Articles

If Police impound your car or confiscate your number plates on the spot, it can be a distressing experience. However, there are only certain circumstances when they are allowed to do so. There are also avenues to appeal such a decision which can allow your vehicle or number plates to be returned to you. Despite […]

In Australia, double jeopardy laws have evolved through significant reforms to balance the rights of the accused and ensure the prosecution are able to re-agitate proceedings where appropriate. The principle is intended to protect the rights of individuals by ensuring that the criminal justice system does not abuse its power. However, some have argued that […]

A good behaviour licence in NSW is a topic of much conjecture. There are different requirements in different states for such a licence. This extends to the application process as well as the conditions while a person is subject to such a licence. What is a Good Behaviour Licence? A good behaviour licence allows a […]

The criminal justice system regularly deals with persons who make a complaint to police about their partner, but later decide that they want to know how to get domestic violence charges dropped. There may also be circumstances where a complainant has explicitly told police that they do not want their partner charged, but police lay […]

When police apply for an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO), often the first question that many people ask is whether the AVO will appear on a police check. Often people are concerned about the consequences of an AVO being made against them. As such it is crucial to speak to a specialist AVO lawyer who can […]

New ‘R’ plates will soon be appearing in Australia. The aim of the plates are to help encourage extra consideration for drivers recovering from trauma. Australian service and repair company Mycar Tyre & Auto, formerly Kmart Tyre & Auto, has created the scheme to identify drivers returning to the road. The motivation behind the initiative […]

The Australian government has announced that it will be moving forward with legislation to make doxxing a criminal offence. The move follows the leak of personal information of more than 600 participants in a WhatsApp group chat. It has been hailed as an attempt to combat cyberbullying and harassment, however, critics have raised concerns about […]

Stealthing laws are a relatively new phenomenon in respect of sexual assault legislation. It has gained notoriety in recent years but there is still legal ambiguity surrounding stealthing in Australia. The ACT, Tasmania, NSW and Victoria have introduced legislation criminalising stealthing in the last year. A recent review of sexual assault legislation in Queensland recommended […]

One of the most common enquiries domestic violence lawyers receive is from defendants and protected persons wanting to vary an AVO. An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) is a court order that is made to protect a person from the violence, harassment, intimidation or other threatening behaviour of another person. In its simplest form, an AVO […]

New proposed legislation by the State government could provide an answer to the question of how to find out if someone has an AVO. The Right to Ask scheme would allow police to disclose information about a domestic violence offender to potential new victims. However, concerns about privacy and malicious applications have been raised as […]

In NSW, police can search your car in limited circumstances. They do not have the power to stop and search vehicles at random. Some bases upon which police can search vehicles include when they are acting under a search warrant, they have the consent of the driver or they have a ‘reasonable suspicion’. Police powers […]

A common question criminal lawyers face is how to beat a drink driving charge. While many people are aware of the repercussions of drink driving, there is less knowledge about possible defences. While you may feel the only option available is to plead guilty and accept the consequences, this is not always true. How to […]

The offence of breach of bail in New South Wales is taken very seriously by police and the courts. Bail is granted with the expectation that a defendant will comply with a set of bail conditions. As such, any breach of these conditions can result in serious penalties and even the revocation of bail. What […]

An explanation of what a surety is in bail applications including requirements, who can be a surety and how to remove yourself as one

When an accused person is charged with an offence and has their liberty restricted, a common question that arises is how to vary bail conditions. You can vary bail conditions by filing an application with the court and providing the prosecution and the court sufficient notice. What is a bail variation? A bail variation is […]

NSW Mobile Phone Detection Cameras Background of mobile phone detection cameras in NSW Mobile phone detection cameras were trialled in New South Wales between January and June 2019. The trial consisted of two fixed cameras and relocatable cameras which were moved approximately every 4 days. During that trial over 8.5 million vehicles were checked and […]

Broadly speaking, there are two types of law in Australia with various differences, being criminal law and civil law. There are also similarities between the two types of law. When choosing a lawyer to represent you, it is crucial to determine whether they specialise in a particular area. Civil Law vs Criminal Law The main […]

Polygamy in Australia is illegal. Polygamy refers to a person having more than one marriage at the same time. It comes from ancient Greece where the word meant “married to many” or “often married”. Legislation has been enacted that makes it a criminal offence to marry more than one person. This offence is known as […]

A common situation faced by lawyers, Police and the Courts is when a defendant or complainant asks how to get an AVO dropped. Often the defendant and protected person will have resolved the situation. Or the anger and acrimony between them has subsided. Many people think that it is as simple as the complainant saying […]

The release of the latest sexual assault sentencing statistics have revealed that three out of four offenders received a jail term. The analysis from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) assessed cases throughout Australia between 2010-11 and 2019-20. There was a total of 53,570 sexual assault offenders in that period. The average term of imprisonment […]

Police have broad powers when it comes to random breath testing in New South Wales. In fact, a police officer can decide to stop and breath test RBT you without any reason other than because you are or were driving a motor vehicle on a road. Despite this, there are some exceptions where it is […]

Going to court and having to hire a lawyer can be stressful enough so the last thing you want is your lawyer speaking to you in another language with all their legal lingo!

Many people believe that the average lawyer salary in Australia is amongst the highest earning in Australia, but is that actually the case? And what areas of law pay the highest salaries? Thanks to a recent release of statistics by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), we can now reveal the highest paid jobs in Australia. […]

As criminal lawyers, we often get asked for our list of the best true crime documentaries of all time. Whether it is a cold case from the past or a recent incident fresh in the memory of the public, true crime captures the minds of people across the board. The below list is what appeals […]

Drink driving myths are incredibly common. As criminal and traffic lawyers in NSW we talk to and represent people charged with drink driving every day. We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions and addressed a few urban myths that need busting.   The top 5 most common drink driving myths are below. 1. […]

If you have been charged by Police, you will likely be querying how to get a section 10 for mid-range drink driving in NSW. The prospect of attending Court, receiving a criminal conviction and losing your driving license can seem daunting. This can have consequences for your career as well as family responsibilities. While avoiding […]

Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable growth in the prominence of fake IDs in Australia and questions around whether they are illegal. With websites openly selling these IDs, many have questioned what the potential consequences of possessing such an item is. It is well-established that you can be charged by Police […]

An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) is an order that restricts the behaviour of a person, known as a defendant, for the protection of someone else, known as the protected person or PINOP. There are 11 possible conditions which can imposed to facilitate this protection. Apprehended Violence Orders can be divided into two categories; domestic or […]

A Supreme Court bail application in New South Wales can only be made after a person has had their Local Court bail application refused. Bail is defined as a person being granted conditional liberty before their criminal charges have been finalised. Bail can be granted by either police or by a court. Supreme Court Powers […]

The question of how to beat a sexual assault charge is one that criminal defence lawyers field on a regular basis. In today’s climate, defending these allegations has become extremely difficult. This is due to a range of factors such as the onset of the ‘metoo’ movement, changing attitudes to accusations and the introduction of […]

