Mental Health and Criminal Law in South Australia
There is a common misconception that a person can claim ‘mental health’ to escape criminal liability. In reality, ‘mental health’ is not simply a card that can be pulled to escape criminal sanctions, but it can be relevant in three important ways in the criminal justice system. The first is explaining the Defendant’s background when […]
Penalties for Drug Possession in South Australia
Depending on the particular drug and quantity of it, penalties for drug possession can vary significantly in South Australia. For a ‘simple possession’ offence that is a first or second offence, a police officer must refer the person to a nominated assessment service. This is a lot of legal jargon which means that if you […]
Breaching Bail Conditions in South Australia: Penalties and Consequences
The maximum penalty for breaching bail is a fine of $10,000.00 or imprisonment for two (2) years. Breaching bail can have additional penalties involved, too, namely: The Court can order that a person’s bail be ‘estreated’. This means that the monetary amount attached to the bail agreement must be forfeited. Often, this is a sum […]