Computer & Cyber Crime Lawyer Cairns — Fixed Fee
$3,300 — Fixed Fee
Fixed Fees Magistrates Court plea (single charge or straightforward matter) — $3,300 fixed Magistrates Court plea (complex matter or multiple charges) — $4,800 fixed District Court plea — from $12,000 District Court trial — from $15,000 Covers: first consultation, advice on charge and applicable framework, full preparation of plea submissions, and representation at your plea hearing. No hidden fees. One invoice. All fees +10% GST.
What Is Included
Full review of the digital evidence brief. We read the material the prosecution relies on — not just the charge sheet. Framework advice. We identify whether Queensland or Commonwealth charges apply and what that means for your options and penalty exposure. Authorisation analysis. The "without authorisation" element is examined against the specific access or conduct alleged. Plea submissions.…
These Charges Are More Serious Than Most People Expect
Computer and cyber crime charges carry higher maximum penalties than many people realise, and they arrive with consequences that extend well beyond the sentence. Both Queensland and Commonwealth law apply — sometimes to the same conduct — and the framework that is charged determines the court, the penalty range, and the available options. The most common situations involve conduct that felt…
Penalty Ranges for Queensland and Commonwealth Charges
Queensland charges under the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld): Commonwealth charges under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth): The maximum penalties in this area are substantial, and the tier of charge laid often depends on what the prosecution alleges you gained — or what damage resulted. s 408E(1) — computer misuse (basic). Up to 2 years maximum. s 408E(2) — computer misuse causing detriment or…
The Collateral Consequences Can Outlast the Sentence
For many people charged with a computer offence, the sentence imposed by the court is not the most damaging outcome — the collateral consequences are. Most regulated professions require disclosure of any criminal charge involving dishonesty or unauthorised access. In health, law, finance, education and government roles, a conviction can trigger licence suspension or loss before the matter is even…
What Changes the Outcome
Whether the access was actually "unauthorised." Many matters involve people who had some form of access — work credentials, shared accounts, passwords they were once given. The prosecution's case on the authorisation element needs to be tested carefully. Whether Queensland or Commonwealth charges are laid. The two frameworks carry different maximum penalties, operate in different courts, and…
What Sacha Focuses On
The authorisation question is examined first. A significant number of computer offence matters involve people who held legitimate access at some point — a former employee with active credentials, a partner with a shared device, someone who was given login details in a different context. The prosecution still has to prove the access was without authorisation at the time it occurred. That element is…
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I accessed my ex's email account — is that a crime? Yes. Accessing any account without the account holder's consent is unauthorised access. The relationship between the parties is not a defence. Depending on the circumstances, charges can be laid under s 408E(1) of the Queensland Criminal Code or s 478.1 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code , or both. Can I be charged under both Queensland and…