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
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
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 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
Minister David Elliot Cleared of Impersonating Police Officer by Internal Review Without Following Proper Process
By Poppy Morandin. An internal review into Police Minister David Elliott allegedly impersonating a police officer in a road-rage incident with a P-plater, has cleared him of wrongdoing before consulting legal advice. Last October, the Minister’s car was allegedly clipped by a young man on Windsor Road in Baulkham Hills, with both cars progressing ...continue reading
Law on Police Using Tasers in NSW: Indigenous Man Tasered in Face by Police
By Poppy Morandin and Jimmy Singh. An Indigenous man has been tasered in the face at close range by an NSW Police Officer, during an arrest in Paddington. Footage of the arrest has gone viral on social media. It shows Mr Lovelock on his knees with his hands stretched out. Officers then try to ...continue reading
Law on Police Use of Pepper Spray in NSW
By Poppy Morandin & Jimmy Singh. The deployment of pepper spray on protestors following the Black Lives Matter rally in Sydney, has sparked concerns regarding the way in which the NSW Police Force uses such a tool. The day was largely characterised as a peaceful protest, following the public assembly’s last-minute authorisation from the ...continue reading
Law on NSW Police Arrest Powers
In NSW, a police officer is allowed to use force when exercising their lawful powers. However, it isn’t that simple. According to section 230 of Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (NSW), police are allowed to use such force as is reasonably necessary for purposes of exercising one of their powers as a ...continue reading