What areas can a criminal lawyer assist with?
Criminal lawyers are law experts that can assist in a wide range of criminal offences. These criminal offences can be divided into two types of offences – summary and indictable offences.
Summary offences
Summary offences are generally considered as minor criminal offences which are heard before a Magistrate in the Local Court. These offences include (but not limited to):
- Domestic violence charges – this includes Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders and contravention of same, minor assaults and common assaults
- Offensive behaviour
- Property damage
- Minor drug offences
- Road traffic offences – this includes speeding, drink driving, failing to stop after an accident and dangerous driving
Criminal lawyers can assist in any minor offences by providing legal advice and appearing on an accused’s behalf to enter into a plea, whether it’s for sentencing or matters proceeding to a contested hearing.
Indictable offences
Indictable offences are considered as serious offences which are heard before a Judge in higher courts such as the District and Supreme Court and at times can be heard before a jury. These offences include (but not limited to):
- Murder/manslaughter
- Treason
- Stealing/Robbery/burglary
- Fraud – this includes money laundering, bribery, corruption, dishonest use of position and corporate fraud, embezzlement, online (cyber) crime
- Drug charges – this includes supply of prohibited drugs, charges associated with commercial drugs, drug importation and cultivating
- Commonwealth charges – this includes offences covered by federal or Commonwealth governments, ranging from petty tax and customs violations to more severe offences under the Criminal Code.
Criminal lawyers can assist in any serious offence by providing legal advice and appear on an accused’s behalf if the matter proceeds to either sentencing or trial/trial by jury.
Accordingly, criminal lawyers assist with any offence an accused is charged with by police and can appear before the Local Court, Children’s court, District Court, Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeal and the High Court.