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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.
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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."
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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...
Crime and Corruption Commission
The Crime and Corruption Act 2001 creates a body known as the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC), whose task is “to combat and reduce the incidence of major crime and to reduce the incidence of corruption in the public sector”.
The CCC has wide-ranging powers to investigate matters which fall within its ambit, whether because the case involves corruption in public office (the investigation and prosecution of which is a key responsibility of the CCC) or because a secondary body, known as the Crime Reference Committee, asks it to investigate a particular matter.
Once the CCC becomes involved in an investigation it is empowered to exercise some unique powers, including compulsory secret (that is, not open to the public) examinations which a person can be required to attend and at which they must answer questions on oath.
In most circumstances, when a person is subjected to an overt CCC investigation they are entitled to obtain legal advice and/or be legally represented (in the case of, for example, a compulsory hearing). The CCC also has a range of covert investigative powers which, naturally, do not carry any entitlement to legal representation because of their secretive nature.
This part of our website outlines the major powers that the CCC can, and commonly does, exercise and the criminal penalties which can be imposed under them. If you have been spoken to by the CCC, and in particular if you are the subject of a requirement to produce a document or attend a hearing, you should consult an experienced criminal lawyer before you say or do anything.
Compulsory Hearings
Compulsory hearings are governed by the Act. The Crime and Corruption Commission (“CCC”) may authorise the holding of a hearing in relation to any matter relevant to the performance of its functions.
Hearings are not open to the public unless the CCC considers it appropriate under certain criteria.
Who May be Present at Closed Hearings?
Section 179 of the Act states:
- The presiding officer conducting a closed hearing may give a direction about who may be present at the hearing.
- A person must not knowingly contravene a direction under subsection (1).
Maximum penalty – 85 penalty units or 1 year’s imprisonment.
Conduct of Hearings
Section 180 of the Act states:
- When conducting a hearing, the presiding officer:
- must act quickly, and with as little formality and technicality, as is consistent with a fair and proper consideration of the issues before the presiding officer; and
- is not bound by the rules of evidence; and
- may inform himself or herself of anything in the way he or she considers appropriate; and
- may decide the procedures to be followed for the hearing.
Legal Representation and Examination
A witness at a commission hearing may be legally represented. Witnesses may be examined, cross-examined and re-examined on any matter the presiding officer considers relevant.
Refusals
Refusing to comply with aspects of the hearing will result in the witness committing offences unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
Such offences are as follows:
- Refusal to take oath or affirmation – A person attending at a commission hearing to give sworn evidence must not fail to take an oath or affirmation when required by the presiding officer.
- Refusal to answer questions – A witness at a commission hearing must answer a question put to the person at the hearing by the presiding officer, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
- Refusal to produce – If a person is required to produce a stated document or thing, the person must bring the document or thing to the hearing, and, produce the document or thing.
The maximum penalties for each of the offences are 200 penalty units or 5 years imprisonment
Reasonable excuse is not defined under the Act but can include certain privileges such as self-incrimination.
Deciding claims:
Under section 194 of the Act, if a person claims to have a reasonable excuse for not complying with a requirement to answer a question or produce a document, the presiding officer will decide whether that claim is justified.
Notice to Produce
The CCC has the power to order a person to produce a particular document by serving that person with a “Notice to Produce”.
Section 74 of the Act governs the power of the CCC to serve a Notice to Produce in limited circumstances.
- This section applies only for:
- A crime investigation;
- A specific intelligence operation (crime);
- The witness protection function.
The Act requires the notice to state a “specific document or thing”, reducing the power of the CCC to conduct a fishing exercise by casting a wide net in the hope of finding incriminating material.
It also requires the chairperson to believe, on reasonable grounds, that the particular document is relevant to the investigation, operation or witness protection function. This places further demands on the chairperson to ensure the serving of the notice is relevant and required in the circumstances.
The maximum penalty for not complying with the Notice to Produce is 85 penalty units or 1 year imprisonment.
Possible defences for failing to comply with a notice to produce
Specific defences for non-compliance are provided in the following subsections.
(5) The person must comply with the Notice to Produce, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
(7) A person who fails to comply with a notice does not commit an offence if the document or thing is subject to privilege.
Which court will hear my matter?
This charge will ordinarily be heard and determined in a Magistrates, or Local Court, though on some rare occasions a charge will be brought before the Federal Court.
If you require legal advice or representation in any legal matter, please contact Armstrong Legal.
When a person in Queensland is charged with a criminal offence, they are given a first mention date in the…
A person may be described as a co-accused when they are one of two or more alleged offenders who have…
WHERE TO NEXT?
If you suspect that you may be under investigation, or if you have been charged with an offence, it is vital to get competent legal advice as early as possible. Our lawyers are highly specialised in criminal law and will be able to guide you through the process while dealing with the various authorities related to your matter.
WHY CHOOSE ARMSTRONG LEGAL?
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