Prison Guards Caught Assaulting Inmates in WA Prisons
The Western Australian Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) has released graphic footage of inmates being beaten and pepper sprayed by guards in the state’s prisons. The footage, taken in 2016 and 2017, has been released as part of investigations into...
What is Common Assault?
The word ‘assault’ often conjures up images of a physical altercation between two or more people. And whilst pushing or striking another person without legal justification will amount to an assault, the offence of common assault in NSW does not...
Police Officer Stood Down for Mowing Down Pedestrian
A senior police officer has been stood down after running down an 18-year old with a police car on a suburban street. The incident occurred in Thornleigh in Western Australia and there is currently an internal investigation underway into the...
The Law on Assaulting Police
It’s a common scenario, known in the legal profession as ‘the trifecta of charges’: An individual is using offensive language in a public place. They are confronted by police who act in an overbearing and aggressive manner. The situation escalates...
Watchdog Will Refer Finding of Serious Police Misconduct to Parliament
An independent commission has been shown footage of several Byron Bay police officers pinning down a naked, 16-year old boy and repeatedly hitting him with a baton. The Chief Commissioner of the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) said one of...
Victorian Police Assault Disabled Pensioner
Six Victorian police officers caught on CCTV camera assaulting a disabled pensioner and dousing him with capsicum spray may be suspended while the incident is being investigated. Victoria Police has released a statement advising the matter has been referred to...
Killer Cop Charged with Murder
The police officer who shot and killed unarmed Australian woman Justine Damond last July has turned himself in to authorities. Ms Damond was wearing her pyjamas the night she was shot dead by US police officer Mohamed Noor from the...
More Police in Byron Bay to Get Body Cameras
After two recent incidents filmed and uploaded to social media showing police officers using heavy-handed tactics on members of the public, more officers in Byron Bay will be fitted with body cameras. The process of issuing the cameras is being...
The Hidden Victims of Domestic Violence
What happens to pets during a domestic violence crisis? Anna Ludvik is someone who can relate numerous heart-wrenching stories about neglect, abuse and the high price of needing to stay with a beloved four legged family member. From pets tormented...
Should Businesses Contribute to Legal Aid Funding?
By Blake O’Connor and Ugur Nedim Unlike in the United States, there is no general right in Australia to a defence lawyer for those who cannot afford it. In fact each year, tens of thousands of people across the country...
