Author Archive MyDefence Staff

ByMyDefence Staff

How a “Statement of No Complaint” can lead to dropped charges.

How police use victim statements

When police charge a person (the accused) for committing an offence against another person (the complainant), a formal complaint is required by the victim in order for the police to proceed with an investigation. Police will take a signed and witnessed statement from the victim outlining what the accused did to them. Police will then use that statement as evidence to prove the offence in court.

Victim doubts their recollection

Sometimes victim statements are made in the height of anger, or while the victim was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Often the victim has second thoughts and have doubts about their recollection as to what had actually occurred at the time of the incident.

We find this typically in the case of domestic partners having an argument that gets out of hand and escalates to the point where police have attended and someone is charged. Often partners reconcile but the charges are still on foot. The victim wants the charges dropped so that their partner doesn't end up being sentenced and possibly convicted, all which will impact their criminal record.

In cases like this, the victim can attend their police station and tell the arresting officer that they wish to make a Statement of No Complaint.

What is a Statement of No Complaint

A Statement of No Complaint is a statement made by a victim stating that they do not wish for charges to proceed against an accused person. What many people don't realise is that the police can still proceed with the case against the accused. For example the accused may have made admissions to the police in a recorded interview, or there may be CCTV footage that proves the offence.

Victims can still be issued a summons to attend and be compelled to give evidence even if they do not wish to do so. In the case of close relationships, s18 of the Evidence Act 2008 can operate to provide a privilege for de facto and married partners, parents and children. This privilege means that the victim cannot be compelled to testify against the accused.

Rather than simply stating that they wish the charges to be dropped, victims can write their own Statement of No Complaint and provide clarifications to the original statement taken by the police.

Example

Let's use the example of two friends John and Callum who one nigh had been drinking alcohol and ended up having an argument. The argument escalates to some pushing and shoving. Callum ends up losing his balance and suffering bruising to his arm. A neighbour hears the argument and calls the police who attend and separate John and Callum.

Callum tells police that John pushed him out of nowhere and he landed hard against a coffee table. Police take a statement from him that captures Callum's version of events. Police then charge John with assault.

The next day after he has sobered up, Callum does not want John charged as they are mates and have gotten over the night's events. He recalls that as he and John were both pushing and shoving each other and he can't remember who pushed who first. He also recalls that he and John were wrestling earlier and it started off friendly but they started challenging each other to see who can push who the farthest and it got a bit heated.

This recollection is important because it give John two defences to assault charges in that:

  • not knowing who pushed who first means that John may have acted in self defence;
  • by challenging each other to pushing each other, Callum has consented to being assaulted.

Both of these are valid defences to assault.

Callum's Statement of No Complaint may read as follows:

Statement of No Complaint

My name is Callum Smith (Date of Birth 22/08/95) and my details are known to police. 

On 22 January 2020, I made a statement to police relating to charges against John Sampson. I would like to provide this additional statement outlining that I would like the assault charge dropped against John.

I do this for the reason that on the night of the incident we had been drinking alcohol and my recollection is that I cannot definitely say who pushed who first. We were also wrestling each other just before the incident and I recall that we were being physical with each other and challenging each other to push each other as hard as we could. 

I would like to thank how the police have handled the situation and feel embarrassed that it has escalated to this level. On reflection of the incident, I do not think it fair that John should be charged with assault.


How Callum's Statement of No Complaint would be used

A statement like this would make it difficult to prosecute John even though Callum can be compelled to give evidence against John.

If the prosecutor decided to take Callum's matter to a Contested Hearing or trial, John's barrister would cross-examine Callum on his Statement of No Complaint which would substantiate John's defences.

Accordingly, the assault charge would unlikely be proven beyond reasonable doubt and John would be acquitted.

How a Statement of No Complaint is used to resolve Domestic Violence charges

It is common that a complainant for domestic violence offences may call the police to assist in de-escalating a situation between partners. In many cases these are one-off incidents and complainant's are led to believe that the police will help on this basis as there is every intention that the partners want to stay together in the relationship. Furthermore the accused partner will often make admissions not realising that they will be used against them. This would likely make any charges laid as proven.

