Preparing Your Defence
Lamont Law specialise in criminal law. If you have been charged with a criminal offence, you need expert legal advice.
Our lawyers will take the time to thoroughly examine all the evidence to determine whether you have a valid defence.
Call us anytime on 1300 365 075 to book a free initial consultation.
Contact UsCall Lamont Law 24/7 to discuss your legal defence
1300 365 075Frequently Asked Questions
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Section 418 (1) of the Crimes Act 1900 provides that a person is not criminally responsible for an offence if the person carries out the conduct constituting the offence in self-defence. The law recognizes the right of a person to act in self-defence from an attack or threatened attack. Once self-defence is raised as a defence, the prosecution has the onus of proving, beyond reasonable doubt, that the person did not carry out the conduct in self-defence. The prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt either : (a)the accused did not believe at the time of the act that it was necessary to do what he or she did in order to defend himself or herself; or (b)the accused’s act was not a reasonable response in the circumstances as he or she perceived them. If the prosecution fail to prove (a) or (b) then self-defence will have succeeded as a legal defence to an otherwise unlawful act.
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A person acts under duress if that person’s actions were performed because of threats of injury or death. The prosecution must prove that the actions were done voluntarily, and so the burden is with the prosecution to negative the defence.
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The defence of necessity operates where circumstances induce the accused to perform what would otherwise be an unlawful act to prevent even more dire consequences. The acts done to avoid those dire consequences must not be out of proportion to the peril avoided. The accused has the onus of establishing a basis for a defence of necessity and, thereafter, the prosecution bears the onus of negativing the defence beyond reasonable doubt.
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S 61AA of the Crimes Act 1900 provides for the defence of lawful correction. In criminal proceedings brought against a personarising out of the application of physical force to a child, it is a defence that the force was applied for the purpose of the punishment of the child, but only if (a) the physical force was applied by the parent of the child or by a person acting for a parent of the child, and (b) the application of the force was reasonable. The application of the force is not reasonable if applied to the head or neck area of the child or cause harm for more than a short period.
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The defence of honest and reasonable mistake of fact applies to strict liability offences, such as traffic and license offences. The prosecution do not have to prove that the accused intended to commit the offence. The defence may be available when a person conducts themselves in a certain way thinking that they were entitled to do so.
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Self-induced intoxication is only available for those offences which have the element of a specific intent to bring about a specific result.
Why Choose Lamont Law
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Excellent Record of Success
Our lawyers at Lamont Law specialise in criminal law and we will expertly guide you through the criminal justice system. We will ensure that you receive the strongest representation and we are determined to protect your rights. Our lawyers have a proven track record of excellence.
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Highest Level of Service
We pride ourselves on providing expert legal advice and the highest level of service. All of our staff members are exceptionally friendly. You will be consulted consistently throughout the process and we will answer any and all of the legal questions which you may have. Our experienced team of criminal and traffic defence lawyers regularly appear in Local and District Courts across New South Wales in a variety of different matters. We have a high level of success rate and hundreds of positive online reviews.
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Local Professionals in your Community
Our lawyers appear in court everyday. We are familiar with local court magistrates. We know how to prepare your matter to obtain the best possible outcome.
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All Courts
Our experienced team of criminal and traffic defence lawyers regularly appear in Local and District Courts across New South Wales.
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Flexible Initial Conference Options
We provide flexible conference options over the phone, video or in person at our office locations across Sydney, the Hunter Region, the North Coast and the Central Coast.
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Flexible Payment Options
We provide affordable fixed fees and payment plans for several kinds of matters. Call us now for a free and no obligation discussion.