Criminal Lawyers Townsville QLD
Criminal Defence for
Townsville, Mount Isa
and Gulf Regions
Experienced Criminal Lawyers Townsville
24/7 Crime Line 0418 762 728
When it comes to criminal law, it is vital you retain an experienced criminal defence lawyers in Townsville. Anderson Telford has practiced as a criminal lawyer for more than 25 years.
Choosing the correct criminal lawyer to represent you will have a significant positive impact on your future. Whether charged with a minor traffic offence, a drug related offence or an offence of violence – our firm will be able to assist with your representation.
Are you in need of a law firm to defend you against criminal charges? Call Anderson Telford Lawyers (ATL). Our firm has been proudly serving clients in Townsville and Mount Isa since 2000.
We have a
crime line open 24/7, and our compassionate team are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Our Criminal Lawyers Help With Legal Matters:
Principal defence lawyer Anderson Telford
leads the dedicated ATL
team of lawyers. He has more than 25 years' experience in this field with proven results in
criminal defence matters in Townsville, Mount Isa and surrounding areas.
Once a call is received through the office or
24/7 Crime Line, our experienced
Criminal lawyers in Mt Isa and in Townsville will assess your case and advise you of the best way to proceed.
What To Do When You Are Charged With Criminal Offence? - Know Your Rights
People have
the right to refuse to answer police questions.
All you are obliged to provide to police is your name, address and date of birth. If police suspect you have committed a traffic offence or you have been in an accident, they can also require you to provide your driver licence information.
No negative inference can be drawn from you exercising
your right to silence and cannot later be used as evidence of your guilt.
You should also be given the opportunity to
call a lawyer for some advice or to arrange for them to attend while you are questioned. Police must delay questioning for a reasonable time to allow your lawyer to arrive.
Our Criminal Lawyers Can Help With Defence Services
Under the QLD criminal code, a person convicted of Murder faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. Notably, there is a significant difference between manslaughter and murder. Such difference is reflected in any sentence imposed by the court.
The unlawful taking of a life is at the peak of criminal offences and can result in an extremely lengthy term of incarceration. The ATL team has in the past successfully defended clients in this category.
Possession, supply, production and trafficking in dangerous drugs are the main offences under the Drugs Misuse Act 1986 and they all carry heavy penalties. ATL can provide professional legal advice and representation on these matters.
ATL represents clients charged with minor drug possession, right through to the most serious drug offences, drug trafficking.
QLD Courts have progressively implemented more harsh and more significant penalties for those who are convicted of serious assaults and offences of violence.
It is important to seek immediate legal advice should you be charged with any offence of this nature.

Types of assault are manyfold and include common assault, assault occasioning bodily harm or grievous bodily harm and assault or obstruction of a police officer while performing their duties. The ATL team is experienced in all these situations and is only a phone call away.
These can range from indecent acts and sexual assault to the more serious charge of rape. It is a complex and difficult area of the law. In the first instance, contact ATL for sound advice and solid representation.
Robbery and theft differ by way of definition. Theft when accompanied by violence becomes robbery. The ATL team is well versed in defending clients charged with these offences.
Queensland traffic laws mandate a wide range of penalties ranging from significant fines, to licence disqualifications and, in some circumstances terms of imprisonment.
Unlicensed driving, driving whilst disqualified, speeding, drug and drink driving, and reckless or dangerous driving all fall into this category. Expect a solid defence to be mounted by ATL.
Occurs when one person in a relationship is alleged to have physically, sexually or emotionally controlled or dominated the second person and caused fear. The ATL team is experienced with the relevant Act and has achieved considerable defence success in this area.
The Weapons Act requires a licence be held to possess an approved firearm. If unlicensed, you can be charged even if the weapon is inoperable at the time. ATL has specialists in this area.
For Legal Advice on any Criminal Law Matter — Call ATL Now!
If you believe that police may want to speak to you about any offence or you find yourself under arrest, seek legal advice.
For serious offences, the police will offer you the opportunity to call a friend, relative or lawyer. If you asked by police if you want to contact a lawyer, your answer should always be “YES”.
Our team at Anderson Telford Lawyers are highly experienced in all criminal matters and our Crime Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
When speaking with the police you are required to provide personal details including your name, date of birth and contact details but you do not have to answer any questions or provide statements without the presence of your legal representation.
What is Criminal Law? - Introduction To Queensland Criminal Law
Fundamentally criminal law in Queensland is a complex and diverse body of laws that are woven together using a complex blend of legislation and the interpretation of that legislation by the courts.
Criminal offences cover a huge range of offences that can be broken into two distinct categories:
- General criminal offences and
- Traffic offences.
These offences are broken down into two categories of severity
- Simple offences which are generally minor offences and
- Indictable offences which are more serious.
Traffic offences are generally simple offences, but many people underestimate the impact traffic offences can have upon their lives. A large number of people each year are imprisoned or suffer significant detriment due to traffic offences because they don’t take them seriously enough and try to either represent themselves or rely on poor or ill-informed legal advice.
Our Guide To Criminal Offences in Queensland can provide further information on criminal law.
What Can A Criminal Lawyer Do For You?
There are many things that our Solicitors can do for you, even for simple offences. Being prosecuted for any offence can be stressful and our aim is to provide a service that reduces the impact being prosecuted will have on you and your family by providing clear explanations through proper communication, quality representation before the courts to arrive at the best outcome for you that we can.
First Contact With Police
If you are contacted by police and asked to attend a police station, we recommend that you contact us immediately. Often by involving a lawyer early, we can arrange appointments, obtain preliminary information and provide early advice to either avoid arrest or inquire and negotiate how the interaction is going to proceed before it happens.
Consulting with your lawyer before taking any other step is the best way to maximise your chance of a positive outcome. That is why ATL has established a 24/7 crime line 0418 762 728 and urges its clients to freely use it, any time of the day or night.
Criminal Law FAQs
How much experience do you have in practicing in a Magistrates Court?
The principal of the term, Anderson Telford was admitted as a solicitor in 1994 and has practiced exclusively in criminal jurisdiction.
Can you provide details on the jurisdictions in Queensland you or your lawyers have appeared in?
We have appeared in all jurisdictions including the Magistrates Court, District Court, Supreme Court of Queensland and The High Court of Australia.
What other areas of criminal law do you provide services for?
Whilst this website is designed to provide you with information on commonly encountered provisions with respect to Queensland Criminal law, there are many other situations including liquor and gaming regulation, workplace health and safety, environmental and development laws among others that may lead to investigations and prosecutions by various other agencies. Should you find yourself the subject of any investigation of any kind, contact us and we can arrange for you to be provided advice no matter how complex your situation might be.
Our locations
Request Consultation
Site Links
Locations
Our Defence Services
Other Legal
Opening Hours
- Mon - Fri
- -
- Sat - Sun
- Closed
24/7 Crimeline
ABN: 14094089013
Awarded member of QLD Law Society