In these kinds of situations and where there is no history of domestic violence and it appears that it was a one off incident, MyDefence lawyers have had success in seeking that the matter be dealt with by way of Diversion. These are good outcomes as it means that the accused partner does not end up with a criminal record.

Always tell the truth

Any Statement used in court is a Statement of truth. It happens a lot that people (including police officers) clarify errors in their statements. It is important however to ensure that at the time a Statement is made that you held a view that contents are true and correct, and if not to clarify this and explain the error.

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ByMyDefence Staff

Bail granted after two years on remand for “extraordinary delay”.

MyDefence referred lawyers at Kauthen Legal recently secured bail for a client who had spent two years on remand due to what a County Court judge described as the "extraordinary delay" caused by the caronavirus pandemic.

The pandemic has meant that jury trials have been suspended until 2021, and with the second infection outbreak in Victoria there is no certainty as to when the client will have his trial brought before the courts.

Click here to read the full story in The Age.

 

 

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ByMyDefence Staff

Having evidence ruled inadmissible – unlawful search of a car.

A MyDefence referred lawyer secured a win at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court recently where they successfully argued that a search on his vehicle was unlawful in a separate hearing called a voir dire. The Magistrate further ruled that the evidence obtained is not to be used in proceedings against the client. This is also known as fruit of the poisonous tree. Accordingly, the client was found not guilty for want of prosecution, and had to have returned to him a raft of items that were seized in the search.

Background

The client and his partner were driving a rental vehicle on their way to a motel they were staying at. It was early in the morning. On the way they stopped into a convenience store to get some drinks.  At this time of morning a night counter is open for safety reasons, so you can only be served through a window from the footpath outside. The client was waiting in a queue of 2 others which was taking longer than he expected so decided to go back to his car and continue on without the drinks.

During this time an unmarked police vehicle had seen a group outside the convenience store and covertly observed them through their side mirrors for a little under one minute. They claimed that they saw what bore the hallmarks of a drug transaction.

They followed our client in pursuit of their car for around a kilometre. The client was not speeding or driving erratically. During this time the police did a plate check and confirmed that the car was a rental car.

They then sped up past our client’s car and intercepted them. A pat down search of our client yielded no result, but when they asked him his name, the police recognised it him being a person of interest for an investigation.

Power to search

For this reason they searched his vehicle under s82 of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act. This allows police to search a vehicle without a warrant if they “reasonable suspect” there is are drugs of dependence in the vehicle. Consequently, drugs, money and other contraband were found.

The MyDefence referred lawyer negotiated to have many charges rolled up into one charge and have some withdrawn if the client plead guilty to others. However, given the circumstances of the arrest the lawyer applied for a voir dire hearing prior to any entering of a plea. This type of hearing is used to determine whether evidence was:

  1. Unlawfully obtained; and if so
  2. Is it admissible at trial or not.

The voir dire hearing – reasonable suspicion

Counsel cross-examined the police involved and elicited that the informant’s suspicion to search the vehicle was based on three propositions:

  1. That there was a purported drug transaction outside the convenience store involving the client;
  2. That rental vehicles are used commonly by drug dealers;
  3. That the client was a person of interest in another investigation.

In defeating these three propositions, counsel relied on the following:

  1. That CCTV footage obtained from the convenience store found that there was in fact no drug transaction;
  2. In raising case law, suspicion has been held not to be reasonable based on the type of vehicle someone drives;
  3. That the investigation that our client was a target of was in its infancy and not advanced.

The Magistrate agreed with counsel's arguments and further said that “reasonable suspicion” must be more than just a possibility. Yes there was suspicion, however it was unreasonable based on the circumstances when objectively viewed on what the police claim at the time that informed their suspicion. Ultimately what the police believed they suspected at the time is irrelevant.

Even if the search is unlawful, the evidence may be admissible

Magistrates can still allow unlawfully obtained evidence under s138 of the Evidence Act, however they must balance a number of competing factors including:

  1. The strength of the evidence that was obtained in order to prove an offence,
  2. The importance of the evidence was to the prosecution.

