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 […]
Disqualified from Driving?
Good news for some disqualified drivers: Changes to the law came into effect on October 28, which mean some disqualified drivers will be able to have their licenses returned to them, if they successfully apply to the local court. The changes apply to: disqualified drivers who have not had any traffic offences for two years, […]
SCHOOLIES IN NSW….. FOR UNDER 18’S
SO YOU’RE 16, 17 and going to schoolies. This blog is aimed at YOU – the under 18’s. You have rights… For a start don’t agree to an interview until you get legal advice. Police record most conversations they have with you, even in the street they might be recording, and you may not even […]
Driving with the presence of cannabis or amphetamine in an oral fluid sample
This is colloquially known as a “s111 offence”, because that’s the section of the Roads Transport Act that renders driving with the presence of a drug, in your saliva, an offence. But not any drug…… read on. The mobile drug testing (“MDT”) units are limited to testing only for cannabis (pot, weed, green, hash, mull, […]
What will the court consider when deciding if you can get a section 10?
(“How do I get a section 10”?) Before a Magistrate will decide if an accused person deserves a section 10, there are certain things the Magistrate will take into account. (see our blog – “what is a section 10?” –there are 3 types of s10’s). The same law that makes it possible for a Magistrate […]
What happens if I plead NOT guilty?
Firstly, lets look at pleading guilty: If you plead guilty to a charge in the local court, and you enter this plea on your first return date (the first time you have to appear in court), you generally get the benefit of a sentencing discount of 25%. What happens next depends on the Magistrate and […]