16 December

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High Court orders a re-trial for a man who violently stabbed and bludgeoned his wife to death in front of their children – Bill Potts comments

A man who had been sentenced to life in jail for stabbing and bludgeoning his wife to death in 2016 has been granted a re-trial by the majority of the High Court. The High Court found that the trial judge wrongly instructed the Jury about how they (the jury) could consider the defence of provocation and if it applied in this case. Background Section 304 of the Criminal Code (Qld), a person is only guilty of manslaughter (and not murder) if that person unlawfully kills another (a)in the heat of passion, (b)caused by sudden provocation, and (c)before there is time for the person’s passion...

14 October

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Potts Lawyers Awarded Leading Criminal Law Firm

Posted by Potts Lawyers

in Uncategorised

Potts Lawyers Awarded as a Leading Criminal Law Firm by Doyle’s Guide 2020 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. Director Bill Potts has been named as a leading criminal lawyer whilst director Cameron Browne, Mark Williams and Erin Mitchell have been named as a recommended criminal lawyers. Andrew Hanlon has been announced the criminal law rising star and the firm has also been recognised as the Leading Traffic & DUI defence lawyers in Queensland. It is heartening to see that amongst the...

14 October

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What’s different about Potts Lawyers?

Posted by Bill Potts

in Firm news, Uncategorised

What's it mean to be a Good Criminal Lawyer? https://youtu.be/Lpb9O9WDXC8 Firstly, it's important for our clients to know that we are their lawyers. We're not the judge, we're not the jury. So we are not going to be judging a person who is in those sorts of difficulties often in a society that doesn't understand what they're doing or why they're doing it doesn't understand how they got to be in that dark place, and need to understand that there is a way out of it. And often, that means giving some form of psychiatric or psychological assistance for sometimes it means explaining to...

01 September

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Blue card “No Card, No Start”: New Changes To the Blue Card System

Posted by Jason Papoutsis

in Litigation, Uncategorised

Blue Card “No Card, No Start” in Queensland On 31 August 2020, changes were made to the Blue Card system which all Blue Card applicants and Blue Card holders should be aware of. The “No Card, No Start” law The Blue Card system now states that applicants will be unable to work or volunteer in a position which requires a blue card until their application is approved. Previously, applicants were permitted to begin work which requires a Blue Card whilst their application was being processed. New Rules for Blue Card Expiring The new rules also state that if you do not renew your blue card...

22 July

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Bill Potts responds to news that Dreamworld is facing criminal charges arising from tragic accident

Posted by Potts Lawyers

in Uncategorised

Dreamworld can 'come back' from deadly disaster, PR expert says A public relations expert believes Dreamworld can make a comeback after a disastrous few years – but it won't be easy. Dreamworld's parent company faces a massive fine of $4.5 million after it was charged multiple times over the 2016 Thunder River Rapids tragedy which claimed four lives in Queensland. Ardent Leisure today confirmed it had been hit with three charges following an assessment by an independent prosecutor from Workplace Health and Safety, according to a statement given to the ASX. The three Category 2 charges, filed today in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, were...

01 May

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Easing of COVID-19 restrictions in QLD as of 2nd May 2020

Posted by Danielle Hanson

in Corona Virus Laws, Uncategorised

THE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS THAT ARE BEING EASED IN QUEENSLAND AS OF 2 MAY 2020 Restrictions have now been in place as to when we can and cannot leave home for several weeks now. We have seen a promising decline in the amount of new cases of the coronavirus over the last couple of weeks, and the Queensland Government have responded by announcing an ease in the restrictions on movement in Queensland. As of 2 May 2020, you will have more opportunities to leave your home and go outside for enjoyment. We have summarised the updated Home Confinement, Movement and Gathering Direction below. Bear...

07 June

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Locals can get involved with the sentencing process in a Gold Coast event as judge for a day

Posted by Potts Lawyers

in General Law News, Uncategorised

IT’S time to strap on your wig, pop on your robes and lay down the law — a free event is allowing Gold Coasters to be a judge for a day. Today’s Judge for Yourself community event will give locals the opportunity to put themselves into the shoes of a judge and decide on a sentence based on real events. Former Queensland Law Society president and Southport-based criminal lawyer Bill Potts said the event, run by the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council, was a great way to demystify the sentencing process. “The sentencing of criminals is one of the most misunderstood and difficult tasks,”...

11 December

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Bill Potts Comments On Baden-Clay Conviction Downgrade

Posted by Potts Lawyers

in General Law News, Uncategorised

Bill 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...

15 July

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Man Jailed For Unprovoked Attack Over Note On Door

Posted by Potts Lawyers

in General Law News, Uncategorised

A NEIGHBOUR just wanting peace and quiet was assaulted for his troubles. And one of the men involved was jailed for his unprovoked attack. The 46-year-old mine worker had left a note on a neighbour’s door explaining that his partner was ill and that he was on nightshift. About 4.45pm on May 30 this year several people, including Andergrove resident Christos Panagakos, knocked on the victim’s door holding the note asking what it was all about, the Mackay Magistrates Court was told. Panagakos ripped the security screen door from its hinges, stepped forward and punched the man in his head several times, prosecutor Sheena...

13 July

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Gold Coast’s Top cop fined for drink-driving

Posted by Adam Moschella

in Uncategorised

A police officer named the Gold Coast's best has been fined for the offence of drink-driving. But the officer dodged a conviction that could have resulted in him being kicked out of the force. Constable Michael Froggatt, who won Rotary's Gold Coast police man of the year award in 2010, pleaded guilty to driving with a blood alcohol reading of 0.085 on Sunday. Magistrate Terry Duroux decided not to record a conviction, something that would have ended Froggatt's policing career. Mr Duroux noted Froggatt still faces police disciplinary proceedings, which could result in sanctions, loss of rank and a pay cut. Froggatt's lawyer Bill Potts argued against...

High Court orders a re-trial for a man who violently stabbed and bludgeoned his wife to death in front of their children – Bill Potts comments

Potts Lawyers Awarded Leading Criminal Law Firm

What’s different about Potts Lawyers?

Blue card “No Card, No Start”: New Changes To the Blue Card System

Bill Potts responds to news that Dreamworld is facing criminal charges arising from tragic accident

Easing of COVID-19 restrictions in QLD as of 2nd May 2020

Locals can get involved with the sentencing process in a Gold Coast event as judge for a day

Bill Potts Comments On Baden-Clay Conviction Downgrade

Man Jailed For Unprovoked Attack Over Note On Door

Gold Coast’s Top cop fined for drink-driving

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