Facing a criminal charge is a life-altering event. Whether it is a sudden roadside breath test that returned a positive result, an unexpected knock at the door from investigators, or a complex allegation of financial impropriety, the weight of the Australian legal system can feel insurmountable. The stakes—your reputation, your career, your travel freedom, and your liberty—could not be higher.
At The Online Lawyer, we believe that your location should never dictate the quality of your defence. In the modern era, you should not have to settle for a generalist local solicitor just because you live in regional Australia, nor should you have to navigate an intimidating, high-priced city law office to secure senior-level advice.
Led by Robert Mulley—a legal veteran admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1979—we provide high-stakes criminal defence across all eight states and territories. Our model is built for the modern world: 100% online, 100% discreet, and 100% committed to your results.
The Mulley Advantage: 45+ Years of Standing Between You and the Prosecution
In the criminal justice system, experience is the only currency that truly matters. Robert Mulley has spent over four decades in the trenches of Australian law. When Robert was admitted in 1979, the legal world functioned on carbon paper, physical law libraries, and face-to-face handshakes. Today, he has transitioned that lifetime of wisdom into a digital-first practice that meets clients where they are.
- Admitted to Practice: 1979 (Supreme Court of NSW)
- National Expertise: Qualified to provide advice and representation across all Australian jurisdictions.
- Direct Access: You don’t deal with a junior clerk or a paralegal. Your matter is handled personally by Robert.
- Philosophy: Practical, candid advice that cuts through the noise and focuses on the most favorable outcome.
“When your liberty is at stake, you don’t want a ‘learner’ on your case. You want a practitioner who has seen the evolution of the law firsthand and knows how to anticipate the moves of the police and the prosecution.” — Robert Mulley
Why Choose an Online Criminal Defence Lawyer?
The Australian court system has undergone a radical transformation. Today, many mentions, bail applications, and even sentencing hearings are conducted via video link. The Online Lawyer was built specifically to navigate this digital landscape, providing several key benefits:
1. Absolute Discretion and Privacy
Criminal matters are deeply personal and often carry a social stigma. By engaging a 100% online firm, you eliminate the risk of being seen entering or leaving a prominent law office in your local town or city. Your consultations take place via secure, encrypted video or phone from the safety and privacy of your own home.
2. National Reach, Local Knowledge
Whether you are in a mining camp in the Pilbara, a coastal town in Tasmania, or a suburb in Melbourne, you have direct access to a lawyer with over 45 years of experience. We understand the nuances of the Crimes Act in NSW, the Criminal Code in Queensland, and the specific sentencing guidelines in Victoria.
3. Rapid Response and Efficiency
The police do not operate on a 9-to-5 schedule, and neither do we. Our digital onboarding process allows us to review your “Brief of Evidence” or police facts sheet the moment they are available. We can move faster than traditional firms because we aren’t bogged down by physical administrative hurdles.
4. Senior-Level Counsel Without the “Marble Lobby” Fees
Traditional top-tier firms charge exorbitant rates to maintain expensive city offices and large support staffs. We have stripped away the overheads to provide you with direct, senior-level counsel at a more accessible price point. You are paying for Robert Mulley’s brain, not his office rent.
Our Criminal Law Practice Areas
Australian criminal law is a complex web of state and federal statutes. We handle a comprehensive range of matters, ensuring that no matter the charge, you have a sophisticated defence strategy.
Traffic and Driving Offences
For many Australians, a driver’s license is essential for their livelihood. We represent clients in:
- Drink Driving (PCA): From low-range to high-range offences, we analyze the legality of the breath analysis and argue for the preservation of your license.
- Drug Driving: Navigating the technicalities of “presence” vs. “influence,” particularly in the context of medicinal cannabis.
- Dangerous and Negligent Driving: Including serious matters involving accidents or injury.
- License Appeals: Appearing in court to appeal license suspensions by the police or transport authorities.
Drug Offences
Drug laws vary significantly across the country. We provide expert defence for:
- Possession: Challenging the “knowledge” and “control” elements of the charge.
- Supply and Trafficking: Defending against allegations of commercial intent and analyzing drug weights and purity.
- Cultivation and Manufacture: Handling complex matters involving hydroponic setups or clandestine laboratories.
