Defending Drug Charges: Putting the Prosecution to Proof and Raising Available Defences
If you have been charged with a drug offence, it is vital to be aware that each of these offences contains several ‘essential elements’ (or ingredients) which the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt – the prosecution will fail if...
Your Guide To New South Wales LSD (‘Acid’) Laws
Lysergic acid diethylamide, which is also known as LSD or ‘acid’, was the ultimate psychedelic of 1960s counterculture, epitomising the credo of “turn on, tune in, drop out”. However, supplying or even possessing the drug in New South Wales could...
Your Guide To New South Wales MDMA (‘Ecstacy’) Laws
The substance known scientifically as 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine is commonly known as MDMA or ‘ecstasy’. The drug has been around for decades, and remains a popular party drug, particularly amongst young adults. According to the latest national statistics 12.5% of Australians have...
Your Guide to New South Wales Methamphetamine (“Ice”) Laws
Crystal methamphetamine (“meth” or “ice) remains a popular recreational drug in Australia amongst a small but persistent group of users. According to the latest national statistics just under 6% of Australians have used methamphetamine in their lifetime and 1.3% have...
Your Guide to New South Wales Heroin Laws
The use of heroin in Australia peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s, however there are small but persistent group of users, often from marginalised backgrounds. According to the latest national statistics just over 1% of Australians have used...
Your Guide to New South Wales Cocaine Laws
Cocaine use is on the rise in Australia with the latest national statistics finding 11% of Australians have used cocaine in their lifetime and 4% have used in the past 12 months. Here’s a summary of the laws, penalties and...
What Amounts to a ‘Large Commercial Quantity’ of Prohibited Drugs in New South Wales?
Police have charged a 19-year old man with a serious drug offences after 120 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $60 million was allegedly discovered in a shipping container at Port Botany in Sydney. Manner of detection...
What Drug Diversion Programs Are Available in New South Wales?
If you have been charged with a drug offence or your offending is related to drug-related issues, you may be able to avoid traditional criminal justice processes through caution or diversion schemes. Here’s what you need to know. Cannabis Cautioning...
Mark Standen: Corrupt Crime Commission Czar
A young schoolboy who aspired to be a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilot could not have dreamed his adult life would be entangled with Dutch drug cartel godfathers, semi-trailer drug manufacturing operations, millions of dollars in cash. But budding...
The Offence of Supplying a Prohibited Drug Causing Death in New South Wales
The Queensland government recently approved pill testing services in the state. The move follows the success of fixed site drug services in the ACT, and a number of successful trials involving mobile pill testing at music festivals. And while other...
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