An insight into criminal law from our principal solicitor.
When people learn that I do criminal law, they often make a joke along the lines of, "oh so you keep the criminals ON the streets!" I politely laugh (haha yes exactly! What an astute and accurate observation!) but really, I want to say something along the following lines... I help to keep the people deserving of a second chance on the streets. Granted, there are clients I represent who belong in prison and there is no alternative, but they are few and far between. The majority are kind, genuine and reasonable people who have ended up in Court due to one bad decision. It's the client who waits until the next day to drive but is still over the limit, it's the client who defends himself in a pub fight but hits the other person a little too hard, it's the client whose friends encourage him to buy drugs at a nightclub, it's the client who suffers from complex mental health issues or drug and alcohol abuse, it's the client who lashes out against her abuser after years of domestic violence. I have had countless clients who have never been in trouble with the police before, and they are terrified and confused and desperate for help. They are mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, grandparents, friends, and colleagues. It is our job as lawyers to listen to their story without judgment, and fight for the best outcome based on their unique circumstances. They should not be defined by one bad decision. #criminallaw #crime #criminallawyer #legalservices #newcastle #portstephens