Enjoy Halloween without breaking any laws
Halloween just seems to get bigger and brighter and most families say it’s a great annual community-oriented activity that brings neighbourhoods together. While it’s important to have fun, it’s also important to stay safe, and obey the laws! Be Covid-Safe Covid-19 hasn’t cancelled Halloween, but NSW Health has released some information and made some recommendations […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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. […]
Part 2 – 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. […]
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. […]
Medicinal Cannabis Current Legal Issues
Two critical and urgent legal issues (and proposed solutions) in the Medicinal Cannabis law enforcement space The Local Court Lawyers are calling on the State Government to consider the following two urgent changes to the laws relating to Medicinal Cannabis (“MC”) use. ISSUE 1 – a stay of proceedings or adjourn for authorisation until “lawfully prescribed” 1a. […]
medicinal cannabis & recreational-use cannabis
Exactly what is the difference between medicinal cannabis and recreational-use cannabis? And why is medical cannabis legal? In my experience, people feel trepidation when it comes to ‘medical cannabis’: on the one hand “it’s a plant, its natural, and everyone’s talking about the medicinal uses, so maybe its ok”; and on the other, the voice […]
SCHOOLIES – How to stay out of trouble
I asked two police officer friends of mine: “how can Schoolies have fun but avoid the police?” Here’s what they said: 1: “Don’t fail the attitude test” (as my police friend described it). If the police approach you, just be pleasant. They added: “the rude one’s, the one’s who are drunk and obnoxious and carry-on, […]
6 Tips on: How To Find a Good Lawyer
1: A “good lawyer” is a lawyer experienced in providing legal advice in the area of law you require, who also has a good reputation. For example, you consult a lawyer, with a good reputation and experience in family law, if you are going through a divorce. Your search should include terms like: “family lawyer […]
