Pleading guilty early can reduce your sentence, and the benefits of pleading guilty are much more likely to kick in the earlier that you plead. Police are often open to discussions on plea bargaining, which is where more serious charges can be dropped if you plead guilty early to lesser ones. However, one justice thinks… Read more »
In Medieval England, people were subjected to all kinds of trials to prove their innocence – one of these involved being forced to pick a stone up from the bottom of an elbow deep pot of boiling water. Guilt or innocence would be proved depending on whether, after three days, their skin remained burnt and… Read more »
The new Bail Act, passed last year, will take effect on May 20. It introduces a new way of dealing with bail. The idea is to make bail simpler, while ensuring that the community is protected from people who might pose an “unacceptable risk”, before their cases are held. Under the previous law, there was… Read more »
Working out whether or not you need a lawyer is going to depend on a lot of factors, perhaps most importantly, what is at stake. If your case is very serious, generally the earlier you get some legal advice, the better. Drug offences range in severity, and can range from a good behaviour bond or… Read more »
All Australians used to have the right to remain silent. You might even think we still do. But as of last year, words to the effect of “you have the right to remain silent” now firmly belong in the domain of a standard Hollywood crime thriller. No, it’s not quite that dramatic, and you do… Read more »
Local Court Most criminal and civil cases first enter the New South Wales (NSW) court system via the Local Court. The Local Court is presided over by magistrates who hear and decide cases. The Local Court has criminal and civil jurisdictions. It deals with: ‘Summary cases’ – which are criminal cases that have a maximum… Read more »
If you have been charged with a criminal offence and you are required to appear at a local or district court, you will be given a Court Attendance Notice advising you of the time and date of your scheduled court appearance. It is important that you attend court at the required time, as not turning… Read more »
Are you facing a court appearance for a traffic offence? Having the right legal representation can make the difference between being given a long period of disqualification and keeping your licence. There are a number of law firms that can provide you with traffic lawyers, but unfortunately they can’t all offer the same level of service and results…. Read more »
The Drug Court in NSW is a state scheme under which drug dependent offenders can be referred to rehabilitation programs as a way to help reduce the likelihood of them reoffending, and allow them to address their dependency. The Drug Court is based in Parramatta, Toronto and Sydney, and takes referrals from a number of courts in… Read more »
Driving under the Influence (DUI) comes with a number of potential penalties including fines, disqualification from driving, and potentially, imprisonment. If you are facing a DUI charge, it is a good idea to seek legal advice and representation if you want to ensure the best possible outcome in your case. Experienced DUI lawyers can give… Read more »
