In relation to a criminal matter, you will likely deal with Gold Coast Police Prosecution and/or the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Southport. Their role in your matter is to prove each element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. This standard while seemingly high is not an impossible standard.
If your intention is to challenge the charge, we may request a evidence on your behalf. Depending on the charge, evidence may include, but not limited to:
- Search warrants;
- Body worn camera footage;
- Witness statements;
- Forensic expert statements; and
- Photographs and CCTV footage.
As your matter progresses, we will obtain this evidence. In some cases, this evidence may be exculpatory. Meaning, the evidence is favourable and may be the basis for the charge being withdrawn or negotiated to a lesser charge. In other cases where the charge or allegation is contested, we may be responsible for:
- Requesting a partial or full brief of evidence;
- Requesting evidence not included in a full brief;
- Challenging the validity of warrant/s;
- Challenging the validity of an arrest;
- Providing legal arguments in relation to the charge or part of the charge; and/or
- Submitting for the withdrawal of charge/s or substitution of charge/s.
In order to do this, we may be required to liaise and negotiate with Prosecutions Gold Coast or the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Southport. Depending on the nature of your matter, we may also be required to conduct independent investigations to assist with your legal defence. In relation to this, the more time we have to assist you with your matter, the better your defence is likely to be.
The Role of Your Criminal Lawyer in Southport
Our criminal lawyers in Southport have experience in both the Southport Magistrates Court and Southport District Court and are well suited to assisting you with both minor and serious criminal charges. This includes traffic offences and domestic violence matters.
Police Questioning with a Criminal Lawyer in Southport
Generally, our advice is to exercise your right to silence. However, in exceptional circumstances, a police interview may be beneficial to your matter. If it is deemed appropriate in your case, we would recommend treading with caution as police questioning can be an incredibly stressful experience. Questions which often trouble many clients is what impact it will have on their reputation, career, family, and general livelihood. If you have been asked to attend a police interview, it may be important to engage legal representation to assist with answering questions and more importantly, exercising your rights, such as your right to silence.
Work Licence Applications in Southport and Gold Coast
If you have been charged with driving under the influence and require your licence for work in Southport or the Gold Coast area, you have options. The first option that may be recommended to you is applying for a temporary restricted licence under s. 79E. If successful with this application, you will be able to drive for work purposes until the charge is finalised.
Minor Criminal Charges
We are prepared to assist a person in the Southport Magistrates Court with minor charges, which may, depending on the severity, include drug possession, assault charges, driving offences, and dishonesty offences. In most cases, a common concern is the recording of a conviction. This consequence can have a much more profound impact on someone’s livelihood than the good behaviour bond, fine, compensation and/or period of probation imposed. The recording of a conviction can impact a person’s ability to travel and their employment. Our track record for successfully arguing that no conviction be recorded is strong and if you have been charged with a minor criminal charge, we recommend calling Aegis Criminal Law today.
Serious Criminal Charges
A serious criminal charge may be required to be heard in the District Court at Southport, as opposed to the Magistrates Court. This is due jurisdiction and the ability to impose more serious penalties. Offences which likely to be heard in the District Court include certain drug offences, grievous bodily harm, and sex offences. In relation to these matters, we have experience with taking an array of charges to trial and are able to assist you if you are facing a serious criminal charge in Southport.
Why Aegis Criminal Law?
To come under someone’s Aegis is to come under their protection. Aegis Criminal Law was founded by Nicholas Schoenmaker, an experienced and dedicated criminal lawyer. He has a track record for achieving favourable results for his clients and will take every necessary step to ensure the best available outcome is achieved, while also ensuring any risk to reputation and livelihood is minimised or avoided. At Aegis Criminal Law, protecting you and your rights is our priority. To organise a complimentary case assessment or receive immediate legal advice concerning your matter, call Nicholas on (07) 3709 7610.
