Ten Celebrity Arrests
They might live a life of glitz and glamour, but A-list stars have a knack of finding themselves on the wrong side of the law. The mega trials of Michael Jackson, OJ Simpson and the ‘Blade Runner’ are known to...
Should Cyclists Have to Carry ID?
Proposed laws regarding cyclists have again made headlines. The NSW government is now proposing a series of laws, including that cyclists be required to carry identification when using the roads. While Clover Moore is vigilantly ripping out thousands of car...
Cars of First-Time Drink Drivers to be Impounded
Under tough new drink driving laws, Victorian drivers who are caught with a blood alcohol reading higher than 0.10 and are first-time offenders could lose their cars to the impound lot for a month. The controversial laws are due to...
Alternative Verdicts in Criminal Law
Being charged with a criminal offence can be daunting, and being acquitted of the charges following a hearing or trial is obviously a desirable outcome for any defendant. But did you know that in some situations, you can be acquitted...
Which State is the Toughest on Crime?
A new Report by the Judicial Commission of NSW shows that sentences imposed in NSW are generally harsher than sentences for similar crimes in Victoria and Queensland. The Report looked at the period 2006 to 2013 and focussed on five...
Is the System Softer on the Rich and Famous?
There seems to be a public perception that those who are rich and famous are more likely than the average citizen to avoid the consequences of breaking the law. But many prominent Australians have been imprisoned over the years -...
The Dangers of Joyriding
The offence of larceny, or theft, requires an element of intention to permanently deprive the owner of the item. So is it still stealing if you were just borrowing the item? ‘Joyriding’ is where a car is taken and driven...
Common Myths about ‘Section 10 Dismissals and Conditional Release Orders’
In NSW, non conviction orders are sometimes seen as a ‘second chance’ for people who are generally law-abiding citizens that ‘slip-up’ by committing relatively minor criminal offences. Getting a section 10 dismissal or conditional release order can help to avoid the potentially career-ending...
Police Blasted over Skye’s Law Tragedy
The issue of how NSW police handle pursuits is back in the spotlight after the Deputy State Coroner strongly criticised the driving of two officers involved in the chase that ended in the death of 19-month-old Sydney toddler Skye Sassine....
Judges Get Creative with Penalties
When it comes to sentencing in NSW, magistrates and judges are fairly limited in what sentences they can hand-down - but this isn’t the case everywhere. Some judges in other countries are known to impose less conventional forms punishments upon...
