Trauma of victims and witnesses focus of court overhaul
Victims and witnesses to certain crimes won't have to testify in court multiple times under reforms aimed at reducing the chance of increasing their trauma.
crime, law and justice
‘Tragic accident’: boy dies as car crashes into school
A boy has been killed and four other children seriously injured after a woman collecting a child crashed through a fence and into a Melbourne school.
National road toll a tragedy as states miss targets
Australian roads are more dangerous than ever, as the national road toll continues to climb.
Renewed push for ‘cruel, wasteful’ dying law shakeup
Terminally ill Australians face 'cruel' restrictions on peacefully ending their lives according to Andrew Denton, as 'gag laws' come under scrutiny.
Olympic cyclist’s court case over wife’s death delayed
Former champion cyclist Rohan Dennis has appeared in court on charges over the death of his wife and fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins.
Jack Davey, 11, named as boy killed in schoolyard crash
The family of Jack Davey who died a school crash tragedy has released photos of their son, as the principal vowed the community will get through the tragedy.
Body found, murder charge in search for horse breeder
Police scoured a semi-rural property for the body of 82-year-old Edwin Dobbin after charging a man over his murder and allegedly covering up the crime.
Gang rape quartet showed extreme violence: prosecutor
Four men involved in a gang rape have heard their victim recall the devastating impact their sexual assault has had on her.
Milestone day as sea of red salutes Daniel’s legacy
Politicians have set aside rivalries and worn a single colour to join thousands of people saluting the legacy of Daniel Morcombe.
Brazil seals compensation deal with BHP over dam
Brazil has reached a compensation settlement with BHP and others over a 2015 dam collapse which caused a giant mudslide killing 19 people.
Online predator who abused up to 3500 girls sentenced
An online predator who blackmailed as many as 3500 girls from around the world, including Australia, has been sentenced to at least 20 years in prison.
Support for health response to drugs ahead of summit
The NSW government has been urged not to take ideas off the table ahead of a drug summit, with voters supporting health and welfare responses over court dates.
Alleged illegal tobacco ringleader walks from court
A man arrested at an airport for allegedly running an illegal tobacco syndicate has been released by a court after a magistrate found he was not a flight risk.
Cyclist death due to blind spots and traffic light flaw
A coroner has recommended changes to more than a thousand buses and potentially hundreds of "dangerous" intersections following the death of a young cyclist.
Magistrate makes example of trio over Nazi salutes
A magistrate has stressed the need for general deterrence in sentencing three men who performed Nazi salutes outside the Sydney Jewish Museum.
Police budget blowout won’t affect front line: premier
A $116 million blowout over a bungled lease for a new Queensland police station won't affect frontline services, Premier Steven Miles says.
Defamation trial between opposition leader and MP ends
A judgment in the defamation case against Victoria's opposition leader is expected before Christmas, with predictions his position hinges on the outcome.
Man charged with domestic violence murder in Sydney
A man is in custody facing a domestic violence-related murder charge after a 64-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death in western Sydney.
Reward offered as mystery of woman’s bush death remains
Police are offering $500,000 for details about a singer whose body was found in a remote Sydney dam after a coroner did not rule out misadventure or foul play.
Read null about it: privacy changes could bury news
Changes to Australian privacy laws could open an avenue for powerful people to shut down news coverage, a group has told a Senate inquiry.
Search power in missing persons case deemed effective
Despite being rarely used, a power allowing police to search premises to find a high-risk missing person has been deemed "a useful and valuable tool".
Teen murder accused tried to stop stabbing, judge told
A teen on trial over a woman's death during a Boxing Day home invasion tried to intervene when another youth threatened to fatally stab her, a judge has heard.
Ex Abercrombie & Fitch CEO facing sex charges
A year after a BBC probe alleged Abercrombie & Fitch's former CEO was involved in sex trafficking, he, his partner and a third man are facing federal charges.
Off the scale: intruder crashes campaign crime pitch
Accused of being a policy chameleon, Queensland's opposition leader has stared down a scaly interloper while talking tough on crime on the campaign trail.
Lehrmann wins right to appeal without $200k wallop
Bruce Lehrmann can pursue an "arguable" appeal of his defamation loss without stumping up a $200,000 security payment, a judge has said.
Coles, Woolies call price check on ACCC discount claim
Supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths will fight the consumer watchdog over accusations of dodgy "price drop" campaigns.
Murder victim’s husband hopes for same court outcome
The husband of a woman killed during a Boxing Day home invasion says he tries not to be bitter as he awaits verdicts in an accused teen's murder trial.
Rape-accused UK rapper blows kiss to fans outside court
A British YouTube star and rapper, who allegedly raped and choked a woman in a Perth hotel room blew a kiss to screaming fans as he emerged from court.
Man pleads guilty over body found buried in concrete
More than two years after the discovery of human remains in concrete at a transport business, a man has pleaded guilty to being an accessory after a murder.
Profit over safety claim in dam case ‘unjustified’: BHP
BHP has denied it prioritised profits over concerns about a dam's safety, thereby contributing to its collapse and the ensuing environmental disaster.
‘Cover up’ after killing of gang-linked home invader
The alleged shooting murder of a man involved in a home invasion was concealed by the gunman's organised-crime associates, police say.