Strong Legal Defence When You Need It Most
Facing criminal charges can be overwhelming and stressful. At Tom & Co Legal, we provide strong, strategic defence representation for all criminal matters in Perth and throughout Western Australia.
Our experienced criminal lawyers understand that criminal charges can have serious consequences including imprisonment, fines, and a criminal record that affects employment, travel, and your future. We fight to protect your rights, your freedom, and your reputation.
Whether you're facing serious criminal charges or traffic offences, we provide expert legal advice from your first contact with police through to court proceedings and appeals. We'll explain the charges against you, assess the evidence, identify defences, and develop a strong strategy to achieve the best possible outcome.
As a disability-led multilingual law firm, we ensure all Perth residents have access to quality criminal defence representation, with services available in English, Thai, Khmer, Hindi, and Gujarati.
Speak with our experienced criminal lawyers today. We're here to help you navigate your criminal law matters with expert defence and representation.
Available 24/7 for urgent matters. If you've been arrested or charged, contact us immediately.
Know Your Rights:
Comprehensive criminal defence for all charges in Perth and Western Australia
Assault charges in Western Australia range from common assault to aggravated assault and can result in serious penalties including imprisonment. Our experienced Perth assault lawyers provide strong defence representation for all types of assault charges.
Types of assault we defend:
Defence strategies may include: Self-defence, defence of another person, defence of property, accident, consent, mistaken identity, or challenging the prosecution's evidence. We thoroughly investigate the circumstances, obtain witness statements, review CCTV footage, and build a strong defence case.
Drug offences in Western Australia are taken seriously with penalties ranging from fines to lengthy imprisonment. Whether you're charged with possession, trafficking, or cultivation, we provide expert defence representation.
Drug offence defence includes:
Defences include: Lack of knowledge of drug presence, lack of possession, unlawful search and seizure, chain of custody issues, quantity disputes, and duress. We challenge police evidence, forensic testing, and search procedures.
Penalties vary based on: Type and quantity of drug, circumstances of the offence, commercial vs personal use, and your criminal history.
Drink driving and driving under the influence (DUI) charges in Western Australia carry mandatory licence disqualifications and can result in fines, imprisonment, and a criminal record. Our Perth DUI lawyers help minimise penalties and protect your licence.
Drink and drug driving offences:
Penalties typically include: License disqualification (minimum periods apply), fines, alcohol interlock device, traffic offender's program, and potentially imprisonment for serious cases or repeat offences.
Possible defences: Challenging breath/blood test procedures, equipment calibration issues, rising blood alcohol defence, necessity/duress, honest and reasonable mistake.
We can also assist with applications for Extraordinary Driver's Licences to minimise employment and personal hardship.
Traffic offences in Perth range from minor infringements to serious criminal charges. We provide expert representation for all traffic matters to minimise penalties and protect your licence.
Traffic offence defence:
Traffic offences can result in fines, demerit points, licence suspension/disqualification, vehicle impoundment, and imprisonment for serious offences.
Domestic violence charges in Western Australia are treated very seriously. Common charges include assault (family and domestic), breach of restraining orders, and threatening behavior. A conviction can have serious consequences for family relationships, employment, and future prospects.
Domestic violence matters we handle:
Important considerations: Domestic violence charges are often police-initiated, meaning the alleged victim may not want to press charges but prosecution proceeds. We carefully examine the evidence, police statements, and circumstances to build your defence.
Penalties can include imprisonment, fines, restraining orders, and mandatory intervention programs. A conviction can also impact family law matters including parenting arrangements.
Theft and property offences cover a wide range of criminal behavior from shoplifting to burglary. Penalties depend on the value of property, circumstances, and your criminal history.
Property crime defence:
Defences may include: honest claim of right, lack of intent to permanently deprive, mistaken identity, consent, or lack of knowledge property was stolen.
Fraud and white collar crimes involve dishonest conduct for financial gain. These charges often involve complex evidence and can attract substantial penalties including imprisonment and compensation orders.
Fraud offences we defend:
White collar crimes often involve extensive documentation, financial records, and expert evidence. We work with forensic accountants and experts to challenge the prosecution's case and present your defence.
