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…
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…
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,…
The Role of a Police Prosecutor In New South Wales, the majority of civil and criminal matters are heard in the Local Court. NSW Police Force employs individuals who act as police prosecutors in the Local Court. A prosecutor who is often referred to as a Sergent is a part of the Police Force and will appear on behalf of…
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…
Are Criminal Charges Against a Person Publicly Available? Have you been charged with a criminal offence? Are you worried that those criminal charges, including your name, are being made publicly available? It is one of the most common concerns that defendants have, as it can impact their future and adversely affect their employment and visa prospects. What is publicly available…
Child Pornography Offences in NSW Child abuse material (previously referred to as child pornography) offences are outlined both in the Commonwealth and NSW laws in Australia. People have access to a wide range of online material and with the constant changes in technology, it becomes more important to define material considered to be criminal. Pornography laws in NSW and Australia and…
What Are the Differences Between Civil and Criminal Law in Australia? There are two justice systems in Australia: the civil justice system, and the criminal justice system. Although they bear some similarities, they serve different purposes and they should not be confused. Below, we consider the main differences between civil and criminal law, and how to determine whether a case…
Charged with Grievous Bodily Harm? What You Need to Know The charges for intentional, reckless, unlawful, and negligent grievous bodily harm are extremely serious and the penalties severe. It is important to know what grievous bodily harm is, the charges it attracts and the penalties the Court imposes for this criminal offence under criminal law. If you have been charged with…