Criminal and Traffic Offences | By Lawyers
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Criminal and Traffic Offences

WA

This publication guides practitioners through criminal and traffic offences in the Magistrates Court of Western Australia, restraining orders and Commonwealth offences.

5 Matter Plans

Overview

The Criminal and Traffic Offences commentaries cover all aspects of criminal matters, with an emphasis on criminal procedure and sentencing for summary and indictable offences in the Magistrates Court of Western Australia. They cover the key stages from charging, to bail, a defended hearing or a plea of guilty, and sentencing. Practical guidance in preparing for court is included, with detailed commentary on analysing the charge and considering evidence.

The Restraining Order guide covers applying for an order, negotiating, varying and appeals.

The supplementary Commonwealth offences guide assists practitioners in advising and representing clients charged with offences under the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) and the Commonwealth Criminal Code. The commentary sets out the procedure for summary and indictable Commonwealth offences from bail considerations to sentencing. The possible sentencing options are covered in detail, and there is a very useful table of the Commonwealth offences most frequently encountered.

The Reference materials folder includes guidance on electronic signing and remote witnessing, and the Getting the matter underway folder contains essential compliance and client engagement documents. The comprehensive Retainer Instructions ensure that all necessary information is gathered from the client at the outset of the matter.

Also included is 101 Subpoena Answers, which is a useful reference guide.

Precedents in this publication include:

  • Library of initial letters to clients, covering a variety of offences and possible outcomes;
  • Letters to:
    • clients;
    • police;
    • the Crown;
    • third parties, including witnesses and experts;
  • Information sheets for clients explaining the court processes and what to do on the day of the hearing;
  • Attendance notes for every stage.
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5 Matter Plans Included

  • Item icon ALERTS - Nil
  • Item icon Full Commentary - Magistrates Court Criminal (WA)
  • Folder icon Reference materials
    • Item icon AI Prompts
      An AI prompt defines a specific task for AI to perform, like drafting a particular document, and provides clear instructions on how to execute that task. The goal is for the AI to quickly create a useful first draft of a document, which the user verifies and refines into a final version, ultimately ...

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    • Item icon Looking to the Future
    • Item icon Electronic Signing and Witnessing
    • Item icon 101 Subpoena Answers
    • Item icon 101 Costs Answers
    • Folder icon Papers and articles - Litigation
      • Item icon Improving written submissions - A paper by Judge Alan Troy
      • Item icon Plain language – A paper by the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG
  • Item icon Overview and penalty units
    All criminal charges, regardless of their seriousness, commence in the Magistrates Court. The Criminal Procedure Act 2004 provides the framework for the way in which criminal matters are dealt with and the commencement of proceedings. When proceedings commence matters such as legislative amendments ...

