Can I Change My Plea? Reversing Laws NSW
If you are charged with a criminal offence, you will be required to indicate a plea where you state that you either accept the charges (guilty) or you wish to defend yourself against them (not guilty). A plea is usually...
Are the New Bail Laws here to Stay?
In May this year, a new bail act was introduced in NSW. The Bail Act 2013 signalled a radical departure from previous NSW bail laws. Under the new act, simpler than previous bail laws, the focus is on whether or...
Do You Need a Lawyer When Pleading Guilty?
If you have been charged with a criminal offence, you may be considering pleading guilty. Additionally, you may consider representing yourself in court or be wondering if you do need a lawyer when pleading guilty. Perhaps you are thinking about...
What Can Happen When You Commit a Breach of Bail (NSW)?
If you have been charged with a criminal offence, before any trial or hearing or even any court appearance, there is the consideration by the police and the courts as to whether you should be released on bail or kept...
The Magistrate Refused My Section 14 Mental Health Application – What Now?
If you are charged with a criminal offence and suffer from a mental health impairment or a cognitive impairment, and your case is being dealt with in the Local Court, you may be able to make an application for the...
NSW Bail Hearings: Recent Commencement of New Rules
For decades, NSW has been governed by a complex and heavy-handed bail system under the Bail Act of 1978. NSW bail laws have been particularly harsh on juveniles and vulnerable people, but that has now changed with the commencement of...
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...
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...
Should Local Court Hearings be Videotaped? Conviction Appeals and ‘Demeanour’
There is a convincing case to be made for videotaping defended local court hearings. If someone has been tried and convicted in the Local Court, and wants to argue against their conviction, they can lodge an appeal within 28 days...
Representations: How to Get Your Case Dropped Before it Reaches a Defended Hearing or Jury Trial
Our video and Blog post below discusses the question: What are Representations? What are Representations? Representations are basically letters to the prosecution asking them to drop some or all, or reduce the seriousness, of charges brought against you. Charges can...
