The Dangers of Joyriding
The offence of larceny, or theft, requires an element of intention to permanently deprive the owner of the item. So is it still stealing if you were just borrowing the item? ‘Joyriding’ is where a car is taken and driven...
Smoking Cannabis While Pregnant is “My Business”
Meet Billie Jo Wilkie, a 21-year-old from one of the most economically and socially disadvantaged suburbs of Sydney. If you were one of the 935,000 Australians who tuned in to the controversial TV show ‘Struggle Street’, you are probably familiar...
The “Struggle Street” Controversy
SBS’s controversial three-part documentary series Struggle Street caused a furore even before it aired. The series, which examined social inequality in the Western Sydney suburb of Mount Druitt, created a stir following the release of unflattering advertisements for its first...
Is There a Drug Problem Among Truck Drivers?
Truck driving is certainly not a cushy job. It is laborious and sometimes dangerous work, with truckies amongst the most likely to be injured or killed at work. It is well-known that truck drivers may be expected to work long...
Should Sniffer Dogs be Banned?
Those who regularly attend music festivals will be aware that sniffer dogs routinely patrol the events in an attempt to catch would-be drug users and suppliers. Yet despite their presence, it seems that sniffer dogs do little to deter drug...
Should those who commit the same crimes get similar punishments? The parity principle
At the heart of our criminal justice system are the fundamental principles of justice, fairness and equality. Their application is especially important when it comes to imposing penalties upon people who are guilty of committing criminal offences. Fairness and equality...
Are Proceeds of Crime Laws Unfair?
We have penned a number of blogs over the years about proceeds of crime laws and the applicable penalties. Under section 193C of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), it is a criminal offence to possess or deal with property that...
A First-Hand Look at Recreational Marijuana in the Mile High City
In recent times, a move towards the legalisation of marijuana for recreational purposes in NSW has been gaining momentum. Earlier this year, the NSW State Government began clinical trials on the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Even our usually...
When can I be strip-searched?
Strip-searching is one of the most invasive intrusions of privacy. It should therefore only be undertaken in rare circumstances, when there are no other alternatives. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. In Broken Hill in 2011, several NSW police officers...
Legalisation of Cannabis Moves Closer
The campaign to legalise cannabis for medical purposes has taken an unexpected leap forward with support from the prime minister, and a clinical trial to go ahead in NSW. Prime Minister Tony Abbott wrote a letter to well known talkback...
