Other
Charges

Immediately if:

• You're being investigated by police (even if not charged)

• You've been arrested or asked to attend a police interview

• You've received court documents

• You're considering pleading guilty to any charge

Why Early Action Matters:

• We can often prevent charges being filed

• Early engagement preserves critical evidence

While both Police Diversion and a Discharge Without Conviction can help you avoid a criminal record, they are very different processes with different requirements and outcomes.

Police Diversion

Police Diversion is an option offered directly by the Police for minor offences and is typically only available to first-time offenders. The key benefit is that it is handled entirely outside of the court system. If you complete the requirements set by the police (such as making a donation or writing an apology letter), the charge is completely withdrawn as if it never happened. Crucially, eligibility for Diversion is decided solely by the Police, not a judge.

Discharge Without Conviction

A Discharge Without Conviction is a formal outcome decided by a judge inside a courtroom. It is available for a much wider range of offences, including more serious charges, and can be an option regardless of your prior record. To receive a discharge, your lawyer must make a formal application and convince a judge that the consequences of a conviction would be out of all proportion to the gravity of the offence. If successful, the charge remains on your record, but no conviction is entered, which protects your future employment and travel opportunities.

We can help determine which of these options, if any, best suits your specific situation and advocate on your behalf.

While legally possible, we strongly advise against it because:

• The justice system is highly technical

• Prosecutors are trained to exploit self-represented defendants

• You may accidentally:

  • Waive important rights

  • Make damaging admissions

  • Miss critical deadlines

• Studies show represented defendants get better outcomes

Our Approach: We handle all legal complexities while keeping you informed at every step.

The time it takes to resolve a criminal case can vary significantly depending on the nature of the charge and the path it takes through the justice system. Below are some typical timelines.

A straightforward matter resolved with Police Diversion is often the quickest, typically taking 2-8 weeks. For cases involving a simple guilty plea, the process usually concludes within 1-3 court appearances.

An application for a Discharge Without Conviction generally takes longer, around 2-4 months, as it requires detailed submissions and a formal court hearing. More complex cases that proceed to a judge-alone defended hearing can take between 6-12 months to resolve. Cases requiring a jury trial are the longest, often taking 1-2 years from the initial charge to the final verdict.

Factors that can cause delays

It's important to note that these timelines can be affected by several factors. Delays can be caused by the overall complexity of the case , the need to obtain expert reports (such as medical or forensic evidence), or situations involving multiple defendants. Additionally, significant court backlogs can also extend the time it takes for a case to be heard.

For a more accurate estimate based on your specific circumstances, it's best to discuss the details of your case with us directly.