Undoubtedly it was conceded that in the case of the client these factors were high.

Reasons the evidence was inadmissible

However, the Magistrate decided to rule the evidence inadmissible for the following reasons:

  1. The contravention by the police was reckless and gung ho. That one minute to determine that a drug transaction was occurring was unreasonable;
  2. That the contravention was a serious misapplication of the law by the police;
  3. That under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, our client’s right to privacy had been breached;
  4. That police could have waited to have obtained a search warrant and done more diligence before acting.

Accordingly, the Magistrate found the client not guilty of all charges.

This case highlights that there are defences available that many clients would not think of by forensically analysing police briefs and testing prosecution cases to their limit. Whilst this was a great outcome for the client, it does demonstrate the need to not accept prosecution cases at face value and to always dig deeper to ensure that investigations have been legally complied with.

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ByMyDefence Staff

What offences show on a National Police Check?

A criminal record can be detrimental to your work prospects and ability to do volunteer work. Often organisations will ask you for a National Police Check to see that you are of good character or suitable for the role. But not all criminal offences show up on a police check. We detail what and what doesn't show on your criminal record.

Firstly there are two types of criminal records in most states.  One that shows driving convictions maintained by your state's road authority, and one that is maintained by the police. A police check will show both, nationwide.

What will show up on a National Police Check

  • Disclosable court outcomes including convictions, sentences, penalties;
  • All findings of guilt, good behaviour bonds, community-based orders, and suspended sentences;
  • Serious traffic convictions such as drink driving or dangerous driving.
  • Any pending charges before a court.

It Check will display the following information:

  • Description of the offence(s);
  • The court where you were sentenced;
  • The date that you were sentenced;
  • The sentence description.

What will not show up on a National Police Check

  • Where you're found innocent of charges;
  • Where police withdraw charges;
  • Traffic infringements and less serious traffic convictions;
  • Diversion programs once you've completed them;
  • Matters prosecuted by authorities other than the police, such as transport authorities;
  • Spent convictions - convictions more than ten years old for adults and five for juveniles. Except for sexual offence convictions, prison sentences greater than six months, and corporate offence convictions.

It is clear there is a lot at stake for a person's future. We founded MyDefence so that clients don't have to stress about expensive lawyers fees and don't feel that they need to plead guilty to avoid more expense. This gives our client the best chance possible at avoiding a damaging criminal record.

Need help on your defence?

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ByMyDefence Staff

Is an assault while playing sport fair game?

At some stage or another we've all played a sport, whether at school when we are younger or on weekends in our adult lives. Physical contact increases the chances of getting injured. Most of the time it is accidental but occasionally it is deliberate.

Here's some things that you should know when you play any sport:

  • you are agreeing to the rules of the game; and
  • you are consenting to any injury you might reasonably sustain that is inherent in playing the game; and
  • when you pay your competition fees, you are also taking out insurance.

Relevant cases supporting this position: R v Stanley (unreported, NSWCCA, 7 April 1995) and  Rootes v Shelton (1967) 116 CLR 383:

What is consent and what is an assault?

In Stanley, the court said as follows:

"in an organised game of rugby league the players consent to acts of violence and acts of substantial violence, and the risks of injury, from the minor to the serious, flowing therefrom, provided that those acts occurred during the course of play in accordance with the rules and usages of the game. Players are not to be taken as consenting to the malicious use of violence intended or recklessly to cause grievous bodily injury. The policy of the law will not permit the mere occasion of a rugby league match to render innocent or otherwise excuse conduct which can discretely be found, beyond reasonable doubt, to constitute a criminal offence."

Courts will objectively look at whether the conduct was “outside the reasonable expectation of the reasonable player.” R v Carr (unreported, NSWCCA, October 1995).

Practically speaking what does that mean? If you tackle someone when when they have possession of the ball during a football game, that is not an assault.

However it is an assault if a player is standing free away from the ball and is intentionally tackled and sustains a serious injury. It would also be an assault if a rule prohibits high tackles and a player makes such a tackle that does not appear accidental in the circumstances.

