What Happens if You Are Declared a NSW Habitual Traffic Offender?
Being convicted of a traffic offence can lead to a number of penalties, including disqualification from driving and heavy fines. If you are guilty of of three or more major traffic offences within a five-year period, you will be declared...
How Police are Making Use of Smartphones to Combat Crime
Smartphones are everywhere and recent technological developments have led to speculation that police may start using smartphones in a number of different ways to help make arrests. Smartphone apps that allow the public to help find suspects and report minor...
Do Lawyers Work As Hard for Legal Aid Clients as Private Clients?
Legal Aid is a government-run organisation that offers financial assistance to people who need legal help, but may not be able to afford to pay a private lawyer. Legal Aid is means tested and if assistance is granted, usually pays...
Are You Being Prosecuted for a Trivial Offence?
If you have been charged with a criminal or traffic offence, it is important that you take your charges seriously and seek legal advice as soon as possible - even if you believe that the charges aren’t serious. Many people...
How Support Organisations Can Help Clients with Unpaid Fines
Fines are an accepted penalty within our legal system, but they can cause extreme financial hardship for vulnerable people. The system of fines in NSW means that people can potentially build up large debts, and if they have no way...
How to Make a Complaint against the NSW Police
The police in NSW have substantial powers but they are not infallible. Each year complaints are made and upheld against members of the police force, and if you have recently had an experience with police officers during which you feel...
How to Deal with SDRO Debt
Fines and infringements can be costly. Various government organisations, including Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), local courts, and other agencies, have the authority to issue fines in different situations. Traffic infringements and parking fines are among the most common, and...
Speeding and Section 10 Dismissals and Conditional Release Orders – How You May be Able to Avoid a Conviction
Pleading guilty to a speeding offence doesn’t always mean you will accrue demerit points or be suspended from driving. You may be able to successfully obtain a non conviction order, which is a finding of guilt with no criminal conviction....
New Sentencing Regime Being Suggested for NSW
Sweeping changes to sentencing in NSW have been suggested in a recent report by the Law Reform Commission. The document, which was tabled before the NSW Attorney General Greg Smith in September 2013, details 100 proposed changes. These changes are...
Thumbnail Sketch of Defences to Criminal Charges
The main defences available in criminal law are: 1. Self Defence This is when you are acting in reasonable defence of yourself, another person or property. An example is a bar fight when you punch someone back after they attack...
