QLD & NSW

Criminal Law

In shortBoorman Lawyers acts for people charged with criminal offences in New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT. Criminal law is mostly state and territory law, so the offence, the court and the penalties depend on where you were charged. Some, such as drug importation, are Commonwealth offences.

Offences we act on: assault, drug, firearms and weapons, fraud and stealing, offensive conduct and language, and online offences.
Protection orders: AVO breaches in NSW and DVO breaches in Queensland are dealt with under different laws.
Serious matters: we work with barristers, including senior counsel, where a matter needs one.

Queensland and New South Wales law · law checked 22 Oct 2026

Call 1300 941 900 Make an enquiry about legal representation

What's on this page

Criminal charges we act on

We act for people charged with:

assault and violent offences, from common assault to assaults causing harm;
drug offences, including possession and supply;
firearms and weapons offences;
fraud and stealing offences, including Centrelink (social security) fraud;
offensive conduct and offensive language offences;
social media and online offences, such as using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence;
breaches of protection orders: apprehended violence orders (AVOs) in NSW and domestic violence orders (DVOs) in Queensland.

We also act on bail applications, sentence hearings and appeals. For more serious matters, we work closely with barristers, including junior and senior counsel, in New South Wales and Queensland.

Which law applies?

Criminal law in Australia is mostly made by each state and territory. The same conduct can be charged as a different offence, with a different maximum penalty, depending on where it happened. Some offences are Commonwealth offences that apply everywhere, for example social security fraud, drug importation and many online offences under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). Commonwealth offences are usually still heard in the state or territory courts.

New South Wales

Most criminal charges in NSW start in the Local Court. Less serious matters are finalised there; more serious matters can be sent to the District Court. Apprehended violence orders are made under the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW), and breaching an AVO is a criminal offence under that Act. For sentence, the court may ask for a sentence assessment report; see our guide to the NSW sentence assessment report. More: NSW.

Queensland

Most criminal charges in Queensland start in the Magistrates Court, with more serious matters going to the District or Supreme Court. Domestic violence orders are made under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld), and contravening a DVO is an offence under that Act. More: Queensland.

ACT

In the ACT, criminal matters start in the ACT Magistrates Court, with more serious matters going to the ACT Supreme Court. More: ACT.

What happens after you are charged

Read your paperwork. Your court attendance notice, notice to appear or bail papers give the charge, the court and the first date.
Get advice before you plead. We get the police facts and evidence, check whether the charge is right and explain your options.
Bail. If you are in custody or have bail conditions that are hard to keep, we can apply for bail or a change to your conditions.
Plea or hearing. If you plead guilty, we prepare material for sentence such as references and reports. If you plead not guilty, we prepare for a hearing.
Sentence or appeal. We appear for you at sentence. If the result is wrong in law or too severe, we explain whether an appeal is available.

Where it helps, we talk to the prosecution early to narrow the issues, for example about the facts relied on at sentence or which charges go ahead. We cannot promise an outcome; every case turns on its own facts.

Character references

References can matter at sentence in criminal and traffic matters. See our guide to character references, and the section 10 guide for when a NSW court may deal with a matter without a conviction.

Ready to talk?

Call 1300 941 900 or make an enquiry about legal representation using the form below. Tell us where you were charged, the charge and your next court date.

What clients say

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FAQs: criminal law

Do you act in every state?

We act in NSW, Queensland and the ACT. The law differs between them, so we explain the law of the place where you were charged.

Should I speak to police before getting advice?

You can ask to speak with a lawyer before answering questions. Get advice early, ideally before any interview.

Can a barrister be involved?

Yes. For serious matters we work with barristers, including senior counsel, and we explain the costs involved first. See costs.

Sources and date checked

Sources and references for this page, checked 22 Oct 2026.

Live /criminal-law/ page (read-only capture) — checked 22 Oct 2026
Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW) — checked 22 Oct 2026
Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld) — checked 22 Oct 2026
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) — checked 22 Oct 2026

This page is general information about Queensland and New South Wales law only. It is not legal advice. Every matter turns on its own facts.

QLD Traffic Law

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Guides for Queensland traffic law matters.

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NSW Traffic Law

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Guides for New South Wales traffic law matters.

NSWDrink Driving OffencesRead guide →NSWDrink Driving PenaltiesRead guide →NSWDrink Driving DefencesRead guide →NSWDrug Driving Offences & PenaltiesRead guide →NSWHigh Range PCA Guideline JudgmentRead guide →NSWLicence Suspension AppealRead guide →NSWAlcohol Interlock LawsRead guide →NSWNo Conviction Drink DrivingRead guide →NSWTraffic Offenders ProgramRead guide →NSWDUI Court Process GuideRead guide →NSWDangerous DrivingRead guide →NSWDisqualified DrivingRead guide →

Enquire about legal representation

Call 1300 941 900 or make an enquiry about legal representation.

What to have ready

Court & next listing date: Which court is on your paperwork and when your matter is listed.
Charge or reading (if known): Tell us the charge or reading if you have it — you do not need your full police facts yet.
Work & driving needs: Let us know if you rely on your licence for work or family responsibilities.

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