CASE RESULTS

Criminal Law Case Studies

Anonymised examples of criminal defence matters handled in Melbourne courts. Each matter depends on its own facts, and past outcomes do not guarantee future results.

Bail Granted

Melbourne Magistrates' Court

Bail Granted in 20 Million Dollar Arson at a Place of Worship

Bail granted on 22 strict conditions in high-profile criminal damage by fire matter

outcome

Bail

GRANTED

Conditions

22 strict conditions

Includes

Curfew, exclusion zones, surety

Court

Melbourne Magistrates’ Court

Area

Bail / Criminal Defence

Stage

Contested bail application

Key issue

Alleged community risk

Work done

Bail application with curfew, exclusion zones and surety

Outcome

Bail granted on 22 conditions

Bail was granted in a contested application involving allegations of criminal damage by fire and reckless conduct endangering life, arising from an arson at a place of worship which was said to have caused more than $20 million in damage.

The prosecution opposed bail and argued the client was an unacceptable risk. After extensive defence submissions, the Court granted bail on 22 strict condition. These conditions included a curfew, police station reporting, exclusion zones and a financial surety provided by the family amongst others.

Outcome:

22 strict conditions, including curfew, exclusion zones and surety

Combination Sentence

Firearm Prohibition Order breach

Prohibited person in possession of a loaded firearm in a public place. Resolved without lengthy custodial sentence

Magistrates’ Court of Victoria · Plea · Firearm Prohibition Order Breach

Our client was charged with possessing a firearm and a firearm-related item in breach of a Firearm Prohibition Order — a 10-year maximum offence. The client had extensive prior convictions in both Victoria and New South Wales, which placed real custodial pressure on the matter. The plea focused on the absence of associated violent conduct, the rehabilitation pathway available, and the structure of a combination sentence to support post-release reintegration.

outcome

Imprisonment

12 months

CCO on release

12 months

Resolved by

Negotiated plea

No Immediate Imprisonment

Cultivation and trafficking matter

Cannabis cultivation and trafficking guilty plea resolved on a wholly community based disposition

County Court of Victoria · Plea · Cultivate Narcotic Plant / Traffick Drug of Dependence

Our client faced a five-charge County Court matter including two cultivation charges, two trafficking charges, and a cocaine possession charge. The plea focused on personal circumstances, the structure of the offending, and a tailored rehabilitation framework that could be supervised in the community.

outcome

Community Corrections Order

24 months

Unpaid community work

200 hours

Immediate imprisonment

None

Bail Granted

Kidnapping and armed robbery matter

Bail Granted in Five-Charge Kidnapping and Armed Robbery Matter

Magistrates’ Court of Victoria · Contested Bail Application · Kidnapping / Armed Robbery / Extortion

Our client faced five serious indictable charges including kidnapping (25-year maximum), armed robbery (25-year maximum), extortion, false imprisonment, and intentionally cause injury. The charge profile made bail genuinely difficult. A contested bail application was prepared addressing the strength of the Crown case, accommodation, supervision, and a substantial supported surety to satisfy the threshold.

outcome

Bail

Granted

Surety required

$800,000

Resolved by

Contested bail application

Bail Granted

Large commercial cocaine trafficking matter

Large commercial (1kg cocaine) bail granted, no time spent on remand

Melbourne Magistrates’ Court · Contested Bail Application · Traffick a Drug of Dependence (Large Commercial Quantity)

Our client was charged with trafficking cocaine in a large commercial quantity (1kg) — a Level 1 offence carrying life imprisonment — together with proceeds of crime. At very short notice, the office briefed counsel, marshalled family support and assembled a $1,000,000 surety package. The Court was satisfied that exceptional circumstances existed and granted bail with no time spent on remand.

outcome

Bail

Granted

Time on remand

None

Surety

$1,000,000

Adjourned Undertaking

Prohibited-person firearm and drug matter

Prohibited Person possess firearm and possess traffickable quantity of drugs, resolved without imprisonment, CCO or fine

Magistrates’ Court of Victoria · Plea · Prohibited Person Possess Firearm

Our client was charged with prohibited-person firearm possession — a 10-year maximum offence — alongside possession of methamphetamine and butanediol. The plea addressed the non-violent nature of the possession, the absence of any threat or use of the firearm, and engagement with treatment, persuading the court that an undertaking was within range.

outcome

Adjourned undertaking

18 months (with conviction)

Court fund donation

$1,000

Imprisonment / CCO / fine

None

Charges Withdrawn

Criminal damage by fire allegation

Arson Allegation Fully Withdrawn With Costs Awarded

Magistrates’ Court of Victoria · Pre-Trial Negotiation · Criminal Damage by Fire

Our client was charged with criminal damage by fire — a 15-year maximum offence. Pre-trial submissions were directed at the strength of the prosecution’s evidentiary brief and the public-interest test for continuing the prosecution. The prosecution withdrew the charge before trial, and the Court awarded costs in the client’s favour.

outcome

Charges

Fully withdrawn before trial

Costs

Awarded against the prosecution

Resolved by

Pre-trial negotiation

Diversion Granted

Deception and theft matter

Diversion granted on indictable obtain property by deception and theft charges, with $6,000 restitution paid

Magistrates’ Court of Victoria · Diversion Hearing · Obtain Property by Deception / Theft

Our client faced obtain property by deception ($6,000) and theft — both indictable, both 10-year maximums. Diversion under section 59 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009 can resolve eligible matters without a finding of guilt if the diversion plan is completed. A diversion application was prepared addressing eligibility, victim restitution, and remorse.

outcome

Diversion

Granted

Restitution

$6,000 paid to victim

Criminal record

None

NO RESULTS

No matching case studies for this combination

Past outcomes don’t reflect every matter we’ve handled. Speak with a lawyer about your specific situation.

Past outcomes do not guarantee future results. Each matter depends on its own facts.

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Past outcomes do not guarantee future results.