Brisbane Criminal Lawyers
If you have been charged with a criminal offence, it is important to seek legal advice as early as possible to achieve the best possible outcome. Aitken Whyte’s experienced criminal defence lawyers have been representing Queenslanders since 1995. With solicitor director Robert Aitken bringing almost 30 years of expertise in criminal law matters.
Under Australian law, everyone has the right to professional legal representation and a fair trial. However, the criminal justice system is complex, and every case can have serious consequences for your employment, family and future.
As a respected criminal law firm, we provide honest, strategic advice and strong legal representation throughout the entire process.
Please contact us today to arrange a free consultation.
Recent Changes to Queensland Criminal Law
Queensland’s criminal law continues to evolve. Each new amendment can significantly affect the outcomes of investigations, penalties, and court procedures.
Some of the most recent reforms you might have heard of relate to:
- Making Queensland Safer Laws
- Expanded Jack’s Law police wanding powers
- Police Protection Directions
- Adult Crime, Adult Time youth justice reforms
In view of these changes, if you are under investigation or have been charged with an offence, it is more important than ever to obtain legal guidance from an experienced criminal lawyer. Our team stays up to date with legislative changes. So, we can help you understand how new laws may affect your case.
What To Do If You’ve Been Arrested or Charged
If you have been arrested or charged:
- Remain calm and exercise your right to remain silent.
- Contact an experienced criminal lawyer immediately.
- Do not answer any police questions until you have received legal advice.
- Record everything you can remember about the incident and any police interactions. Especially, including whether officers conduct searches.
Visit our Police Powers and Bail pages for further details.
What Our Clients Say
Why Choose Aitken Whyte Criminal Lawyers?
At Aitken Whyte Lawyers, we pride ourselves on being one of Brisbane’s leading criminal defence lawyers. If you are facing court proceedings, here is why you should choose our criminal law firm.
Experience & Expertise
Our solicitor director, Robert Aitken, commenced practising criminal law in 1995, which means we have been representing Queenslanders facing criminal charges for almost 30 years.
During that time, our experienced criminal lawyers have provided legal guidance, strategic advice, and expert representation to thousands of people across the full spectrum of criminal law matters. This includes drug offences, domestic violence, assault charges, grievous bodily harm, sex offences, traffic offences, and serious indictable offences.
Our solicitors work closely with every client throughout the entire process. This ensures they understand their rights, the consequences of each decision, and receive the strongest defence available.
Rest assured, they provide world-class legal services for all criminal matters.
Proven Track Record
Our Brisbane criminal lawyers have an excellent track record of achieving the best possible result for clients, whether they plead guilty or not.
Over almost three decades, our legal professionals have successfully quashed convictions, overturned sentences in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and secured hundreds of favourable outcomes in the Magistrates’ Courts.
We can’t guarantee you’ll get a not guilty verdict. But we will work tirelessly to prepare the strongest possible criminal defence and pursue the best possible outcome on your behalf.
Meet Our Lawyers
Robert Aitken
Robert Casalegno
Craig Bartley
Facing Criminal Charges + How Our Team Can Help
Being charged with a criminal offence can have serious consequences, including fines, loss of employment, licence disqualification, imprisonment or a permanent criminal record. That is why gaining early legal representation from an experienced criminal lawyer is very important.
Our team will provide clear, practical advice from the outset. Carefully assess the prosecution’s evidence. Identify available defences. Prepare bail applications as required. And represent you at every court appearance.
From your initial consultation through to the finalisation of your matter, we work closely with you to protect your rights. Explain the legal system in straightforward language. And pursue the best possible outcome for your circumstances.
Real Case Results / Notable Cases
Our criminal defence lawyers have achieved exceptional results across a broad range of criminal cases.
View more recent criminal law case results here.
Understanding Queensland Criminal Law: Your Legal Rights
When facing criminal charges in Brisbane, it is important to understand your legal rights. That is why Aitken Whyte’s criminal lawyers will ensure you are fully informed and protected by providing clear legal guidance on fundamental rights. This includes your right to remain silent and your entitlement to legal representation.
Our team will also explain when police can conduct searches, whether those searches were lawful, and what options are available if your rights have been breached. If you have been arrested, we can assist with bail applications, including Supreme Court bail applications where appropriate, and provide advice under the Queensland Criminal Code.
Should your matter involve criminal law matters, regulatory law, or a serious indictable offence, we will provide practical, straightforward advice. Throughout the entire process, our criminal defence lawyers will help you understand the legal system. They’ll also explain every stage of the proceedings and protect your best interests.
H3: What to Expect in a Magistrates Court
We understand that appearing in the Magistrates Court, District Court or Supreme Court can be intimidating. Our team will prepare you thoroughly before every appearance. However, here is a brief overview of what to expect:
- During your hearing, the prosecution will present the facts and evidence supporting the charges.
- As your criminal defence team, we will present submissions based on your plea and challenge the prosecution’s evidence wherever appropriate.
- If your matter proceeds in the District Court or the Supreme Court, a jury may return a verdict. In the Magistrate’s Court, the Magistrate will decide the outcome.
