Brisbane: (07) 3221 4999
Gold Coast: (07) 5532 3133
24 Hour Crime Line: 0488 999 980 or 18004POTTS
Brisbane
Santos Place, Level 6, 32 Turbot Street,
Brisbane 4000
(07) 3221 4999
Gold Coast
44 Davenport St,
Southport 4215
(07) 5532 3133
24 Hour Crime Line
0488 999 980 or 18004POTTS

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Did you know that you could get done drink driving on an electric scooter?

Article by Erin Mitchell, Senior Criminal Lawyer On Saturday 13 January 2019, a man in his 40s was intercepted by Police in Brisbane riding one of those new green electric scooters that you see parked around the Brisbane CBD. It is alleged the man was riding the scooter without a helmet and proceeded through a red light without stopping. When Police intercepted him, they breathalysed him and he returned a reading of 0.174% blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The man was charged with driving under the influence – a high range drink driving offence, given the reading was over 0.15% BAC. Can this be correct? Can...

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Bill Potts Interview with ABC on Magistrates’ Court Backlog

Our Founding Director and President of the Queensland Law Society, Bill Potts, was interviewed by ABC's Rebecca Levingston in relation to the current backlog of cases in Queensland's Magistrates' Court. Click below to listen to the extract. [audio mp3="https://pottslawyers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bill-ABC-Interview.mp3"][/audio] The full radio show "Mornings with Rebecca Levingston" for Thursday 24 January 2019 is available here: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/brisbane/programs/focus/mornings/10724970 About Bill Potts As one of Australia’s most senior criminal defence lawyers, Bill models a philosophy of client service, a strong work ethic, a passion for winning and an appreciation of the finer points of criminal law advocacy. What that means for all clients of Potts Lawyers is access to the strongest possible...

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Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court

Article by Erin Mitchell, Senior Criminal Lawyer Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court So many of our clients, and their families, ask if there is some type of penalty option where a person can be ordered to attend a rehab facility instead of jail and for a number of years, the answer has been “no”.  Today, 29 January 2019, marks one year since the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court commenced in Brisbane. As criminal defence lawyers, we were relieved to see such an important feature of our criminal justice system re-established. The Drug and Alcohol Court QLD has a focus on assisting those persons...

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Unlawful striking causing death – “One punch can kill”

Article by Adam Moschella On 18 December 2018 the Queensland Court of Appeal handed down their decision in the matter of R v Renata; Ex parte Attorney-General for the State of Queensland [2018] QCA 356. Most would be aware of the facts of this case given the heavy media attention the matter has received. In the early hours of the morning on 3 January 2016, in Fortitude Valley’s Chinatown Mall, the respondent, Mr Renata struck the deceased, Cole Miller to the jaw once with a clenched fist while his back was turned (this type of act is more commonly described as a...

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Real estate professionals charged with a criminal offence. What are the consequences and do you have to disclose this?

Article by Craig DoRozario Who does this apply to? In Queensland, all practising real estate agents, auctioneers and resident letting agents (eg most on-site managers for bodies corporate) must hold relevant licences and comply with the rules set out under the Property Occupations Act 2014 (Qld) (“the Act”). Real estate agents in Northern New South Wales and other parts of Australia are not subject to this Act, however similar legislation may exist in other states and territories. While we are able to assist real estate agents outside of Queensland, this article applies only to those who are currently practising, or wish to...

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Queensland Courts now text defendants to remind them of their court date

  Do you struggle to remember your court date? Read on! After a successful trial in Mackay in 2018, the Queensland Courts will now send SMS messages to adult defendants on bail to remind them of the date and time for their next court appearance. This SMS reminder service will be available to all adult offenders (18 years and over) who have been granted bail by the Magistrates Court or police watchhouse, and who have supplied a mobile phone number to the court house. This service will start across Queensland from 7 December 2018. The reminders will be sent to the defendant one business...

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Going for a night out? These are the laws you need to be aware of

Article by Danielle Warren, Criminal Lawyer   In 2014, the Queensland government passed laws about how you can behave at or near places where alcohol is being sold and supplied.  Police also have powers to respond quickly to anti-social behaviour around these areas.  The areas include licensed premises (such as bars and clubs), special areas known as ‘safe night precincts’ or events where alcohol is being sold or served.  The laws were introduced to minimise alcohol and drug-related violence, disturbances, and public disorder in certain areas. It would be wise to read this before you leave for a night out. What offences could I...

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Erin Mitchell and Danielle Warren’s Instagram Page: Lady Crim Lawyers

Two of our senior criminal lawyers, Erin Mitchell and Danielle Warren have been hard at work building and updating their Instagram page over the past few months. You can see Danielle discussing a drug driving charge here, and Erin discussing an assault charge here. The page is available with the handle @lady.crim.lawyers or by clicking here. https://www.instagram.com/p/BqmlzdHFpkL https://www.instagram.com/p/BqUkm9dFvWi...

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Queensland Ambulance Service Paramedics and Paramedicine Students Now Regulated by AHPRA

Important information for all Queensland paramedics and paramedicine Students As the national regulation of paramedicine is approaching its final stages, Queensland paramedics should know that they must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) by 1 December 2018 in order to practice paramedicine. Once registered, a paramedic’s registration will then be recognised in all states and territories in Australia.   All paramedics should check AHPRA’s website to see if the need to register with AHPRA, as some exceptions apply.   Suitability Requirements for Paramedics   All practicing paramedics and paramedicine students should familiarise themselves with not only AHPRA’s national registration and accreditation scheme and its...

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Tax Offences

On the 1st July 2015 a special prosecutions taskforce was established to deal with the increasing number of cases of tax fraud, the “Serious Financial Crime Taskforce” (SFCT). Up until then most tax related fraud was investigated by the ATO in conjunction with the Federal Police and in some cases the CDPP – (Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions) Since the establishment of the SFCT there has been raised liabilities of over $473 million and $175 million collected. Matters treated as a potential risk to the SFCT are as follows: Failure to keep proper company or business financial records Failure to lodge annual...

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