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Bail Application Process in South Australia – a quick guide

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  Bail is an agreement with Police and the Court that you will do (and not do) certain things.  Bail agreements can include a range of conditions, like:  To live at a certain address;  Not to leave the state of South Australia;  Not to contact specified people;  Not to go to certain places;  To undergo drug and alcohol testing;  Not to possess firearms or parts of firearms;   To be electronically monitored;  … and many others   If you are arrested in South Australia, you are entitled to apply to the

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Drug driving laws in SA

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  Drug Driving Laws in SA  In South Australia, ‘drug driving’ is an offence of driving with prescribed drug in oral fluid.  Prescribed drugs include:  – THC / cannabis. – Methylamphetamine. – MDMA. – Cocaine.   In South Australia, Police are able to conduct random stops for testing such as alcohol  and drugs. This applies to all road users. So, if you are driving a motor vehicle on a  public road, you can be subjected to alcohol and / or drug testing.   In practice, testing for drugs in oral fluid

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The major indictable Court process 

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  The major indictable Court process   Being charged with a major indictable offence can be a daunting and scary time.  ‘Major indictable’ is the most serious category of offence in South Australia. This  category includes offences such as: commercial and large commercial drug trafficking; serious assaults like those that cause serious harm; sexual offences like rape and  dissemination of child pornography; and firearms offences like manufacturing firearms  and possessing a prescribed firearm without a licence, (among many others).  The process of a major indictable matter is different to other

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“Tough on crime” – the real impact on our youth…

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  ABC reporter Kirstie Wellauer has recently written an article urging the government to intervene and break the cycle of crime in the youth justice system. The article gives us insight into the reality of our Country’s ‘tough on crime’ stance, citing an open letter initiated by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service.  The open letter contains anecdotes from Zach* who has spent time in Youth Detention, and the lasting impacts they have been left to cope with as a young adult. Strikingly, the overwhelming impression

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Australian Criminal Lawyers Conference 2026

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  The Craig Caldicott Legal team have returned inspired from the Australian Criminal Lawyers Conference 2026 in Sydney. Graciously hosted by Doogue and George Defence Lawyers, this year’s conference brought together lawyers and other legal professionals from not only Australia but around the world! The program was jam-packed with leading speakers, covering topics such as: disclosure problems in criminal matters; expert evidence in sexsomnia, so-called shaken baby syndrome, and ad hoc experts; the ethics of preparing witnesses for giving evidence; transnational white-collar crime matters; practicalities of running criminal matters

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Some common phrases in Criminal Law

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  If you are involved in the criminal justice system, you are likely to hear a number of legal terms used repeatedly. Understanding what these phrases mean can help you better navigate the process and feel more informed about your matter. Below, we explain some of the most common criminal law terms. Beyond Reasonable Doubt This is the standard of proof the prosecution must meet in a criminal case. It is the highest standard required by law. An accused person can only be found guilty if the prosecution proves

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The impact of rising petrol prices on crime and our South Australia Police Force

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  South Australia has recently experienced a noticeable increase in petrol drive-offs. While concerning, this trend is not entirely unexpected given the ongoing cost of living pressures and the sharp rise in fuel prices across the state. The surge in these incidents has prompted a response from South Australia’s Police Commissioner: “This takes police away from other responsibilities that we could be attending to, so we are calling on the retail fuel industry to take positive steps to prevent this virtually overnight by implementing pre-paid, which is something they

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The “Public” Sex Offender Registry

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  Various amendments to the Child Sex Offender Registration Act 2006 (SA) came into operation on 16 February 2026, marking an important shift in how information about certain offenders may be accessed. For the first time, members of the public can apply to access limited information from South Australia’s Child Sex Offender Register. Historically, the Register was maintained by South Australia Police (SAPOL) for law enforcement purposes only. The recent amendments now allow SAPOL to release specified information to eligible applicants in defined circumstances. Importantly, this is not an

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MOBILE PHONES – What is “use”?

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  The installation of mobile detection cameras in South Australia has generated an increase in expiation notices (fines) for mobile phone use whilst driving. The way the law defines “use” is broad and can catch people out even when not actively using their phone whilst driving. So, what exactly is “use”, and how do you make sure you are complying with Australian Road Rule 300? To answer that, we need to go back to the beginning. Australian Road Rule 300 prohibits the use of mobile phones: “The driver of

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E-Scooters

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  In 2025, with the rise in popularity of e-scooters, many changes were made to the law to regulate the use of e-scooters. July 2025 to July 2026 is a trial period for new e-scooter laws, and the State Government will review the operation of the rules in July 2026.  E-scooters are not considered ‘motor vehicles’ within the definition of the Road Traffic Act and instead come under the banner of ‘Personal Mobility Device’ (PMD). They have specific rules attached to their use. Many of the rules and regulations

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ENGAGING A CRIMINAL LAWYER

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  Getting a criminal lawyer is not something you want to do. It is something that you should and need to do when charged with a criminal offence.  Here are some steps that our lawyer, Emily Cousins suggests to make instructing a criminal lawyer easier for you.  Know your court date  If you have been put on bail this will be on your bail agreement. If you have received a summons this will be at the top of your summons. In a Criminal matter, a summons is an official

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DRINK DRIVING – cutting through the confusion

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  Drink driving’ covers a range of offences. It can be confusing because there are many different acronyms and charges when it comes to drink driving. These include:  – Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol (PCA)  – Driving Under the Influence (DUI)  – Breath/Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)  To add to the confusion, there are different levels of PCA, different penalties, and different ranges depending on your licence category.  BAC readings for PCA offences for full licence holders are broken down as follows: 1. Category 1 – 0.05 to 0.079  Category 2

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Craig caldicott lawyers – an introduction 

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  Craig Caldicott Lawyers is a boutique law firm specialising in Criminal Defence matters. Craig established the business in 2023 and hasn’t looked back since.  With over 60 years’ combined experience in the law, Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to help people charged with criminal offences navigate the complex legal system.  Our Team:  Craig Caldicott  Craig Caldicott, the namesake of the business, was admitted to practice in 1979. He’s a well-known name in the Criminal Defence business, and his reputation is second to none.  Craig has acted in many

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Blackmail – What is it? How is it proved? 

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  Blackmail is a serious criminal offence in South Australia, yet what constitutes blackmail and how  severe the consequences can be is often misunderstood. Blackmail can involve a wide range of  coercive behaviour, from explicit threats to more subtle forms of pressure.   Understanding how the law defines blackmail, and how certain actions or communications can  quickly become criminal, is essential if you are facing allegations or seeking legal advice.  What is blackmail?  Blackmail involves making an unwarranted demand, with the intention of obtaining a benefit or  causing a loss

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Criminal Defence Lawyers: Roles, Responsibilities, and When to Get Legal Help

News / Latest Craig Caldicott Lawyers are here to talk (and walk) you through what to expect when you go to Court.  Criminal defence lawyers play a crucial role in the Australian legal system by using their expertise to advise, represent, and protect individuals facing criminal allegations. Their responsibility is to uphold the defendant’s legal rights and ensure they receive a fair trial.  Whether you are under police investigation, have been contacted by law enforcement, or have already been charged with a criminal offence, a criminal defence lawyer can guide you through every stage of the legal process. Their support helps you understand your rights, avoid costly mistakes, and work

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