The assaulting player is liable to be charged by police. The sporting body can also punish the player by banning them for life from playing the sport.

What's the insurance for?

The insurance cover that you get when you pay your competition fees is for acts that may arise out of negligence. For example if there is a pothole in in the sports ground, or if one of the goalposts falls onto a player and injures them.

The insurer will normally not cover injuries for assaults.

So how do you get compensated for your injuries from an assault?

If the assaulting player is charged and convicted of assaulting another player, you can apply to the court for compensation directly against the accused person. In Victoria you can apply under s85B of the Sentencing Act. Otherwise you can sue the assaulting player for personal injury damages as an intentional tort. When suing someone in the civil courts, an assault is called a "tresspass against a person".

 

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ByMyDefence Staff

Diversion programs can avoid criminal convictions.

Diversion programs can avoid criminal convictions for persons accused of criminal offences even when they are guilty.

All states have systems to not punish people for minor or first time offences and to give them a second chance.

A criminal conviction can affect a person's job prospects for a long time where the most law abiding citizen has committed minor criminal offences because of errors of judgment or circumstances where they acted outside their character.

The criminal justice system does not want to punish people for these oversights of behaviour. We explain the two approaches below taken by Victorian and NSW courts.

Diversion program (Vic)

Victoria has a Diversion Program. This program takes the police charges outside of the criminal justice system and is dealt with separately like a good behaviour bond. Diversion is a great outcome where the charges can be proven and a finding of guilt is assured.

To have your matter considered for diversion, MyDefence negotiates with the prosecutor and charging police officer for their consent. If they consent, then a Diversion Hearing is scheduled.

Typical conditions for diversion include:

  • You accepting responsibility for your actions;
  • Not to reoffend within a given time frame e.g. 3, 6 or 12 months;
  • Write a letter of apology to the Victim (if there is one);
  • A small donation to the court fund.

At the end of the time period, all the charges are automatically dismissed and will not appear on your criminal record. You do not have to appear at court for this. Thats is how diversion programs can avoid criminal convictions.

If you don't fulfil the terms of Diversion, then your case will progress through the court system. This still provides a chance for our lawyers to request the Magistrate to "prove and dismiss" the charges without conviction.

MyDefence referred lawyers have letter templates and guides to assist with all the paperwork for their clients once Diversion is recommended by a prosecutor or police informant. This includes a pack of documents to send to the court including submissions as to why Diversion is just in your circumstances.

No conviction orders (NSW)

NSW enables Magistrates' to dismiss charges and order no conviction under sentencing legislation.

MyDefence referred lawyers will craft a plea to the court on behalf our client that draws all the circumstances to the attention of the Magistrate to help secure a dismissal of charges or a no conviction order.

This is also done with negotiation with the police and prosecution to not oppose our submission.

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ByMyDefence Staff

“But I touched on!” Defences to an invalid transport ticket.

The transport police entering your carriage on a train can send dread through the hearts of most commuters. So what happens when you think you have a valid ticket and the officer scans it and it reads as invalid?

The Victorian Transport Regulations conveniently outline the key defence that is deemed acceptable where a ticket is scanned as invalid.

It is a defence to a charge under that the commuter took all reasonable steps to have in the their possession or to produce for inspection a ticket that was valid for the whole of their travel that were available—

(a)     before commencing the travel; and

(b)     while undertaking the travel.

But the Regulations also outline what is not taking all reasonable steps.

  • If the primary reason for not having a valid ticket was because there was insufficient time for a person to have such a ticket in their possession; or
  • The person took insufficient care to ensure that the person had such a valid ticket in their possession; or
  • If the ticket was stored on a person's smartphone, and the phone is inoperable.

So to answer common questions...

Q. Can you use the excuse that you thought there was money on it? A. No, as you didn't take sufficient care.

Q. Can you use the excuse that you didn't have time to get a ticket? A. No, as this is not a reason to not have a valid ticket.

Q. Can you promise to top up your ticket there and then and scan it? A. No, as you didn't take sufficient care.

Q. Can a faulty reader at the station where you touched on be an excuse? A. Yes, in many cases. Providing that other readers were also faulty, and that there was no reader on the train to touch on, and you had funds available on your ticket.

