Criminal Law Symposium 2019
Issues covered include: criminal law update, drugs, client rights, police powers, forensic evidence, DNA, toxicology, cyber and psychiatry, evidence
Description
This comprehensive program will ensure guide you on the latest issues affecting criminal lawyers. Spend the morning examining the latest pressing issues with drugs, clients rights and police powers The Hon. Roger Dive from the NSW Drug Court. The afternoon will be a deep dive into the latest forensic evidence topics including DNA, toxicology, cyber and psychiatry and how it’s being used as evidence in court. Ensure you're equipped to with the most up to date knowledge and skills when you go to court.
Attend and earn 7 CPD units including:
3.5 CPD units in Substantive Law
3.5 CPD units in Professional Skills
Session 1
Drugs, Client’s Rights and Police Powers
The interplay between client rights and police powers is at the forefront of the media’s attention and raises important legal issues for practitioners. Nowhere is this more evident than when it comes to issues such as drugs and mental health. Take a deep dive into these areas alongside The Hon. Roger Dive from the NSW Drug Court, the President of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, a leading expert in the area of medicinal cannabis and criminal law, and an esteemed practitioner examining client rights and mental health.
Chair: Nicholas Cowdery AO QC
9.00am to 9.05am Opening Comments by the Chair
9.05am to 9.45am: INSIGHTS FROM THE NSW DRUG COURT: Practice & Procedure
The Drug Court is a proven success. Why does it work? Who does it work for? What are the essential ingredients for solution-focussed courts? After 15 years at the Drug Court, Judge Dive will provide some insights into achieving success with the most unlikely candidates.
Presented by The Hon. Roger Dive, Senior Judge, NSW Drug Court
9.45am to 10.40am: Strip Searches and Legal Rights
In just over a decade, the number of strip searches in NSW has increased 20 fold from 277 in 2006 to over 5,400 in 2018. In 2019-2019 out of a total of 5,362 strip searches, in 66% of searches nothing illegal was found. In a two -year financial period, young people aged 25 years and younger, accounted for 45 per cent those strip searched. To prevent the harmful impact of strip searches, Redfern Legal Centre (RLC) has launched a campaign to change strip search law in NSW. Samantha Lee, head of the Police Accountability practice at RLC will provide:
- An overview of current strip search law
- The legal safeguards
- Quick tips if you or your clients are searched
- The legal loopholes
- Why change is critical to prevent ongoing harm to young people.
Presented by Samantha Lee, Solicitor, Police Accountability and Government Law, Redfern Legal Centre
10.40am to 10.55am Morning Tea
10.55am to 11.45am: Medicinal Cannabis and Criminal Law: the Intersection
Hear from Professor McGregor, who is at the forefront of medicinal cannabis legal issues and who regularly appears pro-bono and as an expert-witness in a range of matters. Professor McGregor will share his experience from successfully challenging unsafe verdicts caused by poor handling by government forensic labs. With him you will delve into practical issues presented by changing perspective of courts regarding cannabis use for pain relief including:
- Evolving defences for drug-driving on medicinal cannabis
- Updated criminal defences, including duress
- Liability: use as medication for children and the associated child protection issues
- Doctors successfully using the defence of medical necessity
Presented by Professor Iain McGregor, Academic Director, Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University of Sydney
11.45am to 12.35pm: The Rights of Clients with Cognitive or Mental Health Impairments and Criminal Law
- Issues that arise with clients when dealing with police and the court system
- Interplay between drugs, mental health and the legal system
- Best practice
Presented by Maria Walz, Principal, Maria Walz Legal; Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law
12.35pm to 12.45pm Final Q&A and Closing Comments by the Chair
Session 2
Forensic Evidence in Criminal Matters
It’s crucial that you can understand expert reports and evidence to ensure that you can act in the best interests of your clients. Hear from respected experts in their fields who will guide you so that you won’t be held back by the science. Examine a sample of forensic evidence topics including DNA, toxicology, cyber and psychiatry as well as the latest technology and how it’s being used as evidence in court.
Chair: Ian Lloyd QC, Trust Chambers; Recommended Criminal Law Senior Counsel, Doyle’s Guide 2019
1.30pm to 1.35pm Opening Comments by the Chair
1.35pm to 2.25pm: Forensic Criminology: Advances and Developments
- A review of DNA evidence covering advances in recovery of DNA, complex DNA mixture interpretation and statistics, searching on the National DNA database, familial searching, DNA phenotyping and topical court issues regarding transfer, persistence and deposition of DNA
- An overview of the forensic evidence provided by the chemical criminalistics unit including gunshot residue, paint, glass, fibres and ignitable liquids
Presented by Dr Sharon Neville, Branch Director, Criminalistics, Forensic & Analytical Science Service
2.25pm to 3.15pm: Forensic Toxicology, Drugs & Driving Toxicology
- Explore the current capabilities and latest developments in drug testing
- Delve into the challenges of the constantly evolving illicit drug market and discover how science and the law is keeping pace
Presented by Dr Santiago Vazquez, Branch Director, Forensic & Environmental, Forensic & Analytical Science Service
3.15pm to 3.30pm Afternoon Tea
3.30pm to 4.20pm: Psychiatrist and Psychologist Reports: Deciphering the Details
- Key issues to note when dealing with psychiatrist reports
- How to interpret psychiatrist reports
- Issues to consider during sentencing
- Section 32 Mental Health treatment plans
Presented by Dr Stephen H Allnutt, Senior Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist
4.20pm to 5.10pm: Cyber Forensics: Trending Issues & Key Problems to Look Out for
- How computer forensics fits into criminal forensics
- Cloud investigations/Privacy Act
- Doctored documents, wills, etc
Presented by Dr. Allan Watt, Director, Digital Forensic
5.10pm to 5.15pm Final Q&A and Closing Comments by the Chair
Learning Objectives
- Examine how forensic evidence is being used as evidence in court
- Gain an understanding of the different types of forensic evidence
- Develop a deeper knowledge of forensic terminology and techniques
Venue
Cliftons Sydney
Level 3, 10 Spring Street
Sydney 2000
NSW
Australia
Directions
Nearby Public Transport:
Train Stations - Wynyard 400m OR Martin Place 500m
Bus Interchange - Clarence Street 450m
Ferry - Circular Quay 1.2km
Parking Information
Parking not included in your registration. Here are some options below.
Secure Park 20 Bond Street - click here for rates
Wilson Park 1 O'Connell Street - click here for rates
Wilson Park 31 Bond Street - click here for rates