Category: Court Information

16 Mar

Addressing the Missing Piece: Mental Health in the Sentencing Process

Mental health issues can play a significant role in criminal sentencing. Whether you are facing charges or representing a client, it is important to understand the connection between mental health and criminal sentencing. Mental Health Issues in Criminal Cases Mental health issues can impact a person’s behavior, judgment, and decision-making abilities. In some cases, mental health issues can lead to criminal behavior. For example, someone suffering from severe depression may commit an act of self-harm or attempt suicide. In other cases, mental health issues can be used as a mitigating factor in criminal cases. For instance, someone with a history …

Continue reading “Addressing the Missing Piece: Mental Health in the Sentencing Process”

Read full article

22 Feb

What happens in a Magistrates Court Sentence?

A sentence is the final stage of a criminal proceeding where a court determines the penalty or punishment to be imposed on a person who has been found guilty of a criminal offence. In Queensland, most criminal cases are heard in the Magistrates Court. It is important to understand what happens at a Magistrates Court sentence. When a person is found guilty of a criminal offence in the Magistrates Court, the matter is often adjourned to a later date for sentencing. At other times the matter may be listed for a sentence or lengthy plea. At the sentencing hearing, the …

Continue reading “What happens in a Magistrates Court Sentence?”

Read full article

29 Jun

COVID-19 Court Arrangements – June 21 Lockdown

A number of clients have raised concerns about Covid-19 Court arrangements for their court matters following the announcement by the Premier that Southeast Queensland is in a three day lockdown commencing tonight at 6:00pm. If you have any questions, please call our office on (07)55800 120 and we will answer them for you. Below we provide a brief overview of the Covid-19 court arrangements. Our office: We are an essential service and will remain open for court appearances especially Bail Applications. We will be available for phone conferences or video conferences. Our office utilises end to end encrypted software for …

Continue reading “COVID-19 Court Arrangements – June 21 Lockdown”

Read full article

31 Oct

Queensland Police Service V Harley Joe Barbaro [2019] QMC 1

Following a two day hearing in the Southport Magistrates Court, Harley Barbaro was found not guilty of Habitually Consorting contrary to section 77B of the Criminal Code of Queensland. The not guilty verdict highlighted a number of errors in the approach of the Queensland Police towards consorting notices. Facts of the case On the 23 July 2017 Detective Sergeant Toni Lewis hand delivered to the defendant, a document titled “Official Warning for Consorting under section 53 BAC of the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000.” Below that official warning were the photographs names and dates of birth of fifteen persons, three of …

Continue reading “Queensland Police Service V Harley Joe Barbaro [2019] QMC 1”

Read full article

11 Dec

Penalty Units

1 Penalty Unit = $130.55 Penalty Units in Queensland When deciding a sentence, the magistrate or judge considers multiple factors. For crimes in Queensland, the Court may deem that a fine is the most appropriate sentence. In most cases, fines are based on a system of penalty units, where a penalty unit is a set amount of money. Fines will be imposed as a specific multiple of penalty units. The exact amount is changed with time, in order to reflect the current economy of the time. 1 Penalty Unit is currently worth $130.55. This information is current as at 11 December 2018.

Read full article