Can I Get a Harsher Penalty if I Appeal a Decision in NSW?
If you’re disappointed by an outcome of a criminal case in court, or you’ve received a hefty penalty notice for a traffic or minor criminal offence, you may be tempted to appeal a decision or, in the case of a...
Rules and Offences Relating to Number Plates in New South Wales
There are many traffic offences in New South Wales it is important for drivers to be aware of, to ensure the safety of all road users. Some of these may be obvious, such as not travelling above the speed limit and...
The Offences, Defences and Penalties for Improperly Discarding a Cigarette in NSW
Smoking cigarettes is a simple pleasure for many, but being reckless with your butts, or worse, a lit cigarette can result in hefty fines and even land you before a court. The following outlines the potential offences and penalties that...
When Can a Judicial Inquiry Be Held Into a Potential Wrongful Conviction in NSW?
Last year, New South Wales woman Kathleen Folbigg was pardoned and her convictions were later quashed after a public inquiry found that the science used to convict her of murdering three of her four infants was deeply flawed. However, Folbigg’s...
Is Entrapment a Defence to Criminal Charges in Australia?
The Guardian Australia recently reported a shocking case whereby counter-terrorism police encouraged an autistic 13-year-old boy in Victoria to engage in terrorism offences he would unlikely have otherwise committed. The revelations came to light in the wake of a Victorian...
Are ‘Pretext Calls’ Admissible in Sexual Assault Cases?
It has been reported that the complainant in the high profile sexual assault trial of former Wallabies player, Kurtley Beale, secretly recorded a phone call with him in order to induce him to say he groped and sexually assaulted her...
Calls For Greater Scrutiny Of ‘Mr Big’ Police Operations in Australia
Imagine this scenario: You’re approached by a man claiming to be part of an organised criminal gang, who offers you a notable sum of money to do some dodgy deliveries. Strapped for cash, you do a couple of jobs for...
The Rules Relating to Signalling on New South Wales Roads
Use your bloody indicator! The failure to use a turning indicator light, or to have a functional braking light, can be a source of frustration for drivers who are doing the right thing. And it’s important to know there are...
Which Driver Has To Give Way on NSW Roads? Know The Rules!
It’s a frequent topic of debate, and a not infrequent cause of road rage incidents: who has to give way to whom on NSW roads? Luckily, the Road Rules 2014 (NSW) cover almost every give way situation you can think...
The Offence of Unlawfully Possessing a Prescribed Restricted Substance in NSW
Whilst most people know that there are criminal laws against possessing recreational drugs like MDMA, heroin and cannabis in New South Wales, it is perhaps less commonly known that possessing some pharmaceutical medicines without a valid prescription can also amount...
