Having a conviction on your record can have serious consequences. I can give you advice on how to go about applying for a discharge without conviction and what steps can be taken to ensure that you put forward the strongest application. If your application is declined in the District Court, I can help with an appeal in the High Court.

When you are getting sentenced for any offence, it is important that you have a lawyer that understands your personal circumstances. I appreciate that everybody has unique backgrounds and obtaining specialist reports can make a big difference to your situation. Get a lawyer that is prepared to listen and take the time to understand your situation.

Traffic offences

It is important to get legal advice if you are charged with a traffic related offence. Most of these charges can lead to convictions. You need to know whether there are any defences available in your case. Many traffic offences carry terms of disqualification from driving. There are numerous different ways to avoid disqualification to ensure you can keep driving. Let me assist you to stay on the road.

Criminal offences

It is important to get legal advice at the earliest opportunity. If you are charged, or may be charged, with a criminal offence, I can immediately assist to guide you through the process. This includes any interviews with the prosecution, helping to ensure you are granted bail, explaining the evidence against you, and working with you as your representative in all interactions with the prosecutor or Court. I will discuss with you and plan a strategy for the weeks and months ahead to ensure that you are never uncertain about what is to come.

We can help defend your criminal charges at a jury trial or Judge-alone trial. We regularly engage with private investigators and experts to ensure that you put forward the best possible defence. We will take the time to engage with you in detail to fully understand your position and advise you on what to expect at a trial. It is important that you engage with a lawyer that understands your needs and takes the time to involve you in the process.

If your charge involves a term of imprisonment of two years or more, you have the option of deciding whether to have a Judge-alone trial or a jury trial. We can give you advice on which option is best for you. It is important to discuss this with a lawyer as soon as possible because this decision will need to be made at the time you enter a plea to the charge/s.

If you are considering pleading guilty prior to trial, we can negotiate with prosecution on your behalf to have charges amended to something more favourable. This will help secure a sentence that is less punitive.

Bail applications

Applying for bail is very important given the lengthy delay in getting to a trial. We can assist in making sure you put forward the strongest possible application with the least restrictive bail conditions. There are several issues we can help with when it comes to bail – some of these include:

• What conditions are reasonable;
• How to vary bail conditions;
• What to do if you have breached bail;
• If bail is refused or an unreasonable condition imposed, what are the options? and
• Appeals against a refusal to grant bail.

Police station attendances

Before you are charged, the police may question you at the police station. You have the right to remain silent and speak to a lawyer without delay. It is very important that you get legal advice before making any statement to the police. Everything you say may be used against you in Court. It is important you make statements that are in your best interests. We can assist with:

• Advising whether you should remain silent or give an interview;
• Communicating with the police on your behalf so that you do not incriminate yourself;
• Obtaining any additional information from the police to make an informed decision about whether you should give an interview;
• Ensuring that you are not arrested at your home or place of work; and
• Preparing you for an interview and attending the Police Station with you.

Work / Limited licence

We can help you with your application for a work / limited licence to help you keep driving. It is important that these applications are carefully drafted to ensure that the application is successful. Contact us to find out if you are eligible.