News
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...
Webex Etiquette
It may go without saying to some, but still the reality of Webex is that people appear in Court from home and so, inevitably, bring home into the Court room. Over the past 18 months, we have seen various and many strange things happen as people appear from home. There...
Victoria’s New Spent Conviction Scheme
On 30 March 2021, the Victorian Spent Conviction Scheme was granted Royal Assent. Aspects of the legislation are now in effect, with the remainder coming into effect in December 2021 and July 2022. The scheme allows for convictions to be automatically spent or spent...
Changes to De Novo Appeals due in 6 months
The Justice Legislation Amendment (Criminal Appeals) Bill 2019 was passed by the Andrews Government in 2019 with the changes coming into effect as of July 1 2020. The key change of this bill was the abolishment of De Novo appeals. What are De Novo Appeals? De Novo...
Statement – Concession of the Appeal of Zlate Cvetanovski
The appeal of our client, Zlate Cvetanovski, in relation to his conviction for drug offences as part of Operation Posse has been conceded by the Director of Public Prosecutions on the basis that there was a substantial miscarriage of justice in his case. The basis for...
COVID-Safe Plan
COVID- SAFE PLAN FOR GALBALLY PARKER LAWYERS Under Stage 4 ‘Stay at Home’ Restrictions announced by the Victorian Government, criminal defence law practices like ‘Galbally Parker Lawyers’ remain Open (for on-site work) so long as we have a COVID-Safe plan in order to...
Omnibus Emergency Legislation Now in Effect
On 24 April 2020, the COVID 19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 came into law in the State of Victoria. This has, for the time being, changed the criminal justice system to accommodate social distancing measures as a result of the pandemic This article acts as a...
Open Letter to the Australian Governments from stakeholders in the Criminal Justice and Prisoner Welfare spaces
This afternoon an open letter was sent to the Australian Governments and posted online. It was signed by a long list of individuals and organisations who are stakeholders in the Criminal Justice System and Prisons. Ruth Parker of our office signed on behalf of our...
Open Letter to Corrections Victoria
This afternoon, our office wrote an Open Letter to the Minister for Corrections, Ben Carroll, the Commissioner for Corrections Emma Cassar and the Assistant Commissioner for Corrections, Jenny Hoskins. This letter reflects the concerns that have been communicated to...
Magistrates’ Court Protocol for COVID-19
The Magistrates' Court has announced is amended procedures for all stakeholders in the Court, including criminal defence lawyers, accused persons and parties to Intervention Order and Disciplinary Proceedings. Please find the announcement here.