criminal defence

Open letter to renew funding for cognitive disability justice support scheme

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, crime, criminal defence / By Sarah Gore / February 26, 2021 February 26, 2021

Dear Attorney General Mark Speakman, The overrepresentation and disadvantage experienced by people with cognitive disability in the criminal justice system has been long recognised. If you have an intellectual disability or another cognitive disability like autism or acquired brain injury then you need specialist support if you come into contact with the police and the …

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Open letter to renew funding for cognitive disability justice support scheme JAS CIDP

Disability Royal Commission looks into criminal justice system

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, criminal defence, human rights, royal commissions / By Sarah Gore / February 26, 2021 February 26, 2021

Advocates for a First Nations man with cognitive disability detained for 14 years say they will renew his case for justice in the United Nations. Winmartie’s* two guardians both gave evidence to the Disability Royal Commission examining the interactions of people with a cognitive disability and the criminal justice system. Winmartie has been in detention …

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Inquest into 2015 death in custody begins

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, criminal defence, deaths in custody / By Sarah Gore / February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021

*This article contains photographs of an Aboriginal person who has passed away* The coronial inquest into the death of Aboriginal man Danny Whitton has begun this week as his family demands justice. The 25-year-old Wonnarua man died in a Sydney hospital after an accidental drug overdose at Junee Correctional Centre. The inquest is set to …

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Coronial inquest into 2015 death in custody begins

Cognitive impairment justice advocacy scheme at risk

criminal defence / By Sarah Gore / February 23, 2021 February 23, 2021

People with cognitive impairments may need to appear in NSW courts without any qualified support person as government funding begins to run out. The Justice Advocacy Service (JAS) provides support to people with cognitive impairments who come into contact with the criminal justice system. This includes victims, witnesses, suspects and defendants. The NSW State Government …

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CIDP Cognitive impairment justice advocacy scheme at risk

Overcrowded NT Jails at tipping point, Parole Board warns

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, criminal defence / By Sarah Gore / February 19, 2021 February 19, 2021

Jails in the Northern Territory are at a “critical tipping point” according to the head of the NT Parole Board. With widespread drug use, failing rehabilitation programs, and staff resistant to reform, the jails are overcrowded with fewer people heading out on parole. “The environment in which the Parole Board functions is also becoming increasingly …

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Parliament orders NSW Government to hand over documents for bushfire grants scandal

criminal defence / By Sarah Gore / February 18, 2021 February 18, 2021

The NSW Upper House has ordered the Berejiklian government to hand over all documents relating to the bushfire grants scandal. The NSW Government allegedly used $177 million of bushfire relief grants to overwhelmingly Coalition held seats in November last year, according to Greens MP David Shoebridge. Less than 2% of the funding went to seats …

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NSW Police officer acquitted of assaulting Indigenous man in custody

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Assault, Battery, criminal defence, police / By Sarah Gore / February 18, 2021 February 19, 2021

A NSW Police officer has been acquitted of two counts of common assault after a District Court judge accepted that the force was reasonable and not excessive. In 2019, Senior Constable Jeames Iaian Murray was captured on CCTV footage pushing Indigenous man Patrick Little‘s head into a wall, before throwing him into a cell door. …

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Senior Constable Murray Cleared of charges of assaulting Patrick Little

Offensive language, assault police, resist arrest: The Trifecta Arrest

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Assault, criminal defence / By Sarah Gore / February 17, 2021 February 17, 2021

To criminal defence lawyers, clients getting charged with offensive language, assault police and resist arrest is called the ‘trifecta’. Offensive Language – Under the Summary Offences Act 1988 (NSW) section 4A, offensive language is illegal if someone uses it in or near, or within hearing from a public place or a school. Resist Arrest – Resisting …

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Trifecta Arrest: Offensive language, assault police, resist

From Convict to Fitness Empire – the story of ConFit

crime, criminal defence, prison / By Sarah Gore / February 16, 2021 February 16, 2021

At 21, Joe Kwon was sentenced to 13 years in prison for directing a criminal enterprise. Now, Joe owns and runs a fitness start-up that does just more than build muscles. During his time on the inside, he was taught the value of education and self-worth. The main goal of ConFit is to create a …

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Former Royal Commissioner into Youth Justice Slams QLD “crackdown” on youth crime

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, bail, childrens court, crime, criminal defence / By Sarah Gore / February 11, 2021 February 11, 2021

Former co-commissioner of the Northern Territory’s Royal Commission into the Detention and Protection of Children Mick Gooda slammed Queensland’s new response to youth crime. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced several new tough measures to be implemented as part of a ‘crackdown’ on youth crime. While Mr Gooda supported calls to address youth crime, he doesn’t agree with …

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