Drink Driving: What is the Difference between PCA and DUI?
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance is a criminal offence in Australia. If you are caught driving or in charge of a motor vehicle after consuming a certain amount of alcohol, or another intoxicating...
Do Mandatory Sentences Work?
The issue of mandatory sentencing has been in the media recently, with NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell announcing the proposed introduction of mandatory sentencing laws for alcohol-fueled one-punch attacks. Under the proposed new laws, defendants found guilty of fatal offences involving...
Are You Being Prosecuted for a Trivial Offence?
If you have been charged with a criminal or traffic offence, it is important that you take your charges seriously and seek legal advice as soon as possible - even if you believe that the charges aren’t serious. Many people...
Speeding and Section 10 Dismissals and Conditional Release Orders – How You May be Able to Avoid a Conviction
Pleading guilty to a speeding offence doesn’t always mean you will accrue demerit points or be suspended from driving. You may be able to successfully obtain a non conviction order, which is a finding of guilt with no criminal conviction....
Sydney Criminal Lawyers® in Mental Health Cases
The criminal justice system is mainly designed to cater for participants who do not suffer from mental illnesses. This one-size-fits-all approach often means that support systems are not properly implemented to ensure that a person’s mental condition does not lead...
What are the Conditions of a Good Behaviour Bond?
If you have been given a good behaviour bond for a recent criminal conviction, it is important that you understand what is expected of you under the terms and conditions. A good behaviour bond is often given in lieu of...
What is the Maximum Sentencing for Affray?
Legal terminology can often be confusing, and a case in point is the offence known as affray. The word affray might conjure up images of all-in brawls, but actually you can be up on affray charges without having hurt anyone....
Red Light Law in NSW
If you are caught running a red light in NSW, you are liable for a fine and to have demerit points taken off your licence, which can result in disqualification. Red light offences are usually detected by purpose built red...
What are the penalties for a dog attack?
Recent changes in the Companion Animals Act 1998 have increased the penalties for dog attacks in NSW. The penalties since 19th November 2013 are as follows: Section 16 Companion Animals Act: Dog Attacks 16(1) Dog attacks generally There is a...
Defence Lawyers Denied the Right to Evidence
Recent changes to court legislation have meant that defence lawyers no longer have certain rights they previously had regarding summary offences. Until recently, defence lawyers had the right to receive a ‘brief of evidence’ from the prosecution at least 14...
