Amelia Ramsay
This is a real case study by one of our lawyers. The person who is in charge of this area in the firm is Amelia Ramsay. Amelia is a Partner at Doogue + George, recognised by Doyle's Guide as a Recommended Criminal Defence Lawyer in Victoria (2026). She has practised exclusively in criminal law since 2014, with a particular focus on serious and complex cases including fraud, foreign bribery, sexual offences, and pre-charge investigations.
View full profile →This is a case study on theft and going equipped to steal at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, where diversion was granted after comprehensive submissions linked the client’s mental state to the offending.
What is alleged to have occured?
Our client was found shoplifting items at department stores in Melbourne. She made admissions to shoplifting items but denied that the items such as shopping bags and scissors were for use in the shoplifting.
What happened at court?
Amelia Ramsay acted on the client’s behalf at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. The charges were Theft and Going Equipped to Steal.
We advised the client to seek treatment with a clinical psychologist so that a report could be provided to the court. The report was persuasive and provided reasons linking the client’s mental state to the offending.
What was the result?
We successfully negotiated for the matter to be recommended for diversion by making comprehensive written submissions to the informant. A diversion hearing was listed and the client was found suitable for diversion.
Having advised the client to engage with a clinical psychologist, we had the benefit of a helpful report which persuaded the court that the client would not reoffend.
DISCLAIMER: This is a real case study of an actual case from our files. Details pertaining to the client have been changed to protect their privacy. The sentence imposed and the charge have not been altered. These case studies are published to demonstrate real outcomes and give an indication of possible tariffs in Court. We do not guarantee a similar case on these charges will get the same result. Please note that we post results at our discretion, therefore while many case studies are average results, others are notable for their exceptional outcomes. PUBLISHED 31/01/2018
