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...
The answer is No, you cannot swear at a police officer. Offensive language is a chargeable offence. Most of the time police will charge this along with other more serious offences. In NSW, foul and offensive language carries a maximum penalty fine of 6 penalty units, Currently, 1 penalty unit equals to $110. Offensive language to a police officer can still result in a conviction and criminal record. How can the police prove it? To convict you of swearing, the police must prove that you were within view...
Jeremy Allen and Cassandra Ross have been arrested and facing charges for stabbing a teenager outside Woolworths in Balmain. The 16-year-old boy was leaving Woolworths with his 14-year-old brother when he was approached by the accused for a cigarette lighter. The accused and the victim had an altercation before the man stabbed the teenager in the abdomen and left with his partner. The accused is charged with grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, reckless grievous bodily harm, and reckless wounding. He...
Fans are fuming after police have warned anyone heading to UK electro group Above & Beyond‘s show in Sydney this weekend will be denied entry if a sniffer dog makes any indication they have or have had drugs on their person. If you or any one you know has been wrongfully refused from this gig, we will represent you PRO BONO Music.com.au has stated… Punters have slammed the call which suggests they could be refused entry into the gig despite not having drugs on them at all. Check out some of the responses...
Downing Centre Local Court – January 2016Our client was a middle-aged professional woman charged with assault after she violently lashed out at security staff after her partner was ejected from licensed premises in the Sydney CBD. Despite the dramatic nature of the police facts, we were able to persuade the magistrate to deal with her matter without conviction, placing her on a good behaviour bond. This had obviously positive implications for our client maintaining her professional career.
Liverpool and Parramatta Local Courts – March 2016Our client was charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, after his ex-partner jumped from his moving car following an argument they had, suffering brain damage. His matter was referred to us on a grant from Legal Aid. Our client was found guilty on the basis that his continuing to drive after his ex opened the door to the car, took her seatbelt and said she would jump out, fell below the minimum standards of care expected of a driver to the...
Parramatta Local Court – February 2016Our client was a young man charged with break, enter & steal and related offences concerning a home invasion committed in company with use of a firearm. His matter was referred to us on a grant from Legal Aid. We prepared a defended committal hearing, at which we were confident on having the main charge downgraded to an enter with intent offence, and two others dismissed for lack of evidence. The prosecution offered our client a deal which would keep the matter in the Local...
Sydney Supreme Court – March 2016Our client was charged with a number of serious sexual assault and intentional wounding and grievous bodily harm offences arising out of an allegedly abusive domestic relationship. With the trial matter pending in the Lismore District Court, we persuaded a Supreme Court judge to grant our client conditional bail, after we pointed to weaknesses in the prosecution and rebutted the prosecution’s hollow argument that our client posed a flight risk.
Manly Local Court – February 2016Our client was a 17-year-old who had only had his licence for a matter of months when he was charged with drive in a manner dangerous, speed over 30km/h and negligent driving as a back-up. We negotiated with the prosecution to slim down the charges, and the prosecution dropped the speed over 30km/h charge, which meant that our client avoided a mandatory 3-month licence disqualification on top of any other penalty the court imposed. We persuaded the magistrate to deal with our...
Downing Centre Local Court – April 2016Our client was a young tradesman from Newcastle charged with Possess Prohibited Drug after being caught with a capsule of MDMA in the Sydney CBD. He made full admissions to police, and at sentence, we were able to persuade the...
Downing Centre Local Court – April 2016Our client was a young British citizen on a working holiday who was caught with a bag of MDMA powder attending a DJ event in North Sydney. Despite the fact that he ran away from police and had to be detained with force (he was...
Downing Centre Local Court – July 2015Our client was a young man with an interest in surfing who instructed us to enter a plea in mitigation for the offence of ‘Drive Whilst Suspended’. Though absent from court and unable to be contacted because he was catching a massive break in the Northern Beaches, our Principal solicitor was able to persuade the magistrate to make an order under section 10, which means he was not convicted and no longer off the road. If only more matters could be successfully resolved while...