General Legal Advice Archives

03 February

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How to Get Admitted as a Lawyer in Queensland

Admission as a Lawyer in Queensland: Process, Forms and Suitability Guide Admission as a lawyer in Queensland is the final step in your journey to becoming a legal practitioner. After completing your law degree and practical legal training, you must apply to the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board and satisfy the Supreme Court that you meet both the eligibility and suitability requirements. The process can feel overwhelming, particularly if you have suitability matters to disclose. Below, we explain how admission as a lawyer in Queensland works, what documents you need to prepare, and the key issues to be aware of. Who Assesses Applications to...

20 November

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Solicitor vs Barrister: Understanding Criminal Defence Roles in Queensland

Posted by Adam Veneran

in General Legal Advice

If you have been charged with a criminal offence in Queensland, you may hear terms like solicitor, barrister, or counsel. It’s common to feel unsure about who does what. Both solicitors and barristers play essential roles in the Queensland criminal justice system, but their responsibilities differ significantly. Understanding these differences helps you know how your criminal defence team operates and when it may be necessary to engage both a solicitor and a barrister. This article explains: The difference between a criminal solicitor and a barrister in Queensland When you might need to brief a barrister Practical examples of how both roles work...

14 November

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Character References: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Posted by Potts-Lawyers

in General Legal Advice

If you intend to plead guilty to a criminal charge, your lawyer may suggest you gather character references to provide to the judge or magistrate before sentencing. But not all character references are created equal. Some can help your case, while others might do more harm than good. Here's what to consider. Authenticity Matters The key to a strong character reference is authenticity. Judges and magistrates read hundreds of references every year. It doesn't take them long to spot when someone is simply telling the court what they think it wants to hear. The best character references are honest and don’t shy away from the truth....

17 July

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How Should I Dress for Court? Essential Guide for Court Appearance

Posted by Billy Gee

in General Legal Advice

If you have a court appearance coming up, one of the most important questions you might ask is: how should I dress for court? While the courts are impartial to superficial details like clothing, your attire can influence how the judge, magistrate, or jury perceives your attitude towards the legal process. Presenting yourself respectfully can help demonstrate that you take the court proceedings seriously. This article provides clear, practical advice on how to dress for court, whether you are attending for a criminal case, traffic offence, or civil matter. Following these guidelines can help you make a positive impression during your...

10 November

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Will My Matter Get Media Attention? What to be aware of when you have been charged with a criminal offence.

Posted by Billy Gee

in General Legal Advice

Introduction If you have been charged with a criminal offence, you may be concerned that your matter will attract publicity. Whether your intention is to plead guilty to your charges, or to fight them, concerns over media scrutiny are understandable. The public interest in reporting on these events must be balanced against the administration of justice; as such it is important that you are aware of the possibilities when it comes to media exposure. Each matter is unique. If you or someone you know has been charged with a criminal offence, it is important that you are aware of the risk...

07 November

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Will I go to jail?

Posted by Jack Bendall

in General Legal Advice

One of the first questions a criminal lawyer is often asked by a client that has been charged with a criminal offence is whether or not they will be required to spend time in custody at the conclusion of their matter. It is a fair and reasonable question to ask a criminal lawyer, however it is not always a simple question to answer. The answer which is often provided is “it depends”, and that is indeed the case. Where or not a person is required to spend time in actual custody depends on a number of factors. The first is whether...

15 October

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Preparing for Your Guilty Plea – the Benefits of Character References

Posted by Sabine Keenan

in General Legal Advice

If you are pleading guilty to a criminal charge in the Magistrates Court in Queensland, you will have the option of providing character references to the court as part of your submissions. You are not obliged to present a reference. Nor will failing to provide one be held against you. However, they can prove beneficial to the outcome of your matter. Providing good references may assist your lawyer in highlighting positive aspects of your character, your relationships and your circumstances. Furthermore, in circumstances where your offending could be seen as ‘out of character’, references can help to distinguish you, as a person, from...

02 October

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I’ve never been in any trouble before, but I have just been charged with a criminal offence. What are 5 things I need to know?

Posted by Erin Mitchell

in General Legal Advice

It can be very daunting the first time you are charged with an offence. We appreciate that when you have never been through the process before, there are probably a thousand and one questions going through your head, that you are stressed and need some guidance. Our lawyers are here to help you. In the meantime, we have answered five of the most common questions below. 1. Should I give a police interview (also known as a record of interview)? If a person has the opportunity to call a lawyer before they speak to Police or participate in a record of interview, they may...

08 April

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How will the Magistrates Court finalise my criminal matter?

Posted by Jack Bendall

in General Legal Advice

Many different types of cases are heard in the Magistrates Court. If you have been charged with a criminal offence you will attend the Magistrates Court at some point. These commonly include minor offences such as: shop stealing & theft offences; disorderly conduct; traffic offences; low level assault charges; dishonesty offences and; drug offences. These are often referred to as summary offences which means they are not required to be transferred to higher courts such as the District or Supreme Court. Instead, these offences can be dealt with in the Magistrates Court. This article outlines how the Magistrates Court can finalise these...

21 February

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Queensland Magistrates Court FAQs

Posted by Cameron Browne

in General Legal Advice

Written by Criminal Lawyer Cameron Browne. This article explains all of the must know information and answers the most frequently asked questions when attending a Magistrates Court in Queensland. What time do I need to attend the Queensland Magistrates Court? If you have received a notice to appear or signed a bail undertaking, you should attend at the time set out on that document, unless advised otherwise by a lawyer you have engaged. If your case has previously been adjourned off to another day, it is unlikely you will have a fresh notice to appear or bail undertaking. The vast majority of days in...

How to Get Admitted as a Lawyer in Queensland

Solicitor vs Barrister: Understanding Criminal Defence Roles in Queensland

Character References: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

How Should I Dress for Court? Essential Guide for Court Appearance

Will My Matter Get Media Attention? What to be aware of when you have been charged with a criminal offence.

Will I go to jail?

Preparing for Your Guilty Plea – the Benefits of Character References

I’ve never been in any trouble before, but I have just been charged with a criminal offence. What are 5 things I need to know?

How will the Magistrates Court finalise my criminal matter?

Queensland Magistrates Court FAQs

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