All in Criminal defence
What are Dedicated Encrypted Criminal Communication Device Prohibition Orders?
New laws have been introduced by the New South Wales Government that target the possession and use of encrypted devices by people suspected of being involved in serious criminal activity. Here is what you need to know, if police serve you with a Dedicated Encrypted Criminal Device Prohibition Order.
What is a section 14 application?
A section 14 application is an application made in the Local Court by a person who is suffering from a mental health impairment or a cognitive impairment, to be diverted away from the criminal justice system and into mental health care. Read on to find out more about section 14 applications.
Committal proceedings
You’ve been charged with an indictable offence. Where to from here? When you’ve been charged with an indictable offence in NSW, the first stage in the matter is the committal process. The committal process happens in the Local Court before your matter is sent to the District or Supreme Courts for trial or sentence. Read on here to find out more about each step in the process.
High range drink driving / high range PCA
Drink driving is one of the most common offences sentenced in in the Local Court in NSW. There is a Guideline Judgment which gives guidance about what makes out a typical case and what sentencing options are available. Read on here to find out more.
Has your son or daughter been charged with a crime?
Boomers, Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z – whichever generation you fall into, it’s clear that more and more parents are helping out their children well after they reach 18. As well as representing young people under the age of 18, our style and approach fits well with families looking for a more collaborative and inclusive approach to navigating through the criminal justice system. How do we achieve this collaborative approach? Read on here to find out more.
Spotlight: Use carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence
Using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence is a Commonwealth offence that attracts a maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment. What’s a carriage service? What are the likely penalties? We shine the spotlight on what type of conduct it involves, what the prosecution must prove and the penalties that might be imposed. Read on here.
When criminal law and family law collide
Criminal law matters and family law matters can take a huge toll on the people involved. Both can be highly emotional experiences, often with huge stakes on the line. But what about when the two intertwine? Read on to find out more about what might happen if you’re charged with a criminal offence while you have family law matters on foot.
Will I be convicted?
Will I be convicted if I plead guilty – as criminal defence lawyers, this is a question we get asked almost daily. Have you been charged with an offence are are worried about the outcome? Read more here about sentencing options available to the court including conviction and non-conviction outcomes.
Legal professional privilege - what is it and when does it apply?
The relationship between a lawyer and client is hugely important and is based on trust. Legal professional privilege is one of the most important protections a person has when they engage a lawyer to act on their behalf. What is it and when does it apply? Read on to find out more.
Judge alone trials
The Criminal Procedure Act (NSW) allows for applications to be made by both an accused person and the prosecution for a trial to be heard by judge alone - with no jury. Ordinarily, there are advantages and disadvantages to making that application. In the time of the pandemic though, those considerations have changed. Read on here for more info.
ADVOs and domestic violence charges - first steps
What happens when you’ve been charged with a domestic violence offence and have been given an interim ADVO by police? What does it all mean and how can we help you? Read on to find out more.
COVID-19 - New laws for criminal matters
The NSW Government has today passed a suite of new laws to deal with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. What does this mean for criminal matters? There are new police powers, consideration for early parole of prisoners, changes to domestic violence matters and changes to the way in which courts will operate. Read on to find out more.
Drugs and music festivals
The NSW government has recently introduced drug amnesty bins in an attempt to prevent drug related deaths at festivals. Even so, police will still be in attendance at festivals and will take action where drugs are brought it. If you attend festivals, you should be aware of what the police can do and what legal implications there are if you are found in possession of a prohibited substance. Read on for more info…
Criminal cartel prosecutions in the Federal Court - Part 2
What is criminal cartel conduct? It can generally be described as an agreement between business competitors to act together rather than in competition with each other to do such things as fix prices, share markets, rig bids and to limit supply to consumers. The ACCC offers immunity for reporting of criminal cartel conduct. Read on to find out more.
Travelling Part 2 - criminal law implications on return from overseas
What should you be aware of when you return to Australia on an international flight? Immigration clearance, customs control and quarantine risks. What about when Customs officers ask you questions? What is a protected suspect? Read on to find out what you should be aware of when you return from overseas.
Travelling to the World Cup? What to be aware of when travelling overseas
Heading off to the Rugby World Cup this year? Travelling to a relaxing beach escape? Lucky you! Even if you’ve travelled before, there are lots of things to keep in mind when you are travelling overseas. Just like those airline safety videos – even if you’ve seen it once, it’salways good to have a reminder! Here’s some pointers …
Legal Jargon - what does it all mean?
We think that when you sit down to talk with your lawyer, it’s really important that your lawyer breaks things down and uses every day language. Hopefully that means that you feel comfortable, and most importantly, that you understand what is going on. Read on to find a list of words and phrases that you might encounter if you are being investigated by police or charged with an offence.
For us it's personal - how we help our clients with their criminal law matters
Being charged with a criminal offence can be an overwhelming and daunting experience. This is especially so if this is your first encounter with police or other investigators and the courts. Read on to find out how we help you through the process.
Summary matters in the Local Court - what's the process?
So you or a friend or family member has been charged with an offence – where to from here? Read on to find out what happens in the Local Court. Navigating the court process is not always easy or straight forward. Let us know if we can help you.