Law in the News

Major Hate Crime Reforms introduced in NSW on 17 March 2026

Law in the News, Other /

New South Wales introduced major hate crime reforms on 17 March 2026, significantly expanding criminal offences and increasing penalties for conduct motivated by hatred. This is in response to a series of targeted attacks against members of the LGBTQIA+ community. These reforms represent a major expansion of criminal liability, amending the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act […]

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NSW E-Bike Crackdown: Fines, Seizures and What It Means for You

Law explained, Law in the News /

New South Wales police have intensified their crackdown on illegal e-bikes, targeting riders using modified or non-compliant devices as part of a statewide enforcement push. Under ongoing operations such as ‘Operation E-Voltage’, officers are actively policing roads and public spaces, issuing fines, seizing bikes, and laying charges against riders who breach the law. During the

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I was peacefully protesting: Can police still stop me?

Law explained, Law in the News /

Following the protests in Sydney yesterday, many peaceful protesters were left confused and distressed after police intervened and used force, including tear gas against them, leaving some injured. If you are confused about what your rights are while protesting, you are not alone. Many people assume that if a protest is peaceful, the police have

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onefour_appeal_won

OneFour rapper Dahcell ‘Celly’ Ramos has two sentences quashed

ACLG News & Cases, Law in the News /

OneFour rapper Dahcell ‘Celly’ Ramos has two sentences quashed, slashing his non-parole period  Criminal lawyer Steven Mercael represented core member of Sydney’s rap group OneFour, rapper Dahcell ‘Celly’ Ramos in court earlier this month and successfully appealed a lengthy prison sentence imposed on him. The appeal slashed the sentence imposed on Mr. Ramos for wounding, assault, and robbery offences that took place

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Large crowd at music festival

Festival Season Special: How do we stop deaths at festivals?

Ask a Lawyer, Law in the News /

By criminal lawyer Joseph Harb. Mr Harb is a specialist drug lawyer whose results include securing non-convictions for supply of 560 ecstasy tablets and possession of 88 ecstasy tablets at festivals in Sydney. This article is written on the pretence that police cannot prosecute young people to the point that drug taking is eradicated from

Festival Season Special: How do we stop deaths at festivals? Read More »

New Years Eve fireworks in Sydney

Festival Season Special: NYE 1999 – The Year When Police Praised Ecstasy Users

Ask a Lawyer, Law in the News /

By criminal lawyer Joseph Harb. Mr Harb is a specialist drug lawyer whose results include securing non-convictions for supply of 560 ecstasy tablets and possession of 88 ecstasy tablets at festivals in Sydney. It was the dawn of the millennium and the biggest New Year’s Eve party that Sydney had ever seen. Ecstasy and MDMA

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Music festival at night

Festival Season Special: Why are more people dying at festivals?

Ask a Lawyer, Law in the News /

By criminal lawyer Joseph Harb. Mr Harb is a specialist drug lawyer whose results include securing non-convictions for supply of 560 ecstasy tablets and possession of 88 ecstasy tablets at festivals in Sydney. Ecstasy has been used by revellers at raves and festivals in Sydney for almost 30 years, but rather than its use becoming

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Fair dinkum! Are New Zealanders going to be deported for stealing fish ‘n’ chips?

Law explained, Law in the News /

Proposed changes to the Australian Migration Act could see New Zealanders deported for offences such as stealing, possession of small amounts of drugs, and drink driving offences. The Australian Government is pushing forward with changes to the Migration Act 1958 that could see New Zealanders deported for offences such as stealing, possession of small amounts

Fair dinkum! Are New Zealanders going to be deported for stealing fish ‘n’ chips? Read More »

Animal activists under attack as politicans consider law to prevent exposure of animal cruelty

Law in the News /

Parts of the agricultural industry are lobbying the government to adopt US-style laws that make it a criminal offence to film battery farms and slaughter houses. I hope there doesn’t come a day where we are required to defend a person who’s only crime was to expose an act of cruelty against an animal. Date:

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Immigration Minister seeks to toughen citizenship test to preclude the unemployed and uneducated. Is the government going too far?

Law in the News /

Citizenship is already being denied on character grounds to people with relatively minor criminal records. Part of the eligibility criteria for Australian citizenship is the Minister of Immigration being satisfied that the applicant is of good character: s21(2) of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (the Act). The expression ‘good character’ is not defined in the Act. However,

Immigration Minister seeks to toughen citizenship test to preclude the unemployed and uneducated. Is the government going too far? Read More »

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