- If you are found not guilty, no conviction will be recorded. If you are convicted, the Judge or Magistrate will determine an appropriate sentence after considering all relevant circumstances.
- Sentences can range from good behaviour bonds and fines to probation, community service or imprisonment. Having strong representation from an experienced lawyer can significantly improve the outcome. We can also advise you about appeal rights where appropriate.
Types of Criminal Cases We Handle
Our team of experienced Brisbane criminal lawyers provides clients with expert guidance, support, bail applications, and defence for a wide range of criminal matters. Here is an overview of some of the specific charges we specialise in refuting:
Domestic Violence Charges
These charges may include:
- Breach of a Domestic Violence Order (DVO)
- Choking, suffocation, or strangulation in a domestic setting
- Assault-related offences prosecuted as domestic violence offences
We can also assist with Domestic Violence Order Applications including:
Drug Offences
These charges may include:
- Possession of dangerous drugs
- Possession of property or utensils related to a drug offence
- Production of dangerous drugs
- Supplying dangerous drugs
- Trafficking in dangerous drugs
Driving and Traffic Offences
These charges may include:
- Drink driving (DUI, UIL)
- Drug driving
- Disqualified driving
- Careless driving
- Dangerous driving
- Evading police
- Hooning offences
If your licence is going to be disqualified or suspended as a result of traffic offences and if you are eligible, we can assist you to apply for:
- Restricted Work Licence
- Special Hardship Orders
If your licence has been disqualified for more than 2 years, we can help you apply to remove the disqualification.
Here is some more information about our Drink Driving Lawyers Service.
Fraud charges
These charges may include:
- Stealing from an employer
- Commonwealth offences, such as Centrelink fraud.
Assault charges
Assault charges may include:
- Common assault
- Assault occasioning bodily harm (AOBH)
- Serious assault
- Assault occasioning grievous bodily harm (GBH)
- Torture
- Wounding
Charges resulting from a death
These charges may include:
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death
Sexual offences
Charges relating to sex offences may include:
- Rape
- Sexual assault
Offences against children
These charges may include:
- Possession of child exploitation material (CEM)
- Making child exploitation material
- Other CEM-related offences
- Indecent treatment of a child
- Grooming
- Using the Internet to procure a child
- Other offences that place a person as a reportable offender on the Child Protection Offender Register.
Courts We Appear In
Our criminal law firm regularly appears in courts throughout South East Queensland. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Brisbane Magistrates Court
- Brisbane District Court
- Brisbane Supreme Court
- Richlands Magistrates Court
- Cleveland Magistrates Court
- Maroochydore Magistrates Court
- Beenleigh Magistrates Court
- Caboolture Magistrates Court
- Ipswich Magistrates Court
- Wherever your matter is listed, our solicitors will provide you with experienced representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cost of hiring a criminal lawyer in Brisbane?
The cost of hiring our Brisbane criminal lawyers will depend on various factors, including the duration of your engagement, the complexity of the case, and the level of involvement in criminal law matters.
We will give you an initial quote for our services and will always be open and transparent about the costs involved.
What are Brisbane traffic lawyers?
Brisbane traffic lawyers are legal professionals who specialise in representing people accused of traffic offences. This includes speeding, drunk driving, and dangerous driving. They can also help with work licenses, special hardship applications, and appeals.
Can I avoid a criminal record?
It is possible to avoid a criminal conviction being recorded in Queensland if the court decides not to record a conviction.
Sometimes, this can happen if you plead guilty to a minor offence or if the court is sympathetic to your circumstances.
How long does a criminal case take?
It is very difficult to give an exact answer to this question because a case can take a few weeks, months, or longer to be heard in court in Queensland.
We will try to provide a rough indication of the timeframe, but it will depend on the Supreme, District, or Magistrate Court, the type of charge, the evidence to be analysed, and the complexity of the case.
What should I do if I’m accused of a criminal offence?
If you are accused of a criminal offence, you should immediately seek legal guidance from a criminal law firm like Aitken Whyte Lawyers.
Doing this will allow you to immediately understand your rights, answer police questions in a way that won’t incriminate you, and decide on the best course of action to tackle the specific charges laid against you.
What does the free initial consultation include?
Your free consultation allows us to understand your circumstances. It also enables us to explain the charges, provide preliminary strategic advice, discuss likely consequences, and outline how our services can help.
Free Initial Consultation – Contact Us Today
If you’re facing criminal charges in Brisbane, particularly a serious offence, it is essential to engage the services of an expert criminal law firm like Aitken Whyte Criminal Lawyers.
Our entire legal team provides strategic advice and strong courtroom representation and has a proven track record of success.
Whether you’re under investigation, need urgent legal assistance, want to understand your options in a clear and concise manner, or develop a legal strategy for defence, we’re here to guide you through the entire process and fight for the best possible outcome.
Please call us on 07 3229 4559 or email enquiries@awbrisbanelawyers.com.au to set up a free initial consultation.
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Office Location and Contact Details
Brisbane
Aitken Whyte Lawyers Brisbane
2/414 Upper Roma Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Ph: 07 3063 6000
Fax: 07 3211 9311
E: enquiries@awbrisbanelawyers.com.au
