News: Criminal & Traffic Law

The terminology used in the legal industry regarding statements of evidence can be confusing. Phrases such as affidavit, statutory declaration and witness statement are thrown around and are often used interchangeably in common lexicon. This article explores the difference between these documents and how they are used within the legal system: 1. Affidavit An affidavit […]

In late October 2017, the NSW State Government passed a number of amendments to the Road Transport Act 2013 (the “Act”) which overhaul the system as it relates to driving disqualifications. The aim of the amendment is to reduce unlawful driving by giving people an opportunity to have their licences returned in certain circumstances where […]

There are many rules that govern the way in which vehicles are to be operated to maintain the safety of our roads, most of which are contained within the Road Rules 2014 (NSW). Many of these rules are well known to road users, however in this article, I will explore a few of the lesser […]

Time and time again when working in criminal law I have had clients approach me and say “mate, can’t you just get me a section 10?” This mystical section of the Crimes (Sentencing and Procedure) Act (the “Act”) seems to be one of the most well-known sections of legislation amongst the laymen of NSW, but […]

Schapelle Corby’s avoidance of the mainstream media following her much publicised recent return from Bali has caused much speculation that she has entered into an agreement with a media outlet to sell her story. But would Corby be able to profit from her story? There is a strong framework of seldom used Commonwealth and State […]

Nowadays just about every teenager has a smart phone equipped with a camera. This has given rise to the phenomenon commonly known as “sexting” where teenagers will take pictures of themselves or others either naked or only partially clothed and distribute those pictures to other people. Sometimes this only involves a young person sending pictures […]

Juries have an important role in the administration of justice within Australia. Juries are often used in NSW to determine more serious criminal matters. It is important to follow the rules when summoned for jury duty as there can be serious consequences if you do not. Here are some key points that will help you […]

The use of drones in Australia is increasing fast and the law needs to keep pace with the ever expanding use of this form of technology. Under Australian law, drones are formally known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The rules relating to the use of UAVs largely depend on the weight of the UAV and […]

A fundamental aspect of the criminal law is that many crimes can only be prosecuted when the offender has some form of guilty state of mind at the time they commit the crime. In some cases, the law requires that the offender intend the results of their actions in order to be guilty of the […]