Do you have a licence for your Gel Blaster?
BB Guns, Gel Blasters and Air Rifles are popular gifts for teenagers around the Northern Rivers region, especially for those young people who live on rural properties and have toads and rats and other vermin to shoot at, along with plenty of space to do so. And, when used responsibly, they can be good fun. […]
What happens in the Children’s Court?
The Children’s Court deals with cases involving children and young people It hears the cases relating to: The care and protection of children and young people, under 18 years of age. Criminal offences involving young people who were under 18 years at the time of the alleged offence, including breaches of parole and release on […]
Property offences in New South Wales
Causing damage to another person’s property is a criminal offence in New South Wales. Offences relating to property damage are outlined in the New South Wales Crimes Act NSW 1900, the most common property offences are: Threatening To Destroy Or Damage Property In New South Wales, if a person threatens to destroy or damage property […]
The long term effects of a criminal conviction
A lot of people mistakenly believe that criminal convictions are only given for serious criminal offences such as assault and murder, not realising that you can have a conviction entered against you for an offence such as negligent driving or possessing a tiny amount of drugs. Then, once you have a criminal conviction, you need […]
The rise of solo legal practitioners … and what that means for clients.
The 5th annual National Profile of Solicitors report has recently been released and it shows an interesting trend in the legal profession: Solo practitioners are on the rise. According to the report, out of the 16,393 private law practices registered across Australia, sole practitioners make up 82 per cent. One of the key drivers behind […]
No double-demerits for the long weekend
For the first time since they were introduced in 1997 double-demerits will not be enforced over the October 4 long weekend this year. While driving around the state is still largely prohibited for many people, the rationale from NSW Police is that people have had enough of strict rules and harsh penalties and there will […]
What are the penalties for failing to check-in at venues?
Byron Bay and Tweed Heads were plunged into lockdown again earlier this week after a Covid-infected reality TV show crew member flew into Ballina from Sydney, wandered through some shops and had a long meet up at the Kingscliff Pub. The woman, who is fully vaccinated, had been granted permission to leave her home in […]
Are you allowed to protest in New South Wales?
Last week 150 people were arrested and hundreds more were handed public health infringement notices for taking part in demonstrations outside local council chambers across the state. There were 79 separate protests against extended lockdowns in Ballina, Grafton, Lismore, Port Macquarie, and also further south in regional areas around Sydney. In Australia we have long […]
Cyclists and the law – do you really know the road rules?
As lockdowns continue across New South Wales, many people are dusting off their bicycles to exercise. Certainly, here in the Northern Rivers, particularly around Brunswick Heads, Byron Bay, Lennox and Ballina, cycling is a really popular way to get around. However, cyclists, like motorists, have responsibilities when using the road and there’s harsh penalties for […]
The pros & cons of legalising marijuana in New South Wales
Earlier this year New South Wales Greens Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) Cate Faehrmann introduced a bill into NSW State Parliament that aims to decriminalise cannabis for personal use. The bill makes provisions for home growing and also for establishing a regulated, legal retail market. Importantly, it also creates criminal offences for selling to […]
More funding for local courts of NSW
Eight new local court Magistrates have been approved for New South Wales, and the State Government has also promised to invest more than $56 million over the next four years to boost resources for prosecutors and Legal Aid. Coffs Harbour, along with local Courts at Albury, the Central West, Illawarra, and Wagga Wagga, as well […]
Court in Covid
What if I have to go to court during the Covid-19 lock down? (the following is relevant only to the NSW lockdown in place for all of NSW, during August 2021, and which may be extended beyond August) Courts in Far North New South Wales, and across the entire state have changed the way they […]
Covid lockdown rules for northern NSW
From Coffs to Tweed – the North coast covid lockdown — new rules and penalties you need to know Just as we were hoping the imposed lockdown would end and we could return to ‘some sense of normalcy’, over the weekend the NSW Government ordered a snap seven-day lockdown of the entire state. There are […]
How to Appeal a Driver’s Licence Suspension
Losing your driver’s licence is a terrible place to be but all the more so in places with limited public transport, such as our regional area. Or when you need your licence for your job or to get to vital medical appointments. Local Court Lawyers regularly lodge appeals against licence suspensions for our clients from […]
Tweed Heads Drink Driving Charges
Tweed Heads – Border Town Dilemma Drink Driving Charges Tweed Heads is a picturesque border town that not only struggles with the biannual daylight savings shifts in time but residents and holidays goers are often in the dilemma of considerably different drink driving charges and convictions between NSW and Queensland. In New South Wales, it’s […]
Splendour In The Grass – Local Court Appearances
Byron Bay Local Court to be busy with Splendour In The Grass offences A high-visibility police operation took place at the four-day Byron Bay festival – Splendour In The Grass – with 350 drug detections and a “record ammount” of more than 3kg of illicit drugs seized, predominantly MDMA tablets and to a lesser extent […]
3 Quick tips for a safe & happy Splendour
It’s Splendour In The Grass time! Make sure your weekend is full of good memories; here’s 3 vital points to make sure your weekend is the best ever: 1. Taking Drugs at Splendour In The Grass Latest statistics show that 4 out of 5 festival goers will take recreational drugs while they’re at the festival. […]
Thinking of sneaking drugs into a festival?
Splendour In The Grass at Byron Bay is next week and Falls Music Festival has put tickets on sale for the Byron Bay New Years’ Eve music Festival, so it’s a timely reminder of your legal rights for police searches at festivals. .. and what to do if you’re ordered to appear at a local […]
Part 4 – NSW Road Safety Plan 2021 – Towards Zero
Lofty Ideals, Policy Potholes & Local Licences “Tough on crime”, “the War on Drugs”, and now….. “Towards Zero”: the latest rhetoric to metamorphosis into policy. So commendable is this policy principle, we invite you with us, to look behind the rhetoric, examine the details, and the impact these will have on day-to-day lives of drivers, […]
Part 3 – NSW Road Safety Plan 2021 – Towards Zero
Lofty Ideals, Policy Potholes & Local Licences “Tough on crime”, “the War on Drugs”, and now….. “Towards Zero”: the latest rhetoric to metamorphosis into policy. So commendable is this policy principle, we invite you with us, to look behind the rhetoric, examine the details, and the impact these will have on day-to-day lives of drivers. […]