Program: Dezi Freeman and 'sovereign citizens'

A massive manhunt for alleged police shooter Dezi Freeman is continuing in Victoria's mountainous north east.

The 56-year-old is accused of killing two police officers, and seriously injuring a third, on a property near the town of Porepunkah last month.

In the past, he has expressed ideas associated with the 'sovereign citizen' movement.

So, who are sovereign citizens? And what impact are they having on Australia's justice system?

To hear more in-depth expert coverage of the important legal stories and cases of the week, search for The Law Report podcast on the ABC Listen app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Guest: 

Professor David Heilpern, Dean of Law, Southern Cross University; former Magistrate, Local Court of NSW

Freeman v Maher [2024] VSC 682

'Sovereign citizens' in the courts (RN Law Report May 2023)

Sovereign citizens: ideology, impacts and judicial responses (Judicial Commission of New South Wales)