In New South Wales, if you’ve been convicted or sentenced in your absence, you may be able to apply to have that decision annulled. This process is governed by Section 4 of the Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001. What Is an Annulment? An annulment means that the Local Court annuls a conviction or sentence […]Continue reading
Spiking someone’s food or drink is a serious criminal offence. This dangerous act involves secretly adding an intoxicating substance—such as alcohol or drugs—into someone’s food or beverage without their knowledge or consent. The legal consequences can be severe, particularly if the act is linked to further criminal conduct. What Is Considered Spiking? Spiking goes beyond […]Continue reading
Obstructing a police investigation is a serious criminal offence under Section 315 of the Crimes Act 1900 NSW. This law makes it illegal to intentionally interfere with or mislead police officers during an investigation, including actions such as tampering with evidence or preventing the arrest of a suspect. This offence carries a maximum penalty of […]Continue reading
Making a false accusation with the intention of having someone investigated for a crime—while knowing they are innocent—is a serious criminal offence. This act is covered under Section 314 of the Crimes Act 1900 NSW and carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment. Understanding the legal implications of false accusations is essential, particularly in […]Continue reading
In New South Wales, ensuring the smooth operation and security of critical infrastructure is a top priority. To support this, Section 214A of the Crimes Act 1900 makes it a criminal offence to damage or interfere with a major facility. What Does Section 214A Cover? Under this law, a range of actions that affect major […]Continue reading
Bail and remand are related to an accused person’s freedom before their trial begins. Bail allows an individual to be released into the community under certain conditions while awaiting court proceedings. In contrast, remand involves keeping the accused in custody until their trial or other legal matters are resolved. What is Bail? Bail is a […]Continue reading
Jury trials play a fundamental role in determining the guilt or innocence of an accused person. However, not all trials result in a clear outcome. One such instance is the occurrence of a hung jury—a scenario where the jury is unable to reach either a unanimous or legally acceptable majority verdict. What Is a Hung […]Continue reading
In New South Wales (NSW), sexual touching is a serious criminal offence governed by Section 61KC of the Crimes Act 1900. This law is designed to protect individuals from unwanted and unlawful sexual contact and to reflect contemporary standards around consent and bodily autonomy. What Is Sexual Touching? Sexual touching refers to intentional physical contact […]Continue reading
Tampering with evidence is a serious criminal offence and is governed by Section 317 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). This offence involves deliberately interfering with evidence in a way that is intended to mislead the court or judicial proceedings. It carries heavy penalties, including up to 10 years of imprisonment. What Is Tampering with […]Continue reading
Strict regulations govern the possession and use of firearms. Unauthorised possession or use of a firearm is a serious criminal offence and can result in significant penalties, including imprisonment. Unlicensed Possession and Use Under laws such as the Firearms Act 1996 (NSW), it is illegal to possess or operate a firearm without holding a valid […]Continue reading
