Results and News

Mr Sheehy recently secured an excellent outcome for a young client charged with reckless driving arising from allegations of dangerous “hooning” behaviour on a public oval, involving a passenger positioned on the bonnet of the vehicle.

Following targeted representations, the prosecution discontinued a more serious criminal damage charge. The client ultimately entered pleas to the remaining matters, with the Court imposing no penalty for the passenger-related offences and a short Good Behaviour Bond for the reckless driving charge. Importantly, a spent conviction order was granted for all offences.

This outcome avoided more serious consequences and reflects a considered and strategic approach to both negotiations and sentencing.

Mr Hofmann appeared in the Fremantle Magistrates Court in relation to a charge of failing to obey a move on order as directed by a police officer. Our client was fined $300 (suspended for a period of six months) and ordered to pay court costs. We were also sucessful in the application of a Spent Conviction.

We appeared for a client who was arrested in the Perth CBD after making ‘pig’ noises in the direction of nearby WA Police officers.

 The client was arrested, handcuffed, searched on multiple occasions — including a strip search — and held in custody. He was subsequently charged with providing false details and obstructing police.

 Mr Sheehy raised serious concerns with the Prosecution regarding the legality of the arrest and WA Police conduct and noted that the arresting officers had  not used their powers lawfully and proportionately.

 Following negotiations, the Prosecution discontinued the charges and the Court granted the client’s legal costs.

Our client represented by Mr Hofmann for a charge of no authority to drive, the client’s licence having been cancelled, was sentenced to the minimum fine and received a spent conviction.

Acting for a client, Mr Sheehy successfully secured the discontinuance of multiple serious charges under the Surveillance Devices Act 1998 (WA), together with a related stealing charge. On the eve of trial, following extensive preparation and robust discussions with police, the prosecution was discontinued for want of prosecution, with significant costs awarded in the client’s favour.

Acting for the accused, Mr  Sheehy successfully secured the dismissal of a charge under s 6(1)(b) of the Surveillance Devices Act 1998 (WA), alleging the visual recording of a private activity of a sexual nature. Following discussions with police and written representations on the client’s behalf, the prosecution was discontinued on the day of hearing. The charge was dismissed with costs awarded in the client’s favour.

Our client was charged with reckless driving and driving without authority following a serious crash. The client had recently accrued convictions arising from other similar incidents. After a plea of guilty, Mr Sheehy persuaded the Court to impose a modest fine, allowing the client to avoid both a Community Based Order and a potential term of imprisonment.

Our client was charged with stealing approximately $1,000 worth of retail products from a store. After entering a plea of guilty, Mr Sheehy persuaded the Court to impose a Conditional Release Order with a modest fine suspended on the condition that the client not commit further offences. The Court also granted a Spent Conviction Order, protect the client’s future employment opportunities.

Ms Dowling recently represented a client who had been charged with Dangerous Driving Causing GHB, Failure to Stop and Failure to Render Assistance.  Following negotiations, two of the client’s charges were discontinued and the remaining count amended to Careless Driving Causing GBH.  The client was sentenced to a fine of $4000 and disqualification of 12 months after Ms Dowling persuaded the Court that imprisonment was not appropriate. 

Mr Sheehy negotiated a favourable resolution for a client facing two stealing charges listed for trial in the Magistrates Court. Following negotiations, the prosecution agreed to substitute both charges with a single lesser offence of possessing stolen or unlawfully obtained property, with the facts amended to accurately reflect the circumstances. The client received a modest fine and court costs, and Mr Sheehy successfully secured a spent-conviction order. This was a highly favourable outcome achieved on the day of trial.

Our client was charged with aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm. After Ms Dowling provided the police with a plea offer, the charge was discontinued and our client was awarded costs in the sum of $4,900.

We negotiated our client’s original charge of assault occasioning bodily harm down to common assault. The Magistrate sentenced them to an $800 fine plus $156 costs.

A client charged with possession of child exploitation material received a 10‑month conditional suspended imprisonment order, suspended for 12 months, avoiding immediate imprisonment.

Client originally charged with aggravated home burglary, aggravated robbery and criminal damage pleaded guilty after negotiations to lesser offences — assault occasioning bodily harm, trespass and criminal damage — and was sentenced to a Community Based Order with a spent conviction.

Katherine Dowling represented the accused who entered a plea of guilty to one count of murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 20 years.

Ms Katherine Dowling represented a client charged with careless driving causing death and careless driving causing bodily harm. The court imposed a sentence of 11 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, and a 12-month driver’s licence suspension.

Client charged with behaving in an offensive manner on railway premises pleads guilty and receives a $400 fine and a spent conviction.

Ms Dowling represented client who was charged with possession of child exploitation material. Client was sentenced to 8 months immediate imprisonment suspended for 12 months.