News

Bail is a fundamental concept that underpins our justice system. Our system is predicated on the inherent belief that an accused person is innocent until proven guilty. It is for this reason that it is important to avoid holding an accused person in custody until...

Some guilty clients form the view early in a retainer that, if they try to convince their lawyer of their innocence, their lawyer will work harder and bend the rules to help them. Experienced, competent and ethical criminal defence lawyers see right through this. It...

An Intervention Order, whether it is a Family Violence Intervention Order or a Personal Safety Intervention Order, is a civil order. It does not form part of your criminal history. However, the penalties for breaching the Order are criminal and can result in charges...

In Victoria, an accused can be charged with several different categories of assault related offences. The charge will depend on the circumstances of the alleged offending and the severity of the injury sustained by the victim. Assault offences are extremely prevalent...

Reforms have been implemented to reshape the way sexual violence is addressed in Victoria. In a proactive move, the state government has sanctioned modifications to the Crimes Act 1958, paving the way for the adoption of an affirmative consent model. This pivotal...

The Criminal Justice Diversion Program (CJDP) is a sentencing option commonly utilised in the Magistrates’ Court for low-level offending and for first time defendants. Under the program, a Magistrate will order the defendant to fulfil conditions aimed at their...

The technological landscape of criminal law is constantly changing, which requires defence lawyers to be adaptable. In the last few years alone, tech developments have impacted the way that evidence is collected, produced, and relied on in criminal cases....

With the Andrew’s Government recently implementing plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 and to 14 years old by 2027, it is a pertinent time to assess the contentious social issue that is ‘Youth Crime’. By now, every Victorian has seen news...

The correlation between those suffering from mental health conditions and those implicated in the criminal justice system is irrefutable. This unique intersection is well documented and has extensive impacts, ranging from potential defences for an offender suffering...