Criminal Defence Lawyers Mackay
Our Criminal law Services
Your Local Trusted Criminal law Lawyers and Solicitors
Have you been charged with a criminal offence and aren’t sure what to do next? The team at Macrossan & Amiet Solicitors are here to guide you through every stage of the criminal law process.
We understand that facing criminal charges can be stressful, overwhelming and deeply personal. Our Mackay criminal defence lawyers treat every matter with sensitivity, honesty and fierce advocacy. Whether your matter is resolved through negotiation, plea discussions or defended in court, we work strategically to protect your future.
We act in matters including:
Your Leading Criminal Law Lawyers
What is Criminal Law?
Criminal law deals with offences prosecuted by the State, ranging from minor traffic offences to serious indictable matters. If you have been charged, the outcome can affect your employment, reputation, travel and personal life.
Our criminal defence solicitors provide advice on your rights, possible penalties and defence options. We carefully review police evidence, witness statements and procedural steps to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and develop a clear defence strategy.
We assist clients in the Magistrates Court and higher courts across Mackay, Proserpine, Cannonvale and surrounding regions.
Traffic Offences
- Drink Driving Matters
- Dangerous Driving Matters
- Drug Driving Matters
- Speeding Matters
- Unlicensed Driving Matters
- Work Licenses
- Special Hardship Orders
- License Disqualification Removal Applications
- Due Care & Attention
- Vehicle Impoundments
Criminal Offences
- Serious Crime
- Assaults/Violent Crime
- Domestic Violence Matters
- Sexual Offences
- Public Order Offences
- Firearm Offences
- Fraud Matters
- Drug Charges
Other Areas of Criminal Law
- Commonwealth Offences
- Fraud/Dishonesty Offences
- Stealing Offences
- Tax Offences
- Investigations, Inquests and Statutory Tribunals
work with us
How the Process Works
1
Initial
Consultation
We begin by understanding your situation, reviewing relevant documents and identifying your objectives. You’ll receive clear, practical advice about your options and the best way forward.
2
Strategy &
Preparation
We begin by understanding your situation, reviewing relevant documents and identifying your objectives. You’ll receive clear, practical advice about your options and the best way forward.
3
Representation &
Action
We act on your behalf, whether that involves negotiations, formal applications, dispute resolution or court appearances, ensuring your interests are protected at every stage.
4
Resolution & Next
Steps
We work toward a timely and practical resolution. Once your matter is finalised, we provide guidance on any follow-up steps to protect your ongoing legal and commercial position.
why choose us for your next Criminal law mackay matter
Experienced Team of Leading Lawyers
Our solicitors bring experience across a broad range of practice areas, allowing us to deliver informed, strategic advice tailored to each client’s situation.
Outcome-focused approach
We focus on achieving practical, cost-effective outcomes, whether through negotiation, structured advice or court representation.
Clear, Upfront Communication
We provide honest advice about your options, risks and costs so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
FAQs
What should I do if the Police want to speak to me about a criminal offence?
The Police can approach you and ask you questions at any time, but this doesn’t mean that you have to answer these questions apart from specific questions which must first warn you that it is an offence not to answer such as your correct name and address.
You don’t have to be at a police station being interviewed for the information you provide to be used as evidence against you. There’s no such thing as ‘off the record’.
We strongly recommend that you speak with a lawyer before speaking to the Police.
What is the right to silence?
You have the right to remain silent whether you have been stopped by police in the street or you have agreed to go to the police station or you have been placed under arrest.
No adverse inference can be drawn against a person because they failed to answer questions or supply information.
If you don’t want to answer questions and you are not sure if you have to, we strongly recommend that you speak with a lawyer before speaking to the Police.
What are my rights if I agree to an interview?
You don’t have to agree to participate in an interview with police, but if you do, you should understand that: –
- What you say will be recorded and can later be used in court as evidence.
- During the interview, you may feel nervous, even if you do not think you have done anything wrong and this may affect your ability to give a clear and correct answer.
- The answers you give may lead to you being charged with a different, more serious offence..
- Usually the police will charge you with an offence anyway based on what they have already been told, whether you give the interview or not.
What should I do if the Police charge me with a criminal offence?
If you are charged with an offence, the Police may: –
- Give you bail and release you until your court date; or
- Hold you in the watch-house.
If the police don’t give you bail, they must take you to a court as soon as reasonably possible. Once you are before the Court, you can apply to the Court for bail.
What is bail?
Bail is a written promise (called an undertaking) to attend court to answer the charge or charges that have been brought against you.
Usually, a person charged with an offence is granted bail, unless the police can satisfy the Court that there is an unacceptable risk of the person committing further offences, failing to appear before the Court, endangering the safety or welfare of others while on bail.
Your undertaking may include additional conditions such as: –
- Reporting to a police station;
- Living at a certain address.
- Not having contact with a complainant or other witnesses.
- Not going to or near a place.
If you break a condition of your bail, you could be charged with another offence and your bail could be revoked and you could be returned to custody while your original charges are waiting to be determined.
What is a show cause position with respect to bail
If you are in a show cause position with respect to bail, it means that you will not be granted bail unless you can satisfy the Court you are not an unacceptable risk of committing further offences, failing to appear before the Court, endangering the safety or welfare of others while on bail.
You will be in a show cause position with respect to bail if you are charged with: –
- An indictable offence alleged to have been committed while the person was at large, with or without bail, prior to trial for another indictable offence.
- The offence of murder or a repeat serious child sex offence.
- Breaching a domestic violence order and the offence involved violence to a person or property.
- Threatening violence, stalking, deprivation of liberty and those offences are alleged to be domestic violence offences.
- An offence punishable by a maximum penalty of at least 7 years imprisonment if the offence is also a domestic violence offence.
- Choking, suffocation, or strangulation in a domestic setting under the Queensland Criminal Code.
- An indictable offence which alleges that you used, or threatened to use a weapon while committing the offence.
- An offence against the Bail Act.
- Making a threat to a law enforcement officer investigating a criminal organisation
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