Plan B Forum

Lawbreakers can now replace their lawyer with a smartphone, after a Canberra criminal solicitor launched an app that puts legal advice at the tip of the finger.

Kathryn-Magnolia Feeley's app ''30 drink and drug defences'', or 30DDDs for short, went live on Apple's app store last week.

Ms Feeley said the app contained an archive of successful defences used to beat alcohol and drugs charges in courts in Australia and across the globe.

The advocate said she was inspired to pursue the concept after reading about the ways high-profile people had dodged conviction for behaviour the courts would not tolerate in others.

''Everyone talks about it but it is 'hush hush' within the legal profession,'' Ms Feeley said.

Ms Feeley said subscribers to the free app could learn from cases involving stars such a Matthew Newton or accused killer and South African Olympian Oscar Pistorius.

Pistorius is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in his home earlier this year. During the investigation, police also uncovered syringes and a substance police said was testosterone but later revealed to be a herbal sex aid.

''The court was told that the syringes found [in Pistorius' possession] contained testocompasutium co-enzyme. That is a herbal remedy. That is just another example of why your lawyer should be au fait with herbal remedies as part of your defence.''

In 2010, Mr Newton avoided conviction despite pleading guilty to hitting former girlfriend Brooke Satchwell four years earlier.

Ms Feeley said Mr Newton was let off because he claimed he had suffered a severe depressive disorder.

''There are quite a few inmates in the [Canberra jail] who also had depression when things went belly-up in their lives. Newton's case was quickly followed up by a paid article and family happy snaps in a women's magazine screaming how the family was traumatised but look at us now.''

But the app does not only relate to famous cases in big cities far removed from Canberra. Ms Feeley said a potential Olympic skier was let off drug trafficking and stolen property charges by an ACT court.

''The judge actually said 'no conviction' because he had 'potential' to benefit the Australian community.

''So, get a sports coach to tell the court you have 'potential' to be a sports star. That has worked.''

Ms Feeley said 30DDDs was the first apps in a planned I Want My Lawyer Now series



Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/digital ... z2fgOLmUBU

Cricinfo

Lord Jim wrote:

Cricinfo

Aw geez, you mean there's an app for that?

Gob wrote:Ok, so far I have
Google maps and mail.
A spirit level
a panoramic camera
XE for currency
Qantas for frequent flyers.
Tripadvisor
Cracked
The Chive
Yahoo weather
Barcode scanner
Distance walked and calories burned
Compass
Gate guard
Wiki
IMDB
Dictionary
BBC news
Cricinfo
Kik instant messenger
ticketek


Any more you recommend?

Gob wrote:...no digital slr...