Are Police Really Committed to Fighting Hate Crime?
Hate crime has been in the news recently with increased tensions arising out of reports of growing anti-Muslim sentiment among many Australians. International acts of terrorism, the reporting of the activities of ISIS, and the Sydney siege last year have...
Can Police ‘Estimates of Speed’ Stand Up in Court?
We recently posted a blog about a truck driver who received a speeding ticket based upon a police officer’s ‘estimate of speed’. The officer in question declared himself to be an ‘expert’ at estimating speed. Many people could not believe...
Should Police be Allowed to ‘Estimate’ Speed?
Revenue from speeding fines helps to fill state government coffers year-after-year. In the last financial year alone, NSW motorists paid $150 million in speeding fines. Many of those tickets were for going slightly over the speed limit in areas not...
Do I have to turn up to court if I’m pleading guilty?
Several people have recently informed our firm that they took the advice of police and filled out the back of their little yellow ‘court attendance notice’ (CAN), indicated a plea of guilty, then sent it to court only to later...
Should low-range drink drivers get criminal records?
If you have been charged with drink driving, you are certainly not alone. Drink driving, also known as ‘P.C.A.’, is the most common offence in NSW Local Courts, accounting for 20% of all cases. And it may surprise you that...
Are Drug Driving Laws Fair?
NSW drivers are now facing an even greater chance of being drug tested, after police have linked crashes to drug use. And newer machines used to detect drugs in saliva samples are even more sensitive to drugs than older technology,...
Police Ignorance of the Law – Should They Have More Legal Training?
Police are supposed to uphold and maintain the law, but a recent court case shows that in some instances, officers do not even understand the charges that they are pressing against members of the public. The misapplication of criminal charges...
Should We Have Stricter Driver Licensing Requirements?
We all have that one friend or family member who possesses questionable driving skills. And if you’re someone who drives on a regular basis, you might often find yourself wondering how certain drivers on our roads managed to get their...
Should Cyclists be Charged in the Same Way As Car Drivers?
Driving negligently or drink driving in a motor vehicle can lead to harsh penalties, especially if someone is injured as a result. But many cyclists may not be aware that they can also be liable for criminal charges and severe...
When Should Ambulance Drivers Have to Pay Speeding Fines?
There is no doubt that paramedics perform a vital and extremely difficult role in our society. But did you know that, in certain circumstances, ambulance drivers who break the road rules by speeding or running red light cameras can get...
