Summary Offences
In Queensland the Summary Offences Act 2005 creates a range of offences which are generally designed to maintain good order in the community, most particularly in public spaces. Despite the title of the Act, some of the offences contained in it are serious and carry a maximum penalty of imprisonment upon conviction.
On this page you will find information about the most common summary offences which people are charged with, including the ways in which some offenders, in particular first-time offenders, can avoid a conviction being recorded against them.
If you have been charged with one of these summary offences, you should obtain legal advice and representation as a matter of priority. In some cases, if representation is obtained early on, it is possible to negotiate with the police to reduce the charge and, sometimes, to convert the court proceeding to a simple infringement notice (a “ticket”).
