The Law Handbook 2024

iii Contents About this book.....................................................................................................................................................................vi Contributors..........................................................................................................................................................................vii Citation of Acts................................................................................................................................................................... xi A note about penalty units..................................................................................................................................................... xi A note about the COVID-19 pandemic................................................................................................................................ xi 1 Understanding our laws and courts...................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Where our laws come from..................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 An introduction to the courts ................................................................................................................................ 13 1.3 Sentencing in the Magistrates’ Court ................................................................................................................... 31 1.4 The Children’s Court............................................................................................................................................. 39 2 Getting help ......................................................................................................................................... 51 2.1 Legal representation ............................................................................................................................................ 52 2.2 How legal aid can help ......................................................................................................................................... 62 2.3 Representing yourself in court .............................................................................................................................. 76 2.4 Legal services that can help ................................................................................................................................. 88 3 Fines, infringements and criminal law................................................................................................. 95 3.1 Fines and infringements........................................................................................................................................ 96 3.2 Drug offences .................................................................................................................................................... 131 3.3 Sexual offences ................................................................................................................................................. 153 3.4 Sex work ........................................................................................................................................................... 168 3.5 Arrest, search, interrogation and your rights........................................................................................................ 172 3.6 How bail works................................................................................................................................................... 195 3.7 Which court for which crime? ............................................................................................................................ 214 3.8 Imprisonment and the rights of people in prison ................................................................................................. 219 3.9 Understanding criminal records . ........................................................................................................................ 240 4 Relationships, families and young people ....................................................................................... 255 4.1 Marriage and divorce ......................................................................................................................................... 256 4.2 Parental responsibilities and child support .......................................................................................................... 265 4.3 Same-sex and de facto couples and families ..................................................................................................... 276 4.4 Family violence .................................................................................................................................................. 293 4.5 Changing your name ......................................................................................................................................... 308 5 Managing your money....................................................................................................................... 313 5.1 Dealing with social security ................................................................................................................................ 314 5.2 Are you in debt? ................................................................................................................................................ 344 5.3 Understanding bankruptcy ................................................................................................................................. 365 5.4 Financial counselling services . ........................................................................................................................... 388 5.5 Taxation.............................................................................................................................................................. 395 5.6 Superannuation.................................................................................................................................................. 408 5.7 Understanding credit and finance ...................................................................................................................... 420 5.8 Mortgages, consumer leases and other finance products .................................................................................. 432