Our Founding Director Bill Potts features in A Current Affair's story on a former prisoner who has allegedly taken five of his ten housing complex neighbours to court over neighbourhood or quasi-criminal disputes. The video and associated article can be viewed on 9News' website by clicking here....
Continue readingPotts Lawyers Awarded as a Leading Criminal Law Firm by Doyle’s Guide 2016. Managing director, Rob Franklin is pleased to announce that Potts Lawyers has again been recognised by the prestigious Doyle’s Guide as a “first tier” leading criminal law firm in Queensland. Members of our team have been recognised variously as leading and recommended lawyers in their field. It is heartening to see that amongst the total of 26 criminal lawyers listed for Queensland, more than a quarter have spent several years working in our criminal law practice. The Doyle’s Guide recognises top Queensland Criminal Lawyers who have been identified by clients and peers for their expertise...
Continue readingThe Queensland Law Society has applauded the Palaszczuk Labor Government for dispatching the LNP’s flawed and unworkable VLAD anti-bikie laws to the dustbin of history. However, Society president Bill Potts said the new Serious and Organised Crime Legislation Amendment Bill had its own inherent shortcomings and problems – but was a marked step forward from the previous legislation. “QLS is delighted the government has repealed the Newman LNP Government’s controversial Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Association Act – which was the subject of considerable criticism among the legal profession,” he said. “The Society has always strongly advocated for evidence-based legislation and policy. “We have always...
Continue readingQueensland Law Society has praised the Federal Government for its appointment of esteemed jurist Susan Kiefel as the nation’s first female High Court Chief Justice. President Bill Potts said the appointment was a just and warranted recognition for the tireless leadership and contribution Justice Kiefel had made to the judiciary since her appointment to Queensland’s Supreme Court in 1993. “Justice Kiefel’s appointment is most welcome and the decision to appoint her is probably the easiest one Prime Minister Turnbull will have to make during his tenure; Her Honour is clearly the best person for the job,” Mr Potts said. “She is not only...
Continue readingBill Potts, President elect of the Queensland Law Society 2016 comments on the Court Of Appeals decision to downgrade Gerard Baden-Clay conviction of murder to manslaughter. Potts explains how the court came to their decision and says that many legal experts aren’t surprise by the downgrade. He says the public should have confidence in the legal system and said the decision made by the three Court of Appeal judges, including Chief Justice Catherine Holmes, is the right decision according to Law. The Court of Appeal after looking at all of the evidence was perfectly satisfied that the jury got it right. That is – that...
Continue readingBill Potts appears in the Southport Magistrates Court for 2 men charged with stealing Dirk the Penguin from SeaWorld.
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...
Continue readingThe 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...
Continue readingA 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,”...
Continue readingA 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...
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