Category Archives: General articles

Articles relevant to the subject of wrongful convictions

Australian democracy not always by the ‘rule of law’

Posted on March 25, 2018 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban In the context of the immigration debate Australia’s Prime Minister (and lawyer of renown), recently extolled the virtues of Australian democracy and its adherence to the ‘rule of law principles’, yet “the criminal appeal system in … Continue reading →

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‘Learned friends’ learn little from errors

Posted on February 26, 2018 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban What went wrong? That’s the question that the criminal justice system does not often ask and therefore doesn’t answer when wrongful convictions are revealed.   Prevention is so much better than cure, especially in a legal system … Continue reading →

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Survivors Guide to Prison – a movie as a movement

Posted on February 19, 2018 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban. American filmmaker Matthew Cooke says of his 2018 film Survivors Guide to Prison: “This is not just a film, but also a movement. We hope to swing the pendulum on legislation. We want prison reform, specifically … Continue reading →

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The costs of injustice

Posted on February 18, 2018 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban She is wheeled into the clinical surrounds of the Supreme Court in Hobart in a wheelchair and positioned in front of the empty jury benches, facing the witness box. Sue Neill-Fraser’s demeanour is low key, her … Continue reading →

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Lloyd Rayney & how tunnel vision blinds police

Posted on January 31, 2018 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban The WA police defamed an innocent man by publicly naming him soon after starting their investigation as the only suspect in his wife’s murder. He was eventually (three years later) charged, tried and acquitted. Twice. He … Continue reading →

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Bare faced lawyers: confessions of the legal profession

Posted on January 13, 2018 by andrew

Innocent people – at least 71 known*, the total unknowable – have been held or are stuck in Australian jails on lengthy sentences for murders or rapes they did not commit. This comes as no surprise to those who, like … Continue reading →

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Securing murder convictions without evidence

Posted on November 20, 2017 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban. As Gordon Wood, acquitted in 2014 of murdering his girlfriend Caroline Byrne in 1995, awaits the decision (expected by end of 2017) on his recently concluded malicious prosecution case against the State of NSW, at least … Continue reading →

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The wrong arm of the law

Posted on November 20, 2017 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban A man convicted of murder is still in jail after 33 years, 11 years after he was eligible for parole, because he will not relent on his claim of innocence. He has always maintained that he … Continue reading →

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Not Guilty Exoneration Project launched in Sydney

Posted on February 26, 2016 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban. Not Guilty: The Sydney Exoneration Project is a new psychology and law research program at The University of Sydney that reviews cases of possible wrongful convictions, founded by Dr Celine Van Golde in the Faculty of … Continue reading →

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Australia’s greatest forensic disaster

Posted on September 25, 2015 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban The chronic, long term failure of the South Australian legal system to ensure that its chief forensic pathologist was suitably qualified to give evidence was a ticking time bomb that is now about to explode, with … Continue reading →

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