The Law, Defences, and Penalties for Possessing a Gel Blaster in Australia
A Newcastle teenager has been charged with a firearms offence for carrying what many mistakenly believe is not - or at least should not be considered – a firearm at all: a gel blaster. The incident At around 2:30am on...
Sydney Criminal Lawyers® Weekly Rundown – Articles from 3 to 9 June 2024
In case you’ve missed any of them, here’s a rundown of the past week’s articles: Inadmissible Hearsay Evidence Must Not Be Allowed Before Jury, Despite Absence of Challenge The appeal caught quashed a manslaughter conviction after inadmissible hearsay evidence was...
Parliament Finds Policing Mental Health Crises Is Deadly, But Major Parties Resist Reform
A carer recently explained in a submission to the NSW mental health access parliamentary inquiry, that on calling NSW police to a crises her mental health patient was having, eight officers arrived, who appeared to have no understanding of such...
“A Progressive Escalation of BDS Actions Worldwide”: An Interview With BDS Australia
Apartheid was a system of racial segregation implemented by the South African government in 1948, which saw the white minority rule over the Black South African people of that nation in an authoritarian manner that violently oppressed and impoverished the...
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Fraud in Australia
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia has been a beacon of hope for individuals with disabilities, providing them with support and services to enhance their quality of life and independence. However, amid the scheme’s noble intentions, a darker...
The Stage Is Set for a Federal Human Rights Act: But Does Albanese Have the Fortitude?
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights chair Labor MP Josh Burns announced in the lower house on 30 May 2024 that the Albanese government-launched inquiry into Australia’s human rights framework has recommended, first and foremost, the adoption of a national...
NSW Police Watchdog to Review Lawfulness of Bail Compliance Checks
After a person is arrested and charged with a criminal offence in New South Wales, police will decide whether the defendant will be released on bail from the police station, or remanded in custody to face a bail application in...
Double-Demerit Points Apply Over King’s Birthday Long Weekend
With the New South Wales road toll rising to 158 in 2024, 26 more than for the same period last year, drivers are being urged to drive carefully this King’s Birthday long weekend and refrain from committing traffic offences, and...
Australians Fighting in Gaza Should’ve Been Warned of Potential Prosecution, Says Greg Barns SC
The Netanyahu government issued a 10 October 2023 call for its 360,000 army reservists to show up for military action it had launched in the Gaza Strip. And it’s understood that about 1,000 Australians with dual citizenship heeded the call...
What is a Mandatory Criminal Case Conference in New South Wales?
Mandatory criminal case conferences are an important part of the criminal justice process. They provide an opportunity for the prosecution and defence to negotiate and prepare for trial. This guide covers the essential requirements, best practices, and what to expect...
