The finale for QUT’s annual Crime Club took place last night at the Banco Court in the Supreme Court Complex in Brisbane. The winners Priyata Pal, Alison Da-Fonte, Bridget Callanan, Melodee Luangamath and Sian Retchless from Team 8 received a large trophy and a cheque for $1000. Congratulations to this year’s Crime Club winners!
QUT’s Crime Club is a unique competition where students gather evidence, interview suspects and prepare a brief to prosecute a mock crime. It’s an opportunity for students to test their skills and make connections with industry professionals from policing, law and the private sector.
Along the way the students learn to:
- collaborate and work in teams with people in different professional fields
- interview
- strategise an investigation
- gather evidence
- prepare a legal brief
- prosecute the case in court.
This year’s case involved the (fake) murder of a Professor on campus by a colleague. Students worked in teams to investigate and piece together the circumstances of the offence, building a case to later prosecute the defendant. Throughout the semester, students received guidance and expertise from members of the Queensland Police Service and barristers from the DPP and Legal Aid Queensland.
Last night’s trial was The Queen v Belinda Bull. The defendant was represented by ‘Crime Club Defender’s Office’ including Jakub Lodziak from Legal Aid QLD, Todd Fuller from the Office of the DPP, and Lucy Cradduck from the law school. The hearing was presided over by Justice Tim Carmody (QUT Alumni). Attendees were QUT students and staff, sponsors (Suncorp and RACQ), jury members from various schools around Brisbane, team mentors (from various law firms, QPS, AFP, RACQ and Suncorp).
Well done to all staff, students, mentors and sponsors who contributed to the success of this year’s Crime Club.
For more information on QUT’s Crime Club, click here.
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