Breaching an AVO is a serious criminal offence which carries the possibility of jail time. Indeed, if you have contravened an apprehended violence order with an offence of violence, the court is required to impose a sentence of imprisonment unless there are reasons not to. Breach AVO NSW Legislation Under Section 14 of the Crimes […]

A Sydney photographer charged with aggravated sexual assault has been granted bail after spending a month in custody. 48-year-old Garth Knight was arrested and bail refused on 25 September 2020 based on allegations that he sexually assaulted two models after they were tied up. The incidents are said to have occurred in 2005 and 2011 […]

A female disability worker has been jailed for making a false statement to police, stealing jewellery and cash from her disabled and terminally ill patients. 47-year-old Violeta Hansen appeared before Burwood Local Court charged with 15 fraud related charges. She was sentenced to an overall term of imprisonment of 24 months. The presiding Magistrate was […]

Police have charged 32-year-old Wilbert Gabrielle Guevara with Dangerous Driving Occasioning Death, amongst other charges after he collided with 27-year-old Maria Alejandra Landazabal Contreras who was waiting at a red light. She was riding a scooter and tragically lost her life at Liverpool Hospital a few hours after the incident. Significantly, Mr Guevara was disqualified […]

Those in abusive relationships often ask, can you sue for domestic violence in Australia? The answer is yes, victims of domestic violence can sue offenders regardless of their relationship with them. However, there are a number of complexities which are explored below. How Do Courts Handle Domestic Violence Cases in Australia? Australian courts protect the […]

A regular questions traffic lawyers deal with is how to get off a mobile phone fine offence. Using a mobile phone while driving in New South Wales is a serious offence. The NSW Government attempted to decrease road injuries and fatalities by implementing the Mobile Phone Detection Camera Program.  This has lead to a significant […]

When a person is arrested by police and they believe the case against them is weak, they will often try to determine how to get charges dropped before the court date. This can also be the case where the alleged victim now wants the chares to be withdrawn. While you may have told that it […]

Criminal defence lawyers regularly see dishonesty cases where they need to determine how to get fraud charges dropped. Due to the complex nature of fraud cases, police evidence may be insufficient or the prosecution may be unable to prove a crucial element of the offence. There are also a number of different types of fraud […]

The question of how to beat an assault charge is one that lawyers answer almost daily. This is unsurprising given being charged with assault can have a devastating effect on yourself, your career and your ability to travel overseas. If you are found guilty of assault, you can receive a criminal conviction and even imprisonment […]

The law on gel blasters in NSW and wider Australia has been subject to much controversy in recent years. Many gel blasters look similar to real firearms, although they shoot small water-based pellets. They are due to be outlawed in Victoria, after a number of the recreational items were allegedly used during the commission of […]

The question of how to beat an AVO is one that lawyers answer almost daily. This is unsurprising given an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) can have a devastating effect on yourself, your partner and your family. It is important to understand that there are stringent processes involved with these orders. Defending an AVO can be […]

When a person is served with an apprehended violence order for the first time, they will often ask, what is the difference between an AVO and ADVO? This is a reference to an apprehended violence orders (AVO) and an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO). While both are orders which restrain specific behaviour there are some […]

In recent years there has been a noticeable rise in false AVO claims being made to Police as well as taken out privately. It will come as no surprise that having an apprehended violence order taken out against will cause significant stress to you and your loved ones. The conditions associated with an AVO can […]

The question of how to get drug charges dropped is one that criminal defence lawyers deal with on a regular basis. A specialist drug lawyer will be able to examine your case and advise whether police have not followed any required procedures. They will also be able to determine whether there are any technical defences […]

Electric scooters are gaining popularity in Australia. Advances in technology mean that they are now capable of longer ranges, increased speeds, and shorter charging times. Specialist scooter stores such as Scooter Hut stock a wide range of scooters ranging from a few hundred dollars up to $4000. They are quiet, lightweight, environmentally friendly, and can […]

A witness in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation trial has pleaded guilty to the offence of hindering or obstructing a commonwealth public official. While magistrate Miranda Moody found he acted “like a drunken fool”, she ultimately chose not to record a conviction against him. The witness cannot be named for legal reasons. What is Hindering or […]

To the average layperson, a common question they may ask is, can police ask for ID in NSW? While police have a significant number of powers to compel citizens to provide information, this is not unlimited. For the most part, these powers are contained in legislation which make them easily accessible. The following information will […]

Nick Kyrgios has avoided a criminal conviction being recorded against him, despite pleading guilty to assault his ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari in Australia. The 27-year-old tennis star initially planned to have the common assault charge dismissed pursuant to a section 334 mental health application in the ACT Magistrates Court. However, that application was withdrawn when a […]

Following the withdrawal of all charges against Bruce Lehrmann, the question of how to get sexual assault charges dropped has been the subject of much conjecture. The repercussions for anyone found guilty of a sexual assault offence are devastating to both their reputation and livelihood. Indeed, Mr Lehrmann suffered significant damage to his reputation despite […]

In today’s climate, many people are concerned about being the victim of a crime and may wish to carry or use pepper spray for this purpose. However, does the law allow this in Australia? The answer to that question is complex and depends on which state you are in. There are also regulations that must […]

The Bruce Lehrmann and Brittany Higgins trial that gripped the nation is approaching an end with the jury now deliberating their decision. Lehrmann has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent. The trial heard from both parties as well as several prominent witnesses. There was lengthy cross-examination with revelations of inconsistencies in the evidence […]

An 18-year-old has gained national attention after being charged with dangerous driving occasioning death. Tyrell Edwards was refused bail at Picton Local Court after being involved in a car crash that killed five teenagers in south-west of Sydney. The labourer claimed that a steering malfunction caused the accident. However, police allege that their expert evidence […]

Australian media personality Kate Ritchie has lost her driver’s licence for three months after being fined for low range drink driving. No court date was given – rather she was handed an infringement along with an immediate licence suspension. The 44-year-old took to Instagram to apologise following the incident. Since then, the Australia’s Got Talent […]

A woman who made numerous false allegations of domestic violence against her boyfriend has pleaded guilty to five perjury charges. 21-year-old Makaela Bacon contacted police throughout 2020 which resulted in Bryce Cadby, who only has the use of half of his body, being arrested twice. She claimed that he sexually assaulted her, attacked her with […]

The Nick Kyrgios common assault case has taken a twist after the tennis star’s application for a three-month adjournment was refused. The 27-year-old did not appear at the ACT Magistrates Court as prepares for the US Open. The court was told that an application would be made on behalf of Mr Kyrgios at a later […]

NSW police have applied for an apprehended violence order (AVO) against NRL player Bryce Cartwright for the protection of his wife. This follows the pair splitting early last year following a three-year marriage. The 27-year-old Parramatta Eels forward appeared at Waverley Local Court where his case was adjourned to a later date. He is not […]

Mayor Karen Williams has been sentenced to 80 hours of community service for drink driving charges. The Redland politician also had her licence disqualified for six months at Cleveland Magistrates Court. No conviction was recorded against her. This is despite her colliding with tree.    Sentencing for Drink Driving Charges Karen Williams was charged with […]

