Most speeding fines issued in NSW are for speed camera offences, or where a LIDAR (speed gun) was used to determine the motor vehicle’s speed. But sometimes, when it is not possible to get such a reading, police will conduct what is called a “speed-check”. This is where the police car or motorcycle travels at the same speed as the vehicle in question, and then determines the speed by examining the police vehicle’s speedometer. Police have specially calibrated digital speedometers that guarantee that the speed police are claiming is accurate. Revelations […]

When majority verdicts were introduced in NSW in 2006, there was an outcry from some stakeholders in the legal system. Ever since we have had juries, verdicts have had to be unanimous. This was regarded by many as being a fundamental principle of the jury system, and it was unsurprising to hear angry responses to the suggestion that it should be in some way watered down. The main justification provided for the change was to prevent or at least to reduce the number of trials where the jury was not able […]

As a criminal lawyer a large portion of my practice is devoted to representing persons charged with possession of prohibited substances. For the most part the drugs in question are cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines. Increasingly, however, I am seeing young people charged with possession of”Psilocybin” or “Psilocin”, a chemical found in what are commonly referred to as “Magic Mushrooms”. The problem with Magic Mushrooms From a defence perspective the problem with magic mushrooms lies in the weighing. A hand full of “shrooms” intended for personal use can easily weigh 30 grams […]