Criminal Law: Hot Topics
Build and fine tune an effective skill set for your criminal law practice by examining how to make use of the Human Rights Act in criminal law matters. Work through the ins and outs of judge-only trials so you’ll be prepared to navigate them long term. Master the art of evidentiary objections and other critical evidence issues. Finally, delve into the interplay between parole and sentencing to get the best result possible for your client.
Description
Attend and earn 4 CPD units in Legal Knowledge
This program is based on QLD legislation
Chair: Joseph Briggs, Barrister, Legal Aid Queensland
1.00pm to 1.05pm Opening Comments by the Chair
1.05pm to 1.50pm: Magistrates Court Practice
- Current issues
- Future use of video platforms
- New 2020 practice directions
- Committals: applications to cross-examine
- Lengthy sentence practice
- The Chief Magistrate’s vision for the Court and what this means for practitioners
Presented by Chief Magistrate Terry Gardiner, Brisbane Magistrate Court
1.50pm to 2.35pm: Using the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) in Criminal Litigation
- Consider how the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) can be deployed at all stage of the criminal process
- How to protect the rights and interests of your clients
Presented by Dan Rogers, Legal Director, Robertson O’Gorman; Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law
2.35pm to 3.20pm: Judge-Only Trials Now and Going Forward
- How do judge-only trials work in practice?
- What can practitioners expect from them?
- Impacts on rights of the accused
- Plans to retain judge-only trials post-COVID: How and in what capacity?
Presented by Andrew Hoare, Barrister, Halsbury Chambers
3.20pm to 3.30pm Afternoon Tea
3.30pm to 4.15pm: Evidentiary Objections and the Rules of Evidence
- Overview of key provisions of the Evidence Act 1977 (Qld) for criminal lawyers
- Crucial areas of objection in summary trials
- The value in still using evidentiary rules/best practice in domestic violence matters and crime-associated tribunal proceedings
- Current evidentiary issues before the courts
Presented by Paula Morreau, Barrister, 8 Petrie Terrace Chambers
4.15pm to 5.00pm: The Impact of Existing Parole on Sentencing: The Penalties and Sentences Act Untangled
- What is ‘an offender’s period of imprisonment’ (s160B(2) PSA)?
- Is that period suspended if the prisoner is sentenced to another period of imprisonment?
- What is the impact of court ordered parole suspension versus parole board ordered suspension?
- What implications does it have in determining whether a PRD or PED is set?
Presented by Matt Jackson, Barrister, 8 Petrie Terrace Chambers
5.00pm to 5.10pm Q and A and Closing Comments from the Chair