NSW Police Commissioner Defends Officers Who Performed ‘Unlawful’ Arrest on Curtis Scott
By Poppy Morandin and Jimmy Singh. NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has sought to defend the actions of police officers involved in the wrongful arrest of NRL player Curtis Scott. The bodycam footage of the arrest shown in court sparked outrage, with it depicting Scott, who was passed out drunk at the foot of ...continue reading
New Proposed Domestic Violence Laws on Criminalising ‘Coercive Control’: An Interview with Dr Karen Williams of Doctors Against Violence Towards Women
By Poppy Morandin. Individuals in a domestic relationship who psychologically abuse their partners through practices known as ‘coercive control’ could face criminal prosecution, following a bill introduced by Labor MP Anna Watson to NSW Parliament. If passed, the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Amendment (Coercive Control—Preethi’s Law) Bill 2020 will amend the existing Crimes ...continue reading
Latest BOSCAR statistics and the need for greater focus on rehabilitation: An interview with Deputy Mayor of Dubbo and Barrister Stephen Lawrence
By Poppy Morandin. Recent release of crime statistics detailing a quarterly update for this year, have revealed that crime across most of NSW has remained stable or fallen in the two years to June 2020. A major exception to this finding was within the crime category of sexual assault, which has risen 9.4% over ...continue reading
Man Sentenced for Grievous Bodily Harm Assault Against 83-Year-Old Woman
By Sahar Adatia and Jimmy Singh. It was the middle of the night when 35-year-old Victorian man, Eric Phillip Pickford, broke into the home of an 83-year-old woman living nearby him in Morwell, and in his intoxicated state, bashed the elderly resident multiple times with a hammer. The 83-year-old was listening to the radio ...continue reading
Nine Teens Charged for Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent After Assault on Sydney Man
By Poppy Morandin and Jimmy Singh. Nine teenagers ranging from 15 to 18 years of age, have been arrested following the stabbing of a 36-year-old man. On the night of the 31st of July, police attended the scene in which the man was found, suffering a stab wound to his face and other serious ...continue reading
Law and Penalties for Inciting or Urging Violence in Australia
By Poppy Morandin and Jimmy Singh. Images of Victorian Police handcuffing a pregnant woman have sparked outrage, after she was arrested and charged with incitement over a Facebook post. Video of the arrest was posted online and showcases the pregnant young mother, 28-year-old Zoe Buhler, in her home, in her pyjamas and arguing with ...continue reading
The Law on Assaults While Playing Sports in NSW
By Poppy Morandin and Jimmy Singh. Following a spate of incidents, NSW Rugby League has been forced to take a hard line on members involved in alleged assaults. The alleged incidents include fights between teams, an assault on a referee and even a 12-year-old junior player. 39-year-old under-12s coach, Kristen Teasdale, allegedly ran onto ...continue reading
The New Laws on Mental Health in the Criminal Justice System: The Diversionary Pathway
There is an available legislative framework for a NSW court to determine criminal proceedings where the accused or defendant has mental health issues relevant to the case. This legislative framework is echoed in The Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990 (NSW) (‘The Act’). It is a response to the increasing contact with the criminal ...continue reading
Concerns Reignited for Prisoners Amid Further Outbreaks of COVID-19
By Poppy Morandin. There are reportedly 70 inmates in lockdown within Silverwater Correctional Complex after coming into close contact with a staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Within their advocacy efforts, The Greens have issued an open letter to Anthony Roberts, Minister for Corrections detailing the “significant concerns…about the lockdown at Silverwater ...continue reading
Law on the Age of Criminal Responsibility in NSW: An Interview with Greens MP David Shoebridge
By Poppy Morandin and Jimmy Singh. Despite a strong campaign to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14, the decision has been deferred to 2021, following concerns that further work needs to be done regarding processes and services for children who exhibit offending behaviour. The issue was discussed at the meeting ...continue reading