Author: Potts-Lawyers

Lawyer Casts Doubt Over Police Killers Crackdown

ABC online A Gold Coast criminal defence lawyer has questioned the effectiveness of introducing tougher penalties for killing police officers. Queensland Parliament last week passed new laws, which will increase the non-parole period for murder from 15 to 20 years. Anyone who reoffends or kills a police officer would face a lengthier jail term. Solicitor Bill Potts says the laws appear to be an emotional response to the death of Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding last year. “Adding five years to a non-parole period for the killing of a police officer is simply going to have no effect by way of deterring people but appears...

Crime Levy Passes Queensland Parliament

The State Government says it expects to raise more than $12 million a year by charging convicted criminals a court levy. New laws passed in Parliament last night will force convicted offenders to pay $300 for Supreme and District Court matters. The levy in the Magistrates Court will be $100. Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie has told the House it will be imposed on top of other court penalties. “There is provision for the offender levy to be paid on the day of the court, or registered with the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER),” he said. “By utilising SPER the government is expecting to collect in excess...

Reporting Cuts Would Delay Justice: Lawyer

A Gold Coast lawyer says court proceedings will take much longer to complete if jobs are cut at the State Reporting Bureau (SRB). SRB staff have told the ABC they are deeply concerned about a News Limited report suggesting 200 jobs will be outsourced. It is understood management is urgently seeking confirmation of the cuts from the Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie. SRB is responsible for recording court proceedings and providing transcripts to lawyers, juries and the public. Gold Coast lawyer Bill Potts says scaling back the service would severely impact the delivery of justice. “Trials, which cost anything up to $30,000 to $50,000 will be delayed,”...

No Bail Application for Accused Baby Killer

A father charged with the murder of his seven-month-old son has been in a mental health facility since his arrest, the Beenleigh Magistrate Court has heard today. The 38-year-old man was charged late last month with murdering his baby son after the pair plunged into the Logan River at Beenleigh, south of Brisbane. Police divers recovered the baby’s body the next morning. The matter was mentioned in court today and adjourned until September 3. The accused, who is now also facing two minor drug charges, did not appear today in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court and there was no application for bail. His solicitor Mark Williams, from Potts...

Parliament Should Put Brakes on Cop Chase Law

Parliament is being urged to reject a new law with tough mandatory penalties for drivers failing to stop for police, with criminal defence lawyer Cameron Browne saying the penalties are worse than for some drink-driving offences. The proposed new law would carry a mandatory $5000 fine and two year licence suspension for anyone convicted of failing to stop a vehicle when ordered to do so by police. Mr Browne, a Director of Potts Lawyers, Queensland’s biggest private criminal defence law firm, said the Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2012 currently before the Queensland Parliament, had major flaws in it and was not needed...

Sentencing Should Stay With Courts

PREMIER Campbell Newman should confirm the Government’s axing of its Sentencing Advisory Council means that mandatory sentencing – proposed by the former government – has finally been abandoned.

There is disquiet about mandatory sentencing. The previous government set up the sentencing council to find a way to introduce it. The council instead came out against a policy which took the decision-making process from the courts.