Any person who intends to become a lawyer will likely ask, what are the best law schools and universities in Australia? There are a number of results that are published each year, but there has never been a definitive list that aggregates all findings – until now. Below is an analysis of the most reputable […]

Stealing mail is a criminal offence in Australia. There are significant penalties including gaol sentences and fines. Mail theft in Australia is a serious offence. This is because it is often a precursor to fraud and identity theft. If you are charged with stealing mail, you should speak to an experienced criminal defence lawyer as […]

Former NRL player Darrell Trindall’s Supreme Court bail application has been granted on domestic violence charges. The 50-year-old will be released to a specialist rehabilitation program which focusses on addresses drug and alcohol issues of Indigenous people. Trindall labelled his first time in jail, “just what I needed”. Domestic Violence Charges Darrell Trindall was initially […]

Australian authorities are investigating a possible perjury offence committed by Amber Heard during a court case in 2016. Local officers may seek assistance from the FBI as most of the witnesses reside overseas. The investigation came about after Heard lost a high-profile defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp. Certain information was disclosed during that trial […]

Ricky Martin is reportedly facing up to 50 years in prison over domestic violence charges against his 21-year-old nephew. The singer’s nephew, Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, already has a restraining protecting him from Mr Martin. It has been alleged that Martin exercised “physical and psychological attacks” on Sanchez during their seven-month relationship, which ended about two […]

If you are facing drink driving charges after a crash or accident, you may be concerned about being sentenced to a term of imprisonment. There will generally be a police investigation after any car accident. This will involve you being submitted to a breath test. If any alcohol is detected in your breath, you may […]

When a person is charged with a criminal or traffic offence after a long delay, they may ask ‘is there a statute of limitations in Australia?’ In many jurisdictions, this question will be determined based on how serious the offence is. The seriousness of a charge will determine how the case proceeds in court. It […]

William Tyrrell’s foster mother has had her Section 14 mental health application dismissed. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly kicked and assaulted a child with a wooden spoon. She appeared at Parramatta Local Court alongside her partner. Both of William Tyrell’s foster parents will now have to wait until January 2023 […]

An ADVO (Apprehended Domestic Violence Order) is an order protecting a person from someone they have had a domestic relationship with. What is a Domestic Relationship? A domestic relationship is a marriage, de-facto relationship or an intimate personal relationship. It can also include when persons have lived together in the same household or are related […]

A man who was subject to an apprehended violence order (AVO) and committed a number of domestic violence offences has had his bid for Australian citizenship rejected. The Home Affairs Minister’s decision to refuse Lebanese man Khodr Nazem Saadie citizenship was upheld by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. In making the decision, the Tribunal found that […]

NRL player Taylan May will face a Magistrate in October after being charged with assault following an incident during the Penrith Panthers premiership celebrations. The hearing co-indices with the start of the Rugby League World Cup and may require many of his Panthers teammates, including Nathan Cleary, to return to Australia to give evidence. There […]

A man has been charged with common assault over an alleged coffee throwing incident in western Sydney. The altercation was captured on CCTV cameras from a local café. A 27-year-old barista made a complaint to police before they commenced an investigation and tracked down the alleged perpetrator. Charged with Common Assault The common assault allegation […]

Silverchair singer Daniel Johns has pleaded guilty to high range drink driving after a car accident in the Hunter region of NSW. As a result of the crash, a 55-year-old woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital. Following the charges being laid, Johns’ released a public statement stating that he had been using alcohol to […]

A man has been charged with common assault after an alleged altercation with a Liberal Party volunteer. The incident occurred in the New South Wales Blue Mountains over the removal of a political sign. The complainant was a 53-year-old male who had his wife and young daughter in a car at the time of the […]

New affirmative consent laws in relation to sexual assault cases have been introduced in NSW. The amendments to the legislation were revealed by Attorney-General Mark Speakman as ‘common sense’. The reforms to sexual assault consent laws go even further than what was proposed by the Law Reform Commission.   What is consent? Consent is when […]

NSW police have applied for an apprehended violence order (AVO) against actress Madeleine West for the protection of celebrity chef Shannon Bennett’s father in law. West & Bennett were in a relationship until 2018 when the pair split. The application was made just days after Mr Bennett revealed the couple’s six children live full-time with […]

A police officer has been caught on CCTV punching NRL star Tom Starling in the face multiple times, before police laid a number of charges against him and his brothers. Mr Starling, along with his brothers Josh and Jackson, are facing charges of hinder police. Officers initially laid a number of additional charges but these […]

The trial of the former manager of Guy Sebastian has heard that an AVO was applied for against the singer just days before Sebastian went to police. Titus Emanuel Day is facing fraud charges based on allegations made by the former Australian idol winner. Mr Sebastian originally commenced civil proceedings against Mr Day in 2018. […]

A groom has been found guilty of indecent assault involving one of his wife’s bridesmaids just two days before their wedding. Daniel Carney was found guilty four charges following an incident during his wedding festivities. The jury, made up of seven men and five women, delivered the verdicts after nine hours of deliberations. He was […]

Former NRL star Brett Kenny has been charged with common assault domestic violence after an incident on the NSW central coast. Officers attended the home of the Parramatta Eels legend after receiving a report of an altercation. He was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station before he was formally charged and release. Complainant Known […]

A man has been charged with the offence of police pursuit (Skye’s law) following a lengthy chase to the north of Sydney, NSW. Highway patrol officers attempted to stop the accused for a random breath test. However, the driver allegedly attempted to evade police. The pursuit continued for a lengthy period of time with the […]

The question of how to beat a drug driving charge is one that criminal defence lawyers answer almost daily. This is unsurprising, given that losing your driver licence can have a significant impact. It may affect your employment as well as your ability to fulfil your personal commitments. There are two separate offences for ‘drug […]

Tennis great Boris Becker has been sentenced to jail for fraud charges after being found guilty of hiding over $4 million in assets. The six-time grand slam champion transferred money to two of his former partners after he had declared bankruptcy. The judge remarked that he had shown “no remorse” and did not accept his […]

Four people are facing drug supply charges in NSW after police uncovered an alleged crime syndicate. The investigation took approximately 9 months before it culminated in a number of arrests.  A number of search warrants were executed and an amount of cash was seized. Investigations into Supply Prohibited Drug Strike Force Crestreef was established in […]

A drunk speeding driver who was sentenced to 15 years’ jail for the manslaughter of a teenager and a heavily pregnant woman with unborn twins and has had his sentence slashed. Richard Moananu appeared at the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal where he was re-sentenced to 12-and-a-half years with a non-parole period of 8 years […]

A western Sydney man has been charged with sexual intercourse with a child after allegedly being caught by undercover police officers. Officers allege that they had been speaking to the 59-year-old online for a month before they arrested him at Liverpool. A search of a home was conducted with a number of electronic storage devices […]

William Tyrrell’s foster mother has been charged with giving false or misleading evidence to the NSW Crime Commission. The shock development follows both her and William Tyrell’s foster father being charged with assaulting a child in February this year. They both pleaded ‘not guilty’ and intend to defend the charge. In January, William Tyrell’s foster […]

