How can you represent people who have committed heinous crimes? This is a question often asked of Public Defenders like Belinda Rigg SC.

As a Public Defender, Belinda is a salaried barrister who works for people charged with serious criminal offences who have been granted legal aid. She defends some of the most vulnerable people in society. Unlike many other lawyers, Belinda didn’t spend any time as a solicitor. In fact, she was so motivated to get into the courtroom that, with the support of her mentors and colleagues, she went straight to the Bar. Listen in to find out why Belinda chooses to work in one of the most publicly scrutinised roles in criminal law.

Let us know what you think about the podcast in this quick survey:  surveymonkey.com/r/sentencing_explained

Check out the episode study guide on our website: sentencingcouncil.nsw.gov.au/podcast

How can you represent people who have committed heinous crimes? This is a question often asked of Public Defenders like Belinda Rigg SC.
As a Public Defender, Belinda is a salaried barrister who works for people charged with serious criminal offences who have been granted legal aid. She defends some of the most vulnerable people in society. Unlike many other lawyers, Belinda didn’t spend any time as a solicitor. In fact, she was so motivated to get into the courtroom that, with the support of her mentors and colleagues, she went straight to the Bar. Listen in to find out why Belinda chooses to work in one of the most publicly scrutinised roles in criminal law.
Let us know what you think about the podcast in this quick survey:  <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/sentencing_explained">surveymonkey.com/r/sentencing_explained</a> 
Check out the episode study guide on our website: <a href="http://www.sentencingcouncil.nsw.gov.au/podcast.html">sentencingcouncil.nsw.gov.au/podcast</a>

Sentencing Explained is a podcast about NSW sentencing trends and practices. Join Chair of the NSW Sentencing Council, the Hon Peter McClellan AM KC, in conversation with esteemed guests including judges, police, public interest lawyers, prosecutors, victims’ advocates, and Sentencing Council members. They provide a window into the NSW justice system for students, lawyers, and anyone interested in criminal law. Episodes are released on Mondays. If you’re a student, get the most of each episode and download the study guide at sentencingcouncil.nsw.gov.au/podcast

Sentencing Explained

The role and duty of defence counsel: How do you argue a case for a serious offender?

Parole is an important part of our criminal justice system. It provides offenders with a path to rehabilitation as they transition from the prison system back into the community. But how does parole work?

In this episode, Peter is joined by the Honourable James Wood AO KC. Mr Wood has had a long career in the law, including as the former Chair of the State Parole Authority. They discuss how parole decisions are made, what happens when an offender breaches a parole condition and whether parole actually does reduce re-offending.

Parole is an important part of our criminal justice system. It provides offenders with a path to rehabilitation as they transition from the prison system back into the community. But how does parole work?
In this episode, Peter is joined by the Honourable James Wood AO KC. Mr Wood has had a long career in the law, including as the former Chair of the State Parole Authority. They discuss how parole decisions are made, what happens when an offender breaches a parole condition and whether parole actually does reduce re-offending.

An insight into parole with the Hon James Wood AO KC

In this episode, we are joined by Magistrate Mark Douglass to talk about his experiences as an Aboriginal magistrate and his perspective on Aboriginal people and the criminal justice system.

Magistrate Douglass discusses how he overcame early life challenges to reach his current position. He shares his hope that the criminal justice system is changing, including through the expansion of culturally-specific processes and his work as Chair of the Local Court’s First Nations Committee.

Please note this episode contains content that some listeners may find distressing, including mentions of domestic violence, sexual assault and suicide. If you want to avoid this content, skip from 1:41 to 3:07 and from 22:35 to 23:36. If you need support, you can contact these services free of charge:
Beyond Blue: call support services on 1300 22 4636 or visit www.beyondblue.org.au
Lifeline: call the 24-hour crisis line on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au
FullStop Australia: call 1800 424 017 or visit www.fullstop.org.au
National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Service: call 1800RESPECT or 1800 737 732,or visit www.1800respect.org.au

In this episode, we are joined by Magistrate Mark Douglass to talk about his experiences as an Aboriginal magistrate and his perspective on Aboriginal people and the criminal justice system.
Magistrate Douglass discusses how he overcame early life challenges to reach his current position. He shares his hope that the criminal justice system is changing, including through the expansion of culturally-specific processes and his work as Chair of the Local Court’s First Nations Committee.
Please note this episode contains content that some listeners may find distressing, including mentions of domestic violence, sexual assault and suicide. If you want to avoid this content, skip from 1:41 to 3:07 and from 22:35 to 23:36. If you need support, you can contact these services free of charge:
<ul>
<li>Beyond Blue: call support services on 1300 22 4636 or visit <a href="http://www.beyondblue.org.au/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.beyondblue.org.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1682740524086000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0e0OF6q9QwabarJajDNDtr">www.beyondblue.org.au</a></li>
<li>Lifeline: call the 24-hour crisis line on 13 11 14 or visit <a href="http://lifeline.org.au/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://lifeline.org.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1682740524086000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Gm-yAgqHK8zwjZ91fUt-q">lifeline.org.au</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>FullStop Australia: call 1800 424 017 or visit <a href="http://www.fullstop.org.au/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.fullstop.org.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1682740524086000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2PeOPQhSbXJRP2dCVKDJYK">www.fullstop.org.au</a></li>
<li>National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Service: call 1800RESPECT or 1800 737 732,or visit <a href="http://www.1800respect.org.au/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.1800respect.org.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1682740524086000&amp;usg=AOvVaw198j-laXrl8Ik95ZZm2f7u">www.1800respect.org.au</a></li>
</ul>

Aboriginal people and the criminal justice system with Magistrate Douglass

In this episode we are joined by Darumbal and Gunggari woman Maree Jennings to talk about the Circle Sentencing program. A former community panel member and Project Officer in Circle Sentencing, Maree now works on the operational side of the program with the Department of Communities and Justice.

Listen in to hear about Maree’s experience sitting on Circles, how Circle Sentencing works and why she thinks the program is making a difference to Aboriginal people’s lives.

In this episode we are joined by Darumbal and Gunggari woman Maree Jennings to talk about the Circle Sentencing program. A former community panel member and Project Officer in Circle Sentencing, Maree now works on the operational side of the program with the Department of Communities and Justice.
Listen in to hear about Maree’s experience sitting on Circles, how Circle Sentencing works and why she thinks the program is making a difference to Aboriginal people’s lives.

The role and duty of defence counsel: How do you argue a case for a serious offender?

Sentencing Explained

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