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
NSW Police Aim to Conduct 200,000 Mobile Drug Tests Representing an Increase From the Previous Year
By Poppy Morandin and Jimmy Singh. It has been revealed that NSW Police have set a target to detect almost 300,000 crimes this year and are using area-specific goals to achieve this result. The approach covers a number of detections in numerous categories of crime including theft, robbery, sexual assault, and drug detection. The ...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
A Teenager is Charged With Dangerous Driving Causing Death After Allegedly Crashing a Stolen Vehicle Killing 4 Other Teenagers
Poppy Morandin & Jimmy Singh A 14-year-old boy has been charged, following a tragic incident in which a single-vehicle car crash has led to the death of four teenagers in Townsville. Two girls and two boys, reported to be between 13-18 years old lost their lives, after the stolen vehicle was driven onto the ...continue reading
The Return of Stationary Random Breath Tests and Road Side Drug Tests in NSW
By Poppy Morandin & Jimmy Singh In anticipation of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, NSW Police announced the return of stationary Random Breath Tests and Roadside Drug Tests. As the easing of restrictions have allowed for a higher level of unrestricted movement and, pubs, clubs and restaurants are now allowed to seat up to ...continue reading
COVID-19 – Key Changes Made by District Courts Affecting all Criminal and Traffic Cases in NSW
From 30 March 2020, the District Court have implemented a number of changes to the way in which criminal cases are heard during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to remain up to date as arrangements are likely to continue to change. If you have a criminal matter in the District Court currently, please ...continue reading
How COVID-19 is Affecting NSW Local Court Cases in Australia
Taking affect Monday, 30 March 2020, a number of key changes have been made to the way in which NSW Local Court matters are to be dealt with during the COVID-19 pandemic. On 24 March 2020, the New South Wales Chief Magistrate, Judge Graham Henson AM, released a Memorandum regarding some of the key ...continue reading
Your Rights as a Driver When Pulled Over by Police for RBT in NSW
As the Coronavirus continues to spread across our world, fears continue to rise so much so that our Governments have been taking drastic and unprecedented actions to combat the spread of the pandemic. Other than people shutting down shops, and even Castle Towers Myer store just recently, Police RBT’s have been suspended indefinitely out ...continue reading