A police officer has been charged with dangerous driving and reckless conduct endangering life, after he allegedly travelled up to 230km/h. Leading Senior Constable Bradley Beecroft was rushing to help an injured colleague who had been struck by a car on the side of a freeway. At the time, the severity of the colleague’s injuries […]

Police have applied for an apprehended domestic violence order (AVO) against Australian actress Jodi Gordon and her partner, Sebastian Blackler. It is the second time that police have applied for an AVO against Mr Blackler for the protection of Ms Gordon. The grounds for the applications allege that there is domestic violence occurring between the […]

Police have applied for an apprehended violence order (AVO) against a fan of Delta Goodrem for the protection of her mother. James Joseph Lafferty has been ordered not to approach Lea Goodrem or contact her in any way unless it is through a lawyer, The 50-year-old has previously been convicted of stalking the Australian singer […]

A P-plate driver who killed two cyclists after falling asleep at the wheel has been found not guilty of dangerous driving causing death. Nicholas Parker was driving in northwest Sydney when the incident occurred. He appeared at Parramatta District Court and faced a judge-alone trial on those charges as well as charges of negligent driving […]

A male nurse has been granted bail for sexual assault charges at Liverpool Local Court. Ali Khamis Moh’d is alleged to have assaulted a patient at Norwest Private Hospital while she was recovering from heart surgery. He is also charged with sexual touching of two other patients, including a 67-year-old female. A surety agreed to […]

Former NRL player Tristan Sailor has been found not guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a woman. The jury took just one hour to make the unanimous decision. The incident occurred after a night out drinking alcohol in Sydney when the former Dragons player and a teammate attended an apartment in Wolli Creek with two […]

Gareth Ward, a current member of NSW parliament, has been charged with sexual assault over historical allegations. The Liberal MP is expected to fight the charges and has released a statement claiming he is innocent. It has created an issue for Premier Dominic Perrottet, who has called for Ward’s resignation. Should he resign, it will […]

A retired Catholic priest has been found guilty of indecent assault on a child over 40 years ago. Richard Doyle, who is now 85-years-old, has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 9 May. The complainant was aged between 6 years old and 10 years old when the offences occurred. Indecent Assault Charges […]

Former AFL player Andrew Lovett has been sentenced to jail for domestic violence charges after pleading guilty to 24 offences. The offending ranged from February 2020 to December last year. The complainant in the case prepared a statement that was tendered to the court in the sentencing proceedings. Lovett was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, […]

Domestic violence offenders are set to be electronically tracked after the federal government announced a $104 million funding package. Over half of the funding will go towards a program that will us technology checks to counter tracking and intrusion by domestic violence offenders. The reforms follow a trial in Tasmania that was deemed successful. Technology […]

A former Australian boxing champion has been found guilty of sexual intercourse without consent. Marc Bargero claimed he only ‘sniffed’ a 15-year-old girl while she was sleeping, however a District Court judge did not accept his evidence. By contrast, the court found that the complainant was a ‘compelling’ witness. Bargero was granted bail for sexual […]

In Australia, it is against the law to record a private conversation without the consent of the other person. The Telecommunications Interception and Access Act 1979 makes it an offence to listen to a live phone call or call recording without the permission of one or both of the parties involved. It does not matter how you record the […]

The New South Wales government is expected to criminalise coercive control following a parliamentary inquiry. Supporters of the move have suggested that it will improve the safety and wellbeing of domestic violence complainants across NSW. However, questions remain about whether the laws will be enforced. There is also widespread concern amongst the community that the […]

Instagram influencer Patricia Hadjia has narrowly avoided jail for high range drink driving after crashing into multiple cars and flipping the vehicle she was in. Following the accident, both herself and a passenger had to free themselves from the wreckage. She appeared at Waverley Local Court where she was sentenced to community service. High Range […]

William Tyrrell’s foster mother is facing a new common assault charge. This follows her previously being charged with an assault on a child, along with her foster father. The foster parents cannot be named for legal reasons. The case will return to Hornsby Local Court on 29 April 2022. Common Assault Charges at Hornsby Local […]

A western Sydney Chinese healer has had his conviction for a manslaughter charge overturned on appeal. Hong Chi Xiao had previously been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for advising the parents of a young boy to stop their son’s insulin injections and instead rely on his “slapping therapy”. However, his appeal was allowed in the […]

Former Australian cricketer Stuart MacGill has been charged with stalking and intimidation of a Sydney bar owner. The 51-year-old, who was self-isolating on his court date, has pleaded not guilty and intends to defend the charge. Police have also applied for an apprehended violence order (AVO) for the protection of the complainant. A friend of […]

Police are looking to charge a man with the offence of supply large commercial quantity of drugs in NSW, after tradies found $44 million worth of ice and $1.1 million cash in a house. They have released a CCTV image of the man they are searching for. A strike force has also been established to […]

Questions are being asked after police took almost two years to lay sexual touching charges over an incident at a popular Sydney beach. A 23-year-old woman reported the allegations to police the same day of the incident in 2020. However, it took police until February 2022 to charge the accused. He was bail refused and […]

A mother who drove her vehicle over her own daughter while intoxicated is expected to plead guilty to the offence of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm. The incident occurred in Caringbah in Sydney’s south. Dale Palmer was arrested after he daughter, Keely Palmer was trapped under the car after being dragged about 100 […]

Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne has had his sexual assault appeal allowed and also been released on bail as he awaits a third trial. The 33-year-old’s criminal lawyers had argued that the Court of Criminal Appeal could have entered acquittals — however, the appeal decision did not go this far. The sexual assault allegations centred […]

A father who pleaded guilty to commercial quantity drug supply has claimed he resorted to it after losing his highly paid job during Covid. Keith Anderson was caught by police after his ute packed with drugs was involved in a 160km/hr crash on the M1 north of Sydney. The father-of-three was sentenced to almost five […]

A high school science teacher in Sydney has been charged with supply prohibited drug to her students. Lauren Russell worked at Lucas Heights High School as a science teacher and Year 11 welfare adviser. Police will allege that she also supplied cannabis to her students. The 42-year-old will appear at Sutherland Local Court on 9 […]

A Sydney banker has been granted bail after being charged with common assault against his wife. Fredrik Blencke spent Christmas and New Year in jail for breaching his bail conditions and contravene AVO after he was charged with assaulting his wife Annabelle Price, 30, and contravening an apprehended violence order. But the 49-year-old was granted […]

A former financial advisor has been sentenced to jail for dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception after unlawfully giving clients early access to their superannuation funds. Ahmed Saad used his position as the sole director of a wealth management company to charge fees to clients, claiming he provided financial services to them. However, Australian Securities […]

One of the most common questions asked of the legal profession is, how can a criminal lawyer defend someone who is guilty? There appears to be view that a criminal defence lawyer uses technical arguments or legal loopholes to free persons who are ostensibly guilty of offences. Further, a prevailing view in the community is […]

A study into assault charges in Sydney has found that the introduction of lockout laws simply shifted the number of offences out of the CBD and into nearby suburbs. The study also showed that a decrease in assaults occurred after media reporting into alcohol fuelled violence, rather than the introduction of the laws. The Police […]