Assault and Violence Offences
A conviction for violence can end a career and restrict travel. We defend:
- Common Assault: Often arising from self-defence or a momentary lapse in judgment.
- Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (AOABH): Matters involving physical injury where the prosecution must prove the injury was “more than merely transient.”
- Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH): High-stakes cases involving permanent or serious disfigurement.
- Domestic Violence Orders (AVO/IVO/DVO): We manage both the criminal charges and the associated protection orders to ensure a cohesive strategy.
Property and Financial Crimes
White-collar and “dishonesty” offences require a meticulous eye for detail.
- Larceny and Theft: From minor shoplifting to large-scale employee theft.
- Fraud and Deception: Complex cases involving financial records, digital evidence, and identity matters.
- Robbery: Including “Aggravated Robbery” involving weapons or multiple participants.
Serious Crime and Bail Applications
If you or a loved one is in custody, time is of the essence. We handle:
- Bail Applications: We appear via video link to make strong, persuasive arguments for release, focusing on bail conditions that mitigate any perceived risk.
- Breach of Bail: Immediate advocacy to explain technical breaches and prevent a return to remand.
Understanding the Australian Court Hierarchy
No matter where you are in Australia, your case will generally follow a similar path through the court hierarchy.
Magistrates / Local Court
Handles 90% of criminal matters, including all summary offences and “committal” hearings for serious crimes.
District / County Court
Handles more serious (indictable) offences such as serious assaults, large-scale fraud, and drug supply.
Supreme Court
The highest state court, reserved for the most serious crimes (e.g., murder) and complex bail applications.
Regardless of the jurisdiction, our online model allows us to file documents, communicate with prosecutors, and represent you in these courts efficiently.
The “Online Lawyer” Defence Process
We have streamlined the legal process to ensure you feel supported and informed at every stage.
Step 1: The Secure Initial Consultation
We begin with a video or phone call to discuss the allegations. This is a “judgment-free zone” where you can tell your story in confidence. Robert will provide a candid assessment of the police case and explain your immediate options.
Step 2: Digital Brief Analysis
We request the “Brief of Evidence” from the police. This includes witness statements, CCTV footage, forensic reports, and your recorded interview (if you gave one). Robert personally reviews every page to find inconsistencies, procedural errors, or missing links in the prosecution’s case.
Step 3: Strategy and Negotiation
Not every case needs to go to a full hearing. Often, we can negotiate with the police or the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to have charges dropped or downgraded in exchange for a plea to a lesser offence. This is known as “plea bargaining” and is a critical skill Robert has honed over 45 years.
Step 4: Sentencing or Hearing
If you plead guilty, we focus on mitigation. We gather character references, medical reports, and evidence of rehabilitation to argue for the most lenient sentence possible—often aiming for a “Section 10” or “Non-Conviction” where the law allows. If you plead not guilty, we rigorously defend you in a contested hearing or trial.
Essential Advice: If You Are Contacted by the Police
If the police contact you, the choices you make in the first hour can determine the outcome of your case.
Exercise Your Right to Silence: In Australia, you are generally not required to answer any questions beyond providing your name and address. You should politely say: “I do not wish to do an interview or answer any questions until I have spoken with my lawyer.”
Do Not Be Pressured: Police may say they “just want to hear your side” or that “it will be faster if you talk.” This is a tactic to gather evidence against you.
Contact Us Immediately: We can speak to the police on your behalf. Often, we can prevent an arrest from happening or arrange for you to “self-surrender” at a specific time, which makes bail much more likely.
Sentencing Outcomes: What to Expect
If a matter proceeds to sentencing, Robert Mulley’s goal is to minimize the impact on your life. Australian courts have several sentencing options:
Dismissal Without Conviction (e.g., Section 10 in NSW): You are found guilty, but no criminal record is recorded. This is the ultimate goal for minor offences.
Fines: A financial penalty where a conviction is usually recorded.
Community Correction Orders (CCO): You remain in the community but must comply with conditions like supervision or community service.
Intensive Correction Orders (ICO): A prison sentence served in the community under strict supervision—the final alternative to full-time jail.
Full-Time Custody: For the most serious offences.