If you have never been fined for evading but you had a reasonable excuse that did not fit within the key defence, you can always write to the infringement body for an internal review to have the fine withdrawn.

A little known danger with requesting any internal review is that they can refer it off to the Magistrates' Court without your permission. So you need to exercise caution when you do this.

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ByMyDefence Staff

The summary offence game with police and prosecutors.

Criminal justice tends not to discriminate when it comes to the laying of police charges and the prosecutors' ability to prove those charges. Whether you have a clean criminal record or have been before the courts previously, you are treated the same.

Where circumstances seem genuinely unfair, we’ve often been told by prosecutors that “it’s not about fairness.”

Sausage factory justice

The “summary” stream of the court system can be likened the worst company you’ve ever done business with. Poor customer service, little directional signage, stone-faced staff with little patience for having to explain what is to them the obvious.

There is no purported ideal “experience”, no net promotor score sought from the customer at the end of their hearing, no friendly follow up emails.

On any given day the “accused” persons are told to be at court at 9.30am – the time dutifully written on their charge sheets or court attendance notices. For the first-time accused, they would be led to think that their matter will be heard at that time. Like an appointment time to be kept in any general business.

Not at the Magistrates’ or Local Court. Havoc and confusion is the daily staple to be consumed. Likening it to live cattle exports, everyone is forced into an enclosed space at the same time and one by one drip fed past a magistrate. The sheer volume of people places pressure on prosecutors and magistrates to clear the daily work load by end of day.

Never assume competency

As criminal defence lawyers, we are constantly exposed to inconsistency in the skilful application of the law. Whether by police laying charges, prosecutors prosecuting or withdrawing those charges, and magistrates sentencing those who are guilty of offences.

The overarching safeguard is a right to appeal any decision to a higher court. But this is more time and money that few people can stomach with the catch cry “I just want it over with” commonly pronounced.

But the consequences are great both short term and long term. Not wanting to risk being found guilty at a contested hearing or trial, many people facing charges decide to plead guilty instead. They hope that such a plea will give them a “without conviction” sentence.

The only pressure release is for prosecutors to withdraw charges so as not to risk the accused seeking costs against them if they were to lose.

Rolling the dice

Unfortunately throughout the whole process luck plays a big part with police and prosecutors.

Luck that the police officer:

  • Charges the right person – we’ve experience clients who were assaulted and then had charges laid against them as the instigator;
  • Understands the context of an offence and decides not to charge;
  • Is objective and keeps their emotions in check;
  • Recommends the person for Diversion (a process that leads to charges being withdrawn ultimately).

Luck that you get a prosecutor who:

  • Knows the law;
  • Doesn’t make up the law;
  • When presented by a defence lawyer with the law, finds it all too hard and just defers a decision to a Magistrate;
  • Has authority to make a decision;
  • Is objective and keeps their emotions in check.

Example cases

To give an example, our client of sudanese background was riding a motorbike without a licence. A drunk Australian rules footballer illegally walked across our client’s path and he came off the bike.

Our client sustained injuries that left him in hospital for two days. Our client was charged and forced to front court, the footballer was given a fine (with the full PR machinery of his club in action).

We alleged that there was a bias in the charging police to providing leniency to a well known sports person. When explaining the situation to the prosecutor, all they said was that it had nothing to do with fairness.

We raised the issue with the magistrate who was sympathetic to our client and fined him, did not interfere with his drivers licence. However he gave him a driving conviction for riding unlicensed.

In another example, another client of sudanese background was charged with assault. On examining CCTV footage the alleged victim is shown pushing our client. The police recommended Diversion, however our this would have jeopardised our client’s desire to work in the security industry.

We rejected Diversion and informed prosecutors we will contest the charge. Ultimately the charge was withdrawn but on the condition of our client not seeking costs. While this was a good outcome for our client, he still had to bear the unfair cost of challenging what should never have been charges brought upon him in the first place.

