A Sigh of Relief for Legal Aid
Imagine being charged with a serious crime and knowing that you won’t be able to afford legal representation. The consequences of being found guilty could be severe, potentially even imprisonment - and without a good lawyer acting on your behalf...
Government May Increase ICAC’s Power: A Good or Bad Thing?
The NSW Government is moving to quickly deal with the fall-out from the High Court’s decision in ICAC vs Cunneen, pushing urgent legislation through parliament to uphold past findings of the corruption watchdog. The Independent Commission Against Corruption Amendment (Validation)...
Should Clergy be Forced to Divulge Confessions?
When it comes to being a witness in court, there are not a whole lot of situations where you can refuse to answer questions when asked to do so. Only the defendant has a right to silence - not witnesses....
Can I Avoid Arrest by Moving Interstate?
If police have a warrant out for your arrest, or you have been charged with a crime, you may be tempted to run away from the problem. But for those considering moving interstate, it’s important to know that you can...
How Dangerous is it to be a Police Officer?
There’s a common public perception that being a police officer is one of the most dangerous occupations out there. While many police officers do face heated situations, they are extremely well-equipped to deal with them, boasting body armour and an...
Sophie Monk’s Ordeal is Finally Over
Repeatedly calling, texting or following someone who you’ve got a crush on might seem relatively harmless - but crossing the line can result in serious consequences under the law. The rise of social media has made it easier to find...
Should Puppy Farms be Banned in NSW?
Considering getting a puppy? A new addition to the family can provide years of loyalty and love - but perhaps we should think about where we’re buying from. A growing desire for pure-bred pets has seen a surge in the...
“Justice for the Puppies”
It is rare for those who commit animal cruelty to be taken to court because such crimes either go undetected or unprosecuted. And even if they do come before a magistrate, they are not dealt with anywhere near as harshly...
Accessing Your Own Metadata: Ben’s Battle
We previously published a series of blogs about the Federal Government’s controversial new metadata laws, which were passed by the Senate in March. The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Bill 2015 was premised on the notion that it...
Are We Doing Enough to Protect Children from Abuse?
Are we doing enough to protect children from abuse? This question has recently arisen with the case of Bill Spedding, a washing machine repairman who police have named as a person of interest in the disappearance of toddler William Tyrell...