Australia: Crime

A Spent Conviction Order can limit when a criminal conviction must be disclosed, but it does not erase the conviction. Understanding when disclosure is still required for employment, overseas travel, Working with Children Checks, and professional licensing is crucial for anyone with a spent conviction navigating these complex obligations.

New South Wales has introduced strict legislation targeting landlords who knowingly permit tenants to sell illicit tobacco and vapes from their premises. With penalties reaching $165,000 and potential imprisonment, property owners must now actively monitor tenant activities and report suspicious behavior. The legislation also grants landlords new powers to terminate leases when closure orders are issued, fundamentally changing the landlord-tenant relationship in commercial retail settings.

An undischarged bankrupt faces strict legal obligations including cooperating with trustees, disclosing all property and financial changes, and obtaining consent before international travel. What are the criminal penalties for breaching these restrictions, and how can early disclosure and proper legal advice help navigate trustee negotiations more effectively than denial or delay?

Australia strengthens its response to counterfeit goods importation through new legislation that creates strict liability offences and enables infringement notices at the border. The amendments aim to make counterfeit importing unprofitable by ensuring penalties and seized goods exceed potential profits. How will these changes impact intellectual property rights holders and importers operating in Australia?

New South Wales has introduced permanent legislation allowing police to use metal detector wands to scan people for knives in designated public areas, following successful trial operations that seized 380 weapons. The reforms expand police powers while raising concerns about civil liberties, racial profiling, and the potential for these scans to become stepping-stones for more invasive searches, despite knife crime being at an all-time low in NSW.

A case on appeal in NSW focused on whether a sentence handed down for drug supply charges was excessive.

Drug possession is dealt with under section 9 of the Drugs Misuse Act 1986 (Qld). It involves having a dangerous drug in your custody or control.

If you are questioned by police about a suspected offence, you are not obliged to answer their questions. Exercising your right to silence is a fundamental protection under Queensland law and does not mean you are guilty.

Legal fees can be a sensitive topic, but they are often a major factor when choosing a criminal defence lawyer Brisbane. Many clients have never been involved in the criminal justice system before and are unsure...