If you've been refused bail or held in custody, we provide urgent bail application assistance. Being granted bail allows you to remain in the community while your matter proceeds through court.
Bail application services:
Factors considered for bail: Likelihood you'll appear at court, risk to public safety, protection of witnesses, risk of reoffending, your ties to the community, and suitability of bail conditions.
We act quickly to prepare comprehensive bail applications with supporting evidence including accommodation, employment, family ties, and proposed bail conditions to maximise chances of bail being granted.
We provide expert court representation at all stages of criminal proceedings in Western Australia, from Magistrates Court through to Supreme Court and appeals.
Court representation includes:
We thoroughly prepare every case, challenge prosecution evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and present compelling arguments to achieve the best outcome whether that's withdrawal of charges, acquittal, or minimal penalty.
What to expect when facing criminal charges in Western Australia
You may be arrested, summonsed, or receive a court attendance notice. Contact us immediately - the earlier we're involved, the better we can protect your rights and interests. DO NOT speak to police without a lawyer present.
We'll review the charges, police evidence, and circumstances. We'll explain the potential penalties, identify possible defences, discuss bail if applicable, and provide clear advice on your options.
We obtain the police brief of evidence, conduct our own investigations, interview witnesses, obtain expert reports, and gather evidence to support your defence. We identify weaknesses in the prosecution case.
Where appropriate, we negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn, downgraded, or resolved favorably. Many criminal matters are resolved without going to trial through skilled negotiation.
We represent you at all court appearances. If pleading guilty, we prepare detailed sentencing submissions to minimise penalties. If defending charges, we prepare your defence case and represent you at hearing or trial.
Your matter concludes either through negotiated resolution, guilty plea with sentencing, or trial verdict. If unsuccessful, we can advise on appeals. If successful, we assist with spent conviction applications where applicable.
Experienced criminal lawyers fighting for your rights in Perth and Western Australia
We fight aggressively to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome for your case
Extensive experience defending all types of criminal charges in WA courts
Urgent advice available for arrests and police interviews - we're here when it matters most
We leave no stone unturned investigating your case and challenging prosecution evidence
We explain the law and process in plain language (English, Thai, or Khmer) keeping you informed
Skilled at negotiating with police and prosecutors to achieve charge withdrawals or reductions
Types of penalties and sentencing options
Courts in Western Australia have various sentencing options available depending on the seriousness of the offence and your circumstances:
Courts consider numerous factors when determining sentence:
We prepare detailed sentencing submissions highlighting factors in your favour to minimise penalties and, where possible, avoid conviction being recorded.
A criminal conviction appears on your record and can affect employment, travel, and other opportunities. However, under the Spent Convictions Act 1988 (WA), certain convictions can become "spent" after a qualifying period if you don't reoffend.
We advise on eligibility for spent convictions and can assist with applications to have eligible convictions spent, clearing your criminal record.
Common questions about criminal law in Perth, Western Australia
No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to contact a lawyer before speaking to police. Anything you say can be used as evidence against you. Even innocent people can inadvertently make statements that harm their case. Contact us immediately if police want to interview you.
If arrested, you'll be taken to the police station. Police may interview you (you can refuse), and you may be charged. You'll either be released on bail or held in custody pending a bail application. Contact us immediately so we can attend the police station, advise you, and arrange bail if necessary.
Whether you're granted bail depends on factors including the seriousness of charges, your criminal history, ties to community, and risk of reoffending or not appearing at court. We can make urgent bail applications and argue for appropriate bail conditions.
Not all criminal charges result in imprisonment. For many offences, especially first offences, alternatives like fines, community service, or good behaviour bonds are available. The outcome depends on the charge, circumstances, and your history. We work to minimise penalties and avoid imprisonment where possible.
This depends on the evidence against you and available defences. We carefully review the prosecution case, advise on the strength of their evidence, identify possible defences, and explain the likely outcomes of pleading guilty vs defending the charges. We'll help you make an informed decision.
While traffic offences are technically criminal matters, they're generally dealt with differently. Minor traffic offences may result in infringement notices (fines). Serious traffic offences like dangerous driving, excessive speeding, or DUI require court appearances and can result in licence disqualification, fines, or imprisonment.
Contact our experienced Perth criminal lawyers immediately for urgent advice and strong defence