Criminal Law Duty Lawyer Handbook

Print version: Criminal law duty lawyer handbook(PDF, 4MB)

The Criminal Law Duty Lawyer Handbook is available to download in the following formats:

PDF — for viewing online in the browser or saving to your desktop or mobile device for offline viewing, using Acrobat Reader (see Help > PDF files)
HTML web page — for viewing online in the browser.

Please contact digital.services@legalaid.qld.gov.au if you need help to access or use these files.

Keyword:

Clear all

These links load chapters of the Duty Lawyer Handbook

Foreword and preface
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Chapter 2 – Bail
Chapter 3 – Magistrates Courts and the Justices Act 1886 (Qld)
Chapter 4 – Indictable offences that can be dealt with summarily
Chapter 5 – Specific offences under the Criminal Code more commonly dealt with and defences
Chapter 6 – Commonwealth offences
Chapter 7 – Extradition, migration, detention and deportation
Chapter 8 – Drugs
Chapter 9 – Motor vehicle offences
Chapter 10 – Miscellaneous
Chapter 11 – Youth justice
Chapter 12 – Pleas of guilty
Chapter 13 – Sentencing options
Chapter 14 – Mental health
Chapter 15 – Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act matters
Resources
Election reckoner

Last updated 15 December 2025

Was this page helpful? * (required) Help us improve this site

Yes

Maybe

Please provide your feedback (Maximum 1200 characters)

Comment

If you have a general question for Legal Aid Queensland, please use the general question form or call 1300 65 11 88, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Share this page:

LinkedIn
Facebook
Print
X

Acknowledgement of Country

Legal Aid Queensland acknowledges and respects the First Nations Custodians of the land where our offices stand, and where we work to help disadvantaged Queenslanders uphold their legal rights in our justice system. We pay respect to their Elders, lore, customs and creation spirits. We recognise that these lands have always been places of ceremony, teaching, research and learning, and we acknowledge the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples play in our community and improving our legal system.