Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Crime and the Law

Hola Legal eagles,
thought I would set up a blog for your reading and introductory information. Firstly as I have already referred you towards the State Library has a couple of links that are especially set up for your research. I have made links to the Legal Information Information Centre and Lawlink in the legal links to the right of this post.
In addition if you are interested- the main underlying Act of NSW Parliament is the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) which is constantly being updated. Interestingly the definition of murder (see section 18) as defined in NSW does not have to always involved intention, it can involve 'reckless indifference to life'. See if you can explain the difference between deliberate intent and reckless indifference?
The last three weeks in the SMH there has been a series of interviews and feature articles on the legal system. As it is this has meant a concentration on the criminal justice system as that impacts upon all of us. Today the Director of Public Prosecutions whose job it is to prosecute for the crown (society) , the office also appeals cases where the verdict is not in the interests of society. Today the Director Nicholas Cowdrey suggested that certain rights of the accused should be modified e.g the right to silence and the inability to inform the jury that the person has been previously convicted. What do you think about either of these issues?

3 comments:

  1. Hey Sir, your blog is really helpful, especially when I am dong legal work. Hope this keeps up until the end of year 12 :D

    p.s: there are a few typos in your latest post, just thought I let u know ;)

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  2. The difference between deliberate intent and reckless indifference? Im gonna say....

    Deliberate Intent= A person with the 'deliberate intention' of killing someone. (Mens Rea)
    Reckless Indifference= When a person doesn't intend on killing another person, though their actions were reckless enough to kill someone.
    (manslaughter?)

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  3. Thanks Anon, that is what happens when you rush something....

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