Law Library Blog 
In the news: the High Court on social disadvantage and sentencing
A defendant's history of social disadvantage should be taken into account in sentencing, the high court found on Wednesday, as it allowed an Indigenous man to appeal against his extended sentencing for an assault conviction
See High court ruling: social disadvantage should be considered in sentencing, The Guardian, 2 October 2013).
For further information, read the Judgement Summary and the full decision Bugmy v The Queen HCA 37 (2 October 2013)
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When people text drivers
The week on the Law Report, Damien Carrick interviews University Queensland lecturer Alan Davidson about a recent US court decision that assigned civil liability to a person who knowingly texted a driver who subsequently crashed his car.
The exciting part about it is it does establish a new legal principle. Beforehand no one would have thought or would have even guessed that this would have been the case. It reminds me of Donoghue and Stevenson, the case with the snail and the ginger beer bottle that most lawyers and members of the public know about.
See US courts focus on people who text drivers (10 September 2013).
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Fears G20 police powers are draconian
The Queensland Law Society has criticised the G20 (Safety and Security) Bill 2013 for breaching basic rights.
New measures to maintain law and order during the G20 summit in Queensland next year have lawyers concerned people will be locked away in prison without bail.
The Bill has been referred to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee for consideration. The Committee is seeking submissions from all Queenslanders by Friday, 13 September 2013.
See Lawyers fear new police powers for Queensland G20 events are 'draconian' breach of rights (ABC, 11 September 2013).
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In Google We Trust
Four Corners follows a typical family throughout their day and tracks what happens to their online information.
Every hour of every day, our digital interactions are being recorded and logged. We live in the age of 'big data', where seemingly mundane information about how we go about our lives has enormous value.
See In Google We Trust (Four Corners, 9 September 2013).
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More 24/7 access for law students
From today students will have around-the-clock access to the group rooms, study spaces and bathrooms on level 4 of the Walter Harrison Law Library. Access to the lifts and print collection will remain restricted to library opening hours.
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New Chief Magistrate for Queensland
Once the state's top crime fighter, Tim Carmody QC has been appointed Queensland's new Chief Magistrate.
See Carmody new Chief Magistrate (The Australian, 6 September 2013).
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When law students cheat
This week, the Law Report takes a look at what happens when law students cheat.
With ethics and integrity considered of paramount importance for the profession, we take a look at the punishments that authorities dish out to those found guilty of cheating. And for those at the centre of any scandal, it turns out that owning up to past mistakes is the wisest path of action.
See Tasmanian law school cheating scandal (The Law Report, 3 September 2013).
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Is the parole system broken?
In the wake of Adrian Bayley's murder of Jill Meagher while on parole, and Ian Callinan's subsequent review of Victoria's parole system, SBS Insight examines how authorities decide to release prisoners on parole and whether the system is working.
If you missed last night's program on parole you can watch it online here.
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New Migrant Smuggling Case Database
The Migrant Smuggling Case Database, launched by the UQ Migrant Smuggling Working Group in August 2013, provides immediate, public access to officially documented instances of this crime. The database contains details of the arrival of smuggled migrants in selected destination countries, embarkation and arrival points, passengers, crew, and organisers, charges laid, criminal proceedings and legal issues, verdicts and other information relating to reported cases of migrant smuggling. The database is based exclusively on open-source information, with extensive references to relevant case reports, court documents, government publications, and, where available, scholarly analysis.
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Research help available in the Law Library
Do you need help finding information for your assignments, using AGLC3 or using law resources?
A law librarian is available to assist you between 10am and 4pm. Experienced staff are also available outside this time.
Just ask at the desk on Level 2 of the Law Library.
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