FAQ

We primarily act for those charged with criminal offences. However, our team is also experienced in dealing with other legal issues.

We may be able to assist with the following:

Civil/proceeds of crime

Pre-charge investigations – for those needing legal assistance with police (or other prosecution) investigations taking place which could have legal implications for them.

Coronial Inquests or Criminal Cases Review Commission

Private Youth Court prosecutions (non-Legal Aid)

Disciplinary cases

Contact us to discuss your case.

I provide legal services for legally aided clients. I also provide legal services for privately paying clients.

There is no difference in the excellent service and commitment I provide.

Legal Aid is government funding for legal help for people who cannot afford a lawyer. Not everyone can afford the full, or part of the, costs of defending a criminal prosecution.

Like my team and I, the lawyers available on Legal Aid have registered to be on the Legal Aid roster to assist people who need Legal Aid assistance in their case.

If you are charged with an offence that carries a sentence of less than 10 years imprisonment, you are not able to select (chose) your lawyer, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

There are some circumstances in which Legal Aid will re-assign you to another lawyer. However, if you are unhappy with your current legal aid lawyer, I would encourage you to speak directly with that lawyer in the first instance and then to Legal Aid about your concerns.

Feel free to contact me to discuss this problem.

If you plead guilty or are found guilty of an offence, you will have a conviction entered against your name. This means the conviction will come up on your criminal record.

However, a judge still has the ability (a discretion) not to convict you by granting a discharge without conviction, meaning although you are guilty, you will have no criminal record.

A discharge without conviction may be granted where having a conviction entered against your name would have a serious and a disproportionate effect when compared with the gravity of the offending.

An application and submissions are made to the court for the Judge to consider granting a discharge without conviction at sentencing. This application is not suitable for all charges/offences.

Feel free to contact us to discuss this application to the court.

Yes, we help clients throughout the entire criminal process, including at parole hearings.

Clients who are currently serving a term of imprisonment can contact us through their case manager to get legal counsel for their parole hearings.

Legal Aid is also available for parole hearings.