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by Bernadette L · Published Updated June 3, 2022 · Last modified Updated June 4, 2022
Guest post written by Bernadette Liparota, blog writer, Doogue + George Criminal Lawyers. For weeks the highly publicised defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard captured the attention of people across the globe. It had all the hallmarks of...
Contested Summary Hearings: Procedure and Role of Counsel Pleading not guilty to a criminal charge is a right afforded to every person in our community. A person charged with committing a crime is entitled to plead not guilty no matter...
Court Process / Criminal Law / Practice and Procedure
by Sandy A · Published Updated October 20, 2021
Getting Charges Withdrawn in the Magistrates’ Court Having charges dropped doesn’t just happen in the movies. There are several ways to have your charges withdrawn which might result your case being over entirely. The only way to have charges withdrawn...
Court Process / Criminal Law / Practice and Procedure
by Sandy A · Published Updated October 13, 2021
Sentence Indication in the Magistrates’ Court – What are They and How are They Used? A person accused of a criminal offence heard in the Magistrates’ Court can apply for a ‘sentence indication’ under the Criminal Procedure Act. A sentence...
Court Process / Criminal Law / Practice and Procedure
by Sandy A · Published Updated August 31, 2021 · Last modified Updated February 24, 2022
What is a Contest Mention? You may have heard your lawyer refer to your matter ‘proceeding to contest mention hearing’. A ‘summary contest’ is what we call a ‘trial’ in the Magistrates’ Court. The summary contest is heard by a...
Court Process / Criminal Law / Practice and Procedure
by Sandy A · Published Updated August 10, 2021 · Last modified Updated June 10, 2022
Committal Mention Hearings A committal mention hearing is one of the first hearings you will need to attend if you have been charged with an indictable offence and there is a potential for your case to go to a jury...
Diversion – How Does it Work? Many jobs and volunteer positions require a national police check, meaning a criminal history can have a serious impact on your future prospects. While Victoria now has the Spent Conviction Scheme that will allow...
Mention Hearings at the Magistrates’ Court If you have been charged with a summary criminal offence, you will be summonsed, bailed or remanded to a Mention date at the Magistrates’ Court in Victoria. If you are charged with an indictable...
Court Process / Criminal Law / Practice and Procedure
by Sandy A · Published Updated May 12, 2021 · Last modified Updated May 18, 2021
Different Ways Your Case Can Finalise in the Magistrates’ Court If you have been charged by the police, you might be surprised to know that there are five ways your case can finalise in the Magistrates’ Court. Three out of...
Court Process / Criminal Law / Practice and Procedure
by Sandy A · Published Updated May 5, 2021 · Last modified Updated May 18, 2021
How to Prepare and Appear for a Webex Hearing at the Magistrates’ Court Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Magistrates’ Court has been conducting court hearings remotely using Webex. With the easing of restrictions, there has been an increase in...
