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With a cramped time frame, she did in 3 days what another firm dilly-dallied for 7 months. Lisa kept me informed. Helena made me feel comfortable in a sticky situation.

- Client

I will definitely be using your company in the future if needed. Lisa kept me at ease also there were no grey areas with great advice. Helana is a great front of house.

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My legal matter concerning an application for a Domestic Violence Order was managed by Mr Thomas Allen. I am grateful for the outcome he obtained. Without Mr Allen and his ongoing support, I would be certain of a different result. It has been an extremely stressful period. Mr Allen’s astute ability to liaise on my behalf and his expertise was invaluable and for which I am grateful as I am now able to move forward. Thanking you

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank Armstrong Legal and specifically Mr Thomas Allen for representing me in my recent case. At the outset, I would like to thank Mr Allen for the very professional delivery of his legal service. From the first time that I met Mr Allen, I was very impressed with his demeanour and delivery as he made me feel at ease knowing the severity of my case. Mr Allen not only gave me the possible positive outcomes of the case but also the realisation of the worst-case scenario as far as sentencing goes. … I will certainly be recommending Armstrong Legal to any of my friends or family needing representation in criminal matters. Thank you so very much.

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Thank you for your representation and help. Fingers crossed for the next step and parole. I just want to say that from the first phone call to your office, your service has been outstanding and have put my mind at ease. I am glad I picked your number to ring.

- Client

Thank you Armstrong Legal, the lawyers that have helped over the past 3 years but more importantly, thank you to Thomas Allen for the major part you and Mr Buckland played. Cannot thank you enough. Cheers.

- Client

Hi all. I would like to thank Ms Lisa Riley for all her help with my legal issues this past month. It was the most harrowing experience of my life and thanks to her expertise, professionalism and knowledge of the law, I came out almost unscathed. I have no hesitation in recommending Lisa Riley and Armstrong Legal if you need help. The service is amazing and the cost was very minimal for the great outcome. Thank you Lisa for helping me in the most difficult time.

- Client

I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. My whole life I was thrown away, you made me feel like I did mean something. I could not have asked for a better lawyer. Your compassion and love for your job is inspiring. Your upfront and honesty were muchly appreciated, you are a beautiful person. Thank you for not giving up on me and thank you for all the work you put in. I wish you all the best for the future and I will be recommending you to everyone I know. You're amazing!!!!

- Client

I just wanted to thank you for representing me on Monday, I was overjoyed & relieved with the outcome. I don’t think it could have gone any better. All the best, I hope you got to celebrate this one instead after work, you forever made a difference in my life.

I know I thanked you before we parted company but please allow me to reiterate in writing my sincere deepest thanks for defending me in court today. … Armstrong Legal certainly has a great Lawyer you are a credit to the company and I'm quite sure you will secure a very successful future! … My Kindest Regards and Thanks

- Client

Throughout Angela has been the consummate professional. She maintained a calm, yet strong demeanour remained informative and completely open in her communication and took complete ownership of the situation. We felt confident we finally had an advocate to steer us out of the nightmare we were in, and she did so with great respect and sincerity. I cannot speak more highly of Angela. She has literally rescued our family from what looked very much like a hopeless future.

- Client

Words can’t describe how grateful I am to Trudie Cameron being my solicitor and to Andrew Tiedt presenting my case in the court. They both have been very supportive and amazingly professional and effective. I’ve got an absolutely fantastic outcome I couldn’t even dream about.

- Client

Soon after meeting Andrew I knew he was the solicitor I wanted to handle my matter. He immediately sprang into action which brought me stability and hope during a tumultuous time in my life. Andrew was never afraid to give me straight answers to my tough questions which is a true mark of integrity. He is clearly at ease in the court environment and I believe his calm and measured demeanour went a long way to helping me secure the best result from my day in court. I would certainly recommend you approach Andrew if you need assistance.

- Client

"Andrew Tiedt was very professional and considerate to personal circumstances and gave sound advice that resulted in the best outcome possible. Highly recommended."

