Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited
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Tips to browse safely online

Here you'll find some basic tips to protect your privacy and reduce the ability for people to see what you do online.

The 'Close this site' button

Some pages on this website include a 'Close this site' button. Use this button to quickly hide what you are looking at. You might find this helpful if someone comes into the room or looks over your shoulder and you don't want them to know what you've been looking at.

When you use the 'Close this site' button, it immediately closes this website and opens the Google search page in a new window.

You can also quickly close this site by using the ESC button on your computer keyboard. It immediately closes this website and opens the Google search page in a new window.

The 'Close this site' function doesn't delete your browser history. This means that if someone checks your browser history on your computer or mobile device, they will be able to see everything you looked at on our website.

Clear your browsing history regularly

Web browsers keep track of your online activity through your browser history, cookies and caching. This is so you can find websites you've visited before, but it also means other people can see this data.

To protect your privacy, it's a good idea to clear your browsing history regularly. You can choose to delete everything or only some things.

Find out how to clear your browsing history in:

  • Internet Explorer
  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Safari on iPhones or iPads.

For other browsers and devices, check the provider's website.

Use private browsing

Private browsing is an easy way to hide your browsing habits. If enabled, when you close your browser, all browsing history and stored cookies from future browsing sessions will automatically disappear.

However, the sites you visited during your current browsing session will record your browsing activity. Your internet service provider will also record this information. Any files you download using private browsing won't be deleted, so other people can access them if they use your device.

Find out how to enable private browsing in:

  • Internet Explorer
    • In the 'Tools' menu (the cog icon on top right of the browser window), select 'Safety', then 'InPrivate Browsing'.
  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Safari on iPhones or iPads.

For other browsers and devices, check the provider's website.

Accounts and passwords

Don't let your browser auto-save your passwords. While the auto-save function may be convenient, it gives anyone who uses your device access to your accounts.

When you are using an account with a password (e.g. your social media or email account), always log out before leaving the website.

Using other computers and devices

If you are worried about someone looking at your internet use, consider using a computer or device that they can't access.

This might be a computer at your local library, your work computer, or a family or friend's device. But again, don't auto-save any passwords and make sure you log out of your accounts when you've finished using the computer.

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

This advice is from "Tips to browse safely online" by The State of Queensland.
The content is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license.
© The State of Queensland 2024.
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Criminal charges

It's important to get legal advice before dealing with court and police charges.

The ALS is here to help. Call us on 1800 765 767. This is a toll-free number.

 

We help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across NSW and the ACT.

 

What is criminal law? 

Criminal law usually involves an alleged crime. A crime is considered an offence against the state. A crime usually means there will be a risk of punishment.

Criminal law matters in court are always initiated by the police. If a court case has not been started by police, then it is not a criminal law matter. It might be a care and protection, civil law, or family law matter.

If you’re not sure whether you’ve been charged with a crime and whether you need to go to court, it’s important to speak with a lawyer. Please call us on 1800 765 767.

 

Who we help

Who we help

We help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children across NSW and the ACT who are charged with criminal offences. 

We may also be able to help if you're having problems with police but haven't been charged, or if you're on bail and having trouble understanding or meeting your conditions.

Limitations

Our legal assistance is subject to a means and conflict test. The means test makes sure that our help is going to those people who need it most and would have trouble affording a lawyer otherwise. The conflict test makes sure that we don’t have any conflicts of interest in taking your case, so that you can be confident we are acting in your best interests.

Unfortunately we don't receive enough government funding to have lawyers in all courts. We are actively campaigning for the Commonwealth, NSW and ACT Governments to provide us with the adequate funding we need to change this. In the meantime, we will do our best to provide you with information and referral to another service if we are unable to represent you.

 

How we help

The ALS provides legal advice and representation, as well as assistance and referrals in courts, prisons and ALS offices throughout NSW and the ACT. 

We represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people appearing before the Local Court, Children's Court, District Court, Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeal and sometimes even the High Court.

Give us a call if:

  • You’re having trouble with police
  • You’ve been charged with a crime
  • You’re going to court
  • You’re applying for bail
  • You want to appeal your sentence
  • You have another issue with the criminal law system and would like advice

We represent Aboriginal young people appearing in the Youth Koori Court, part of the Children's Court. Watch the above video featuring ALS Solicitor Carmen Just to find out more about how it works.

 

The ALS difference

At the ALS we’re serious about cultural safety. Aboriginal community field officers work alongside lawyers to offer high quality, culturally appropriate legal advice and court representation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

 

Contact us

Please call 1800 765 767 or find your nearest ALS office.


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Housing and renting

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Family violence and safety

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Fines

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Deaths in custody

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Problems at work

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Custody Notification Service

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Crisis support

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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we live, work and travel. We pay our respects to Elders both past and present and acknowledge the contribution and sacrifices our Elders have made to better our community and future. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this site contains names and images of people who have passed away.

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We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, work, and travel, and their Elders past and present.

Warning: This website may contain images and names of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have passed away.