Understanding Criminal Justice with Nicholas Cowdery AO KC

We are privileged to have Nicholas (‘Nick’) Cowdery AO KC as guest speaker for our Rotary luncheon meeting on Tuesday 21 May.

Nick was the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for New South Wales from 1994 to 2011 and former president of the International Association of Prosecutors.  The DPP is responsible for criminal prosecutions of serious offences including the conduct of trials and appeals.  The decision to charge someone for a serious criminal offence, or not, is the responsibility of the DPP.

Most of us have opinions about the criminal justice system.  This is an opportunity to learn the facts behind this complex and often divisive area of law.

Nick will explain the criminal justice process including the decision to charge, the vexed question of bail, the conduct of criminal prosecutions by police and the DPP, issues of discretion, prosecution guidelines and the principles of sentencing.  His talk will address these in the context of domestic and family violence, issues once again in the forefront of the news.