Speak Directly To a Lawyer Now

1300 038 223
Open 7am - Midnight, 7 days
Or have our lawyers call you:
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Defences


When a person pleads not guilty to a criminal offence, they must advance a defence. This may be a legal defence, such as self-defence or mental illness, or a factual defence, such as the existence of an alibi or arguing that the accused was mistakenly identified.

In order for a person to be found guilty of a criminal offence, the prosecution must prove them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  However, when the defence raises certain defences, the burden of proof is shifted. For instance, when the defence advances the defence of insanity, it bears the burden of proving that the defence applies. If a court is not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that a defence does not apply, it must find the accused not guilty.

This section of the site contains information on criminal defences in Queensland.

Legal Hotline
Open 7am - Midnight, 7 Days
Call 1300 038 223