Our criminal lawyers will help you get a fair hearing and resolve your issue quickly so you can get on with your life.
Jury trials
There are several different ways that you can structure your business. The most common business structures are:Many criminal cases are heard before a jury. Generally, these are indictable or serious offences that are heard in the County or Supreme Court. If you’re charged with a crime that is heard before a Magistrate (often called a summary offence) you won’t have a jury trial.
A jury trial involves 12 people from the community listening to all the evidence and making a decision about whether you’re guilty or not. There are many complex rules about who can serve on a jury, how juries are selected and whether you can ask for someone not to be on a jury.
Appeals
If you’ve been found guilty of a criminal offence, you may be able to appeal the conviction. When you appeal a conviction, it means that a higher court reviews the decision of a lower court.
In Victoria, there are three main courts. The lowest court is the Magistrates Court, then the County Court and then the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in Victoria. In some circumstances you may be able to appeal to the High Court which is the highest court in Australia.
You may be able to appeal:
- The criminal conviction you’ve received; or
- The sentence or fine that the court has given you.
Appealing can be quite complicated and there are very specific rules about how long you have to appeal and what you can appeal. There are also risks involved with appealing your criminal conviction or sentence. While the higher court may remove your conviction or reduce your sentence, they may also increase your fine or sentence.
Why MNG Lawyers
Our lawyers have over 20 years experience helping people just like you. Facing a jury trial or appeal can be an emotional and stressful experience, so we take the time to listen to you, explain what your rights are in plain English and outline your options. We can represent you in court and help you get a fair hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In most circumstances, a higher court may choose not to hear your appeal. Generally, you need to be able to show a legal reason for appealing your conviction or sentence. Our lawyers will be able to give you advice about your appeal and help you complete all the necessary paperwork.
No. Juries generally hear the initial case but they aren’t involved in appeals.