘Reasonable Suspicion’
Our video and Blog post below talks about Sniffer Dogs and ‘Reasonable Suspicion’. The media recently reported that 4 out of 5 people who are indicated by drug dogs to be in possession of illegal drugs, do not actually possess drugs...
What is a ‘Dangerous Dog’?
Our video and Blog post below outlines the definition of ‘dangerous dog’ under the Companion Animals Act 1998. I have been representing clients in ‘dangerous dog’ cases since the Companion Animals Act was passed in 1998. During that time, perhaps...
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...
