George Criminal Lawyers

Queensland has just passed new laws targeting reportable offenders, increasing minimum reporting periods and expanding police powers.

Want to learn more? Head over to our website where we explain what it all means.

Just click on the link or visit georgecriminallawyers.com.au and head to our Knowledge Base.

https://georgecriminallawyers.com.au/new-changes-reportable-offender-obligations-queensland

Queensland will soon enact more relaxed drug laws, with the introduction of a ‘three strike system’ for personal possession of most illegal drugs and utensils.

Want to learn more? Head over to our website where we explain what it all means.

Just click on the link in our bio or visit georgecriminallawyers.com.au and follow the link to our Knowledge Base.

In keeping with the times, the Queensland Government has finally legalised euthanasia through the introduction of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill (2021), which comes into effect from 1 January 2023.

https://georgecriminallawyers.com.au/voluntary-assisted-dying-queensland

Voluntary Assisted Dying in Queensland - George Criminal Lawyers The Queensland Government has legalised euthanasia through the introduction of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill (2021).

In a move that would fit perfectly in George Orwell’s classic novel, 1984, the Federal Government has just passed legislation which grants them access to your computer and online accounts, with power to copy, modify or delete data as they wish. Worried?

https://georgecriminallawyers.com.au/federal-government-access-online-accounts

Federal government granted unprecedented access to your online accounts | George Criminal Lawyers The Federal Government has just passed legislation which grants them access to your computer and online accounts. Worried?

Following conviction for a s*xual offence against a child, or a CEM offence, the Queensland government requires offenders to report their personal details. This is often referred to as being on the s*x offenders register. Read on as we take a deep dive into the law and explain what it all means.

https://georgecriminallawyers.com.au/child-protection-offender-reporting-queensland

What does it mean to be a reportable offender in Queensland? | George Criminal Lawyers Following conviction for a s*xual offence against a child, or a CEM offence, the Queensland government requires offenders to report details.

Recent changes to the law have led to the creation of two new offences relating to child abuse objects, as well as a tougher sentencing regime requiring exceptional circumstances to stay out of jail.

Want to learn more? Head over to our website where we explain what it all means.

https://georgecriminallawyers.com.au/child-pornography-cem-new-offences-changes-sentencing

The excuse of mistake of fact in s*xual assault and r**e cases has recently come under fire by academics and non-lawyers, with some calling it an archaic “legal loophole”.

Calls for the excuse to be abolished or heavily modified have resulted in an intensive review by the Queensland Law Reform Commission, which recently published its findings.

To read our in-depth analysis, just follow the link: https://georgecriminallawyers.com.au/mistake-of-fact-consent-laws/

Mistake of fact: consent laws in Queensland | George Criminal Lawyers Mistake of fact in s*xual assault and r**e cases has recently come under fire by academics and non-lawyers. So what does it all mean?

Recent changes to the law have now made it much easier to access prescription cannabis in Queensland. Want to learn more? Head over to our website where we explain what it all means.

https://georgecriminallawyers.com.au/the-law-on-medicinal-cannabis-in-queensland/

The High Court has this morning handed down its decision in the Pell appeal, quashing his conviction and acquitting him of all charges. The Court found that the jury acted irrationally in convicting him, and should have had real doubts about his guilt.

This case will no doubt have important implications for people charged with historical s*x offences, which is why it is so important to have an experienced lawyer on your side.

Are you confused by what the latest government restrictions mean for lawyers and defendants at court? We explain it all with the most up to date information on our website: https://bit.ly/3bAbgfN

COVID-19 | George Criminal Lawyers What does COVID-19 mean for people charged with criminal offences and the operation of the court? Do you need to go to court? What if you're in jail?

New restrictions under the Public Health Act were introduced Sunday night which restrict when you’re allowed to leave your home and socialise.

In a nutshell, you must stay home unless you:
• have a job that can’t be done from home
• have to buy food or other “essential” items/services (e.g. fuel, medical supplies, jigsaw puzzles)
• are exercising, but only with 1 other person outside of the people you live with
• are visiting a terminally ill relative or attending a funeral
• are supporting/assisting/caring for a family member
• are attending, picking up or dropping off at a childcare centre, school, university or educational facility, if that can’t be done from home

So, you can leave home for any of these reasons, but only with members of your household OR one other friend who doesn’t live with you.

You can be fined up to $13,345 if you fail to comply and don’t have a reasonable excuse.

It's now easier to send George Criminal Lawyers a message.

Did you fail to vote today because of the coronavirus pandemic? Does that mean you have an automatic excuse? Check out our latest Knowledge Base article to find out: https://bit.ly/2WOLekL

Just in case you weren't sure.

Update 27 March 2020

The Magistrates Court has published new directions this morning. The court will not be hearing any matters as of next Monday, 30 March 2020. All currently listed matters will be adjourned, with a notice of the new date to be posted or emailed.

The only exceptions are for overnight arrests, bail applications/variations, matters where defendants are in jail, and urgent matters (such as domestic violence matters, or matters where release from prison is a real possibility after sentence).

Anyone who has been issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) by police is not required to attend court, despite what the notice says. Those matters will be adjourned automatically for at least 2 months, with a notice sent in the mail of the new date.

The full directions can be found here:https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/643581/mc-pd-3of2020.pdf

If this affects you or someone you know, please get in touch so we can provide you with more specific advice.

It was only a matter of time. Wolston Correctional Centre is now in lockdown after a guard tested positive for COVID-19.

Given we are living in unprecedented times, with severe restrictions being placed on prisoners, bail is now a real possibility for many prisoners where it might not have been before. Applications can be heard by a Supreme Court Judge almost immediately.

Contact us now for an advice on an urgent bail application.

In these uncertain times, you can count on us to have your back. We will remain open as long as the Government allows us, because you deserve the best.

Important update regarding COVID-19.

We are still open for business as usual, but Brisbane Magistrates Court is now adjourning all matters in Brisbane for 3 months (except for urgent matters or for fresh arrests). See the Guidelines here for more specific details: https://bit.ly/2Ufpag7

District and Supreme Court jury trials are also suspended.

Legal Aid Queensland has suspended all in-house duty lawyer services, which means if you are unrepresented you need to appear yourself or contact us to represent you.

Check back for more updates or contact us if you are directly affected for more information.

Given the seriousness of COVID-19, and reports of people deliberately spitting and coughing on others, it begs the question - can you be charged for transmitting COVID-19?

Find out the answer at our website or by following this link: https://bit.ly/3d4lG8N

No more roadside RBTs for the foreseeable future. A smart move by Queensland Police Service in the wake of COVID-19. But random intercepts will still happen, so stay alert behind the wheel.

: Queensland Police Service has suspended static roadside breath and drug tests to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

This approach will take immediate effect and remain in place until further notice.

“The decision has been made to minimise health risks to QPS officers and the community,” QPS said in a statement.

“Road safety continues to be a significant priority for the QPS. The QPS will continue to undertake random breath and drug testing through high visibility mobile patrols.

“The QPS is constantly conducting risk assessments and considering health advice to ensure officer and community safety as the COVID-19 situation unfolds.”

Despite all of the panic and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, you can rest assured that we will remain open for business - because you deserve the best.

If you're reading this, you've come to the right place.

Check out our website and let us know what you think!

https://bit.ly/3axW8yV

George Criminal Lawyers | Criminal Defence Specialists George Criminal Lawyers is a boutique specialist criminal law firm based in Brisbane, Queensland. We are experts in criminal law because that is all we do.