Sexual Offences Lawyer
Cairns & Far North Queensland
You have been charged with a sexual offence. You are scared, you may be ashamed, and you do not know who to tell or where to start. You may have spent a night in the watch-house. You may have bail conditions you do not fully understand. You may be worried about your name appearing in the media, about losing your job, and about what your family will think. Start by calling a lawyer. Everything you say is confidential. Sacha will give you an honest assessment of where your matter sits and what can be done — without judgment.
Types of Sexual Offences in Queensland
Sexual offence charges in Queensland range from matters that can be dealt with in the Magistrates Court through to charges carrying life imprisonment in the District Court. The charge you are facing determines which court your matter goes to, what bail looks like, and the range of possible outcomes. Serious Sexual Offences — District Court These are the most serious charges. They are strictly…
What to Do First
The decisions you make in the first days after being charged with a sexual offence shape the entire case. Getting these right is more important than anything that happens later. Exercise your right to silence If police want to interview you about a sexual offence allegation, you have the right to decline until you have spoken to a lawyer. Police interviews in sexual offence matters are detailed…
Consent — What the Law Says Now
Queensland's consent laws changed significantly on 23 September 2024 . If the alleged offence occurred after that date, the new laws apply. If it occurred before, the previous framework applies. The new law: affirmative consent Under the current law, consent means free and voluntary agreement . It is not enough that the other person did not say no — there must be a positive indication of…
Bail and Show Cause
Bail in sexual offence matters is more complex than in most other criminal cases. Whether you are released, and on what conditions, depends on the specific charge. Show cause offences If you are charged with an offence carrying life imprisonment — including rape, aggravated sexual assault, repeated sexual conduct with a child (section 229B), and others — the normal presumption in favour of bail is…
Protecting Your Identity — Non-Publication Orders
Court proceedings in Queensland are generally open to the public and the media. But sexual offence matters have specific protections that other criminal matters do not. Complainant identity is automatically protected The identity of the complainant in a sexual offence matter is protected by law. It is a criminal offence — carrying up to 2 years imprisonment or 100 penalty units — to publish any…
Sentencing for Sexual Offences
Sentencing for sexual offences operates under stricter rules than most other criminal matters. No "last resort" for prison The usual principle that imprisonment should only be a last resort does not apply to sexual offences involving violence or physical harm. The court can and does impose prison sentences for first offences where the charge is serious. Mandatory imprisonment for child offences If…
Fixed Fees
- Magistrates Court Plea — $5,500
- District Court Plea — $12,000
- District Court Trial (1–3 days) — $15,000–$25,000
- District Court Trial (4+ days) — $25,000–$50,000+
- Committal Hearing — $5,800
- Pre-Trial Application — $4,800
- Summary Contested Hearing — $5,500
- Show Cause Bail Application — $5,500
- Non-Publication Order — $3,300