A fast and furious Prima Facie this week.

We discuss listener feedback following our discussion about Police Body Cameras, particularly in relation to the Ferguson, Missouri police shooting in 2014.

And the Australian Sex Party wants to decriminalise the recreational use of marijuana, describing a proposed parliamentary inquiry as “common sense for the common good”. David and Ron discuss the ways in which drug cautions are currently administered and managed by Victoria Police and the courts.

Politics aplenty in this instalment of Prima Facie.

The Victorian government says it will legalise ride-sharing services like Uber, but taxpayers and consumer advocates are upset over a proposed levy to reimburse existing taxi licence-holders. Predictably, David has an opinion he’d like to share.

“Car jacking” is common parlance for what, in criminal terms, would be Robbery or Armed Robbery, combined with Theft of Motor Car. Victorian Premier Mr Daniel Andrews says that “car jacking” needs to be a discrete offence after a reported increase in such crime over recent months. Ron doesn’t agree.

There’s been fiery debate in Federal parliament over the last few days as Prime Minister Mr Malcolm Turnbull has accused the Opposition Leader’s stance on legalising same-sex marriage as being “demeaning to voters”. We take another look at the proposed plebiscite, where it sits legally and politically, and what it means for Australians.

In other news from Canberra, proposed changes to Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act would no longer make it unlawful to do anything that is reasonably likely to “offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate” someone because of their race or ethnicity. David argues that politicians are already insured by parliamentary privilege, any change to Section 18C would be a step backwards.

All this and more in Episode 31 of Prima Facie.

In this wondrous age of digital technology, cameras are everywhere. Legally though, can you film police in public? Can police film *you* in public? Can police film you without your consent?

What's the value of a lotto ticket? If someone takes your ticket and then your lucky numbers come up, who's entitled to the money? The law, of course, is never straight forward. David and Ron discuss a civil matter which is currently playing out in the Supreme Court.

And in an effort to curb adverse effects from "party drugs", there's been a significant push recently to introduce pill testing at dance parties. Victoria Police says no. But in reality, do police use discretion when it comes to drug prosecutions at these venues?

The Federal Election is over. David was scrutineering this year, and Ron asks if the Labor Party would ever form a coalition government? Can we have another double-dissolution election, and if so, how long would we have to wait? What would happen if Malcolm Turnbull was unable to form a government? What steps would the Governor General take, and how long would we need to wait? Ron and David also discuss the merits and dangers of online voting.

Citizens’ Arrest Power: it’s a thing. Did you know that police in Victoria sometimes use the same legislative power afforded to civilians to arrest people?

And the ABC reports that if you're buying property in the Australian Capital Territory, you're not actually purchasing the land: you're buying into a 99-year Crown lease. The first 99-year leases will expire in 2023, and Ron and David ask, what happens next?

In an effort to disrupt organised crime in New South Wales, the state parliament is currently considering a bill which would allow courts to prohibit people from doing certain things, being in particular places and even associating with specific people. The so-called “Serious Crime Prevention Orders” would work in a similar way to existing Anti-Terrorism Control Orders. David thinks this is a massive overreach, but is it potentially unconstitutional as claimed by the New South Wales Bar Association?

It’s election time in Australia. While we don’t have to endure two years of campaigning like in the United States, it still feels like an eternity until election day. Apart from our “democracy sausage sizzle” (yes, there’s an app for that) Ron and David discuss one of the most fundamental tenets of our political system: compulsory voting.

And a parrot in the United States may be called to give evidence in court after witnessing a murder. For serious. And a police officer in Wiltshire, UK has explained how he arrested a suspect after “barking like a dog”.

All this and more in the latest instalment of Prima Facie.

David on Emily McPherson, RMIT's Building 13, where Ned Kelly was buried, and the Victorian police strike of 1923.

In an effort to modernise court attire, Victorian barristers have been told to abstain from wearing traditional wigs by the Chief Justice. Despite the ban, five barristers were recently accused of showing disrespect to the court by continuing to wear their wigs. We hear David’s take on the wearing of wigs and robes in Victorian courtrooms.

There were ugly scenes in Coburg on the weekend when Anti-Racism demonstrators clashed with Reclaim Australia proponents. Several people have been charged with riotous behaviour as a result. Ron asks if protests that resort to physical violence actually achieve anything at all, other than detracting from important political issues?

David explains proposed changes to Melbourne’s Myki ticketing system, and the abolition of the $75 “on-the-spot” fine.

And ride-sharing service Uber has effectively been legalised in Victoria, after a County Court judge overturned a conviction against a driver. David and Ron discuss Judge Chettle’s decision and what it means for Victorians.

Have you ever wanted to rob a bank? A group of entrepreneurial artists in Melbourne’s inner-north has set up an “escape room”-style game in a disused bank building. But the project has drawn criticism from victims’ rights advocates who say the venture is in poor taste.

Proposed changes to drink driving legislation would see anyone convicted of exceeding the prescribed concentration of alcohol having their vehicle fitted with an interlock device. Would the money be better spent in education, instead of penalising those who have already broken the law?

Recent changes to the Bail Act means it’s no longer an offence for children to breach their bail conditions. David and Ron explain what it means to be “on bail”.

The Panama Papers scandal has seen the resignation of a Prime Minister, as well as embarrassed back-pedalling by a number of politicians around the world. What exactly is a shell company, and why would the world’s rich and famous register businesses in a foreign country?

Police television shows that solve crimes are great for network ratings. But why are people so obsessed with murder as a part of pop culture? David and Ron explain the offence of Murder, and how investigations and prosecutions are handled by police and the Victorian justice system.

The United States vs One Package ... of pessaries. David explains.

A serious legal drama is unfolding in Lebanon. Channel 9 reporter Tara Brown and a news crew have been arrested and remanded in custody following an alleged child-stealing incident. What support can Brown and her team expect from the Australian Consulate? Would the alleged crime constitute an offence under Australian law, even if it occurred in another country?

Prenuptial agreements are sometimes undertaken by people entering a relationship. But are they actually worth the paper they’re printed on? David explains Family Law and how these contracts are viewed by the Court.

Last week Ron was critical of an MP and her parliamentary bill which would see the abolition of “drug dogs” in New South Wales. This week, a number of police are in hot water for alleged racist and sexist comments posted to the MP’s Facebook page.

Control Orders can be issued by a court, effectively limiting a person’s physical movements, internet access, freedom of association and a raft of other restrictions, despite the person not being charged with a criminal offence. Such mechanisms have existed for many years in other areas of the law, but David explains why he’s concerned about Control Orders in particular.

Do international students have rights, above and beyond those which apply to Australian citizens? What obligations do international students have once they’ve finished their study?

And David hits-up Ron with a Bicycle Pop Quiz. Do bicycles need to be roadworthy? Can you ride a bike with just one hand on the handlebars? And how about texting while riding?