Rabbi Baruch Pinchas Leifer, the father-in-law of accused child sex abuser Malka Leifer, has been arrested for sexual assault of a child and a teenage boy in Israel. The allegations are historical in nature and one of the alleged victims is said to be a family member. The rabbi, who is in his 70s, vehemently […]

A police officer has finally been charged with common assault after being filmed throwing a man to the ground in September 2021. The incident occurred during the lockdown, when large anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination protests were taking place. The officer was suspended following the release of the footage on social media. Charged with Common Assault The […]

The Prince Andrew sexual assault case will proceed after a judge refused his application to dismiss the proceedings. The case is centred around allegations that the Duke of York sexually assaulted a female when she was 17 years old. The complainant, Virginia Giuffre, had signed a deal in 2009 with Jeffrey Epstein. The 61-year-old’s lawyers […]

A man charged with the murder of an 8-year-old child has refused a Magistrate’s offer for him to be represented by a criminal defence lawyer. Jason Richard Struhs, and his wife, Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, appeared at Toowoomba Magistrates Court via video link. They had been bail refused and held in custody by police since the […]

A man who is due to be sentenced for domestic violence charges has had his Supreme Court bail application granted. Tyler Rodney Barclay, is also charged with breach AVO involving another complainant and mid-range drink driving. However, the Supreme Court granted his application for release on the condition that he reside with his parents in […]

A 52-year-old man who was charged with drink driving twice in the same day has been sentenced at Cowra Local Court. Rodney John Hampton was charged with drive with middle range PCA, drive while suspended and drive with low range PCA. The two incidents both occurred on 12 September 2021. Stopped Twice on the Same […]

An Australian State is considering whether those accused of domestic violence should be subjected to electronic monitoring. The Victorian Law Reform Commission is considering new measures for responding to stalking, including whether electronic monitoring will now be a mandatory condition of intervention orders. An intervention order in Victoria is similar to an apprehended violence order (AVO) […]

Former NSW Gymnastics Coach of the Year Daniel Benson has been charged with sexual assault. Police began investigating the 55-year-old in October 2021. The sexual assault charges relate to four gymnasts he was coaching, aged 14 to 18 years old. The allegations were in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He has been refused bail […]

A man who was found not guilty to drink driving charges after giving false evidence has been jailed for perjury. Bernard Andrew Nash successfully sued NSW police after lying under oath during his drink driving case. However, ten years later the real estate agent was found guilty of two perjury charges. They related to false […]

A former AFL star has been refused bail and faces 88 domestic violence charges against his police officer girlfriend. Andrew Lovett, who was a player for Essendon between 2005-2009, is accused of punching, spitting and threatening his partner over the course of 22 months. Court documents show the offences include assault, recklessly causing injury and […]

Former Australian Test cricketer Michael Slater has been charged with contravene AVO after allegedly sending his ex-partner numerous offensive texts and calls. The 51-year-old claimed to have “relapsed” into alcoholism when he appeared at Manly Local Court after being refused bail by police. The court ultimately granted bail on conditions akin to house arrest, with […]

A New South Wales police officer has been found guilty of perjury after supporting his wife’s false sexual assault allegations against her former partner. Scott John White gave evidence in support of Sarah Jane Parkinson, who was sentenced to jail after eventually she pleaded guilty to making a false statement. The officer will be sentenced […]

Ashley Rake, an alleged bikie associate, has been granted Supreme Court bail for supplying a commercial quantity of prohibited drugs in NSW. The Sydney man’s family agreed to act as a surety and surrender $2 million. Mr Rake was one of the many people arrested following Operation Ironside. However, his bail application lawyers have argued […]

Multi-millionaire Chris Nasser has vowed to fight an AVO laid against him by police. Officers applied for an apprehended domestic violence order for the protection of his estranged wife, Hollie Nasser. The case is listed at Downing Centre Local Court in mid-December. AVO Applied for After Messy Separation Police applied for an AVO against Chris […]

Thousands of people have had their COVID business grants halted as police consider laying fraud charges against small business owners. Over $20 million of the payments have been identified as potentially fraudulent, leading Service NSW to request police assistance. The cessation of payments has led to outcry from small business owners, still reeling from the […]

A family who rose to fame on Instagram have defended the actions of their climate activist brother who who climbed a train to disrupt the coal industry and was charged with the criminal offence of obstructing a railway. Eric Serge Herbert, a 22-year-old from the Sunshine Coast, was jailed for his actions when he appeared […]

New South Wales has banned Police from accessing QR Code Data after a spate of cases where it data was used to investigate crimes. The bill was championed by a number of politicians and successfully passed both houses of NSW parliament. Concerns were raised in a number of states which has led to legislation passing […]

William Tyrrell’s foster parents have been charged with common assault of a child. This comes less than a day after police applied for an apprehended violence order (AVO) against the pair. Both cases are listed at Hornsby Local Court in late November 2021. These charges do not relate to William Tyrrell. Court Attendance Notice Served […]

Liberal MP Tim Smith has been charged with drink driving after an accident with a fence which wrote off his vehicle. Despite earlier being equivocal about whether he would remain in politics, the former shadow cabinet minister announced that he would in fact quit politics at the next state election. Mr Smith was breath tested […]

NSW Police have applied for an apprehended violence order (AVO) against both of William Tyrrell’s foster parents. The AVO was taken out on behalf of a person who cannot be identified for legal reasons. The case will be heard at Hornsby Local Court later in November 2021. This is on the heels of police beginning […]

Terence Darrell Kelly, a man who lived just 7 minutes away from Cleo Smith, has been charged with kidnapping her. The 36-year-old is accused of abducting Cleo Smith from her family tent. Four-year-old Smith was held captive for 18 days in his house. Kelly was arrested by Police and appeared before Carnarvon Magistrates Court where […]

A man has been jailed for choking charges and breaching an AVO at Parkes Local Court. Lachlan Forbes Lilley was sentenced to 14 months in prison with a non-parole period of nine months after being found guilty of contravening a restriction in an AVO and intentionally choking a person without their consent. The 23-year-old was […]

A junior rugby league referee has been jailed for 16 years after pleading guilty to numerous sexual intercourse with child charges. Dale Whiteman appeared at Wollongong District Court to be sentenced for sexual assault and grooming charges relating to 22 girls over a 15 year period. He was jailed on Friday for 16 years overall. […]

Former bachelorette Angie Kent has been lambasted by a Magistrate after pleading guilty to a drink driving charge. The former TV star was fined and disqualified from driving at Downing Centre Local Court. The Magistrate made particular reference to the 31-year-old’s lengthy traffic record and prior drink driving offence. Angie Kent Drink Driving The court […]

A man who was granted bail for proceeds of crime charges has disappeared after cutting off his ankle monitor. Mostafa Baluch is accused of masterminding a 900kg cocaine shipment into Australia. However, he was granted bail when he agreed to forfeit his $4million property and wear an ankle monitor. Police described him as “dangerous” and […]

A Sydney socialite will appeal his sentence for supplying a commercial quantity of prohibited drugs after receiving an eight-year jail term. Matthew James Doyle pleaded guilty to supplying over 300kg of drugs and dealing with over $500,000 in proceeds of crime. The 33-year-old was arrested in 2019 after he told undercover police he was willing […]

