The Criminal Offence of Hindering an Investigation in NSW
A New South Wales woman pleaded guilty to criminal charges following a vehicle collision at Yanco near Leeton in the Riverina region of New South Wales on 4 April 2023, which resulted in the death of a mother and her...
Stealing, Theft and Larceny Offences Across Australia
Going to court over a property which involves dishonesty – such as larceny, theft or stealing – can be a stressful and daunting experience. You may be uncertain as to how you should plead, what will happen in court, whether...
Noise Offences Relating to Residences, Business and Vehicles in NSW
Is your noisy neighbour making you crazy? Sick of the P-plater down the street revving their engine? Or on the other hand, is your neighbour making a mountain out of a molehill when it comes to your gatherings or vehicle?...
New Criminal Offences Relating to Possessing or Using Knives in NSW
The NSW government has just doubled the penalties for knife crimes by introducing fresh indictable offences (which are offences that can be referred to a higher court, such as the District Court) into the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), replacing the...
Can a Person Be Charged with a Criminal Offence That Has Since Been Repealed?
The “Teacher’s Pet” story, involving the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Chris Dawson’s wife in 1982 and his sexual relationship with one of his high school pupils, has gripped Australia for decades. Now, the story may be coming to an...
William Tyrell’s Disappearance: What Are the Proposed New Charges and Will the DPP Prosecute?
One of the many theories behind 3-year old William Tyrrell’s disappearance in 2014 could see his foster mother charged with fresh criminal offences. The investigation into the toddler’s disappearance is not Australia’s longest running investigation, but one of the country’s...
Airbags That Kill: Can Manufacturers Be Found Guilty of a Criminal Offence?
This article refers to a recent Australian announcement of yet another fatal airbag concern, and although the investigation is in its early stages, we shall explore the company involved and revisit the previous situation with the Japanese company Takata corporation,...
Psychic Scams Can Constitute the Criminal Offence of Fraud
ScamWatch, a division of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has announced that ‘psychic scams’ are on the rise, with a reported $555,240 extorted from Australians in 2022. Individuals purporting to be psychics or clairvoyants will often prey on...
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...
NSW Police Officer Found Guilty of Assault For Slamming Teen to the Ground
A New South Wales Police Officer has been found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after slamming a 16-year old Indigenous youth into the ground in Sydney’s inner suburbs. The defended hearing took place in Downing Centre Local Court...