Preparing for Local Court
So, you’re appearing in court. There’s no doubt, it can be nerve-wracking and a bit stressful. Here we explain what to expect and how to prepare yourself for a Local Court hearing or at your first mention. No matter what offence you have been charged with, the first step – and the most critical – […]
The Local Court – including new covid rule
After two years of pandemic-related disruptions and many local court matters being adjourned, or handled remotely, over the phone or via audio visual technology or other forms of electronic communication matters, normality is returning to the local courts in NSW. That said, there are still health precautions in place – these include: Masks are mandatory […]
What is a Conditional Release Order?
Conditional release orders (CROs) are a type of sentencing. They were introduced in 2018, to replace good behaviour bonds. When a person has been found guilty of a crime in New South Wales (either at a hearing or my entering a plea of guilty), a Judge or Magistrate can impose a CRO with a criminal […]
What does it mean to appeal a criminal conviction?
The news that has dominated headlines recently is the story of Jarryd Hayne walking free from jail, having had his sexual assault convictions quashed. The former NRL star was convicted late last year of two counts of sexual assault. After a jury found him guilty his legal team launched an appeal against his conviction. Every […]
Supplying a prohibited drug in New South Wales
I bet that if you asked any parent what their greatest worry is, most would say their teenagers getting into trouble with drugs makes it into the top three concerns. A group of New South Wales high school parents are coming to terms with an even worse scenario this week – the news that a […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
NEW LAWS: From 20th May 2019
Drink driving and drug driving – going to court PENALTIES FOR LOW RANGE DRINK DRIVING (s110(1) of the Road Transport Act) THESE PENALTIES APPLY UNLESS YOU TAKE THE MATTER BEFORE THE COURT where you may argue that no conviction (no loss of license and no fine) is the appropriate penalty, once the Magistrate understands (i) […]
The top 5 categories of offences in the NSW local courts, in 2017
If you have a court attendance notice for the local courts of NSW, here are some 2017 statistics that hopefully leave you feeling less-alone. I’ve selected these 5 groups of offences because together they comprise the bulk of the work of the NSW local courts. In 2017, there were 16,418 people who faced a local […]
Triple J Hack interview
Listen to our Local Court Lawyer, Sally McPherson, share her expertise on the Byron Bay court Splendour In The Grass day – on Triple J’s Hack (it’s the 1st story up after the ‘headlines’). Press play button to listen:
Top 4 most common charges at Schoolies in Byron Bay
Underage drinking To buy alcohol, or supply alcohol to a minor, is an offence. If you are a minor (under 18) and caught buying alcohol, you will be fined (at least $220) or forced to face a court (where you could be fined $2,200). The bottle-shop, and the person, at the shop, selling you the […]
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 […]
