Australians will soon be able to search for local child sex offenders, see their photograph and details. The Federal budget has allocated 7.8 million for this initiative, and Australians will access a wealth of information. This 2019-2020 budget will create an extensive National Public Register of Child Sex Offenders. The approach is simple: to create consistent access to information. The list will be so extensive that the offenders date of birth, physical description, photograph and a general description of...

Windscreen chips and cracks could make your car unroadworthy, and you could receive a fine if the crack is in sight of your driving. Is it illegal to drive with a cracked windscreen?Strictly speaking, it is not illegal to drive with a cracked or chipped windscreen, however, it could render your vehicle as ‘a dangerous vehicle’, which could give rise to the police issuing a penalty notice if you are caught. Can cracks in windshields be repaired? The good news is cracks and chips can be repaired. If a chip or crack...

The cracks are in the ice It has been twelve months since the last ‘Ice’ enquiry (Letters Patent dated 28 November 2018 appointed by Professor Dan Howard SC as Commissioner. And now there is to be a new enquiry. What is this enquiry for? In simple terms this enquiry may strengthen NSW’s response to ice and illicit amphetamine type stimulants (‘ATS’), this would include law enforcement, raise awareness of the effect of the drug and look into treatment and rehabilitation in order to eradicate this addiction and...

If a neighbour’s dog is excessively barking day and night, there are ways to reduce the noise or to fix the problem. There is no crime against dogs barking excessively, however, there is a process that should be followed, and if the owners do not comply, then they could face a fine and have their dog taken away by the RSPCA. We suggest to talk to the owner first rather than marching straight up to your local council, because your neighbour may not realise their dog is bothering you, especially if they are away...

Even the slightest use of force can be considered assault if it creates an apprehension of fear of an imminent harmful or offensive contact. Seemingly physical actions such as pushing a person or grabbing them by their clothes can qualify as domestic violence if it engenders fear or is considered offensive to the victim. Can you sue someone for slapping or pushing you? Even if you are acquitted of criminal charges for assaulting another, you can still be sued in the civil courts under the intentional tort...

If you are a first-time offender and have been arrested for possessing drugs you could be given a criminal record and a fine. If you are a first-time offender and have been arrested for possessing drugs, you could end up with a criminal record. Some Magistrates are deciding to hand out criminal convictions rather that a Community Release Order (“CRO”) without conviction (formally section 10) to make an example out of offenders committing multiple drug possession crimes. A CRO allows a Court to discharge an...

Shoplifting is a criminal offence and the crime is Larceny. The maximum penalty for larceny is ten years imprisonment, however where the goods taken are valued under $2,000 the maximum penalty is two years imprisonment. The police must prove however, that you committed the offence… The accused wrongfully took and carried away;The personal goods of another;With the intention of permanently depriving the owner of such property; andWithout his or her consent. It will be necessary for...

Your registration and CTP Green Slip are inextricably linked. You must have a CTP Green Slip policy in place before your registration is valid, but your car needs to be registered in order for your CTP insurance to be valid. It is very easy to drive your car and not realise that the rego is overdue. If you get pulled over by police, you may receive a large fine. However, you could get involved in a motor accident resulting in someone ending up being seriously injured or even killed. There would not only be...

Dont’t worry, they haven’t been abolished, simply had a name change. What used to be a section 10 ( A non conviction order, is now a community release order without conviction (CRO). A CRO (Section 10) dismisses someone’s charges without proceeding to conviction. What is a CRO? (section 10) ? A CRO allows a Court that finds you guilty of an offence, to discharge you without recording a conviction. Because there is no conviction, there is no criminal record. (Criminal Records Act 1991) Does a CRO...

Most people have done this at least once in their life, but it is in fact punishable by a fine. You are not permitted to have your suit case on a spare seat on a train in NSW. You are expected to put the luggage in the allocated space for bags. Yes, we agree with you, what space? Either way you may receive a fine if the carriage is inspected. Also if you ever wanted to carry a plant pot on a TrainLink regional train, think again, here are the rules taken from...