A Sydney paramedic who used his position to prey on young women at train stations has been jailed on sexual touching charges. Peter John Thistlethwaite was found guilty by a jury of exploiting eight female victims, the youngest being 17-years-old while on duty. Expert evidence at trial had proven that his medical examinations were unnecessary […]

Former banker Sara Daizli is facing over 100 fraud charges and is alleged to be the mastermind behind an elaborate syndicate that targeted elderly clients. The former St George Bank had previously been charged with 15 fraud offences, for which she was on bail. However, further investigation by police led to the additional charges being […]

NRL star Reece Walsh has been arrested and charged with cocaine possession after not complying with a move on direction. Warriors player Reece Walsh was arrested during a night out on the Gold Coast’s Surfers Paradise party strip. The Gold Coast-born 19-year-old admitted to using and possessing cocaine in a public statement. Warriors chief executive […]

Two more people have been charged with money laundering in the criminal case involving construction boss George Alex. Peter Kay, the brother-in-law of Mr Alex, has now been charged over the alleged $20 million tax fraud and money laundering scheme. Prosecutors allege the scheme was run by George Alex and well-known crime figure Michael Ibrahim. […]

The new AVOW app aimed at increasing compliance with AVOs (Apprehended Violence Orders) has been launched in NSW. With its development funded by the NSW government, the mobile app is designed to provide information about court processes and the consequences of breaching an Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs). There are also features that allow users […]

A man has pleaded guilty to assault charges after he smashed a schooner of beer on his victim’s face. Matthew McAlister was alleged to have punched Leo Rivaud in the face at the Glasgow Arms Hotel in Sydney in June 2020. The 35-year-old is expected to face jail time due to the severity of the […]

A union boss and his ex-NRL star son are facing corruption charges after allegedly receiving bribes from the director of a construction company. Prosecutors allege that Darren Greenfield, the secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and his son Michael Greenfield took four $5,000 bribes at meetings that were caught on camera, […]

Former TV star Andrew O’Keefe has been charged with assault and breaching an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) just two months after having similar charges dismissed in court. The 49-year-old was arrested by police in an apartment on Kent Street in Sydney’s CBD. Police alleged that they received a report of domestic violence incident earlier in […]

A parliamentary hearing into NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon has heard he engaged in a drunken tirade against a paramedic. NSW Police commissioner Mick Fuller also appeared at the hearing and said he was “disappointed” in Mr Lanyon’s actions. Mr Fuller engaged in a tense back and forth with politicians including Greens MP David […]

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is, what does a criminal lawyer do? Contrary to popular belief, criminal defence lawyers represent persons from many different socio-economic backgrounds. Their clients can include tradespeople, CEOs, taxi drivers, celebrities, corporations, directors, bankers and working parents. The criminal justice system is based on the concept that […]

New data on child sexual abuse allegations in the Family Court has revealed that in contested cases, only 14 per cent of the abuse allegations were found to be true. The research spanned over seven years and dealt with published decisions where judges had expressed a view as to the veracity of child abuse claims. […]

Following a two-year investigation, the founder of Hillsong megachurch – Brian Houston – has been charged with concealing information about child sexual abuse. The charges relate to Mr Houston failing to report the historic alleged abuse of a young male by his late father — Frank Houston. After the news broke, the board of Hillsong […]

Almost six months after Police commenced an investigation into the Brittany Higgins allegations, a 26-year-old man has been charged with sexual assault. Ms Higgins – a former government adviser – alleged that the incident took place in Parliament House two years ago. Her revelations shocked the nation and created a political firestorm, resulting in a […]

Police have confirmed that a former politician who was claims he was forced to resign due to false sexual assault allegations will not face any charges. Former Nationals MP Michael Johnsen will not face sexual assault charges over allegations involving a sex worker that were aired in parliament in early 2021. Mr Johnsen resigned following […]

A Sydney man who was involved in the murder of a police informant has been charged with drug supply of over $1 million of methylamphetamine – also known as ‘Ice’. Andrew Perish is alleged to have been part of a criminal group that supplied close to 18kg of pseudoephedrine and 4.5kg of methylamphetamine (ice) throughout […]

Youth soccer coach Grant Harden from western Sydney has pleaded guilty to a number of sexual intercourse with child charges as well as child abuse material charges. The 31-year-old from St Clair appeared at Central Local Court via videolink and entered pleas of guilty to 179 charges in total. Investigators also allege that he was […]

Television star Andrew O’Keefe has had domestic violence assault charges dismissed after a successful mental health application, however he remains subject to an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO). Five months after he was arrested, a Court has heard that Mr O’Keefe was in a manic state of bipolar at the time of the incident. The incident […]

A woman has pleaded guilty to child sexual assault charges of two boys – leaving one of them with sexually transmitted infections. Amy Balcombe entered pleas of guilty at Newcastle Courthouse to two counts of sexual intercourse without consent. The victims were a 13-year-old boy and his 15-year-old friend. It has been alleged that the […]

After almost three years, the sexual assault charges against NRL star Jack de Belin have been withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Following a second jury being unable to reach a unanimous verdict, the DPP had the option of choosing to subject de Belin and his co-accused Callum Sinclair to a third trial. […]

A Magistrate has found Sydney woman Neva Liana Lozzi guilty of fraud charges amounting to almost $800,000 at Downing Centre Local Court. The 45-year-old faced 29 counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception based on hundreds of bank transfers she made while employed by ‘porn king’ Con Ange. The transactions were said to have […]

A 21-year-old man has pleaded guilty to common assault charges where he is alleged to have bashed teenage girls. Hong Ben Lee appeared at Central Local Court on 27 April 2021 in relation to a brawl involving multiple persons on the night of Mardi Gras.   The altercation was filmed and went viral on Instagram. […]

A security guard who was ejecting an intoxicated patron from a pub has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm after police determined that his actions were disproportionate. Albury man Deng Chol was thrown on his head by an allegedly overzealous security guard at the Beer Deluxe pub. The incident was captured on video […]

A Sydney man has been found not guilty of the domestic violence murder of his wife due to a mental illness defence. Gihan Kerollos was stabbed to death outside a Randwick hospital by her husband Mourad Kerollos in 2019. He was charged with murder. However, medical experts for the Crown and defence both agreed that […]

A lesbian couple have been charged with armed robbery after they were allegedly caught on CCTV cameras. Police allege that Eleanor Rohana Ashford and her girlfriend Sarah Canceri went on a crime spree throughout southwest Sydney. CCTV footage released to the media shows two women wearing headscarves at a petrol station armed with weapons. It […]

In recent years, those in the financial investigation community have had to deal with the question, what is cuckoo smurfing in money laundering? This technique has been used by a number of criminal organisations including drug traffickers, terrorist financiers and in complex frauds. It allows money obtained through illegal activities to be washed by hiding […]

A man who posed as an Uber driver to commit indecent assaults on women is likely to be deported after being jailed for at least 18 months. Sampath Sandaruwan Samaranayake would trawl areas around busy nightclubs, offering women rides for cash in September 2018. After they entering his vehicle, he would indecently assault them, including […]

