Category Archives: General articles

Articles relevant to the subject of wrongful convictions

Convictions that changed our world

Posted on November 21, 2023 by andrew

One of the two most recent “convictions” that have changed our world by triggering violent responses was that Israel had targeted a Gaza hospital as part of its response to the Hamas atrocities of October 7, 2023. The other was … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 12 Comments

Should prosecutors take the oath?

Posted on September 10, 2023 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban.  The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth … that’s the oath taken by witnesses in criminal trials. But not by prosecutors. In our adversarial system, the truth can be an incidental benefit to a … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 22 Comments

Call to hold off on Criminal Cases Review Commission “baffling” – Dr Bob Moles

Posted on September 8, 2023 by andrew

The call by The Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative (BOHII) to hold off on the development of a Criminal Cases Review Commission “is quite frankly baffling,” comments Dr Bob Moles, “and can, in my opinion, only serve to alienate them from their main client group – … Continue reading →

Posted in CCRC, General articles | 13 Comments

The wrongful conviction that harms children

Posted on September 2, 2023 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. Why am I writing about climate change on a blog devoted to wrongful convictions? My justification is that carbon dioxide has been wrongfully convicted of causing global warming, according to climate scientists, and the alarmism is causing … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 5 Comments

CCRC would relieve politicians of impossible choice

Posted on August 13, 2023 by andrew

As things stand, politicians burdened with the responsibilities of Attorney-General often face the impossible choice of advising the relevant Governor on petitions from innocents convicted of sexual abuse. It should not be their choice; legal matters should stay within the … Continue reading →

Posted in Case 06 'Paul', Case 22 Noel Greenaway, CCRC, General articles | 26 Comments

Sofronoff doesn’t go far enough on disclosure reform – Selby

Posted on August 12, 2023 by andrew

The recently released Sofronoff Report into the ACT Criminal Justice System’s handling of the Brittany Higgins rape allegation against Bruce Lehrmann recommends legislation to codify the scope and content of the obligation of disclosure owed by the prosecution in criminal … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 7 Comments

SPECIAL REPORT – Prosecutors ‘straining impermissibly for a conviction’: eight examples

Posted on August 4, 2023 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. Walter Sofronoff KC’s damning findings revealed this week of reprehensible behaviour by ACT DPP Shane Drumgold, is the tip of an iceberg that threatens the criminal justice system. In the words of judges, lawyers and legal academics, … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 24 Comments

Has ICAC found Gladys Berejiklian Clayton’s corrupt?

Posted on June 29, 2023 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. June 29, 2023: Investigating a third NSW Premier, the Independent Commission Against Corruption has found former Premier Gladys Berejiklian engaged in ‘serious corrupt conduct’. But not corrupt enough to recommend the matter to the Director of Public … Continue reading →

Posted in General articles | 9 Comments

A key piece of criminal justice infrastructure is missing

Posted on June 21, 2023 by andrew

Professor David Hamer and Dr Andrew Dyer from Sydney Law School explain why Kathleen Folbigg’s pardon points to the need for a Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) in Australia. 

Posted in Case 17 Kathleen Folbigg, CCRC, General articles | 25 Comments

Comment moderators in conflict with editorial at The Australian?

Posted on June 17, 2023 by andrew

Andrew L. Urban. Are the gatekeepers of reader comments on The Australian – the moderators –  in ideological conflict with the editors? 

Posted in Case 18 Bruce Lehrmann, General articles | 3 Comments