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 Criminal Law

Criminal Law image

We will advise and represent you if you are accused of a crime or traffic offence including:

  • Fraud;
  • Money Laundering;
  • Internet Crime;
  • Assault, sexual assault and aggravated assault;
  • Stealing;
  • Social security fraud;
  • Drug offences;
  • Trafficking; and
  • Murder.

Criminal law isn't as black and white as people think — and it’s not always about whether you "did it" or "didn't do it".

There are many ways a lawyer can help you get through the harrowing experience of being arrested, interviewed by the police or being charged with a crime.

The first thing to remember on arrest is you have the right to remain silent: Exercise it.  Even if you don't think you need to worry because you are innocent, there are many reasons not to talk to the police until you have obtained legal advice.

Next, if you have been arrested and charged with a serious offence, police are not entitled to hold you in custody for longer than 24 hours without bringing you before a magistrate to consider whether you should be released on bail.

Havilah Legal can help by making a bail application on your behalf and ensuring that if you are granted bail, you are released on the most favourable conditions available to you in the circumstances.

Finally, even if you do think you have done something wrong or illegal, pleading guilty and “copping it sweet” will rarely be your only option.

The charge may not accurately describe what you’ve done, which may mean you can be acquitted because you are not guilty as charged. There may be a defence that in a legal sense justifies or excuses your actions. Or it may be that the prosecutor hasn’t got enough evidence to prove you committed the alleged offence beyond a reasonable doubt.

Even if you are convicted, we can still help you by stating reasons to the Court why your sentence should be reduced or, in less serious cases, why you should be released without penalty.

To find out more about your rights and what Havilah Legal can do to help, contact our Criminal Law team or our Legal Information Desk lawyer. For an initial 20-minute consultation free of charge, he can assess your situation and provide straightforward and practical advice on what steps you need to take, and how best to proceed.