Bringing fairness back into the system

We emphasise that there are many excellent police and prosecutors. At the same time, for the accused person, the stakes are high. Criminal records are lifelong and most employers now undertake police checks which can affect the employability of convicted persons.

Prosecutors need to be a greater check and balance on the police who lay the charges, too often they side with the charging officer.

There needs to be a process at the prosecutor level where there can be an appeal against the charges being laid in the first place. This should be only for people who have been charged with lesser crimes in arguable circumstances where fairness is an issue. And where it is highly likely that they will never be a return customer to the court system.

The appeal should be considered by a third party prosecutor (at a different location to the court hearing the charges) with the discretion to withdraw charges on the basis of fairness and where the accused is of good character.

The discretion should be allowed where there is no victim, or the victim negatively contributed to the offence faced by the accused. The prosecutor should be highly skilled in the law and the social impact of criminal convictions for different classes of accused persons.

The net effect

Such a reform would lead to a reduction in the casework before magistrates and court prosecutors, and lead to greater faith in the criminal justice system by society at large.

The net effect will result in better decision making at the police and prosecutor level in knowing that their decisions are under scrutiny by an overriding influence. But this is before the “all or nothing” stage of running a contested hearing which leads to many people pleading guilty even when they do not believe they should.

Need help on your defence?

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ByMyDefence Staff

“No Comment”. Can it be used against you?

When you are charged with an offence, the police will normally interview you. Sometimes it can happen without you knowing, such as being caught speeding - an officer will ask why you were speeding.

You may think this is just conversational, but in reality the officer is looking for an admission that makes for a stronger case in prosecuting you in court.

Answering "no comment"

At the same time people often think that by saying "no comment" to the police, it will make them look guilty and can be used against them later. This is in fact not true and police rely on an accused's ignorance in taking advantage of this.

Your right to silence

Accused persons have a right to silence, and providing answers of "no comment" to all questions in an interview is asserting that right. This is founded on the principle that police need to prove the charge against you and you are not obliged to help them do it. Courts are also not allowed to draw an adverse inference from a no comment interview.

So once a police officer starts questioning you, you can make an assumption that it is for a good reason, and that reason is to get a confession.

It is good practice to just say "no comment" to anything they ask you other than what you lawfully must tell them, such as your name and address.

Where police place a person under arrest or have formed a belief that a person has committed an offence, they are obliged to inform you of your rights prior to questioning you.

In these instances, it is always advisable to say "no comment" and seek legal advice immediately after.

MyDefence lawyers are often surprised at how many of our clients have made admissions without knowing that what they said was going to be used against them. In many cases the admission is the only evidence police have against a client.

There is an old saying, it takes one slap to get someone to talk and 10 slaps to shut them up. Police know this technique works in police interviews.

So if you are ever interacting with the police because they are charging you with an offence, to be safe, it always advisable to say "no comment".

 

Need help on your defence?

Get a top MyDefence criminal lawyer working for you at an affordable fixed fee. Contact us if you have any questions about your charges. Or register your case now and we will get the ball rolling on your defence. No upfront fee, just pay before your next court appearance.

ByMyDefence Staff

Technical defences for driving and traffic offences.

Driving and traffic offences are some of the most common offences MyDefence sees from clients. The normal questions asked is whether a client can get off on a technicality. The short answer is yes but you have to be lucky.

These kinds of offences can be difficult to challenge as often there is photographic evidence or a laser detector used. However MyDefence lawyers have had success in finding technical defences or holes in the evidence.

One example is police not following correct procedures as outlined in the police manual. A high risk strategy is to contest the charges at a hearing  and have the charging police officer run through the operation of the laser detector from memory. If they slip up then it provides reasonable doubt to the Magistrate that the device was operated correctly.

Another example is where the police fail to file the police brief with the court correctly. MyDefence lawyers are always on the lookout for these kinds of slip ups and we've had drink driving and suspended driving offences dismissed as a result.

Need help on your defence?

Get a top MyDefence criminal lawyer working for you at an affordable fixed fee. Contact us if you have any questions about your charges. Or register your case now and we will get the ball rolling on your defence. No upfront fee, just pay before your next court appearance.