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If you have never worked in the legal profession, but have been charged with a criminal offence, it can be difficult to know who should represent you and what they should be doing. In Victoria, the ethical duties of your criminal lawyer is governed by Legal Profession...

If you are facing a trial in court, it is natural to be anxious.  However, strong you think your case or defence is, perhaps something has been missed.  As we say in a separate article on the adversarial system, court cases in our tradition include tactics and...

People who enter a court for the first time are often surprised at how arguments go backwards and forwards between one side and the other. Whether it is a criminal case or a civil case (such as a claim for damages) the judge or magistrate might be silent for long...

Plea bargaining commonly refers to the discussions that occur between the prosecution and defence regarding an accused persons likely plea, and the possible negotiation of charge/s, case facts and or the crowns’ sentencing submissions.   The primary aim of these...

In Australia, it is illegal to be in possession of a drug of dependence. Depending on the quantity of the drug located on you by Police, you may also be charged with drug trafficking, which is a very serious offence and commonly results in a sentence of imprisonment....

Have you received a criminal conviction, or sentence that you believe is unfair, unjust, or erroneous? Fortunately, you may have grounds to lodge an appeal. In Victoria, a person who has been convicted and sentenced in the Supreme Court, County Court or Magistrates...

You’ve been convicted of a criminal offence, and now have a criminal record. But what does this mean for you and your future? The potential effects of a criminal conviction do not stop once your case has been settled. Having a criminal record can have many negative...

How did we get here? Any person living in Victoria over the last three years will have heard of the scandal of ‘Lawyer X’. Nicola Gobbo was a criminal barrister who became a registered Police informer. She informed on her clients. She gave Police privileged...

Tax fraud refers to the deliberate act of evading taxes or falsely claiming benefits from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) or the Victorian Tax Administration. Tax fraud is a criminal offence in both Commonwealth and Victoria, as outlined in the Commonwealth Criminal...