Read the latest legal news, updates and commentary from the offices of Simon Dippenaar & Associates.
You cannot fight what you cannot see When someone is arrested on a serious charge, the race to prepare a bail application begins immediately. The defence team must construct its case with evidence: a founding affidavit, witness preparation, corroborating documents. This needs to happen very quickly. Yet one of the most important sources of information […]
The hidden architecture of failure in Schedule 6 bail applications Upon arrest, an accused person may apply for bail, which is a sum of money paid to the court that allows the accused to be released from custody until trial. Bail allows them to return home until the trial. By law, everyone has the right […]
Defending against AI-enhanced surveillance In today’s tech-driven world, artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G technology have significantly influenced surveillance, law enforcement and evidence collection. AI-powered tools include facial recognition, predictive analytics and automated licence plate readers, which are increasingly used in criminal and civil cases. However, despite their reputation for accuracy, these technologies are not fool-proof. […]
We know the police have a hard job to do at the moment. They are trained to fight crime, not to be public health guardians and patrol our streets after lights-out like a hall monitor. We know they are trying their best to act in the public interest, but it seems a little discretion and […]
Lockdown has led to high numbers of arrests. Here’s what to do if it happens to you. Locked up during lockdown? Lockdown has brought with it an increased number of arrests and incidents of police brutality. In the first three weeks of level 5 lockdown, more than 100 charges were laid against the police for […]
We came across an interesting case recently where the punishment most definitely did not fit the crime. A petty criminal received an unduly harsh sentence. Furthermore, there were minor children involved who might have been left without their caregiver if the sentence had been carried out. An accused appeared before a magistrates court for the […]
Why bail is not always granted In November 2018, Jason Rohde was convicted of killing his wife Susan and defeating or obstructing the course of justice by covering up her murder to make it look like a suicide. He is currently serving a 20-year sentence. Rohde has now asked the courts to grant bail so […]
What to do if an arrest warrant is issued against you If you are caught in the act of committing a crime, you will be arrested. At that point you need the services of a good bail lawyer. But what happens if an arrest warrant is issued against you? In this case you have not […]
Reconciliation vs. retribution Globally, conventional criminal justice systems, based on punishing people for their crimes through incarceration and instilling fear of imprisonment as a deterrent, seem to have limited success. Prisons are overcrowded and rehabilitation is largely failing. Instead, restorative justice methodology, with its focus on resolving crimes by holding offenders accountable for their actions, is […]
