Articles

The offence of knowingly displaying Nazi symbol in public without a reasonable excuse is contained in Section 93ZA of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). Astor Legal are the only firm in Australia who have successfully defended against these charges. Contact us online or call us on (02) 7804 2823 if you have been charged with a […]

In Australia, the right to remain silent is an important legal safeguard, though it differs from the well-known Miranda Rights in the United States. Common law and legislation in Australia set out that refusing to answer police questions generally cannot be used against you. However, there are some exceptions in serious criminal matters. If police […]

Squatters rights in Australia have been in the spotlight in recent years. If a squatter has had possession of a property for a continuous period of 12 years or more, they may be able to claim adverse possession. That is why it is important for landlords and tenants to be aware of their rights and […]

Freezing orders are complex legal instruments. Unsurprisingly, most laypersons are confused about the process. If you are seeking to impose a freezing order, or you have been served one, you will need professional legal advice and representation. What is a Freezing Order? A freezing order, otherwise known as a Mareva order, is a type of […]

One of the most common issues people who are charged by police have is the cost of a criminal lawyer. This is not an easy question to answer as there are numerous factors involved in providing an estimate. These include the complexity of the case, whether it is a fixed fee or non-fixed fee basis […]

The ability of police to force a person to unlock their phone has improved since the recent introduction of digital evidence access order legislation in New South Wales. This has extended police powers, allowing law enforcement to compel individuals to provide passcodes to electronic devices. The are hefty penalties including fines and imprisonment for a […]

What is the most common crime in each Victorian suburb? The crime rate in Victoria is rising. With this in mind, our criminal law specialists wanted to analyse the crime data from the last five years to discover the most common crimes across Victoria, as well as in each suburb, and to understand how crime […]

NSW Parliament recently passed anti-protest laws, in the form of amendments to existing legislation that govern the extent of protesting. The effect of these amendments has broadened the scope for criminality in the context of protesting, and conversely limited the right to protest in NSW. This is despite the right to protest being an integral […]

New vaping laws will be introduced from 1 October, with changes aimed at regulating the supply and manufacture of vapes. However, there has been criticism of the new reforms as well as the government’s ability to adequately enforce them. When are Vapes Getting Banned in Australia? Disposable vapes, whether they contain nicotine or not, have […]

The law requires all passengers to wear seat belts, with penalties for non-compliance. Despite this, 15% of road deaths in NSW involve not wearing a seatbelt, and nearly 10,000 fines are issued annually. NSW law mandates seat belt use for all vehicle occupants, with exemptions for certain drivers (e.g., reversing, medical conditions) and specific vehicles. […]