‘Judge Dread’ Strikes Again
One Queensland magistrate has caused concern amongst members of the legal profession after indulging in conduct that is out of keeping with what is expected of a person who holds such a powerful and important position. The magistrate, Stuart Shearer,...
Prosecuted for not sending kids to school
We all want the best for our kids, and not everyone feels that the traditional school system is the right fit. After all, plenty of successful people have had little or no formal schooling. But in NSW, making sure your...
Police Report an ‘Explosion’ in Online Child Sex Offences
A 47-year-old man has been charged with committing 145 child sex offences on 28 children, including 8 counts of ‘grooming a child under 16 to procure engagement in sexual activity’ in what has been described as one of the most...
Should Our Government Fund Innocence Projects?
Imagine that you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, arrested without warning, charged, questioned, subjected to a trial, and then convicted for a crime you didn’t commit. It’s a sobering thought, and it happens more often than...
A Mother’s Account of Her Son’s Ice Addiction: A Sydney Criminal Lawyers® Exclusive
At the end of last year I waited, wondering if - despite the reassurances of hospital staff - the police would take my missing persons report seriously. My son had only disappeared that afternoon. However, he’d disappeared from the hospital...
Law and Order Promises: Just a Vote Grab?
If state election campaigns tend to follow a theme, the recent NSW election was no exception. There were the usual promises about improving services and infrastructure, and building better roads. And, of course, promises relating to law and order were...
Illegal File-Sharing Club: The Implications of the iiNet Ruling
Have you ever illegally downloaded a movie, music file or software? If you’re among the estimated 29% of Australians who answered ‘yes’, you may be getting a nasty letter in the mail threatening legal action unless you pay the owners...
Jill Meagher Murder – Should Juries Know About Prior Offences?
Adrian Bayley: It’s a name that sends chills down the spines of women right around the country. The 41-year-old man found himself in the media spotlight after he was convicted of murdering 29-year-old ABC employee Jill Meagher in Melbourne in...
“Suicide by Cop” and the Growing Need for Police Mental Health Training
“Suicide by cop” It was a Sunday afternoon in San Francisco when 32-year-old Matthew Hoffman approached police officers and started asking questions about the weapons they were carrying. Later that evening, police noticed Hoffman loitering around a restricted parking lot...
Corruption and Collusion in the Customs Service
Customs officers are entrusted with the important task of keeping our borders safe from undesirable people and potentially harmful or illegal substances and goods. The Department of Customs and Border Protection prides itself on the professionalism of its staff, and...
