Stealing & Theft Lawyer —
Cairns & Far North Queensland — Fixed Fee
$2,100 — Fixed Fee
Fixed Fees: Stealing or shoplifting plea — Cairns Magistrates Court — $2,100 fixed Theft from employer, higher-value property, aggravated circumstances, or where imprisonment is a real prospect — $4,800 fixed Covers : initial consultation, review of the prosecution brief and QP9, advice on charge and facts, sentencing submissions, character reference guidance, court appearance, and post-sentence advice. No hidden fees. One invoice. Additional mentions after the first adjournment are $950 each.…
What Is Included
Initial consultation to review your charge, the prosecution brief, and the circumstances of the alleged offence Honest advice on the likely penalty range and the realistic outcomes for your specific charge Review of any CCTV, surveillance footage, or witness statements in the brief Advice on whether the charge or the alleged facts can be negotiated with the prosecution Preparation of written…
What You Are Actually Facing
A theft or dishonesty conviction follows you in ways that go beyond the sentence imposed in court. Employment checks, professional registration, working with children clearances, and immigration assessments all turn on criminal history. For many people facing a stealing charge, the criminal record consequence is a bigger concern than the penalty itself. The most important question in many stealing…
The Offences
Stealing — ss 391 and 398 Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld) Stealing is defined under section 391 as fraudulently taking anything capable of being stolen, or fraudulently converting it to your own or another person's use, without the owner's consent and with the intention of permanently depriving them of it. The maximum penalty under section 398 is 5 years imprisonment in most cases. That increases to…
What Changes the Outcome
The sentencing range across these offences is wide. The factors that determine where your matter sits are the ones Sacha works with before the hearing. The value of the property. Courts apply a sliding scale — a $200 theft from a supermarket is treated differently from a $15,000 theft from an employer. Where the alleged value is disputed or overstated, there is scope to address that before…
What Sacha Focuses On
The prosecution brief — including any CCTV, witness statements, and the QP9 — is reviewed before any submission is prepared. Where the evidence has weaknesses, they are identified early. Where the prosecution's version of the facts is overstated or contestable, Sacha addresses that before the plea is entered and, where appropriate, make representations to the prosecution. For plea matters, the…
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will I get a criminal record for shoplifting? Not automatically. For first offenders and lower-value matters, a section 12 order — guilty finding, no conviction recorded — is a realistic outcome in the Cairns Magistrates Court with the right submissions. Whether it applies in your case depends on your history, the facts, and how the matter is presented. Sacha will give you an honest assessment at…