Joe Biden pardons son Hunter despite saying he wouldn’t
President Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter, sparing him a possible prison sentence and reversing his promises not to use the power to benefit his family.
crime, law and justice
Man dies after balcony fall during police operation
A crime watchdog is investigating the death of a man who fell from a balcony during a police operation.
Mass deportations ruled out under immigration powers
The immigration minister is defending a suite of powers making it easier to deport people without valid visas following criticism from human rights groups.
Man extradited and charged over alleged fatal assault
A man will front court charged over the death of another man found lying on the ground outside a home in the middle of the night.
FBI probes bomb threats to lawmakers, Trump nominees
The US government and FBI are looking into a series of hoax threats aimed at Democratic politicians and some of Donald Trump's cabinet picks.
‘Cruel, inhuman’: justice laws to violate human rights
New youth justice laws will likely increase the number of children in detention and put pressure on packed facilities, a state government admits.
Indigenous leader locked up for ‘calculated’ $1m theft
Indigenous leader Geoff Clark and his son Jeremy have been sentenced after they were found guilty of stealing almost $1 million from Aboriginal organisations.
Taser cop devastated by pain of elderly victim’s family
A senior constable who fatally tasered a 95-year-old woman says he remains 'devastated' by her death, after learning his bail will be continued over Christmas.
Childcare inquiry urged after depraved rapist jailed
The parents of girls raped by Ashley Paul Griffith have called for an investigation into how he was able to keep offending in childcare centres for decades.
Body-in-bags victim allegedly had ‘fiance’ overseas
A woman allegedly killed and dismembered her husband with a drop-saw before disposing of the pieces of his body in neighbourhood bins.
Ex-footy star faces court over alleged drunken rampage
A former rugby league and union great is looking to have at least one assault charge dropped following an alleged rampage at a bar.
Funding shortfall denies 400,000 of key legal service
Hundreds of thousands of Australians are being turned away from community legal centres, as the sector battles chronic underfunding.
Trump cabinet picks ‘targeted’ with threats, swatting
The FBI says it is investigating several bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming nominees and appointees of US president-elect Donald Trump.
Prison isolation looms for cop after fatal Taser shot
An officer who fatally tasered an aged-care resident is waiting to learn if he will be put into isolation in custody after his manslaughter verdict.
‘Irrevocable pain’: parents confront childcare rapist
Some of the many women abused as girls by child care worker Ashley Paul Griffith over 19 years have told a judge they have scars that will never heal.
‘Undeniable’: police label ex-cop a racist at inquest
The police officer who shot Kumanjayi Walker in a botched arrest has been labelled a racist by his former employer at an inquest into the death.
Pauline Hanson appeals court ruling she was racist
Pauline Hanson is appealing a court ruling she was racist towards Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi on the basis of alleged errors in the judicial process.
Driver locked up after facing families of five killed
A dangerous driver who killed five people after ignoring police and warning signs is in jail after facing the families of his victims.
NRL star’s mum ordered to stand trial after fatal crash
The mother of NRL star Payne Haas has been ordered to stand trial for manslaughter following a fatal crash, sparking emotional scenes from the victims' family.
Cop who tasered 95yo in ‘terrible tragedy’ faces jail
A serving police officer who fatally tasered a 95-year-old woman is facing jail after being found guilty of manslaughter but will keep his job for now.
‘Don’t blame you for hating me’: speeding driver jailed
A speeding driver who killed two people in a collision while on his way to a casino says he doesn't blame the families of the victims for hating him.
Rising rate of jailed Indigenous women rings alarm bell
Domestic and family violence, and insecure housing are among the issues driving up the numbers of Indigenous women in Australia's prison system, advocates say.
Health regulators take stand in fight to end violence
Regulators have come together for the first time to condemn family violence and remind health practitioners of their critical role in the battle to end it.
‘Tell the truth’: Indigenous family’s plea for justice
Kumanjayi Walker's family members have called for truth as the long-running inquest into his death draws to a close.
Victim’s anguish over unborn death crash sentence
A teenager who caused a head-on collision that killed an unborn baby has avoided detention in a landmark sentencing, prompting criticism from the victim's mum.
Landmark plan to address ‘systemic, structural’ racism
Australians are being challenged to confront systemic racism and the enduring impacts of colonisation in a landmark report from the Human Rights Commission.
Failed cocaine and people smuggler cops hefty sentence
A superyacht operator has been jailed for more than 11 years for his role in a failed drug-smuggling operation that led to the death of a Brazilian diver.
Workplace protections from sex offenders needed: report
A report has called for law changes to provide better protection from sex offenders for children working alongside adults across the nation.
Teen accused of gran’s murder to face committal hearing
Prosecutors say they are ready to test their evidence in court against a teenage boy accused of stabbing a grandmother to death and stealing her car.
US judge dismisses federal Trump 2020 election case
The latest legal move represents a remarkable shift from the special prosecutor who obtained indictments against Donald Trump in two separate cases.
Historic day as MPs sworn into fresh parliament
It was a bittersweet day for Labor MPs sitting on the opposite side of the chamber as the Liberal National Party takes power for the first time in nine years.