When Can Police ‘Caution’ a Young Person in New South Wales?
The mother of a teenage girl who was subjected to an unprovoked attack by a group of teens has expressed disappointment the perpetrators were cautioned rather than charged by police. Savage attack 14-year old Amber Saied and a friend left...
NSW Police Officers Keep Their Jobs Despite Having Domestic Violence Convictions
Newly appointed New South Wales Police Commissioner, Karen Webb, has faced significant criticism of the NSW Police Force’s ability - or, rather, inability – to respond promptly, fairly and properly to cases of domestic violence. Now, that criticism has been...
Police Accused of Protecting Politicians
Damning allegations have emerged that senior officers within Victoria Police prevented detectives from arresting and prosecuting up to 16 members of the Andrews Government over the ‘red shirts rort’. Red shirts rort The ‘red shirts rort’ involves allegations that almost...
The Offence of Giving False or Misleading Information in New South Wales
Three-year old William Tyrrell disappeared without a trace in 2014 from his foster grandmother’s home in Kendall in New South Wales wearing a spiderman costume. His disappearance sparked one of the most expansive and resourced manhunts in Australia’s history, led...
Are Police Officers Required to Follow the Road Rules?
A Victorian police officer is facing up to ten years in prison after being charged with speeding and reckless driving offences. 47-year old Leading Senior Constable Brad Beecroft was charged after he allegedly travelled up to 230km/h to reach a...
Vaccine Mandates for School Teachers Are Unlawful, Human Rights Commission Asserts
Although the pandemic panic has subsided somewhat, case numbers remain high and “no jab, no job” vaccination mandates remain in place for millions of workers across Australia. In some cases the definition of being ‘fully vaccinated’ - which once meant...
The Offence of Juror Misconduct in New South Wales
The trial of two men accused of sexual assault has been vacated and a fourth trial ordered as a result of a ‘flagrant breach’ of the trial judge’s directions, which was found to have amounted to juror misconduct. The jury...
What is a ‘Stay of Proceedings’ in New South Wales?
Former rugby league player Chris Dawson will stand trial for allegedly murdering his wife Lynette Dawson 40 years ago. Mr Dawson pleaded not guilty to murder charges laid against him in 2018. He was scheduled to stand trial in February...
What is the Suitors’ Fund in New South Wales?
Being accused of a criminal offence can be a life-changing experience, one that can lead to reputational and career loss, great stress and anxiety, and in cases where the defence team is privately funded, enormous financial loss. On top of...
Auditor-General Slams NSW Police Force Over Domestic Violence Failures
The New South Wales Police Force has a significant job ahead of it to manage increasing rates of domestic violence offences. Two reports released in recent days show point to a number of specific failings that need to be addressed....