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  • Folder icon A. Getting the matter underway
    • Item icon File cover sheet - Criminal
    • Item icon To do list - Criminal
    • Item icon First steps
    • Item icon Client details and verifying identity
    • Item icon Retainer instructions - Criminal
    • Item icon Conflict of interest check
    • Item icon Attendance note - Conflict of interest check - No conflict
    • Item icon Attendance note - Conflict of interest check - Conflict identified
    • Folder icon Library of initial letters to client
      • Folder icon Alcohol and driving offences
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - General
        • Folder icon Drink and drug driving
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.02-0.05 BAC and drug 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.02-0.05 BAC and drug subsequent offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.05-0.07 BAC and drug 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.05-0.07 BAC and drug 2nd offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.05-0.07 BAC and drug subsequent offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.07-0.08 BAC and drug 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.07-0.08 BAC and drug 2nd offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.07-0.08 BAC and drug subsequent offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.08-0.09 BAC and drug 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.08-0.09 BAC and drug 2nd offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.08-0.09 BAC and drug subsequent offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.09-0.11 BAC and drug 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.09-0.11 BAC and drug 2nd offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.09-0.11 BAC and drug subsequent offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.11-0.13 BAC and drug 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.11-0.13 BAC and drug 2nd offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.11-0.13 BAC and drug subsequent offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.13-0.15 BAC and drug 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.13-0.15 BAC and drug 2nd offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.13-0.15 BAC and drug subsequent offence
        • Folder icon Drink driving
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.05-0.07 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.05-0.07 2nd offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.05-0.07 subsequent offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.07-0.08 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.07-0.08 2nd offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.07-0.08 subsequent offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.08-0.09 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.08-0.09 2nd offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.08-0.09 subsequent offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client -0.09-0.11 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.09-0.11 2nd offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.09-0.11 subsequent offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.11-0.13 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.11-0.13 2nd offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.11-0.13 subsequent offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.13 and above 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.13 and above 2nd offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - 0.13 and above subsequent offence
        • Folder icon Drug driving
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - Drug driving 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - Drug driving 2nd or subsequent offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - Drug impaired driving 1st offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - Drug impaired driving 2nd offence
          • Item icon Initial letter to client - Drug impaired driving 3rd and subsequent offence
      • Folder icon Assault and unlawful wounding
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Assault causing bodily harm s 317 - Aggravated
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Assault causing bodily harm s 317 - Simple
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Assault public official s 318 - Not armed or in company
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Assault public official s 318 - Armed or in company
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Assault with intent s 317A - Aggravated
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Assault with intent s 317A - Simple
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Common assault s 313(1)
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Unlawful wounding s 301 - Aggravated
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Unlawful wounding s 301 - Simple
      • Folder icon Prohibited drug offences
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Possess (only) prohibited drug s 6 (2)
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Possess (only) prohibited plant s 7 (2)
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Supply prohibited plant (cannabis) s 7(2)
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Supply prohibited plant (not cannabis) s 7(1)
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Supply prohibited drug - Not trafficable quantity of meth - s 6(1)
      • Folder icon Other offences
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Affray (fighting in public)
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Aggravated indecent assault s 324
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Armed with intent s 409
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Burglary s 401 - Simple
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Disorderly behaviour
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Fraud less than $10K s 414
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Indecent assault s 323 - Simple
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Stalking s 338E - Aggravated
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Stalking s 338E - Simple
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Stealing less than $1K s 426
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Stealing less than $10K s 426
        • Item icon Initial letter to client - Unlawful fishing s 436 or 437
    • Item icon Letter to client enclosing costs agreement
    • Item icon Costs agreement - WA
    • Item icon Standard costs disclosure form for clients - Fees under $3000
    • Item icon Time and costs estimates
    • Folder icon If required - Updating costs disclosure
      • Item icon Letter to client updating costs disclosure
      • Item icon Charge securing costs
      • Item icon Guarantee securing costs
      • Folder icon Costs disclosure before settlement in litigation matters
        • Item icon Letter to client - Costs disclosure before settlement - NSW, VIC, and WA
        • Item icon Letter to client - Costs disclosure before settlement - QLD, SA, TAS, ACT, and NT
    • Item icon Police station instructions and advice record
    • Item icon Attendance note - Attending client at police station
    • Item icon Letter to client on bail following attendance at police station
    • Item icon Letter to client refused bail following attendance at police station
    • Item icon Enclosure - Court reference information sheet
    • Folder icon General deeds, agreements, execution clauses, and statutory declarations
      • Item icon Deeds and Agreements
      • Folder icon Deeds
        • Item icon Deed for general use
        • Item icon Deed of guarantee
        • Item icon Deed of release
        • Item icon Confidentiality deed
        • Item icon General deed of indemnity
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of agreement
        • Item icon Deed of gift
        • Folder icon Library of standard clauses for deeds
          • Item icon Amendment
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - One party
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of deed - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of deed - One party
          • Item icon Costs
          • Item icon Counterparts
          • Item icon Dispute resolution
          • Item icon Events beyond control
          • Item icon Governing law and jurisdiction
          • Item icon Interpretation
          • Item icon No assignment
          • Item icon Notices
          • Item icon Severance
          • Item icon Waiver
          • Item icon Whole agreement
      • Folder icon Agreements
        • Item icon Agreement for general use
        • Item icon Heads of agreement
        • Item icon Non-disclosure agreement - Formal
        • Item icon Non-disclosure agreement - Informal
        • Folder icon Library of standard clauses for agreements
          • Item icon Amendment
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - One party
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of agreement - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of agreement - One party
          • Item icon Costs
          • Item icon Counterparts
          • Item icon Dispute resolution
          • Item icon Events beyond control
          • Item icon Governing law and jurisdiction
          • Item icon Interpretation
          • Item icon No assignment
          • Item icon Notices
          • Item icon Severance
          • Item icon Waiver
          • Item icon Whole agreement
      • Folder icon Execution clauses
        • Folder icon Library of execution clauses for agreements
          • Item icon Attorney
          • Item icon Authorised officer
          • Item icon Company
          • Item icon Company - Sole director
          • Item icon Individual
          • Item icon Individual - No witness
        • Folder icon Library of execution clauses for deeds
          • Item icon Attorney
          • Item icon Authorised officer
          • Item icon Company
          • Item icon Company - Sole director
          • Item icon Individual
      • Folder icon Statutory declarations
        • Item icon Commonwealth statutory declaration
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - ACT
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - NSW
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - VIC
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - QLD
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - TAS
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - SA
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - WA
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - NT
        • Item icon Standard annexure note for documents
  • Folder icon B. Bail
    • Item icon Who can grant bail
      Bail can be granted by a police officer or a judicial officer, although in regional areas the bail authority is often a justice of the peace pursuant to the power in r 11 Magistrates Court Regulations 2005. Some bail conditions, such as home detention and electronic monitoring can only be ...

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    • Item icon Presumption in favour or presumption against bail
      Presumption in favour of bail Apart from the presumption in favour of unconditional police bail there is a general presumption in favour of bail under ss 5 and 7, and a qualified right for children to be released on bail: s 2 Part C of Schedule 1.

