Can Police Listen in When You Talk to your Lawyer?
The relationship between client and lawyer is usually considered to be a confidential one. For a client to feel comfortable talking openly to their lawyer, it’s important that they know nobody else is listening in and that confidential information won’t...
Should Police be allowed to have Visible Tattoos or Piercings?
Many of us have tattoos, piercings or other forms of body art that allow us to express our personal identity and individuality. However, some professions impose strict rules regarding personal presentation and appearance. The New South Wales Police Force, for...
In trouble with the law over the holidays? Getting bail over the silly season
The courts are generally closed over the holiday season. So what happens if you or a loved-one is accused of a serious crime and police refuse to let you out of custody? Will you have to wait until the holidays...
Police Listening to Phone Calls between Lawyers and Clients – The Erosion of Client Legal Privilege
Legal professional privilege, known in NSW as ‘client legal privilege’, has long been accepted as a central tenet of the justice system; providing that communications between lawyers and their clients should be exempt from disclosure. The privilege has been described...
“Innocent until Presented in a Glass Cage” – How the use of Docks can affect the Presumption of Innocence
‘Innocent until proven guilty’ is an ancient legal maxim, however research shows that this may not always be the case. In most criminal trials, the person who is ‘accused’ is held in a ‘dock’ - an enclosed area from which...
People from all backgrounds have found themselves in trouble for Drug Possession. Find out How to Avoid a Conviction.
He may seem like an unlikely suspect, but former Gold Coast drug squad detective Peter Betts was recently found guilty of drug possession. A search of Mr Betts’ home and car in late October uncovered a single tablet of ecstasy,...
Queensland Barrister who was found Guilty of Tax Offences tipped to become Magistrate
We have published a number of blogs about lawyers who have engaged in professional misconduct and unethical behaviour. In many cases, these lawyers were ‘struck off’ - meaning that that they lost their licence to practice law. In a profession...
What is Skye’s Law?
The offence of ‘police pursuit’ and penalties. Going to court for a traffic offence? If you are going to court for a traffic offence, call or email Sydney Criminal Lawyers anytime to arrange a free first consultation with an experienced, specialist traffic...
Can my lawyer still defend me if they know I’m guilty?
Like most other professions, criminal lawyers have to abide by high ethical standards and codes of conduct that are determined by the regulatory body in the state they practice. In NSW, that body is called the Law Society of New...
Sydney Siege – How Was It Allowed to Happen?
The Sydney Siege has raised more questions than it has answered. If Man Haron Monis had survived Monday’s heinous crime, the charges he could have faced may have included detain for advantage, kidnapping, weapons charges, terrorism, murder - and the...
