Are Magic Mushrooms Legal in Australia? The cultivation, manufacture, possession, use, selling, or supply of psilocybin or magic mushrooms is illegal in Australia. Excessive penalties are imposed for this offence and offenders can face imprisonment and expect a criminal record. What is a Hallucinogen? A hallucinogen is a drug that has the potential to produce hallucinations. A hallucination is a false…
Pepper Spray: Is it Legal in Australia? Pepper spray is illegal in most of the States and Territories in Australia. Although people are asking the Australian Government to make it legal to carry pepper spray for self-defence, only Western Australia has moved to legalise pepper spray as a controlled weapon. Is Pepper Spray Dangerous? Pepper spray contains an inflammatory compound capsaicin…
What Should a Person Do During a Search Warrant Execution? Police officers can search premises with or without a search warrant. However, there are certain laws and regulations they have to abide by before and during the execution of the search warrant. The occupant or occupants of the house also have rights. It is important to be aware of these rights before or…
Appeals – What Are Appeals and How Do They Work? Appeals play an important role in the criminal justice system in NSW. Mistakes can and do happen in the criminal justice system. An appeal can be lodged by the Prosecution or the Defence if they perceive the verdict or sentence as unjust or if they believe the Court made an…
What to Do When Faced With an Arrest Warrant Any outstanding legal or criminal matters or warrants for arrest are serious and can have far-reaching consequences. Therefore, it is important to act appropriately when facing an arrest warrant and to retain an expert defence lawyer immediately. When Does the Court Issue Arrest Warrants? A Registrar, Magistrate, or Judge issues an…
How Do Red Light Cameras Work in NSW? Red-light cameras are vital in reducing road accidents, and these cameras enforce red-light and speeding offences. Red light camera offences are dealt with under the Road Ruse 2014 (NSW) and the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) in New South Wales. In addition, regulation 56 of the Road Rules 2015 stipulates to run…
The Offence of Criminal Defamation in New South Wales Defamation is a complex issue and it can be difficult to navigate without professional legal advice. High-profile defamation cases have been in the headlines and defamation in itself is a controversial topic and the criminality of this controversial topic even more so. Freedom of speech and the protection of a reputation can be…
I Have Received a Fine in NSW, What Happens Now? What is a fine? A fine is essentially a financial penalty for breaching Certain Laws or Regulations, including traffic infringements, public transport fines, local council or minor criminal offences. A fine can also be issued as a penalty notice, on-the-spot fine, infringement notice, ticket or a CIN (‘Criminal Infringement Notice’)….
How Much Does a Lawyer make in Australia? There are many benefits to becoming a lawyer in Australia. Lawyers have the opportunity to help clients resolve legal matters, they have a variety of specialised legal areas to choose from, and a lawyer has the potential to earn a good income. However, certain factors influence the earning potential of a lawyer,…
King’s Counsel, Queen’s Counsel, and Senior Counsel in Australia There are very few esteemed barristers left in Australia known as King’s Counsel. The title of King’s Counsel or previously known as Queen’s Counsel was issued to barristers who attained the status before 1993 when it was replaced with the title of Senior Counsel in several Australian jurisdictions. The Queen’s Counsel will…