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Fingerprints and DNA – Know your rights, or lack thereof…
If you are a person of interest to police or have been charged with a crime, chances are that they will want your fingerprints and DNA. Over the past few years, their power to take these from you has increased. Here is what you need to know courtesy of our criminal...
Know Your Rights: Navigating Police Questioning (Part 1)
Being approached by the police can be extremely intimidating, especially if you’re unaware of your legal rights when being approached, questioned, detained, and arrested by the police. However, fear not, as Part 1 of this guide will prepare you in any given situation....
Understanding Coroner’s Investigations & Coronial Inquests
The Coroner’s Court plays a pivotal role in the Victorian justice system. Coroners are judicial officers who are responsible for the independent investigation of all reportable deaths and fires. Each year, Victoria’s coroners independently investigate roughly 6,500...
Understanding the Law Around Workplace Bullying and Harassment– a Guide for Employers!
The Victorian legal system has strong safeguards in place against workplace bullying, harassment, and discrimination. This is evidenced by the Victorian WorkSafe Authority having prosecutorial powers through provisions within the Occupational Health and Safety Act...
Effective Defence Strategies for Drug Charges
To be frank, there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to effectively defending against drug charges. Any experienced and specialised criminal lawyer knows that effective defence strategies for drug related charges depend on the specific charge and...
How an Expert Witness Can Strengthen Your Defence
Expert witnesses can play an extremely important role in both a trial defence strategy and in sentence mitigation during a plea hearing. This article will examine the role of expert witnesses and how they can be utilised by defence lawyers. What is an Expert Witness?...
What are Pre-Trial Procedures and How Do they Work in Practice?
In Victoria, there are several important stages and court procedures that must be completed before a case goes to trial. These stages include committal hearings, directions hearings and pre-trial legal argument (also known as Voir Dire or Basha enquiries). These...
Beyond the Verdict – How Criminal Convictions Affect Employment
Unfortunately, there’s no way to sugar coat it. Having a criminal record is a barrier to obtaining employment following a court proceeding. This is particularly the case where someone has been convicted of violent, sexual or dishonesty related offences, such as fraud...
Can I Appeal my Conviction After a Plea of Guilty?
When an accused person pleads guilty to a criminal offence in a court, they are formally making a concession that the prosecution can prove the elements of the offence to the criminal standard of beyond a reasonable doubt. Although a plea of guilty does not...
A Criminal Lawyer’s Guide to Coping Strategies Before, During and After an Arrest
More often than not, you will not have advance notice that you are going to be arrested. However, if you are fortunate enough to know in advance that Police may seek to question you, then you have an opportunity to educate and prepare yourself for this process....