Is There a Drug Problem Among Truck Drivers?
Truck driving is certainly not a cushy job. It is laborious and sometimes dangerous work, with truckies amongst the most likely to be injured or killed at work. It is well-known that truck drivers may be expected to work long...
Client Avoids Prison Despite Breaching Suspended Sentence
In May 2013, our client pleaded guilty to Supplying a Commercial Quantity of Prohibited Drug and 3 counts of Possess Prohibited Drug. He was given a two-year ‘Suspended Sentence’ and 3 x three-year ‘Section 9 Good Behaviour Bonds’ for those...
Should Sniffer Dogs be Banned?
Those who regularly attend music festivals will be aware that sniffer dogs routinely patrol the events in an attempt to catch would-be drug users and suppliers. Yet despite their presence, it seems that sniffer dogs do little to deter drug...
Should those who commit the same crimes get similar punishments? The parity principle
At the heart of our criminal justice system are the fundamental principles of justice, fairness and equality. Their application is especially important when it comes to imposing penalties upon people who are guilty of committing criminal offences. Fairness and equality...
Are Drug Driving Laws Fair?
NSW drivers are now facing an even greater chance of being drug tested, after police have linked crashes to drug use. And newer machines used to detect drugs in saliva samples are even more sensitive to drugs than older technology,...
Are Proceeds of Crime Laws Unfair?
We have penned a number of blogs over the years about proceeds of crime laws and the applicable penalties. Under section 193C of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), it is a criminal offence to possess or deal with property that...
With so much Media Attention on Violent Crime: Are Crime Rates in NSW Rising or Falling
Recent figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) show that most of the main offence types have remained steady or decreased in number throughout the state over the previous three months. There have been a number...
A First-Hand Look at Recreational Marijuana in the Mile High City
In recent times, a move towards the legalisation of marijuana for recreational purposes in NSW has been gaining momentum. Earlier this year, the NSW State Government began clinical trials on the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Even our usually...
Police Blitz Targets over 100 Alleged Shoplifters in Sydney
When December rolls around each year, the stores are filled with people frantically trying to cross everything off their shopping lists before Christmas hits. But it’s also the time that, for whatever reason, shoplifters hit the shops in record numbers,...
Client Avoids Licence Disqualification and Conviction after Drug Driving
Our client was pulled over by police after he was seen veering from lane to lane without indicating. After lowering his window, police smelt an ‘overpowering scent of cannabis coming from the vehicle’. They asked whether he had smoked anything...