In the 1980s, the practice of ‘verballing’ amongst police was rife and contributed towards wrongful convictions. ‘Verballing’ was a term used to describe a process where police officers either orally or in writing, would fabricate the confessions of suspects. These fake admissions were portrayed as convincing evidence in court, often very successfully. Now, with police… Read more »
Posts By: Ugur Nedim
Is There an Increase in Drug Charges Being Heard in Bega Local Court?
While Bega may be well known for its cheese, the Bega Local Court and District Court are also becoming increasingly familiar with drug offenders. The cheese may have put Bega on the map, but other, less legal farm produce has recently made Bega come under the police radar. A string of cases earlier this year… Read more »
Drink Driving in Fairfield Local Court
A man found to be over the limit when breath tested by police had crashed his car through a fence, landing right near railway tracks. A crane was needed to remove the vehicle after it had been totalled. Fortunately the driver managed to escape serious injury, although as he exited his vehicle, he did stumble… Read more »
Is Theft on the Rise: How Much Do You Know About the Kind of Theft That Comes Before the NSW District Courts?
If you think of theft you might think of home invasions, bag snatchers or perhaps dramatic hold-ups. In fact both robbery and theft have been declining dramatically from what they were just fourteen years ago at the turn of the century. It is crimes like shoplifting and fraud that are on the rise. So, you… Read more »
What is Double Jeopardy?
Double jeopardy has been an integral part of our criminal law system – it is essentially the idea that a person cannot be put on trial twice for the same offence. It has been a part of the common law for 800 years and the principle has a counterpart in other legal systems, too. There… Read more »
Counterfeit Money Charges Heard In The Coffs Harbour Local Court
Could you spot a counterfeit banknote? Although there is a growing presence of alternative methods of payments, cash continues to be commonly used in transactions. Unfortunately, the widespread use of cash provides motive to criminals who manufacture counterfeit money. A routine breath test by police, led to a car search which uncovered a badly counterfeited… Read more »
Sentencing Alternatives in NSW Courts: Circle Sentencing, Forum Sentencing and the MERIT Program
Underlying problems like drug and alcohol addiction, as well as particular problems faced by Aboriginal offenders, mean that various alternative programs are now supplementing more traditional methods of sentencing in NSW Courts. These sentencing alternatives focus on community involvement, rehabilitation or even, in the case of forum sentencing, discussions between victim and offender as part… Read more »
How Do I Write An Apology Letter To The Court For A Drink Driving Offence?
Courts don’t take drink driving lightly. Over one in eight deaths of Australians under the age of 25 is due to drink driving. Police have conducted millions of breath tests since the scheme was first introduced over 30 years ago. The cost to individuals and the wider community is huge, so if you have been… Read more »
Fraud in NSW Courts
Fraud is on the rise. Its perpetrators include anyone from members of parliament to bikie gangs who team up with rivals to perpetuate fraud. Earlier this year, cold-callers from call-centres were used to swindle over one million dollars from Australians. The police uncovered the fraudulent operation, run by bikies who were using call centres as… Read more »
Practical Jokes And The Law
You might think your prank is hilarious but will a judge think so too? Or maybe you are already in this situation. If you have been charged with a crime, which in your eyes was just a prank gone wrong, it is important to speak with a lawyer, sooner than later. Throughout history people have… Read more »