District Court Plea Lawyer Cairns — Fixed Fee
$12,000 — Fixed Fee
District Court plea — from $12,000 Covers : full review of the committal brief, conferences, negotiations with the Director of Public Prosecutions, sentencing submissions, and all court appearances from committal through to sentence. No hidden fees. One invoice. If you are contesting the charge, see District Court Trial for trial representation. If you need a standalone committal or a pre-trial application, those are available as separate fixed fees — Committal ($5,800) and Pre-Trial Application ($4,800) . All fees +10% GST.
- District Court plea — straightforward: $12,000
- District Court plea — complex / multi-count: $15,300
What Is Included
The plea fee covers the entire process from committal to sentence: Full review of the committal brief and all prosecution material Conferences with you to prepare for the plea, understand the facts, and identify the mitigating material Negotiations with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on charges, the statement of agreed facts, and the basis of plea Preparation of written sentencing submissions, character references, and any expert or medical reports Coordination of all supporting material — psychological reports, employment evidence, rehabilitation material Full appearance at arraignment and at the sentencing hearing Post-sentence advice on the outcome, parole eligibility, and any appeal options The committal process is included in the plea fee. You do not need to engage separately for the committal if you are pleading guilty.
Straightforward vs Complex — Which Fee Applies
The $12,000 fee reflects a straightforward single-count plea — a clear set of facts, limited disputed material, and a sentencing hearing that proceeds in a day. The $15,300 fee applies to complex matters: Multiple counts on the indictment Contested facts at sentence requiring a Newton hearing Voluminous prosecution briefs requiring extensive review Extensive DPP negotiations on charges or the statement of agreed facts Matters involving significant coordination of expert evidence — psychological, psychiatric, or medical If there is any question about which fee applies, Sacha will tell you after reviewing the brief — before any fee is confirmed. You will never be moved from the lower fee to the higher one without a conversation explaining why.
How an Indictable Plea Works
Once a matter has been committed from the Magistrates Court to the District Court, the process moves through several stages. Arraignment. You are brought before a District Court judge and formally asked how you plead to the indictment. For a plea of guilty, this is typically a short procedural appearance. The matter is then listed for a sentencing hearing. Case management. Between arraignment and sentence, outstanding matters are resolved — the basis of plea is agreed with the DPP, supporting material is prepared, and any contested issues in the facts are identified and dealt with. This stage is where much of the substantive work happens. Negotiating the statement of agreed facts and the basis on which the plea proceeds can significantly affect the sentencing range. Sentencing hearing. The prosecution opens the facts and tenders its material — the agreed facts, victim impact statements where relevant, and any prior criminal history. The defence tenders character references, reports, and other supporting material, and makes oral and written submissions on sentence. The judge then imposes sentence — often on the day. Negotiations with the DPP. Before a District Court plea proceeds, there is almost always scope to negotiate with the DPP on the charges and the agreed facts. The statement of agreed facts is the document the sentencing judge reads — it frames the offending and shapes the sentencing range. Getting the facts right matters as much as the submissions made at the hearing. Where charges can be reduced or withdrawn, Sacha pursues that before the arraignment. Where the DPP's characterisation of the facts is broader than the evidence supports, Sacha identifies that and negotiates a more accurate statement. These negotiations do not always succeed, but they are always attempted.
When a Barrister Is Involved
For most District Court pleas, Sacha appears as the sole advocate. A barrister is the exception, not the rule, at plea. A barrister may be recommended where: The matter involves a Newton hearing — a contested hearing on the facts at sentence — and having dedicated trial counsel provides a tactical advantage The charges carry a substantial maximum penalty and the sentencing submissions are unusually complex Co-accused are involved and separate representation is required If Sacha recommends briefing counsel, she will explain why, what the additional cost will be, and who the recommended barrister is. You will never discover a barrister's invoice after the fact. How Barrister Fees Work Barrister fees are separate from the solicitor's fee. They are structured as a brief fee (a lump sum covering preparation and the hearing) and a daily refresher for each additional day. Brief fees for criminal pleas in the District Court typically range from $3,000 to $8,000 depending on complexity. Before any brief is delivered, you will receive a clear breakdown of the barrister's fees and the solicitor's fees. The combined total is agreed before the work begins.
What Sacha Focuses On
District Court pleas require more preparation than Magistrates Court matters. The brief is larger, the stakes are higher, and the sentencing judge expects complete and well-organised submissions. Sacha reviews the full brief before any advice is given on plea. Where the prosecution's version of events is broader than the evidence supports, she identifies it early and negotiates a more accurate statement of agreed facts with the DPP. The statement of agreed facts is the document the sentencing judge reads — it is the single most important document at a plea, and getting it right is non-negotiable. Where an expert report — psychological, psychiatric, or otherwise — would assist the court's understanding of your circumstances, Sacha identifies that early and arranges it with enough time to be properly prepared and tendered. Written sentencing submissions are prepared in every matter. They address the offence, your circumstances, the relevant sentencing principles, and the comparable sentences. They are specific to you — not a template with your name inserted.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I avoid imprisonment? Sentencing outcomes depend on the offence, your criminal history, the circumstances, and the quality of the material placed before the court. Some District Court matters — first offenders, limited culpability, strong mitigating material — result in non-custodial sentences. Others do not. Sacha will give you an honest assessment of the likely range at the first conference, not an optimistic one. What is a Newton hearing? Where the prosecution and defence cannot agree on the facts — and the disputed facts would materially affect the sentence — the judge holds a Newton hearing to determine the facts. It is a sentencing hearing, not a full trial, but witnesses are called and evidence is tested. Sacha will advise if a Newton hearing is likely in your matter and what it means for the process. What is a basis of plea? A basis of plea is a document agreed between the defence and the DPP that sets out the factual basis on which the guilty plea proceeds. It is distinct from the police summary. Negotiating a basis of plea that accurately reflects your role and circumstances — rather than the prosecution's most adverse version of events — can significantly affect the sentencing outcome. Is the committal included in the plea fee? Yes. The committal process is included in the plea fee ($12,000 or $15,300). You do not need to engage separately for the committal if you are pleading guilty. The standalone committal fee ($5,800) applies only to matters headed to trial. How long does a District Court plea take from committal to sentence? Typically several months, depending on the complexity of the matter, the availability of supporting material, and the court's listing schedule. Sacha will give you a realistic timeline at the first conference. Can I appeal the sentence imposed? Yes. A sentence imposed by the District Court can be appealed to the Court of Appeal. There is a 1-month time limit from the date of sentence. See Criminal Appeals — Fixed Fee . What is the difference between the District Court and the Supreme Court? The District Court handles serious indictable offences below the threshold of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court handles murder, manslaughter, and the most serious drug trafficking matters. Most indictable matters — robbery, sexual offences, serious assault, fraud — are dealt with in the District Court.