The Law on Escaping Lawful Custody in NSW
Poppy Morandin. Police have charged a 29-year-old minimum-security inmate after he managed to escape from Goulburn Correctional Centre. Ryan Wennekes had been participating in work actives when he went missing at around 1:30pm in the afternoon. The prison worksite was behind the main building, with minimum supervision observing the inmates. He was arrested a ...continue reading
The Penalties for Escaping Lawful Custody
Sahar Adatia. Desperate times indeed call for desperate measures. But sometimes, those desperate measures reach heights of despair so profound that, all we can do, perhaps in even more desperation, is wonder: “What in God’s name just happened?” Such is the case of a Russian man who, not long ago, found himself on trial ...continue reading
Escaping Lawful Custody Laws, Offences and Defences
By Sahar Adatia. It was the dramatic moment an Adelaide prisoner attempted to make a daring escape smack bang in the middle of his courtroom appearance over numerous offences, only to fail and face further charges for trying to escape lawful custody. Daniel James Nicholson presented at a pre-sentence hearing at Christies Beach Magistrates ...continue reading
How Much Force Can Police Use in NSW?
Poppy Morandin. Indigenous activists hope that the murder conviction of Derek Chauvin in America may help bring change to Australia’s legal system and its treatment of Indigenous deaths in custody. The conviction of the former police officer has been dubbed a ‘historic’ moment for America. Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree ...continue reading
Using or Possessing a Weapon to Resist Arrest Offences & Defences NSW
Sahar Adatia and Jimmy Singh. Two men have been arrested and charged after allegedly driving a vehicle at police during an operation on Sydney’s North Shore in an attempt to prevent lawful detention. According to reports from NSW Police, the incident took place on Monday 12 April 2021 when officers from North Shore Police ...continue reading
Proposed New Major Jail Near Parramatta to Accommodate NSW’s Growing Prison Population
Poppy Morandin. The NSW government has revealed that Camellia, a suburb near Parramatta, is the proposed location for the state’s new jail, in a move to aide over-crowding. Camellia is the preferred site for the prison that will house around 1,000 inmates, as confirmed by three senior government sources. The new plan comes four years ...continue reading
Police Strip Search Laws in NSW: Without Warrant
Poppy Morandin and Jimmy Singh. After a two-year inquiry, the NSW Police ‘watchdog’ has released a report detailing how the lawfulness of current strip-searching practices is ‘debatable’ and that a lack of clarity has led to officers using the power without legal justification. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission’s 167-page final report made 25 recommendations. ...continue reading
Prisoner Escapes from Lawful Custody Using Rope Made from Prison Clothing Before Stealing Car and E-Bike
Sahar Adatia and Jimmy Singh. It’s a scene you’d likely see in a movie – except this time, it unravelled in real life. A 33-year-old prisoner is believed to have escaped from the maximum-security Adelaide Remand Centre by tying pieces of clothing together to form a long rope, which was spotted hanging down one ...continue reading
Move On Directions & Detaining an Intoxicated Person Found in a Public Place in NSW Laws
Poppy Morandin and Jimmy Singh. An expert panel comprised of police and First Nations health and legal professionals has released a report detailing the plan to enable Victoria to transition from criminalising ‘public drunkenness’ to a health-based system. Prior to the coronial inquest into the death of 55-year-old Yorta Yorta woman Tanya Day in ...continue reading
Handcuffed Inmate in Ankle Shackles Allegedly Shot in the Back by Corrections Officer
Poppy Morandin. For the first time in Australian history, an NSW coroner has referred an NSW Corrective Services officer to the Director of Public Prosecutions, over the fatal shooting of an Aboriginal man in custody. Forty-three-year-old Dwayne Johnstone was handcuffed and wearing ankle shackles when he was allegedly shot in the back by the ...continue reading