It is one of the most common situations faced by drivers, so it comes as no surprise that lawyers often are asked how to beat a demerit point suspension in NSW. The answer will depend on the type of licence you have. There are different avenues for provisional drivers as opposed to full licence holders. […]

A nationwide investigation into a major online paedophile network has allegedly discovered hordes of child abuse material with Police laying sexual touching charges against multiple men. The AFP and NSW Police have arrested 14 men and charged them with 828 child sex offences. Shockingly, it has been suggested that a childcare worker from the NSW […]

Former Olympic swimmer Scott Miller has been arrested by Police after being accused of heading a multi-million-dollar commercial drug supply syndicate in Sydney. Officer allegedly found $2 million worth of prohibited drugs including heroin and ‘methylamphetamine’ (also known as ‘ice’) hidden inside candles. The 45-year-old retired Olympian was one of two men arrested after Police […]

A former Sydney barrister has been jailed for possessing child abuse material after police seized electronics belonging to him. Richard James Horsley was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 1 year and 10 months at Downing Centre District Court. The 61-year-old had his computers examined which contained over 1000 child abuse images. At the […]

NRL player Payne Haas has avoided a criminal conviction at Tweed Heads Local Court despite pleading guilty to intimidation of a police officer. In the course of a verbal tirade directed at police, Haas told a female officer, “Why you looking at me like that? Cause you’re a woman and you think that I won’t […]

A man has been found not guilty of murdering his grandmother as well as a retired policeman, by reason of mental illness. Murray Deakin was charged over the deaths of his grandmother Gail Winner, and retired police officer Michael Horne as well as causing grievous bodily harm to his grandfather, Thomas Winner. The 20-year-old was […]

NRL star Sam Burgess has had his conviction for intimidation and AVO overturned on appeal at Goulburn District Court. Mr Burgess had previously been convicted of Intimidation and an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) was made for the protection of Mr Mitch Bourke – his father-in-law. The 32-year-old was initially convicted and sentenced to a two-year […]

Former school principal Malka Leifer has been extradited from Israel to Australia to face sexual offences. The headmistress of Elsternwick’s Adass Israel School between 2001 and 2008, she was flown out of Israel by authorities to Germany and then to Australia last month. It brings a six-year saga to an end after Police first sought […]

Imagine this – you’re driving down an open road, pass a police car and decide to flash your headlights to warn of police. Drivers travelling in the opposite direction will no doubt be thankful. Indeed, some would say it would be un-Australian to act in any other way. But could you be committing an offence? […]

The director of Australia’s largest television network has narrowly avoided jail for high-range drink driving. Darren Wick, Channel Nine’s director of news and current affairs appeared at Hornsby Local Court on 20 January 2021 after being caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) more than four times over the legal limit.  It was Wick’s […]

Police officer Michael Charles Simpson who was described by his male victim as ‘rapey’, has been convicted of sexual assault. The senior sergeant was found guilty of the offence and has lost his job as a result. He was described as having an ‘illustrious’ 30-year career. He was part of Victoria Police’s internal ethical standards […]

An Australian triathlete who referred to himself as a “petty car thief with expensive tastes” has been charged with take and drive conveyance over a string of luxury car thefts throughout Sydney. Luke Lythgoe claimed to be a former drug addict who had turned his life around. However, he was arrested by NSW Police at […]

After a lengthy investigation, Police have laid proceeds of crime charges against an Australian table tennis player and brought down an international match fixing syndicate. Adam Green, a world-renowned former professional player is alleged to be the mastermind behind predetermined table tennis matches in the Ukraine. NSW detectives say they tracked betting trails tied to […]

Self-proclaimed ‘preacher’ Anthony Glumac has been charged with five counts of sexual assault spanning over seven years. The 24-year-old whose social media accounts also list him as a fitness educator and chef, was the subject of an extensive Police investigation. He was arrested in Campbelltown after being charged with sexually assaulting a number of females, […]

It is one of Australia’s largest drug busts, and Police say they have brought a Sydney drug cartel to its knees. Operation Pinnacle, a sophisticated Police investigation spanning 2 years has resulted in over 250 drug charges being laid. The cartel is said to have been responsible for a complex distribution network that funnelled methamphetamine […]

The mother and daughter at the centre of an infamous supermarket brawl have had their convictions for affray charges quashed on appeal. 61-year-old Treiza Bebawy and her 23-year-old daughter, Meriam Bebawy, made worldwide headlines after being filmed in a supermarket fight over toilet paper. This was in the midst of panic buying at the height […]

Drink driving offences carry significant disqualification periods. Many also carry terms of imprisonment. As such, it is crucial to be aware of the various drink driving offences as well as possible defences. These offences are based on the prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA) in a person’s system. For this reason, they are sometime referred to […]

A man who pleading guilty to filming private parts of a number schoolgirls at a Sydney Zoo has avoided a jail sentence. 49-year-old Justin McGufficke also pleaded guilty to charges of possess child abuse material based on photographs that were found on his phone. He was also sentenced in relation to filming up the skirts […]

Media organisations have successfully fought to overturn a non-publication order on the name of a Sydney Criminal Lawyer charged with sexual assault. Criminal defence lawyer Steven Mercael was charged by Police with sexually assaulting a female in December 2019. The 27-year-old had appealed to the New South Wales Supreme Court to prevent the publication of […]

A Sydney school teacher has been charged with a number of child sex offences. Police say Damien Scott Wanstall used the internet to arrange to pay a 14-year-old girl for sex. The 47-year-old deputy principal of Kellyville High School was apprehended by detectives last week. This arrest was captured by news cameras. He is currently […]

Former rugby league star Jarryd Hayne has been found guilty of sexual assault after a Sydney jury reached a unanimous verdict. This comes after the jury in the previous trial were unable to come to a decision. Another jury were unable to come to a decision in relation to similar charges against NRL player Jack […]

A former contestant on The Bachelor has narrowly avoided a jail sentence after pleading guilty to drug supply charges. Georgia Tripos fronted Victoria’s County Court in relation to charges of supplying cocaine and ethylpentylone as well as knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. Police caught onto the 29-year-old after an acquaintance of hers was captured […]

A famed Australian television actress has had NSW Police take out a provisional apprehended violence order (AVO) for her protection against her partner. Former Neighbours star Jodi Gordon had Police attend her exclusive Double Bay apartment to investigate a domestic violence allegation involving her boyfriend Sebastian Blackler. Mr Blackler is currently subject to restrictions on […]

Two years after he was charged with the sexual assault of a 19-year-old, NRL player Jack de Belin’s ordeal will continue as a second jury has been unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the charges against him. Mr de Belin and a reserve grade rugby league player, Callum Sinclair, initially endured a 4 week […]

Police have applied for an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) against a woman after she was charged with stabbing her son in one of Sydney’s most exclusive suburbs. However, in a shock twist to the story, a Court has heard that the son had just confessed to a murder and threatened his mother. 22-year-old Hugo Ball […]

