Fraud Lawyer Cairns — Fixed Fee
$3,200 — Fixed Fee
Fixed Fees: Fraud / dishonesty offence plea — Cairns Magistrates Court — $3,200; Complex fraud plea — Cairns Magistrates Court — $7,500. Covers: initial consultation, review of the prosecution brief, charge and facts negotiation, sentencing submissions, restitution coordination where relevant, and court appearance. No hidden fees. One invoice. All fees +10% GST.
What Is Included
Initial consultation to review your charge, the alleged conduct, and the prosecution brief Advice on the likely penalty range and realistic outcomes for your specific matter Review of the prosecution's financial evidence and any alleged loss figures Advice on whether the charge or the facts alleged can be negotiated with the prosecution Preparation of written sentencing submissions tailored to your circumstances Coordination of character references and, where appropriate, restitution proposals Full appearance by Sacha at your sentencing hearing Post-sentence advice on any conviction recorded, conditions imposed, and professional disclosure obligations Simple fraud ($3,200): Single count, single alleged transaction, clear facts. Complex fraud ($7,500): Multiple counts, large alleged amounts, multiple complainants, financial investigation brief, or Commonwealth charges. See Complex Fraud Cairns for the full complex fraud page.
What Fraud and Dishonesty Offences Cover
Fraud and dishonesty charges in Queensland arise under the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld) and, in some cases, federal legislation. The category covers a wide range of alleged conduct: Fraud under section 408C of the Criminal Code — dishonestly obtaining a benefit or causing a detriment by a false representation, by failing to disclose information, or by other dishonest conduct Obtaining property by false pretences Stealing by employee or stealing from an employer Identity fraud and false instrument offences Centrelink, Medicare, and ATO fraud — prosecuted under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) with different sentencing options Money laundering and proceeds of crime offences Corporate fraud and business-related dishonesty offences The charge and the court that deals with it depend on the amount alleged, the number of counts, and whether the matter is a Queensland or Commonwealth prosecution.
Why Fraud Convictions Have Serious Consequences
A conviction for a dishonesty offence carries consequences beyond the sentence imposed by the court. For many people facing a fraud charge, the impact on employment, professional registration, and reputation is the primary concern. Employment and professional registration. A conviction for a dishonesty offence triggers mandatory disclosure and often mandatory disqualification in regulated industries — law, finance, accounting, health, education, real estate, and government employment. Sacha will advise at the first consultation on the specific obligations and consequences for your profession. Immigration status. For visa holders, a fraud conviction can have serious immigration consequences including visa cancellation and removal. If you are not a permanent resident or citizen, this must be addressed at the earliest stage of the matter. Security clearances. A dishonesty conviction is one of the most significant factors assessed in security clearance decisions. If your employment involves a clearance, Sacha will advise on the implications.
What Changes the Outcome
The amount alleged. Sentencing for fraud is heavily influenced by the total amount involved and the period over which the conduct occurred. Challenging the prosecution's figures — where the alleged loss is disputed or overstated — is a legitimate and often productive strategy. Sacha reviews the financial evidence in the brief and advise on whether the figures are contestable. The nature of the conduct. A single impulsive act of dishonesty in difficult personal circumstances is treated differently from a sustained, planned course of conduct. The court considers the degree of planning, the period of offending, and whether a position of trust was exploited. Restitution. Where money has been repaid — in full or in part — before the sentencing hearing, that is a significant mitigating factor. It demonstrates genuine remorse and reduces the harm caused. Sacha will advise on the practical and legal aspects of making restitution and how to present it before the court. Your personal circumstances. Employment pressures, financial hardship, mental health, and personal circumstances at the time of the offence are relevant to how the court assesses culpability. Sacha prepares submissions that place this material before the court in the most effective way. Whether a conviction should be recorded. The Magistrates Court has discretion under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld) to deal with a matter without recording a conviction in appropriate circumstances. For a first offence involving a modest amount with genuine mitigating factors and restitution, this is a realistic outcome. Sacha will advise honestly on whether it applies in your case.
What Sacha Focuses On
The prosecution's financial brief is reviewed in detail — the alleged amounts, the basis for the figures, and whether they are supported by the evidence. Where the facts are disputed or the alleged loss is overstated, Sacha addresses that before the plea is entered. For plea matters, the sentencing submissions address your specific circumstances, the nature and scale of the offending, the steps taken since the charge, and any restitution made. Where the professional consequences of a conviction are significant, the submissions address those directly and make the case for the exercise of the court's discretion.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will I lose my job or professional licence? A dishonesty conviction triggers disclosure and often disqualification obligations in many regulated industries. The specific consequences depend on your profession and your employer. Sacha will advise on what applies in your situation at the first consultation — before the matter is resolved, not after. Can I challenge the amount the prosecution alleges I took? Yes. The prosecution's figures are evidence and can be challenged. Where the alleged loss is disputed, overstated, or not supported by the financial evidence, Sacha will identify that and advise on how to address it. Reducing the alleged amount can significantly affect the sentencing range. What if I have made partial repayment already? Partial repayment is a mitigating factor. Full repayment before sentence is a significant mitigating factor. Sacha will advise on how to document and present any repayment made, and on whether further repayment before the hearing is worth considering. Do federal fraud charges work differently? Yes. Centrelink, Medicare, and ATO fraud charges proceed under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) rather than Queensland law. The sentencing framework and available options differ. Sacha will advise on the specific framework that applies to your charge at the first consultation. What if the fraud involved a family member or employer? Fraud committed against an employer or in a close personal relationship involves a breach of trust that is treated as an aggravating factor. However, these matters also involve circumstances — financial pressure, relationship dynamics, personal crisis — that are highly relevant to mitigation. Sacha will address both sides of that picture in the submissions. Is my matter simple or complex fraud? Simple fraud involves a single count, a single transaction, and a clear and limited factual picture. Complex fraud involves multiple counts, a significant alleged amount, multiple complainants, or a financial investigation brief that requires detailed analysis. If you are unsure which applies to your matter, call Civic Law and Sacha will assess it at the first consultation.