Category Archives: General articles

Articles relevant to the subject of wrongful convictions

Extending Court Hours Night, Weekend, and Video Courts as a Shield against Wrongful Convictions

Posted on March 31, 2026 by andrew

In justice systems worldwide, court backlogs are not mere administrative headaches—they are engines of wrongful convictions. Prolonged delays and overcrowded dockets create intense pressure on defendants to accept plea bargains, even when innocent, writes STEVEN FENNELL. 

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Jury secrecy shields wrongful convictions; should juries be recorded?

Posted on March 28, 2026 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban Recorded and with availability restricted to relevant judges, jury deliberations hold the key to many wrongful convictions. 

Posted in Case 11 Robert Xie, General articles | 6 Comments

Judges and the law not acting rationally

Posted on March 27, 2026 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban The High Court’s decision last week, known as EGH19, is the latest in a string of defeats for the government over its attempts to protect the community from foreign criminals who are in this country unlawfully. The … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 4 Comments

Appeals Are Not Enough: A System That Refuses to Learn

Posted on March 26, 2026 by andrew

The legal system resists correcting its mistakes; it avoids learning from them. This was a post responding to our recent article about the failures of appeals, from reader STEVEN FENNELL, whose personal experience informs his opinions. His observations are so pertinent … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 4 Comments

When directors of public prosecutions aren’t accountable

Posted on March 9, 2026 by andrew

“There is no good reason in 2026 to allow directors of public prosecutions to be less accountable than anyone else for their conduct and their decisions. The present ‘non-accountability’ brings our criminal justice system into disrepute” writes former barrister HUGH SELBY in … Continue reading →

Posted in Case 01 Sue Neill-Fraser, General articles | Leave a comment

FREE symposium on the wrongful rape & murder conviction of Stephen ‘Shorty’ Jamieson

Posted on February 22, 2026 by andrew

Stephen ‘Shorty’ Jamieson was a homeless 22-year-old when – on the basis of his nickname – he was charged with the brutal 1988 abduction, rape, and murder of Janine Balding. Two years later, he was sentenced to life in prison, … Continue reading →

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Shamed Scottish Judges exposed for unfair application of rape shield laws

Posted on February 19, 2026 by andrew

Too often men simply aren’t allowed to provide juries with relevant evidence critical to their defence, writes BETTINA ARNDT. And not only in Scotland … in Australia too.

Posted in General articles | 6 Comments

Paul Reynolds saga back from the grave

Posted on February 14, 2026 by andrew

“The Police Commissioner later apologised for the funeral.” That sentence in a news report caught my eye when looking into the case of Paul Reynolds, prompted by a former senior Tasmanian lawyer and police officer. That sentence was part of … Continue reading →

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Mitch and Zisi – tragedy in Tamarama, but details lacking

Posted on February 5, 2026 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban In the dead of night, shortly after 4am on Sunday March 17, 2024, 28 year old lawyer Mitch East is found dead, with critical head and chest injuries, lying in the middle of Fletcher St in the … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 16 Comments

Big win for some victims of crime

Posted on February 2, 2026 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban  First and only-time child sex abuse offenders who are wrongfully convicted will lose the minor mitigating factor at sentencing if good character references are no longer accepted in the wake of the NSW government’s move to introduce … Continue reading →

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