Criminal Law

Responding to criminal or traffic charges can be the most nerve racking, overwhelming and complicated situation you may face in your life. It is often riddled with horror stories of representation which are under-prepared, and we understand the impact that these prosecutions may have on your life. Whether your liberty is on the line or not, MacDonald Law have criminal lawyers who care.

Our Approach

Through a tried and tested process, our team achieves excellent results by utilising a collaborative approach to negotiate and resolve your matter at an early stage. Our criminal law team applies our range of skills and experience, engages knowledgeable Counsel for second to none advice, and strives to achieve excellent results.

Our criminal law team will work with you to initially explain the charges in plain English. We will identify your position to the charges and outline any potential options which are available to you, as well as the possible consequences for any plea of guilty. We will undertake any negotiations with the Prosecution department to assist in the swift resolution of your matter.

If the matter resolves by way of sentence, our criminal lawyers will attend at any sentencing hearing to make submissions on your behalf as to the appropriate penalty and the impact it will have on your life. This can include submissions around the impact of a conviction being recorded against you will have.

If the matter proceeds to trial, our team will expertly prepare all facets of your matter including witnesses, subpoena material, and experts. Your experienced criminal lawyer will engage with the best legal minds in your area so as to represent you excellently. You can rest assured that our criminal lawyers are capable advocates and experienced in all aspects of criminal and traffic law.

For the duration of your matter, our criminal lawyers will continue to manage it through the Court system so that it continues to progress without delay. We will be there every step of the way.

Our criminal lawyers understand that being charged with a criminal offence can be overwhelming and can have serious consequences.

Our team are able to assist you to make an application from funding from Legal Aid Queensland. If you are not eligible, we have flexible payment options available.

Our Service

Our criminal law team services the entirety of South East Queensland. From Brisbane to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, and the outer regions of Dalby, Warwick, and Stanthorpe, we regularly travel where and when our clients need us across the east coast of Queensland.

Jag MacDonald, Director, Ryan McCullough, Tegan Crighton and Kate McIntyre, are experienced criminal lawyers. They have acted in all manner of cases: from murder, rape, assaults, and serious drug offending, to lesser offences such as public nuisances and speeding fines. We regularly assist people who have been charged with domestic violence type offending such as breaches of a domestic violence order. We also assist where the charges are routed in allegations of domestic violence, but are charges such as stalking, or harassment type offences.

Our team focuses on results, dealing with the evidence at hand to navigate through the issues and achieve the best outcome for each individual and unique set of circumstances.

Our criminal law team services a broad geographical area and across all facets of criminal law. We know the ins and outs of offences, and can help you.

When you are charged with an offence, it is important that you seek legal advice from a criminal lawyer who has knowledge and experience. You deserve the best lawyers on your side. There is too much at stake.

Mr MacDonald, Mr McCullough and Ms Crighton spend almost every day in court, whether it is the Magistrates, District or Supreme Court. We are prepared and comfortable with whatever the situation may be. We will work with you throughout the process. Our mantra in criminal law: ‘we listen’.

Book an appointment online

Find a time that suits for an initial consultation with the first available solicitor below:-

Areas

Coronial Inquests

Crime and Corruption Commission

Criminal law

Assaults and violence
Domestic violence offences
Drug offences
Fraud
Murder/manslaughter
Sexual offences

Supreme Court Bail Applications

Traffic Law

Evade Police
Dangerous Driving
Drink Driving
Driving with Drugs
Driving without a licence
Restricted Licence Application
Special Hardship Licence Application

Frequently Asked Questions

The Police want to talk to me about a matter, what should I do?

You have a right to silence. We recommend that you exercise your right and request to speak to a lawyer immediately. You can call our office to speak to a lawyer at any time of the day or night.

I have been charged by the Police what happens next?

The Police will decide whether they will issue with a Notice to Appear, release you on bail from the Watch House or hold you pending a decision by a Magistrate. A Notice to Appear is a notice to come to Court on a specified date. Bail is a promise to the Court to comply with any conditions and on that basis you are released from custody. This can be issued by the Watch House Sergeant or otherwise by making an Application before the Court. If you are not given either a Notice to Appear or Watch House Bail, then you will be held in custody pending the Court being able to hear your matter (usually that day, or the next).

What does it mean when my matters need to be “committed”?

A matter is committed when it is formally transferred from the Magistrates Court to a higher Court, either the District Court of Supreme Court. Which Court it is transferred to, depends on the seriousness of the charge. Not every matter is required to be transferred, as some can be dealt with in the Magistrates Court.

What do I do if I am in the watch house?

We recommend that you immediately make arrangements to speak with a criminal lawyer. If you are in a watch house, you can ask the Sergeant of the watch house to allow you to make a call to a lawyer, of your choice. Alternatively, you can ask to call a friend or a family member who can advise them where you are and ask them to call a solicitor for you.

Is drink driving a criminal offence?

Yes it is. Depending on the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reading, will depend on the seriousness of the offence. We recommend you call us and make arrangements for an appointment to discuss this.

What is Bail?

Bail is where you are released into the community on certain conditions pending the resolution of any criminal offence you have been charged with. When you are on bail, you make a signed promise to the Court to comply with the conditions imposed.

Bail can be issued by the Watch house Sergeant, known as 'Watch house bail'.

Alternatively, you can appear before the Court to make a bail application before a Magistrate in all instances, unless you are charged with Murder. The Magistrate may deny bail applications for a any number of reasons and Order that you spend time in custody while you are waiting for the natter to be finalised.

If you are refused bail in the Magistrates Court you can apply for bail in the Supreme Court.

What is a QP9?

QP9 stands for Queensland Police Form 9. This is a form that the police fill in when they charge you and it details the exact charge, and an outline of the facts against you.

This document is usually picked up at the first mention of your matter before the Court, although you or your criminal lawyer can request a copy from the Police Prosecution department before hand.

What is a domestic violence offence?

A domestic violence offence can be any offence that is charged with the aggravating feature of "domestic violence offence" at the conclusion of the charge. This can include charges of assault offences, stalking, sexual offences, using a mobile phone to harass or menace, among others.

Otherwise, a domestic violence offence can be the offence of breaching a domestic violence order. This can be done by breaching a term of a protection order for instance, not being of good behaviour or committing domestic violence. It also can be breaching a 'no contact' condition if the Domestic Violence Order prohibits same.

Is domestic violence a crime?

Domestic violence is a crime if it is committed in breach of a current Domestic Violence Order. Otherwise, domestic violence can be offending such as sexual offences, assault offences, stalking and other similar types.

Why do I need a criminal lawyer?

A criminal lawyer is a lawyer who works for a law firm to assist clients.

A criminal lawyer is able to ensure that your rights are protected and that you understand the process, and consequences of the available options to you. This includes an explanation of the rights available to you such as the right to silence and ensuring that charges are proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Good criminal lawyers will explain what the offence is that you are charged with and what needs to be proven for that offence.

A good criminal lawyer can explain to you the prospects of your case, the options available and provide legal advice as to the recommended course moving forward.

It is the role of a criminal lawyer to represent and advocate for you in Court. This means that they will speak on your behalf to the Court.

Costs

Always upfront and clear about your legal costs

Fixed fee costs available

We don’t charge for administrative outlays such as the cost of photocopying, scanning documents, dialling a phone call, printing etc.

$1,500 plus GST - simple plea of guilty by solicitor in Brisbane Magistrates Court or Toowoomba Magistrates Court

$3,000 - $4,000 plus GST - restricted or special hardship work licence application (depending on location of Court)

Payment plans available

Want to request an initial consultation?

Initial Consultation