NSW Police Officer May Face Criminal Charges Over Brutal Assault
The Byron Bay police officer who struck a naked teenager 18 times with his baton during a violent arrest could lose his job and potentially face assault charges over the incident. In his closing submission at the second of two...
How Long Can Police Keep an Arrested Person in Custody?
The Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (the LEPRA) sets out police powers in New South Wales as well as many of the rules officers are required to follow when exercising those powers. Can police arrest me without a...
Arresting Drivers for Using Cold and Flu Tablets Will Not Save Lives
NSW roads minister Melinda Pavey has announced there will be an expansion of substances that can ‘influence’ drivers for the purpose of laws against driving under the influence (DUI). She has also announced a strategy designed to assess whether individuals...
Defendants in Domestic Violence Cases Prohibited from Questioning Complainants
Currently, self-represented litigants in the Family Court are permitted to cross-examine opponents, even in circumstances where there has been an allegation of domestic violence. However, the Turnbull government has drafted laws aimed at stopping this. Australian attorney general Christian Porter...
What is the Offence of Perjury in New South Wales?
Perjury can be generally defined as knowingly telling an untruth during judicial proceedings when under a legal obligation to be honest. It was a common law offence in New South Wales until abolished by section 341 of the Crimes Act...
Lawyer Who Showed His Testicles to Client is Struck Off
Back in 2012, Mr and Mrs H retained Boulevarde Lawyers in the lakeside suburb of Toronto in Lake Macquarie to prepare documents and find them legal representation in Vanuatu in relation to the sale of drilling machines. The sole principal...
Indictable Drug Supply Cases Can Now be Finalised in the Local Court
Until recently, cases of drug supply which involved more than the ‘indictable quantity’ but less than the commercial quantity could not be finalised in the NSW Local Court - they were ‘strictly indictable’ which meant they had to be committed to...
Report Recommends Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility
The Queensland government is considering a recommendation by former Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson to increase the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 years to 12 years. The minimum age that a child can be criminally prosecuted in Australia is...
Northern Territory and ACT Fight to Legalise Euthanasia
The Northern Territory and ACT may soon have control over their euthanasia laws, after a motion was recently introduced in the Federal Senate. The motion, brought by Liberal Democrats senator David Leyonhjelm, would see territory governments free to legislate on...
NSW Police Face Brutality Hearing over Brutal Assault of Naked Teen
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) has called for a second public hearing into the brutal arrest of a naked sixteen year old boy in the Northern New South Wales town of Byron Bay. The Commission is investigating the use...
