Getting Charges Withdrawn in the Magistrates’ Court Having charges dropped doesn’t just happen in the movies. There are several ways to have your charges withdrawn which might result your case being over entirely. The only way to have charges withdrawn...
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...
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...
Making a Threat to Kill It can come as a shock to learn that words you communicate in person, via text or online can constitute an indictable offence worthy of a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. This charge...
Can You Stop Criminal Charges Before They Happen? “If I’m charged, I’ll lose everything.” Is there a clause in your employment contract that requires you to report any contact with police even if you have not been found guilty of...
Consent in Sex Matters What is consent in a Sexual Assault case? The definition is surprisingly complex. If a person charged with sexual assault of an adult held a reasonable belief that the person who alleged they had been sexually...
The Difference Between Proving Someone is Innocent and Being Found Guilty ‘Beyond Reasonable Doubt’ There is a significant difference between proving someone is innocent and being found not guilty because the prosecution have not been able to prove its case...
Written by Tyson Manicolo, Associate, Doogue + George Defence Lawyers I was surprised to come across an online article on the ABC news website this morning which reported a murder trial in Western Australia. The article is titled – ‘Accused...
Written by Hester Kelly, Associate, Doogue + George Defence Lawyers Have you been charged for the first time? A person’s first interaction with the criminal justice system can be daunting. I once read the Magistrates’ Court described as the ‘legal...
