The pitfalls of engaging law firms with budgets
It’s no secret that lawyers have a reputation for charging their clients excessive fees, and often clients are shocked when they receive an exorbitant bill from their lawyer. What many clients don’t realise is why legal bills can be so...
Committing Fraud by Obtaining a Financial Advantage
If you by deception or dishonestly obtain financial advantage from another person, or cause another person any financial disadvantage, you can be found guilty of the offence of fraud. The maximum penalty for this offence in NSW is 10 years’ imprisonment. While...
A Guide to AVO Proceedings in NSW
Our Video and Blog post below gives a Guide to AVO Proceedings in NSW. A Guide to AVO Proceedings in NSW You may be in a domestic or personal relationship where you fear for your safety, or the safety of...
Finders keepers – what should you do if you find a large amount of money?
The ‘finders keepers’ rule may have been popular in primary school but does this translate into a rock-solid legal defence? Unfortunately not. If you find a large amount of money or other valuable property, simply keeping it could land you...
What are the Penalties for Graffiti?
Our Video and Blog post below gives an explanation of the offence of graffiti and the relevant penalties. What are the Penalties for Graffiti? Graffiti is a criminal offence under the Graffiti Control Act 2008. If you are caught marking property or...
A Guide to Indecent Assault Penalties
Have you been charged with indecent assault? There are a number of indecent assault penalties, ranging from avoiding a criminal conviction altogether by getting a ‘section 10 dismissal or conditional release order’ all the way up to a term in prison....
How Does A Section 14 Mental Health Order Work?
Section 14 of the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 is commonly used to divert those who suffer from mental conditions away from criminal penalisation and towards getting help and treatment they need. A section 14 can...
Can I Get a Section 10 Dismissal or Conditional Release Order for Drink Driving?
If you have been charged with a drink driving offence, the consequences you face can be serious. You can be fined, and can even face a jail term depending on the severity of the offence. You will also face a...
Writing an Apology Letter to Court
Is your next court date a sentence hearing? You may have just pled guilty to an offence, or been found guilty of an offence. Waiting to know what penalty may be imposed for your offence can be a stressful time....
Barbaro v The Queen
It has become quite common in criminal cases for the prosecution to make submissions to the judge about what they think should be the appropriate sentence for an offence. However, a recent ruling by the High Court in Barbaro v...
