At Stephen Peterson Lawyers we will analyse the evidence against you, provide you with legal advice on the strength of the prosecution case and ensure that you understand the Court process. We have significant experience fighting serious criminal charges and will ensure that your interests are protected.
We appear in the following jurisdictions
- Childrens’ Court
- Magistrates’ Court
- County Court
- Supreme Court
- Federal Courts
We represent clients in all areas of criminal law, including but not limited to —
Homicide – murder, attempted murder, manslaughter
Adult sexual offences – rape, compelling sexual penetration, bestiality, sexual assault
Child sexual offences – incest, child pornography offences, sexual penetration of a child under 16 y/o, indecent acts
Acts intended to cause injury – serious injury assaults, gross violence offences, assault resulting in injury, stalking, common assaults, assaults on police and emergency services workers
Breach of Court orders and offences against justice – breach of intervention order, perjury, perverting the course of justice, breach of community corrections order
Dishonesty offences – theft, obtain property by deception, obtain financial advantage by deception, handling or retaining stolen goods
Illicit drug offences – possession, cultivation, manufacture or trafficking drugs
Armed robbery, blackmail & extortion
Public Order offences – disorderly conduct offences, riot and affray, liquor and tobacco offences, offensive language or behaviour, cruelty to animals
Fraud offences – production and use of false documents, identity crime offences
White collar crime – false accounting, breach of director’s duties, local & state government offences
Property damage – criminal and wilful damage, graffiti, arson and bushfire related offences
Dangerous or negligent acts – reckless conduct endangering life, negligently causing serious injury
Weapons offences – possession and use of controlled & prohibited weapons and dangerous articles
Firearms offences – possession and use of unregistered firearms, prohibited person offences, firearm storage offences
Threatening behaviour – threats to kill or inflict serious injury, threats to distribute intimate images
Traffic and vehicle offences – driving offences involving death or serious injury, exceeding the prescribed content of alcohol (drink driving), drive while disqualified or suspended, drive without a licence, other driving offences
We have significant experience in representing clients charged with both State and Commonwealth criminal offences.
Ancillary Orders
If you are found guilty of a criminal offence, the Court may also make orders against you in addition to any sentence that you receive. These orders can often have serious consequences and can be contested. We will advise you on any liability that you may have in relation to an ancillary order.
Attending Court
When police charge a person, they may issue a summons, release a person on bail or remand a person in custody.
Summons
If you are charged, police may release you on bail on your own undertaking (promise) to attend Court on the date to which you are bailed. The police also have a power to attach special conditions to a grant of bail.
Bail
If you are charged, police may release you on bail on your own undertaking (promise) to attend Court on the date to which you are bailed. The police also have a power to attach special conditions to a grant of bail.
Remand
If you are remanded in custody, the police must allow you to see a lawyer and you will be entitled to make an application for bail on the first Court sitting day after you were remanded. Bail law is complex and if you or a loved one has been remanded in custody, seek expert advice immediately.