Criminal & Traffic Law
Criminal law is about attention to detail and advocacy. You need a lawyer who understands the factual and legal details of your case, and can persuade a court of your version of events. You also need a lawyer who understands the broader impact of criminal law proceedings, an all-round advocate...
A court must almost always rely on what can be proved, not what you may know or believe. Particularly in arguing technical defences or appeals and in mitigating sentences, persuading the court to interpret the evidence in a certain way is critical. Reasonable interpretation of the facts and persuasive submissions about the law are key to succeeding in a criminal law proceeding. This will get you much further than 'clever' arguments, or unethical strategies. This is where Parke Lawyers serves you best.
We offer complete, all-inclusive, criminal law solutions including well-reasoned evaluations of your case, advocacy in court and advice throughout the process. While we primarily act for defendants to criminal charges, we are available to assist in and advise on prosecutions (including private prosecutions) and we also accept referrals and briefs to appear from other law practices. We can also advise and represent victims of crime, as well as witnesses.
For defendants:
"For us, there is no "more important" case. For each of our clients, their case is the most important to them, and for that reason, we treat all clients with the respect, care and attention they deserve."
Service
We are able to assist at any and all stages of criminal law proceedings in any court, or indeed before a matter reaches court. The cornerstones of our service are a thorough understanding of your matter and our capacity to provide experienced practitioners to advise and appear for you at all stages of any criminal law, traffic law and related proceedings. Where necessary, we are able to arrange for suitable barristers to advise and/or assist you. We can also facilitate your access to a comprehensive suite of support services and alternatives to dealing with criminal charges through the traditional court processes.
Quality
As we accept instructions only from privately funded (non-Legal Aid) defendants, we are able to deliver a high quality and cost-effective service that is not limited by a need to deal in high volumes of cases or restrictive criteria. Your legal needs will be given the attention and resources required to achieve the best possible outcome in the circumstances. Our services can be tailored to your budget and in most cases we can estimate fees and disbursements for our services in advance. Whether you require minor assistance at minimal cost, fully resourced and complex services or anything in between; we can assist.
Respect
Our approach to all matters is reasoned and professional, and we strive to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients while maintaining the respect of the court, other parties and other practitioners. Our repeat clients in particular appreciate our ability to get results without 'burning bridges.' Most importantly, we respect your needs and circumstances, no matter who you are, or what your matter involves.
For fellow practitioners:
"We are keenly aware that criminal law and related proceedings may only make up part of your client's legal needs. We work together with referring practices to ensure that our approach is consistent with any broader strategies you may have in place."
We are able to accept instructions to appear for and/or assist with your clients' criminal law needs. Whether you have a long-standing commercial law client with an isolated need for criminal law assistance, are unable to act due to conflict or prefer not to engage in appearance work, we are here to help.
We strive to provide our services in a way that achieves the best possible outcomes for clients while developing and maintaining the respect of the court, other parties and other practitioners. We are also mindful of existing relationships you may have with clients whom you refer and we are not in the business of 'poaching' clients.
Our strong belief in facilitating justice reinforces our commitment to achieving outcomes for clients no matter the circumstances of their case, or the nature of accusations made against them.
We can also approach and retain professionals with specific expertise to provide opinion evidence, or to provide advice on the conduct of a proceeding.
Contact us to discuss your client's needs on a confidential basis.
For prosecutors:
"A prosecutor's role in court is significantly different to that of a defendant's lawyer, with additional challenges in balancing the need to conduct a persuasive and solid prosecution with observing the raft of ethical duties beyond those of counsel for the defendant."
We are available to assist with advocacy, appearances and strategic advice on the conduct of prosecutions, including private prosecutions and on behalf of private organisations with statutory powers to prosecute.
We can apply our experience in defending clients to advise and appear for prosecutors and maximise the prospects of a successful prosecution. All too often, a formulaic and passive approach is taken by prosecutors who consider their role to leave no scope for persuasive and effective advocacy.
Our approach strives to ensure that the court is assisted in a way that instils confidence in the prosecution case as well as meeting all of the ethical and procedural requirements of conducting an effective prosecution. We firmly believe that justice is best facilitated by competent, robust and persuasive presentation of each party's case and we strive to achieve this when advising or appearing in prosecution matters.
For victims and survivors of crime:
"Our experience in assisting various participants in the justice system, including defendants, assists us in understanding the nature of crime and its impact upon others. We are pleased to assist victims and survivors of crime with sound, practical and reliable legal services."
We are able to assist victims and survivors of crime looking for advice and representation to assist in ensuring their safety and, particularly in respect of violent crimes, seeking appropriate compensation.
We are able to advise victims and survivors of crime seeking regarding:
- compensation e.g. through the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal or from statutory bodies;
- stalking or family violence intervention orders;
- advice on appearing in court, preparing Victim Impact Statements or writing to the court in respect of sentencing; and
- facilitating access to support services.
We can also appear and/or act for you generally in respect of any of the above matters.
For witnesses:
"Witnesses are often confronted with legal and ethical concerns that are far more complex than the evidence they are called upon to provide."
If you have witnessed something that may be a criminal offence, or if you are an expert in your field called upon to give evidence in a criminal law matter, you may find yourself confronted by legal and ethical questions. Depending on your relationship or past dealings with a defendant in a criminal proceeding, you may need some advice to help you understand your rights and obligations.
We can advise you as to your legal position and also assist you in accessing any support services or sources of advice that may help you in understanding your position, and possible role in court.
We can advise you if you are a co-defendant to a court proceeding who may be called upon to give evidence against another person, also if you have made an arrangement to assist in the prosecution.
While we cannot assist you in respect of the content of evidence that you may be asked to give, we can advise you as to the likely court process, possible approaches to giving evidence and your participation in the court proceeding.
We can also represent your interests when dealing with legal representatives for parties to a criminal law proceeding. For witnesses called upon to give expert evidence, we can assist you in your dealings with professional bodies.
We can also assist you if you have been served with a summons or subpoena requiring you to produce documents or to attend court to give evidence in a proceeding.
