Pope Defrocks Priest who Sexually Abused Children
In an exceptionally rare but welcomed move, Pope Francis (pictured) has defrocked a Chilean priest convicted of sexually assaulting children. It’s the toughest penalty available to the Pope - with the exception of ex-communication, and a sign the Church may...
Politician Charged with Forgery, Fraud and Lying Under Oath
Former Western Australian MP Barry Urban has been charged with a dozen dishonesty offences including forgery, giving false evidence and fraud offences following his resignation from parliament. The story so far Former Labor MP, Barry Urban, quit Western Australian Parliament...
Morrison to Enact Discriminatory Laws under the Guise of ‘Religious Freedom’
Scott Morrison indicated in an interview last week with Fairfax Media that enacting laws to protect religious freedoms is an important part of his agenda. This means the new prime minister wants to pass laws that would enable Christians to discriminate...
Sydney Criminal Lawyers® Weekly Rundown – Articles from 3 to 9 September 2018
In case you’ve missed any of them, here’s a rundown of the past week’s articles: Do I have to attend the court if subpoenaed? Those who are subpoenaed to attend court or produce materials have certain rights and obligations. Click...
How the Government’s New Laws Will Unlock Citizens’ Private Data
On 14 July last year, former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull announced that the government wanted the power to access people’s encrypted messages. Last month, Dutton’s Home Affairs super-ministry delivered draft legislation that will allow authorities to do just that. And while...
Do I have to attend the court if subpoenaed?
A subpoena is a court order to attend court, produce documents or both. Although it is normally prepared and filed by the defence or prosecution in criminal proceedings, it is important to be aware that the failure to comply can...
Should Politicians be Sacked if they Commit Crimes?
Donald Trump’s former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen has pleaded guilty to eight charges in the United States Federal Court, and in doing so has implicated the president in a criminal conspiracy. Mr Cohen pleaded guilty to making false statements,...
US Inmates Hold Mass Strikes Against Unfair Exploitation
Prison inmates across the United States are holding a two-week strike against unfair labour exploitation, overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. Participants are also calling for the appropriate classification of inmates, highlighting that many non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offences, have...
Australian Politician Calls for a Final Solution to the Muslim Problem
Fraser Anning invoked the Nazi party’s “final solution” in his maiden speech in the Senate last week in relation to “the immigration problem,” right after he’d stated that “the reasons for ending all further Muslim immigration are both compelling and self-evident.”...
Can I Change My Plea from Guilty to Not Guilty?
Defendants who are charged with criminal offences are often unsure as to how they should plead. This uncertainty may arise as a result of not fully understanding the essential elements (or ingredients) of the charges they are facing. They may...
