Work | Stary Norton Halphen

What Are Committal Hearings? A Guide to the Preliminary Stages of Criminal Cases in Victoria

Committal hearings are a critical preliminary stage in the Victorian criminal justice system for indictable offences. These hearings, conducted in the Magistrates' Court, serve to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to justify a trial in a higher court, such as the County Court or Supreme Court.

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Applying to Suspend your Sex Offenders Registration Act (SORA) Reporting Obligations

Following conviction for certain offences in Victoria, a person will be subject to the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004 (SORA). SORA requires certain individuals convicted of sexual offenses to be registered as sex offenders and comply with ongoing reporting obligations.

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Mandatory Minimum Sentences in Australia: Balancing Justice and Judicial Discretion

A mandatory minimum sentence is a law that sets a minimum punishment that must be imposed by a judge for certain crimes, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the case or the offender.

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New Youth Justice Act

Criminal law that governs children and young offenders is about to undergo a significant change in Victoria. There will be a new law, likely formally beginning in 2025, called the Youth Justice Act which will replace the current law overseeing criminal law for children.

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