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 a Motorist Failing to Stop and Assist After an Accident in NSW
By Sahar Adatia and Jimmy Singh. A learner motorcyclist in his teens believes he is lucky to be alive after he was just about left for dead on the side of an Adelaide highway after another driver forced a collision with him and failed to assist with his injuries. On the morning of 5 ...continue reading
A 14-Year-Old Girl Has Been Savagely Hit By a Car In an Alleged Dangerous Driving Occasioning Grievous Bodily Harm Incident
“I went to the nearest house, I was banging on the door with blood everywhere”, says 14-year-old teenager Aysenour Koca. “I believe he tried to kill me because I was not on the street. I was on the pathway. And he even saw me while he still came at me”. “I thought he was ...continue reading
How Does COVID-19 Affect Bail Applications in NSW?
By Fouad Awada and Jimmy Singh. On 30 March 2020, the Supreme Court of New South Wales handed down a decision granting conditional bail to Mr Abdul Rakielbakhour who was accused and charged with serious domestic violence charges. Mr Rakielbakhour was arrested and charged with common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, alleged ...continue reading
What is a Criminal Lawyers’ Role?
Criminal lawyers represent people from all walks of life. Unfortunately, movies and TV shows have portrayed criminal lawyers in a bad light, prompting members of the public asking the question criminal lawyers get asked too often, “but how can you defend a criminal?”, or “how can you defend a guilty person?”. Too often we ...continue reading
What is Self-Defence Under the Law in NSW?
It is reported that on new year’s eve, as Pope Francis walked in Vatican City whilst greeting pilgrims on his way towards the cobble esplanade, footage has emerged of a woman from the crowd grabbing the Pope’s hand and pulling him towards her. The act appears to cause the Pope pain, as the footage ...continue reading
The Legal Consequences of Dangerous Driving Occasioning Death in NSW
It is reported that 65-year-old Timothy Scollary drove his car too far to the left of the road right before fatally colliding into and knocking a cyclist off his bicycle. Police are of the view that Scollary was travelling at about 76 and 87km/h in a 100km/h speed zone in the moments he lost ...continue reading
Is it Legal to Make a Citizen’s Arrest in NSW?
It is reported that a man with a large knife in Sydney CBD has allegedly attempted to stab people on Tuesday. Causing the Sydney CBD to go into lockdown, the incident unfolded close to the corner of Clarence and King Street when a man who was reportedly armed with a machete went on a ...continue reading
What are the Penalties for Dangerous Driving Occasioning Grievous Bodily Harm?
By Sahar Adatia and Jimmy Singh. We all know that using your phone whilst driving is dangerous. But now, there are calls that using your phone whilst crossing roads is equally as bad – and pedestrians should be penalised for it. This week, the NRMA released its latest pedestrian safety report, Look Up, finding ...continue reading