Jul 16, 2026
A trial and a sentencing hearing do two completely different jobs. A trial decides whether you are guilty, with the prosecution having to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt, often before a jury. A sentencing hearing, also called a plea hearing, only happens after guilt is established, by a guilty plea or a guilty verdict, and its job is to decide the penalty. There is no jury at a sentencing hearing, the standard of proof works differently, and it is the stage where your lawyer presents everything in your favour under the Sentencing Act 1991 (Vic).
Jul 16, 2026
Yes. You have the right to represent yourself in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, and many people do for minor matters. But the court cannot act as your lawyer, the rules of evidence still apply to you, and the risks rise sharply the moment a charge is contested or a conviction could cost you your licence, your record, or your liberty.
Jul 15, 2026
Armed robbery is one of the most serious offences in Victoria, carrying a maximum of 25 years imprisonment under section 75A of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic). It is committed when a person commits a robbery while armed with a firearm, imitation firearm, offensive weapon, or explosive. Because the penalties are so high and these cases often turn on identity and the strength of the evidence, defence strategy matters enormously. A well-run defence can challenge the identification, contest whether you were really armed, or work to reduce the charge to robbery or theft.
Jul 15, 2026
In Victoria, a bail decision-maker must consider family violence risk in every application, and where a family violence charge is involved, bail conditions commonly include no-contact provisions, exclusion from a residence, and other measures specifically aimed at mitigating that risk.
Jul 14, 2026
Yes. If you were convicted or sentenced in the Magistrates’ Court, you generally have a right to appeal to the County Court, and you must lodge a notice of appeal within 28 days. A County Court appeal is conducted as a rehearing under the Criminal Procedure Act 2009 (Vic), so your case is heard afresh and you are not bound by the plea you entered below. You can appeal your conviction, your sentence, or both, but the County Court can also impose a more severe sentence, which is why it must warn you first and give you the chance to abandon the appeal.
