In the USA, 86,639 prisoners have tested positive for COVID-19. At least 805 prisoners have died. It’s not surprising that the rate of transmission and death is much higher than the general population. This is due to confined spaces, inadequate health care and a range of other issues related to the US’s obsession with mass […]
Hundreds of US Prisoners have died from COVID-19 – Australia may follow Read More »
Prominent Indigenous lawyers are calling for the government to set up the Walama Court as a matter of urgency. In an open letter, they pushed for the Court to be opened to help divert Indigenous offenders from prison and reduce reoffending. Among those behind the letter are the nation’s first Indigenous silk Tony McAvoy, Professor
Urgent calls for Walama Court to be established Read More »
According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), domestic violence has not increased during COVID-19. Calls to the NSW Domestic Violence Line also showed no evidence of COVID-related increase. However, a survey conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) found otherwise. The survey stated that two-thirds of women already suffering from
Has Domestic Violence Increased or Decreased during COVID-19? Read More »
The South Australian Police (SAPOL) have cleared a Port Adelaide officer over a violent arrest of an Indigenous man. Not only have they cleared the officer, but they have also reinstated the original charges of the man. Noel Henry has been re-charged with hindering police, resisting police and property damage. The 28-year-old man was riding
Internal Police Investigation Clears Officers Over Violent Arrest Read More »
The majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are thriving. They’re growing up in strong cultures with large support networks. However, a large number will continue to face challenges stemming from colonisation and its effects. Poverty, discrimination, systemic removal and intergenerational trauma continue to greatly affect these children. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
Lismore Magistrate David Heilpern stood down from his position last year citing unethical drug driving laws. Mr Heilpern stated that the laws were so “grossly unfair” that he could no longer apply them. “[T]he vast majority of people who are brought before the courts on this charge, are not affected [by the drug],” he told
Reform Needed for “Grossly Unfair” Drug Driving Laws Read More »
Prominent criminal barrister Phillip Boulten SC has called for charges to be laid on the prison guards involved in the death of David Dungay Jr. In 18-page advice, Mr Boulten SC outlined the grounds on which officers involved should be charged. “I have concluded that, in addition to evidence demonstrating that these officers assaulted the
On Monday, the Council of Attorneys-General (CAG) avoided raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14. The decision to defer the conversation for another 12 months shows a blatant lack of interest in the welfare of Indigenous children. “We don’t lack solutions, our politicians lack political will,” stated Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) CEO
Attorneys-General failing Indigenous children with inaction Read More »
Our lawyers behind the scenes on the Black Lives Matter Protest Case It was late on the afternoon of 6 June, when the NSW Court of Appeal was convened to hear an urgent appeal concerning the legality of planned Black Lives Matter protests. Lawyers from O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors, who represented protest organisers in
Last-Minute Justice: Insight from the Lawyers of the Black Lives Matter Protest Case Read More »
NSW Police Officer Tasers Compliant Aboriginal Man in the Face in Paddington Footage has emerged of police brutality with a NSW Police Officer discharging his taser into the face of Kris Lovelock, a 32-year-old Aboriginal man. He knelt on the ground with his palms outstretched in compliance. The footage shows the man obeying police directions,
Police brutality: Sydney police officer Tasers kneeling Aboriginal man in the face Read More »
