Being charged for an offence can be a daunting ordeal.
Often, it is difficult to know exactly what to do after it has happened. Our Brisbane criminal defence and traffic lawyers are here to help.
Our Expert Criminal Defense & Traffic Law Team
Our Criminal Defence and Traffic Law Team is headed by Alistair Macpherson, Director.
Alistair is a former criminal prosecutor and also worked as a legal adviser / solicitor with the Australian Federal Police. In his various roles, Alistair enjoyed the benefit of representing the State and clients in criminal matters on both sides of the bar table.
Our focus on just, redemptive outcomes means we “journey” through your situation with you, taking the time to explain the process and ensuring you are never left overwhelmed.
Need a Brisbane-based Criminal Defence or Traffic Lawyer?
When you call our office, speak with our client engagement team, Heilala Tabete.
Heilala is a former criminal prosecutor. Heilala is able to quickly assess your matter, identify a suitable member of our Criminal Law Team depending on the severity of your charge and provide efficient service in getting your matter assisted with expediently.
How Can Our Team Help You?
We offer our services for matters across the whole spectrum of criminal law, from small traffic matters to serious criminal charges.
If you engage our services, we will be there for you in all stages of the criminal law process.
Being charged with an offence, may cause you to feel helpless and may come as a shock.
We can walk you through the process and can also assist you including representation in police stations, applications for bail, mentions, committal hearings, trials, sentencing and appeals.
Areas that our Brisbane criminal and traffic lawyers commonly advise on include:
Criminal Offences
Assaults and violence cover a broad range of offences and actions, but it generally involves a use of force by one person against another. Usually, charges are laid because in the view of the police, the force was not authorised or justified under Queensland law.
As these matters are often complicated, there are many defences available. For example, you may have been provoked or acting in self-defence. Read more here.
Our family law team has extensive experience in domestic violence matters. If you are dealing with allegations of domestic violence, please visit our domestic violence resource page or contact us to make an appointment with one of our Family Lawyers.
Drug offences normally fall into five categories:
- possession
- supply
- production
- trafficking
- importation
Although these may vary in seriousness, the need for specialist legal advice is important. For example, it is vital that you be advised before making any admissions, as these can have significant bearing on a hearing. There are also significant considerations around quantity of drug found and ensuring you are charged under the right category.
Theft, burglary and break and enter charges carry serious penalties in Queensland. In some instances, up to and including 10 years imprisonment. Arguing a successful defence in these types of cases can be especially difficult given their invasive nature, and the dim view the Courts have taken to theft-related offences in recent times. Read more here.
These types of serious offences attract criminal penalties, but can also result in job loss. If you are served with a criminal charge for a serious fraud, our criminal defence lawyers can assist.
If you feel that you have unfairly been dismissed, our experienced employment lawyers will advise you on legal options to do with employment issues you may face.
From complaints of improper conduct, unfair dismissal and unlawful discrimination, you will be sure to get the expert advice that you need. Read more on our employment service here
Bail is a process whereby an arrested person is released from custody while awaiting trial or during the course of a trial. If you need to apply for bail, read more here.
In Queensland, it is a serious offence to obstruct or assault police. Section 790 of the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act explains more about the penalties and the charges if you are charged with either obstruction or assault or both.
If you are in a situation where you need legal advice, it is important that you seek the assistance of our criminal defence team.
Sometimes, what is considered frivolity or joking around, can be caught by summary offences. This is often exaggerated if there has been an overconsumption of alcohol.
Public nuisance and alcohol related offences (under the Liquor Act) are known as summary offences. These offences are not serious offences, but they carry penalties and require being called before a Court.
It is important to know what is considered public nuisance in Queensland and how it is dealt with by law. You can find out what is considered public nuisance in Section 6 of the Summary Offences Act.
Deliberately damaging property is a criminal offence especially if you do not have a lawful excuse. This could be damage to property that is either public, private or commercial and comes with varying penalties. It is advisable that you seek legal advice from our criminal defence lawyers to assess your situation.
The legal system recognises that children who appear before a court for offending behaviour are at a vulnerable stage in their development. Therefore it is only appropriate that juveniles are dealt with separate from the adult criminal justice system. Read more here.
Traffic Offences
If you drive under the influence of certain levels of alcohol or banned substances then you will surely be in trouble with the law. Read more here.
Driving under the influence of drugs could lead to the automatic disqualification of your licence. This is not an offence that is taken lightly, and you could get into serious trouble with the police when you are caught. Read more here.
Driving without a licence attracts a fine and can have you fronting up to Court. If you are caught by the police, you will have face the consequences and legal processes that follow due to your action. There are a few things that the court will consider when deciding on penalties. Read more here.
Dangerous driving or operation of a motor vehicle is a serious criminal offence in Queensland. Consequences can be incredibly severe and sometimes prove to be fatal. Read more here.
It is a serious offence to drive or operate a vehicle in a dangerous manner and doing so could land you into a lot of trouble with the law. Read more here.
If you have been found guilty of a traffic offence, a court may order the disqualification of your licence. How long your licence is disqualified for will depend on the offence. Read more here.
Hooning offences could lead to your vehicle being impounded by the police. If this happens to you and you are caught evading police or causing unnecessary noise, your vehicle may be confiscated and impounded . We advise you to consider getting legal advice from our traffic lawyers. Read more here.
If your licence is cancelled due to drink driving or any other similar offence, it can have an effect on your quality of life. However, you may require a licence for work, and losing it could mean the end of your employment. The law does permit the issuing of a work licence in some very specific situations. Read more here.
If you are charged with a traffic offence, for example speeding or ignoring a red light, you will usually be issued with an infringement notice. Read more here.
Whether you’ve lost your licence, been in an accident or have to appear in Court – we’re here to get you back on the road.
We’re here to listen and make sure we fully understand your situation. After our first meeting, we can put in place an effective strategy to get you back on your bike. Read more here.
