Have you been charged with a dishonesty offence?

Contact Woods & Co Lawyers in Adelaide

Use our experience! We can help with serious large scale fraud or a minor shop theft.

At Woods & Co Lawyers, we are experienced in dealing with all sorts of dishonesty offences. You may be feeling embarrassed and charged with a minor shoplifting offence. We can help you realise you are not alone and assist you through the process. Alternatively, we have also assisted defendants charged with fraud and dishonesty offences where the allegations involve millions of dollars.

Dishonesty offences cover a wide variety of matters. Theft, Receiving, Robbery, Money laundering, Dishonestly dealing with documents, Blackmail, Commonwealth fraud, Abuse of public office, computer fraud, Dealing with instruments of crime, Deception, Identity theft, and many others.

We are also very experienced in handling Commonwealth Fraud including Taxation offences, Social Security Fraud, and Corporate Fraud.

We have the resources and experience to handle large complex matters. We appear in Adelaide and all courts in South Australia. We deal with all matters respectfully.

Obtaining legal advice at an early stage is important. Criminal Assets Confiscation proceedings are often commenced in Dishonesty and Fraud matters.

We specialise in criminal law. Don’t call a lawyer who does your corporate work – call a criminal law expert.

We listen. We help. We deliver. We protect your rights.

For a dishonesty offence please use our experienced team in Adelaide.

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Frequently asked questions in relation to Dishonesty Offences.

What is dishonestly dealing with documents?

A document is false if it gives a misleading impression as to its validity or effect.

A person is guilty if they dishonestly engage in conduct.

Conduct includes;

creating a false document
falsifying a document
knowingly possessing a false document
producing or using a false document

If you deceive another person or exploit their ignorance or manipulate a machine to benefit yourself, another or to cause detriment then you may be guilty.

What are the penalties for dishonestly dealing with documents?

For a basic offence: 10 years imprisonment
For an aggravated offence: 15 years imprisonment

An offence is aggravated if it occurred under certain circumstances. These are listed in s 5AA in Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA). They include (but are not limited to) factors such as whether to offence was committed:

Against a victim under the age of 12 or over the age of 60
Against a victim who had a particular relationship with the offender (e.g., a child, spouse or domestic partner)
In association with a criminal organisation
Whilst the offender was in a position of authority or trust
Against a victim who was in a position of vulnerability because of physical disability or cognitive impairment.

What are the possible defences for dishonestly dealing with documents?

If the person does not act dishonestly, judged by the standards of ordinary people.
A lack of proof that the person engaged in the conduct defined
If a person has a legal or equitable right to the property then they may not act dishonestly
Suffers from a mental impairment

Experienced Criminal & Traffic Lawyers In Adelaide

Why Adelaide Clients Choose Woods & Co Lawyers

With more than 25 years of experience, we provide strategic and practical legal representation across criminal and traffic law matters in Adelaide. We listen carefully, explain your options clearly and work relentlessly to protect your rights in Adelaide.