News
Preparing for Prison
The basis of the advice we give to clients preparing for prison, the insights that have been shared by clients past and present, are outlined in this article. In the first episode of Orange is the New Black, the protagonist, Piper Chapman, is taken into custody at a...
The Reality of Going to Trial: 6 Facts You May Not Know
Every day, accused people stand trial in front of a jury of their peers, who are charged with delivering a verdict on their guilt. It is a nerve-wracking time for an accused person and, in all likelihood, they have never gone through the process before. Listed below...
Youth Crime: Youth Justice Applications for Sentencing
In Victoria, separate bail and sentencing regimes exist which apply specifically to children and young people. This article outlines the youth justice framework which applies to people under the age of 21 who are to be sentenced to serious offences (or multiple...
Sentencing Act Compensation Applications
In Victoria, if you have been found guilty and been convicted of an offence, you may be liable for victims compensation. Under the Sentencing Act, victims can apply for compensation if they have suffered injury as a result of the offender’s crime. Such orders differ...
Understanding the 2024 Bail Reforms
For a number of years, and particularly since the tragic events which unfolded in Bourke Street, Melbourne, in 2017, the issue of bail has been a contentious and political issue. More recently, the death of Veronica Nelson in custody (and the subsequent coronial...
Examining the Use of ‘Self-Defence’ for Assault-Related Charges in Victoria
Self defence is a commonly used defence in Victoria for charges relating to assault, and in some cases, manslaughter, and murder. Originally a common law defence, self defence was codified in the Victorian Crimes Act 1958 in 2005. Since then, provisions have been...
Understanding Different Manslaughter Charges in Victoria
In Victoria, there are different offences that relate to the unlawful killing of another person. Aside from murder, these include: Voluntary manslaughter; Involuntary manslaughter; Single punch manslaughter (King hit manslaughter); Workplace manslaughter; and Suicide...
Guide to Surety – Answering Common Questions Asked when Applying for Bail
One of the most common questions criminal lawyers get asked from our clients’ family members is in relation to providing the court a surety for the accused’s bail. For many, providing a surety will feel like a very big decision and you may be overwhelmed, particularly...
De-Banking: Can my Bank Close my Account Due to Criminal Offending?
In the last five years, since the Royal Commission into the Banking Sector, we have seen the introduction of individual ‘de-banking’. ‘De-banking’ is a process by which your bank refuses to continue to service you. This means that they can refuse to allow you to...
Know Your Rights: Navigating Police Questioning (Part 2)
Before diving into the details of Navigating Police Questioning in Part 2, check out Part 1 to build a solid foundation on your legal rights and protections. There are several additional rules and procedures that the police are required to follow when questioning a...