Articles

With stricter domestic violence laws being introduced, a common question being asked is whether financial abuse is a crime. While this has previously been seen in the context of family law proceedings, the introduction of coercive control as a criminal offence has expanded the consequences of financial abuse. This is because control of finances is […]

In NSW, a medical licence suspension appeal can be made if you believe your driver’s licence has been wrongly suspended due to a medical condition. The purpose of suspensions is to safeguard road users if a person’s health condition poses a risk to safe driving practices. However, this can sometimes result in an overreach, whereby […]

NSW parliament has introduced sweeping new domestic violence bail laws aimed at making it more difficult for accused persons to be released after being charged. The government has hailed the changes as a response to the outpouring of community sentiment to be tougher on domestic violence offences after a spate of publicised domestic violence incidents. […]

NRL star Jarryd Hayne has been released from jail after his sexual assault appeal was allowed and convictions overturned. This is the second successful appeal for the two-time Dally M winner. He has been through three trials to date. Hayne was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman at her Newcastle following a District Court […]

The NSW government has passed new knife laws giving police unprecedented powers to use ‘wanding’ after a spate of high-profile stabbings. Police will now be able to use a hand-held metal detector without warrants in certain locations. The new legislation is not without criticism, with the opposition claiming it does not give police enough power, […]

First-time domestic violence charges are taken very seriously by the courts. In today’s climate, it is not unusual for sentences of imprisonment to be imposed for these offences. It is also often difficult to avoid a conviction unless your case is prepared and presented by an experienced criminal defence lawyer. Generally, an Apprehended Domestic Violence […]

An AVO for verbal abuse is a way for victims to protect themselves against further conduct. Verbal abuse is a way for an abuser to gain control over their victims by creating an unbalanced power dynamic between them. Verbal abuse can have complex effects on the victim’s identity and sense of self especially if it […]

A private AVO is beneficial for those who seek protection against another person when police are unwilling to help. Applying for a private AVO is a long process and can be confusing if you are uninformed about the many steps of the procedure. The below article will explain the process. What is a private AVO? […]

The age of consent varies across Australian states. The idea of an age of consent is designed to protect children, who are incapable of consenting due to their lack of maturity. Due to the complexity of sexual assault charges, it is important to consult an experienced criminal defence lawyer if the age of consent is […]

In recent years there has been an increase in the prominence of laser pointers and their use in various contexts. A number of pieces of legislation in NSW deal with the legality of laser pointers and potential penalties. What Are Laser Pointers? Laser pointers are compact, battery-powered devices made to project a concentrated laser beam. […]