Criminal Law

If you are a defendant in an Apprehended [Domestic] Violence Order (‘AVO’) proceedings or if you have been charged with the offence of driving under the influences of alcohol or illicit drugs, drug possession, assault or some other criminal offence, then there are serious consequences that can flow if you are found guilty.  The consequences vary depending on the offence but may include:

• In the case of an A(D)VO, restrictions being placed on the places where you can go and persons who you can contact for a specified time; and
• In the case of a criminal offence a period of licence suspension, imposition of a fine, ordering of good behaviour bond, ordering that you attend and complete a period of community service, further education, rehabilitation and in the more serious cases, a period of imprisonment.

You may not be aware but if you are found guilty of driving whilst over the prescribed concentration of alcohol (‘drink driving’) and you have caused damage to another person’s vehicle then your insurer will likely refuse to pay for either the damages to both your vehicle and the other persons vehicle.  In that case you are then at risk of being personally sued by the other vehicle owners insurer.  Other issues which some people fail to consider is how an AVO or criminal record can impact on Family law proceedings, your present and future employment prospects or obtaining visa’s for overseas travel.

If you have been charged with a criminal offence then please call JNT Legal to discuss whether we can be of assistance.