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    • Item icon Retainer instructions - Bail application
    • Item icon Client details and verifying identity
    • Item icon Letter to counsel with brief for bail application
    • Item icon Letter to bail guarantor
    • Item icon Letter to client in prison regarding date for bail application
    • Item icon Letter to court enclosing bail application
    • Item icon Letter to prosecution enclosing bail application
    • Item icon Letter to client after successful bail application
    • Item icon Letter to client in prison after unsuccessful bail application
    • Item icon Information for accused
    • Item icon Application for summons or warrant under the Bail Act 1982 s 54(2)(b)
    • Item icon Notice that accused arrested without warrant under the Bail Act 1982 s 54(2)(a)
    • Item icon Notice to accused
    • Item icon Information for proposed surety Bail Act 1982 section 37 (1) (b)
    • Item icon Application to cancel surety or responsible person undertaking
  • Folder icon C. Preparations for court
    • Item icon Attendance note - Taking full instructions
    • Item icon Proof of evidence
    • Item icon Attendance note - Preparation of proof
    • Item icon Letter to client sending proof of evidence
    • Item icon Attendance note - Considering amended proof of evidence
    • Item icon Letter to client requesting evidence
    • Item icon Letter to potential alibi witness
    • Item icon Letter to potential witness
    • Item icon Attendance note - Conference with defence witness
    • Item icon Letter to Crown re plea to lesser charge
    • Item icon Letter to Crown re pleading to amended facts
    • Item icon Application for witness summons
    • Item icon Letter to Crown re withdrawal of charge
    • Item icon General form of affidavit
    • Item icon Application in or after a prosecution
    • Item icon Letter to court requesting interpreter
    • Item icon Written instructions to plead guilty
  • Folder icon D. Going to court
    • Item icon Attendance note - Brief to counsel
    • Item icon Brief to counsel - Criminal
    • Item icon Example content - Brief to counsel - Criminal
    • Item icon Letter to counsel enclosing brief
    • Item icon Attendance note - Advice on plea
    • Item icon Court attendance sheet
    • Item icon Attendance note - Court appearance
    • Item icon Letter to client advising court date
    • Item icon Attendance note - Reviewing additional prosecution material
    • Item icon Letter to client enclosing prosecution evidence and make appointment for instructions
    • Item icon Letter to client informing of hearing date
    • Item icon Attendance note - Preparation of witness statement
    • Item icon Letter to witness enclosing statement
    • Item icon Letter to counsel enclosing defence witness statements
    • Item icon Letter to witness with arrangements for attendance at hearing
    • Item icon Attendance note - Considering client's previous convictions
    • Item icon Attendance note - Considering custody record
    • Item icon Attendance note - Considering prosecution evidence
    • Item icon Attendance note - Viewing CCTV footage with client
    • Item icon Attendance note - Viewing CCTV footage without client
    • Item icon Attendance note - Viewing client's police interview
    • Item icon Letter to police requesting items not served
    • Item icon Application to set aside decision
    • Item icon Letter to client who failed to attend court - Matter adjourned
    • Item icon Letter to client who failed to attend court - Warrant issued
    • Item icon Written instructions to plead guilty
    • Item icon General form of affidavit
  • Folder icon E. Simple matters - Pleas of guilty
    • Item icon Plea and mitigation instruction sheet
    • Item icon Instructions to plead guilty
    • Item icon Letter to client advising on steps to be taken in preparation for a plea of guilty
    • Item icon Enclosure - Court reference information sheet
    • Item icon Court attendance sheet
  • Folder icon F. Simple matters - Pleas of not guilty
    • Item icon Court attendance sheet
    • Item icon Letter serving summons to give evidence
    • Item icon Application for witness summons
    • Item icon Witness summons to give oral evidence
    • Item icon Witness summons to produce a record or thing
    • Item icon Request person in custody be present to give evidence
    • Item icon Summons to the accused
    • Item icon Attendance note - Preparation for hearing
    • Item icon Attendance note - Additional preparation for hearing
    • Item icon Attendance note - Preparation for adjourned hearing
    • Item icon Letter to client found guilty - Adjourned for sentence
  • Folder icon G. Sentencing in the Magistrates Court
    • Item icon Example written submissions on sentence
    • Item icon Application to amend/cancel conditional release order, community based order, intensive supervision order, pre sentence order or conditional suspended imprisonment order
    • Item icon Letter instructing psychiatrist or psychologist
  • Folder icon H. Appeals
    • Item icon Application for review of court officer's decision
    • Item icon Court attendance sheet
  • Folder icon I. Finalising the matter
    • Item icon Letter to client after sentence - Select outcome
    • Item icon Letter to client after sentence - Insert outcome
    • Item icon Letter to client found not guilty
    • Item icon Letter to client - No charges following attendance at police station
    • Item icon Letter to police after no charges for the return of client's property
    • Item icon Letter to police after client found not guilty for return of client's property
    • Item icon Enclosure - Information sheet on criminal records of employees
    • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - WA
    • Item icon Invoice recital - Criminal
    • Item icon File closing checklist
  • Item icon Comments and suggestions for By Lawyers

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