Getting Charges Withdrawn in the Magistrates’ Court Having charges dropped doesn’t just happen in the movies. There are several ways to have your charges withdrawn which might result your case being over entirely. The only way to have charges withdrawn...
Sentence Indication in the Magistrates’ Court – What are They and How are They Used? A person accused of a criminal offence heard in the Magistrates’ Court can apply for a ‘sentence indication’ under the Criminal Procedure Act. A sentence...
What is a Contest Mention? You may have heard your lawyer refer to your matter ‘proceeding to contest mention hearing’. A ‘summary contest’ is what we call a ‘trial’ in the Magistrates’ Court. The summary contest is heard by a...
Defund the Police In 2017-18, in a knee-jerk reaction to an exceptional event, the Victorian Government overhauled the Bail Act. It was acknowledged at the time that the bail laws were already the most restrictive in Victoria, and the purpose...
Importance of Not Thinking That a Police Investigation is a Search for the Truth The conduct of Victoria Police is governed by the Victoria Police Act 2013; specifically, the Victoria Police ‘Code of Conduct’. People expect that the police operate...
Can You Stop Criminal Charges Before They Happen? “If I’m charged, I’ll lose everything.” Is there a clause in your employment contract that requires you to report any contact with police even if you have not been found guilty of...
Citizen’s Arrest: What is It? When is It Applicable? A citizen’s arrest can be made when a member of the public witnesses a crime occurring and no police officer is available to apprehend the offender. In Victoria, this power can...
Written by Amelia Ramsay, Associate, Doogue + George Defence Lawyers Regardless of how it happens, you have a right to ask to speak to a lawyer before a police interview proceeds. Interview Dos and Don’ts There are a number of...
Written by Amelia Ramsay, Associate, Doogue + George Defence Lawyers Videoing Police It is hard to find the words to describe the footage of George Floyd. It is the same way I feel about the footage of the officers on...
Necessity is the Mother of Invention – Rethinking Bail Reporting Conditions in the Age of COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected the day-to-day operation of the justice system. A recent example of this is Victoria Police’s decision to suspend...