Police have exposed an alleged international fraud scheme and laid dozens of money laundering charges against the two perpetrators. Mark Estephan and Jamie Ronald Close were arrested on 17 November 2020 after a large-scale investigation was commenced earlier in the year. Both men have been refused bail in NSW and will remain in custody while […]

Our specialist NSW bail application lawyers have an extensive track record and years of experience obtaining bail for clients when other lawyers have been unable to. We have obtained bail for: You can view our recent results for bail applications here. We can appear at any bail application for you on short notice, including Parramatta […]

Former Home and Away star Joel McIlroy has successfully made a Section 32 application and had criminal charges dismissed due to his mental health issues. The renowned actor who was initially refused bail has escaped conviction for allegedly assaulting Police. The Court received medical material which confirmed that McIlroy had a degenerative brain disease and […]

Tailgating another driver is defined as following a vehicle without keeping a safe distance between the two vehicles. There are some obvious dangers in tailgating a vehicle. Any sharp reduction in speed of the vehicle in front could lead to a collision as there is insufficient time to brake. Further, tailgating can cause the driver […]

An alleged childcare fraud that took advantage of COVID Centrelink payments has been brought to its knees with multiple arrests across Sydney’s south-west. The arrests occurred in dramatic fashion as officers dressed in balaclavas and bullet proof vests stormed numerous buildings with media on hand. It is another scalp for police attached to Strikeforce Mercury […]

A Sydney strata apartment manager who stole hundreds of items and housed them in an ‘Aladdin’s-cave’ inside the building has been jailed for numerous break and enter offences. 43-year-old Jaden Hati was arrested in 2019 after Police began investigating a spate of larceny offences in a Pyrmont complex. He was bail refused by Police and […]

A couple have been charged with the murder of a New Zealand firefighter who came to Australia to fight the bushfires. Ian Pullen was 43 years old when he was the victim of a hit and run. He was severely injured but still alive. However, the driver and passenger of the vehicle allegedly returned to […]

An Iranian-born doctor has been convicted of sexually assaulting his patients while they slept. Ali Khorami will spend close to 4 years behind bars after a jury found him guilty of a number of sexual offences against five women, aged between 16 and 29. He joins a long list of doctors who have acted inappropriately […]

An Australian State will become the first in the world to suspend all red light cameras and fines. It is one of the most shocking decisions taken by a Police force in recent memory. Following a landmark Supreme Court decision, South Australia will indefinitely halt collecting fines for running a red light. It is unclear […]

In another heinous Sydney domestic violence murder, a 60-year-old man was recently sentenced to 17 years imprisonment for stabbing his 43-year-old ex-partner to death. His explanation for why he did it? Because she refused his sexual advances. James Fredes appeared before the New South Wales Supreme Court this week to be sentenced for murdering Erina […]

While most people who contravene the current border restrictions face a fine, one couple have found themselves in Police custody after allegedly being stopped at the border in the midst of a drug supply. Police allege that the male and female were caught with 2.5kg of cannabis in their vehicle while returning to New South […]

The phrase ‘Daylight Robbery’ has been in the English lexicon for hundreds of years. But its origin is far removed from the meaning of the phrase today. What Does Daylight Robbery Mean? ‘Daylight Robbery’ is a figure of speech to describe an unfair trade that is so clear and obvious that you could have robbed […]

In news that shocked the financial world, one of Australia’s largest banks – Westpac – has admitted that it breached money laundering and terrorism financing laws. The result? A whopping $1.3 billion fine. This is almost double the second largest fine of $730 million that was imposed on the Commonwealth Bank in 2018. However, despite it being […]

Traffic cameras have captured a shocking image of a driver appearing to snort a substance off a mobile phone while driving. Driving Under the Influence of a Drug is ordinarily seen by the Courts as a serious offence. The seriousness of this offence would be significantly amplified if a driver is also using a mobile […]

Imagine a lovely spring day. There’s a gentle breeze and you decide to head down to your local park to fly a kite. You’re running through the park, kite in hand. Suddenly, you hear someone yell out, “Hey, that kite’s annoying me!” You decide to pay it no mind. After all, you’re not doing anything […]

Picture this: you’re waiting for the bus in the rain. Luckily, you’re keeping dry under an umbrella, or maybe the roof of the bus stop. The bus is arriving soon and you can’t wait to get on in your dry clothes. Next thing you know a car whizzes past. The vehicle’s tyres roll into a […]

In 2018 the NSW State Government officially rolled out the use of body worn video (BWV) cameras across NSW by members of the NSW Police Force. This means that police officers can now legally use BWV to record their interactions with members of the public, in both private and public locations. But what exactly is […]

If you’ve been given a court attendance notice or charged with a criminal offence you are required to attend court. While there are some exceptions, if you don’t attend court and don’t fall into one of the exceptions, the court may deal with the matter in your absence. Even during a pandemic, being too sick […]

If you’re going to court you’ve probably heard about the “traffic offenders program”. You may have done some research yourself, or you’ve spoken to a lawyer who might have suggested you enrol in a traffic offenders’ program. You’re probably wondering, “what is it” and “Do I really have to spend my time doing it” The short answer […]

In New South Wales many of the road rules also apply to horse riders. Under the Australian Road Rules horses are included under the definition of vehicle. This means that most minor regulatory offences apply equally to both car drivers and horse riders. But you may not have heard some of the more obscure laws […]

In the final minute of a Parramatta v Wests game in July 2019 our client entered the playing field and streaked naked across the pitch. He was arrested and charged with “Enter playing field without authority” under the Sporting Venues (Invasions) Act 2003 and also “Wilful and obscene exposure” under the Summary Offences Act 1988. […]

The power of police officers to enforce bail conditions, has come under question during a Law Enforcement and Conduct Commission (LECC) hearing. The hearing which is taking place over the next few days, follows an increase in complaints made to the LECC surrounding police officers engaging in what has been referred to during the hearing […]

As the weather warms up more people will be taking to the water over summer, but many don’t know the laws regarding drink driving on a boat. Drink driving laws apply to any ‘vessel’ which includes not only boats but jet skis, kayaks, sailboards and kite boards. The Law on Drink Driving on A Boat […]

Verbal assault is a commonly heard but very misunderstood phrase. In New South Wales you can be convicted of common assault even if no physical contact takes place. There are also a number of other Acts of Parliament which create offences for what is often called a verbal assault. What exactly is an assault? Most […]

In Australian law a drone is referred to as a “remotely piloted aircraft” or RPA for short. The “Civil Aviation Safety Authority” or CASA who are responsible for regulating the use of drones. Australia has strict laws surrounding the use of drones. This is particularly the case near public places and airports. Breaches of the […]

In August 2019 social media was a-buzz after Victorian Police posted on Facebook pointing out it was illegal to pay using a mobile phone in a drive-thru. The story was picked up by media outlets and is being widely reported on. At the time it was a surprise to most people that using your phone […]

In NSW unrestricted licence holders have a limit of 13 demerit points. If you incur 13 or more demerit points in any 3-year period, the RMS will send you a notice of suspension. Instead of serving a period of suspension, you can apply for a good behaviour licence under section 36 of the Road Transport […]