This article was written by Michelle Makela - Legal Practice Director

Michelle has over 15 years experience in the legal industry, working across commercial litigation, criminal law, family law and estate planning. Michelle has been involved in all practice areas of the firm and in her personal practice has had experience in litigation at all levels (state and federal industrial tribunals, the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, Federal...

Deferred Sentence Orders

A Deferred Sentence Order can be imposed by the court if it wants to give an offender a chance to address their criminal behaviour, and the factors contributing to it, before being sentenced.

Definition

Section 27 of the Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005 provides for the making of a Deferred Sentence Order. The order requires the offender to appear in court at a certain time and place to be sentenced. An order can be made if:

an offender has been convicted or found guilty of an offence punishable by imprisonment; and
the offender has not been sentenced; and
the offender is neither serving, nor liable to serve, a prison term for another offence; and
the court considers the offender should be allowed to address their criminal behaviour, and contributing factors, before sentencing; and
the offender can be released on bail under the Bail Act 1992.

The maximum period of the order is 12 months, and the order can include conditions such as drug and alcohol testing, and non-association conditions. Under a Deferred Sentence Order, the court must release the offender on bail.

Eligibility for Deferred Sentence Order

Section 116 of the Act provides that the court must not make a Deferred Sentence Order unless it considers that:

releasing the offender on bail would allow the offender to address his or her criminal behaviour and anything that has contributed to the behaviour; and
if the offender were to comply with the order, and any bail conditions, the court might not impose as severe a sentence for the offence.

Suitability for Deferred Sentence Order

Section 117 of the Act provides that in deciding whether to make a Deferred Sentence Order, the court must consider:

any pre-sentence report about the offender;
any evidence given by the person who prepared a pre-sentence report for the offender;
any evidence given by a Corrections officer about the offender.

The court must record reasons for its decision to make a Deferred Sentence Order if:

any pre-sentence report recommends that the offender is suitable but the court decides not to make an order; or
any pre-sentence report recommends that the offender is not suitable but the Court decides to make the order.

However, failure to give reasons will not invalidate a Deferred Sentence Order.

Will I get an indication of my sentence?

Yes. Section 118 of the Act provides that if the court makes a Deferred Sentence Order, the court must state, in general terms:

the penalty that the offender might receive if the offender complies with the order and any bail conditions; and
the penalty that the offender might receive if the offender does not comply with the order or a bail condition.

Explanation and official notice

If the Court makes a Deferred Sentence Order, the Court must ensure that reasonable steps are taken to explain clearly to the offender:

the nature and conditions of the order and the offender’s bail;
the offender’s obligations; and
the consequences if the offender breaches the obligations.

Duration of order

A Deferred Sentence Order must not state a sentencing time that is more than 12 months after the day the order is made. A deferred sentence order starts on the day it is made and ends at the sentencing time or earlier if cancelled by the court under its powers of review.

What happens if I breach the order?

Section 124 of the Act provides that a police officer can arrest an offender suspected of breaching an order. The police officer must bring the offender before the sentencing court, or, if it is not sitting, a magistrate. Section 125 provides that the judge or magistrate can issue a warrant for the offender’s arrest if a breach is suspected.

Court can review order

The sentencing court can review the offender’s Deferred Sentence Order and/or bail at any time. This can be done on the court’s own initiative, or on application by the offender, Corrections or the Department of Public Prosecution. Written notice of a proposed review must be given to all parties, and it must set out the reasons for the review, and the time and place of the review.

Court’s powers on review – amendment and cancellation

After reviewing the offender’s Deferred Sentence Order, the sentencing Court can:

take no action;
warn the offender about the need to comply with obligations of the order (including any bail conditions);
amend any conditions;
cancel the order.

If the court amends the conditions of a Deferred Sentence Order, or cancels the order, it must record its reasons for the decision. Bail is automatically revoked on the making of the cancellation order and the court must sentence the offender for all offences.

For advice or representation in any legal matter, please contact Armstrong Legal.

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