A Further Increase of Police Powers in NSW?
After already adding to the police powers with reforms, the Attorney General Brad Hazzard wants to go even further down the path of increasing police powers in NSW, allowing for measures that his latest press release says will allow police...
Should We Raise The Drinking Age?
Every few years the question crops up: should the drinking age be raised to 21? Often proponents of such a plan speak up after a tragic case involving teenagers and alcohol ends in fatality, as well as ongoing scientific research...
Caught in Possession of Drugs? What Now?
The last decade has seen a rise in the number of police officers deployed at festivals and events across NSW. The sight of sniffer dogs at live music events is commonplace, and the annual Nimbin Mardi Grass festival, which was...
What are the Wider Effects of a Criminal Conviction?
Having a criminal conviction on your record can have lasting consequences. Not all convictions are for serious offences, yet a conviction can still end up being a nuisance for years into the future. For example, you might have a conviction...
How Much Weight is the Evidence of Child Witnesses Given in Court?
Evidence of children testifying in courts has been a topic where the law has changed substantially over time - the ongoing debate about how much weight (if any) can be placed on the evidence of children is unsettled by public...
What are Special Circumstances?
Under s44 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, prior to sentencing a person to a jail term of more than 6 months, a ‘non-parole period’ must be set by the court unless there are sufficient reasons not to set one at...
When is it in the Public Interest to Lay Criminal Charges?
The recent public fistfight between casino billionaire James Packer and media heavyweight David Gyngell raises an interesting issue of whether police should still investigate an incident and lay charges if the people involved don’t want to take the matter further....
The Innocence Project Australia
Over the past few decades the Innocence Project has highlighted problems in the justice system in the US, which can allow for wrongful convictions. One American man, (although not acquitted with the Innocence Project) Jonathon Fleming, spent 25 years in...
Advantages Of The Jury System: Should We Keep Jury Trials?
Homer Simpson: “Getting out of jury duty is easy. The trick is to say you’re prejudiced against all races” Today most people see jury duty as a hassle, and to be avoided if at all possible. Historically, the right to...
Getting a DUI Dismissed if Diagnosed with Depression
If you have been diagnosed with a mental condition like depression, you may be able to have criminal charges against you dismissed under a Section 32 order. Section 32 is a provision of the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act which allows...
