Criminal & Traffic · North West & West Coast
1 criminal law firm in North West & West Coast, Tasmania, including Devonport, Burnie, Ulverstone.
1 firm
Burnie, TAS · North West & West Coast
Petersen Legal provides legal services in Burnie, TAS. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
From the first interview to sentencing, a criminal lawyer protects your rights and gives you a realistic view of your options. They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.
A conviction can affect employment, travel, visas and licences for years. The right early advice can change the result.
Criminal law is mostly state-based, with each state's crimes legislation and courts, while Commonwealth offences such as drug importation and fraud against the Commonwealth are prosecuted federally. Legal Aid and Aboriginal legal services help people who can't afford a lawyer.
Understand the next step
Provide the charge or police correspondence and explain the current stage. Ask about representation for the next event as well as longer-term case preparation.
A first consultation and acceptance of ongoing representation are separate; obtain clear confirmation about responsibility for the next appearance.
Devonport, Burnie and Ulverstone are the listed centres for North West & West Coast. An office on the north coast may still be a considerable journey for a West Coast client.
For criminal law, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant TAS experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside North West & West Coast. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
Send the charge, summons, bail paperwork and hearing dates through the method requested by the lawyer. Identify whether you are enquiring for yourself or someone else.
Ask what evidence is available and what must be obtained. Decisions about a plea or statement should follow advice on your own circumstances.
Confirm who will attend the next event, where to meet and what preparation is included. Ask how changes in the case would affect the estimate.
One mention, a contested hearing and an appeal are different scopes of work. Ask about preparation, barrister fees and additional appearances.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Make hearing dates and bail conditions clear at first contact. If the firm cannot assist in time, ask about an available practitioner or the relevant legal-aid service.
Tasmania has a two-tier court system: the Magistrates Court and the Supreme Court, with no intermediate court. Guardianship, anti-discrimination and many review matters are heard by TASCAT. The Law Society of Tasmania issues practising certificates and the Legal Profession Board of Tasmania handles complaints.
Good to know
You generally have the right to remain silent. Ask to speak to a lawyer before any interview.
Legal Aid, community legal centres and Aboriginal legal services may be able to help, depending on the charge and your circumstances.
Most matters start in the Magistrates Court. More serious cases go to the Supreme Court of Tasmania. Family law matters are heard by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Practising certificates in Tasmania are managed by the Law Society of Tasmania. You can check a solicitor's status on its public register or by contacting it directly.