Burglary · robbery · wilful damage
Property, burglary & robbery
Property offences span minor wilful damage to armed robbery, which carries life imprisonment. Identity, intent and the circumstances of aggravation decide where a case lands — and there is real room to move on each.
Burglary and robbery are serious indictable offences. Burglary carries up to 14 years, and life with circumstances of aggravation; robbery reaches life where a weapon is used or the offence is committed in company. Wilful damage and lesser property matters are usually finalised in the Magistrates Court.
These cases frequently turn on identification — CCTV, DNA and eyewitness accounts — and on whether the aggravating circumstances the Crown alleges are actually made out. Reducing a charge from its aggravated form can change the outcome dramatically.
The charges — and what they carry
Figures are statutory maximums under Queensland law. Actual sentences are usually far lower — get advice about your matter.
Defences we run
- Identification is mistaken or the forensic link is weak
- The circumstances of aggravation are not made out
- No intent to steal or to cause damage
- Duress or acting under the influence of another
How we defend you
- We scrutinise the identification, CCTV and forensic evidence closely.
- We push to strip out aggravating circumstances that carry the heaviest exposure.
- For young and first offenders we pursue diversion and restorative outcomes.
Questions people ask
The charge says 'aggravated' — what does that add?
Circumstances of aggravation, such as being armed or in company, sharply increase the maximum penalty. Contesting whether they are made out is often the single most important part of the defence.
My co-accused says it was my idea — what happens?
Co-accused accounts are common and are frequently unreliable or self-serving. We test that evidence hard, and duress or acting under another's influence can be relevant to both liability and sentence.