By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim On 15 July 2015, inmates Brandon Moussa and Michael De Gruchy were standing in a corridor close to a public phone box at Parklea Correctional Centre. The pair were out of their cells as it was recreation period. Moussa grabbed De Gruchy, pushed him up against the wall and… Read more »
By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim Mouraf Elhassan was asked to keep an eye on the apartment and car of a friend who was traveling overseas in mid-2014. Unbeknownst to Mr Elhassan or his friend, NSW police had the driveway of the apartment under video surveillance. Police subsequently installed an additional camera that was motion… Read more »
By Blake O’Connor and Ugur Nedim A recent case with a very long history serves as yet another example of DNA profiling being used to solve crime. DNA profiling refers to the examination of biological material obtained from two or more separate sources to determine whether they are likely to have the same origin. DNA evidence… Read more »
By Sonia Hickey and Ugur Nedim Technology is infiltrating every aspect of our lives. Its ever-changing presence is affecting our work, our home life and even the way we keep in touch with friends and family. So it’s no surprise that one of our oldest institutions, our courts, are gradually embracing technology too. Audio visual… Read more »
By Blake O’Connor and Ugur Nedim Radio shock jocks and tabloid newspapers often publish sensationalised reports accusing magistrates and judges of being ‘soft on crime’ by imposing lenient sentences on those who commit serious offences. Those reports are often presented in a misleading fashion, ignoring many of the facts to invoke the emotions of the… Read more »
As countries around the world grapple with prison overcrowding, the United States has announced it will end privatisation of prisons at a federal level within the next five years. The US was the first country to privatise prisons in the early 1980s, when privatisation seen as a way to reduce government spending. Private companies also… Read more »
Last year, NSW Attorney-General Gabrielle Upton foreshadowed new laws to make it a criminal offence to engage in ‘disrespectful behaviour’ inside the courtroom. The proposal was in response to a number of high-profile cases where defendants refused to stand for judges in court. During his trial, Milad bin Ahmad-Shah al-Ahmadza, accused of shooting a man outside… Read more »
A suite of new strata laws were passed by the NSW parliament on August 12. The 90-odd changes outlined in the Strata Schemes Management Regulation 2016 are said to provide a modern framework for people living in apartments and townhouses. Some of the key changes to strata laws include a more streamlined process for collective… Read more »
By Blake O’Connor and Ugur Nedim Prosecutors in NSW are required to follow a range of rules, which include duties of fairness and disclosure to the defence. They are meant to act to a high ethical standard in the performance of their duties, recognising that a well-resourced prosecution carries immense power over those whose liberty… Read more »
It seems the exorbitant cost of medical treatment in NSW has caused one man to take drastic action. A 52-year-old Port Macquarie man suffering the effects of being kicked in the ‘family jewels’ by a horse – and being unable to afford the recommended procedure – decided to find a more affordable option. In early May,… Read more »