Mark Williams represents a client charged with drug-driving whose charge is ultimately dismissed

OVERDOSE: Police officer Lynette Jones escaped a drug-driving charge after her lawyers successfully argued she didn’t know what she was doing because she had taken the controversial sleeping drug Stilnox. Picture: Kate Czerny Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

A SUSPENDED Gold Coast policewoman has beaten a drug-driving charge after her lawyers successfully argued she was “sleep-driving” and did not even know she was at the wheel.

Mandatory sentencing “over-reaction”

THE Queensland Police Union has made its position clear – if you assault a cop you should go straight to jail, but a leading Gold Coast defence lawyer believes calls for mandatory sentencing are a “massive over-reaction.”

No jail time over senseless death

ONE of the witnesses said it himself — put testosterone, alcohol and the early hours of the morning together and nothing good was ever going to come of it.

A jury yesterday acquitted Elanora graphic designer Mark Leslie Fitzgerald of manslaughter, but it came after years of “hell” for all involved with a group of young, drunk men who got into a fight outside the Big Chief burger shop at Coolangatta on Father’s Day, 2009.

Finks bikie Nicholas John Forbes ‘part of terror team’ June Adelaide Now – 16 June 2011

A MEMBER of a bikie “terror team” will be extradited to Adelaide over a nightclub brawl with a rival gang.

Finks member Nicholas John Forbes, 41, was arrested yesterday on the Gold Coast over his alleged involvement in the fight at a Hindley Street nightclub on May 29.

Drug ‘mega lab’ accused bailed

THREE men charged over a clandestine drug `mega lab’ on the Gold Coast have been granted bail on the condition they post significant cash sureties.

Andreas Schmidt, 44, Dane James Marriott, 36, and Darren Cutting, 29, faced the Southport Magistrates Court today charged with producing drugs and possessing drugs and drug-related items at a Currumbin Valley property.

Bill Potts speaks out against mandatory sentences

Bill Potts speaks out against mandatory sentences.

Australian Defence Lawyers Alliance Conference

The first annual conference of the Australian Defence Lawyers Alliance ADLA was held successfully last weekend at the Sofitel Broadbeach. This was a gathering of the country’s largest criminal law firms.

Judge Clive Wall on Armed Robberies

Criminals on Notice

Southport Judge Clive Wall QC is putting criminals on notice after a large spate of armed robberies in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.

Bill Potts comments to Courier Mail on Proposed Changes to Drink Driving Legislation

Bill Potts comments to the Courier Mail on proposed changes to drink driving legislation. Instead of the case now being immediately suspended with a reading of 0.150%, changes are being looked at to reduce this to 0.100%.

Looting: Stealing At A Time Of Natural Disaster

With the devastating floods Queensland has recently endured, many people have lost their homes, personal property, valuables and in some cases, their lives. Looting is a criminal offence of much interest at this time.