Since lawyers are privileged to have a much better understanding of the law than the average person on the street, the question arises: should they be held to higher standards? Specifically, should lawyers who commit criminal offences be given harsher penalties? Lawyers in all states in Australia must follow a code of ethical behaviour –… Read more »
Some drugs, such as crystal methamphetamine hydrochloride – more commonly known as ‘ice’ – can make users do things they would normally never do. Using ice can result in paranoia, hallucination, depression, memory loss and loss of ability to make decisions. It can have a more intense ‘high’ than other amphetamines like speed. Imagine waking… Read more »
People seem to be fascinated with the legal profession and the role of criminal lawyers in the courtroom. This interest has resulted in the creation of numerous ‘legal dramas’ on TV. Law and Order, Suits, Boston Legal – the list goes on! Much of the action in these shows takes place in a courtroom, with… Read more »
It seems to be a commonly held view that police do all the hard work of catching criminals, only for ‘bleeding heart’ judges and magistrates to let them off the hook when they get to court. Earlier in November this year, schoolgirl Taneeka Orchard who committed an unprovoked attack on another girl at a party… Read more »
2015 will see the retirement of two long-serving High Court justices; Justice Kenneth Hayne and Justice Susan Crennan. Previously, justices could be appointed to serve on the bench for life, however since an amendment to the Constitution in 1977, justices of the High Court have been required to retire upon turning 70 years of age…. Read more »
Though news headlines over the weekend were dominated by the infamous G20 summit talks, the largest gathering of the world’s most influential political leaders attracted a number of protests in and around the Brisbane CBD. Police ended-up making several arrests over relatively minor offences, including persons failing to state their name and address. With protests… Read more »
Over the years, the Northern Territory has gained a reputation for being the alcohol capital of the country, with alcohol-related deaths in the Top End more than three times the national average, and the cost of dealing with alcohol-related crime averaging $91.4m per year. Laws passed by the Northern Territory government in mid-2013 aimed to… Read more »
In New South Wales, certain persons affected by criminal offences may apply for an award for compensation for their suffering from the State Government. While courts may order defendants to pay compensation or “retribution” directly to victims as part of their penalty, they may be unable to meet these high costs, particularly where they have… Read more »
Lying on a statutory declaration form is never a good idea. Even famous people like Marcus Einfield (who was probably even more famous due to his well-known blunder) and Lara Bingle has been caught out. Bingle fared better. On air she stated that she lost her licence because she took the penalties for friends. Although… Read more »
ASIO director-general, Duncan Lewis has stated that all major terrorism plots that have been avoided in the last four years were averted due to accessing metadata. He says that this included the alleged plan to snatch a random person from the streets in Sydney and publicly behead them on film. Counter-terrorism and child abuse were… Read more »
