When your freedom is at stake, don’t settle for anything less than the best
Our Expertise
Our expertise covers the full spectrum of criminal law. Over almost a decade, Zac Reinke has successfully assisted clients with:
- State and Commonwealth Drug Offences, including international drug trafficking
- Sexual Offences
- Offences involving Child Abuse
- Murder, Assault and Other Violent Offences
- Burglary and Robbery Offences
- Domestic Violence Offences
- Fraud and Dishonesty Offences
Our Approach
For many people, being charged with a criminal offence is the first time that they will have any interaction with the justice system. In these situations, the stakes are high – with risks to not just your liberty, but ripple effects which extend beyond the courtroom including your employment, your reputation, and your future.
These stakes are why representation at the earliest possible stage matters. Ideally this means engaging a lawyer as soon as police make contact with you and before any charges are laid. Acting early allows us to make considered forensic decisions and build the strongest case possible from the ground up. In some cases this might mean negotiating the most practical outcome, and in others it might require fearless advocacy to protect your liberty and your reputation. Whichever it is, we have the experience to guide you every step of the way.
We understand that your matter is unique to you. When you engage us, you are engaging a firm that will take the time to understand you and your goals – not just the legal problem which is front of us. That’s what sets us apart from the others, and what allows us to give you the clear, honest advice that you need to make informed decisions about your case and your future.
With Reinke Lawyers – you’ll always know where you stand.
Frequently Asked Questions about Criminal Law
If you have been contacted by the Police, it is crucial that you do not speak to them until you have received legal advice. This is commonly called “exercising your right to silence”.
Anything that you say to the police can (and almost always is) used against you.
In Queensland, you are obligated to provide the police with your name, current address and date of birth; and to provide proof of these details (such as a licence) if requested.
However, you are not under any obligation to answer further questions from the police. If the police are asking you further questions and you’ve had a chance to speak to your lawyer – an appropriate response is “I have received initial legal advice and I do not wish to answer any questions”.
If you haven’t spoken to a lawyer, you might say “I don’t wish to answer any questions until I have had a chance to receive legal advice”.
It is important to not be drawn into “chats” or “discussions” with the police even if that means that you need to repeat the above response several times.
It is natural and human to seek support from the people that we love most, however you do not need to tell anyone about the details of your charges.
We believe that having family support can be very helpful during such a difficult time, however we suggest giving careful consideration to the people you speak to and the details that you share with them.
In most cases, you will be given several documents by the Police. This typically includes a “Notice to Appear” which will outline your charge details and your date. There might also be search warrants, field property receipts, bail undertakings, or charge sheets. You should gather and secure these documents so that you can provide them to your lawyer during your initial consultation.
You should then prepare for your initial meeting by keeping notes of things such as:
- Potential witnesses;
- Relevant evidence such as text messages, emails, or CCTV Footage;
- Record any injuries that you suffered from the incident, take photographs of them, or see a doctor about them (if possible).
After doing these things, we recommend doing some research and then reaching out to a criminal lawyer who has the experience and knowledge to give you strategic advice about your case.