Commentary on Commonwealth offences dealt with in state magistrates’ courts has been added to all By Lawyers Criminal Guides.
This new commentary and additional precedents will assist practitioners advising and representing clients charged with offences under the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) and the Commonwealth Criminal Code.
The new commentary sets out the procedure for summary and indictable Commonwealth charges in state courts, from bail considerations to sentencing.
The possible sentencing options are covered in detail and there is a very helpful table of the Commonwealth offences most frequently encountered in state magistrates’ courts.
New precedents include:
- Example written submissions in support of an application for discharge of an offender without proceeding to conviction; and
- Letter to client after sentence – providing for various outcomes.
All existing Retainer Instructions for criminal and bail matters have been enhanced to include Commonwealth offences.
The new content can be found in the IF REQUIRED – COMMONWEALTH OFFENCES folder on the matter plan in every By Lawyers Criminal law guide.