Disciplinary Charge Lawyers

WHEN WORKPLACE MATTERS BECOME CRIMINAL MATTERS

You’ve received notice that your employer is investigating allegations against you. What started as an internal workplace matter has escalated—now police are involved, or you’re facing criminal charges that could destroy your career, your reputation, and your freedom. In Queensland, the line between workplace misconduct and criminal prosecution is razor-thin, and once that line is crossed, everything changes.

Hannay Lawyers specialise in defending professionals, public servants, police officers, and workers across Queensland when workplace investigations transform into criminal proceedings.

Whether you’re facing fraud allegations, assault charges arising from workplace incidents, theft accusations, or corruption inquiries, we provide aggressive, strategic defence from the moment allegations surface through to final court outcomes.

How Workplace Investigations Lead to Criminal Charges in Queensland

Workplace investigations in Queensland can rapidly escalate to criminal prosecution in several ways:

Internal Investigations Triggering Police Involvement

When employers—particularly government departments, public hospitals, or corporations—discover potential criminal conduct during internal investigations, they often refer matters to Queensland Police Service. Common scenarios include:

• Theft or fraud allegations involving company funds, equipment, or intellectual property
• Assault or violence between employees or against clients/patients
• Sexual misconduct in the workplace
• Breach of trust offences by employees in positions of authority
• Computer or data offences including unauthorised access or data theft
• Drug or alcohol related incidents at work that result in criminal charges

Under Queensland law, employers have legal obligations to report suspected criminal activity. Once police are involved, you’re no longer dealing with HR procedures—you’re facing potential charges under the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld), which can result in imprisonment, criminal records, and permanent career destruction.

Professional Misconduct Escalating to Criminal Proceedings

For regulated professions in Queensland—lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers, accountants, engineers, and others—professional misconduct complaints to regulatory bodies can trigger criminal investigations when allegations involve:

• Fraud or dishonesty (maximum 5 years imprisonment under s 408C Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld))
• Sexual offences against clients or patients
• Drug diversion or prescription fraud (particularly for healthcare professionals)
• Serious assault (maximum penalties ranging from 7 years to life imprisonment depending on circumstances)

These matters often run parallel to professional disciplinary proceedings, meaning you’re simultaneously defending your registration and your liberty.

Public Sector Employees and Corruption Allegations

Queensland public servants, police officers, and government employees face heightened scrutiny. Allegations of corruption, misconduct, or abuse of public office can result in:

• Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) investigations
• Criminal charges under Chapter 9 of the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld) for official corruption (maximum 7 years imprisonment under s 87)
• Queensland Police Service internal investigations leading to criminal prosecution
• Disciplinary action alongside criminal proceedings

The stakes are catastrophic: your job, your pension, your reputation, and your freedom are all at risk.

Sporting Disciplinary and Judiciary Appearances in Queensland

Elite athletes, coaches, and sporting officials in Queensland face unique disciplinary processes that can trigger criminal charges or run parallel to criminal proceedings.

When Sporting Tribunals Meet Criminal Courts

Sporting codes in Queensland—including NRL, AFL, rugby union, cricket, basketball, and others—maintain internal disciplinary systems to address on-field and off-field conduct. However, incidents can simultaneously attract criminal charges:

• On-field violence resulting in assault charges under s 335 Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld) (common assault—3 years maximum imprisonment)
• Serious assault charges (s 340 maximum 7 years) for incidents causing bodily harm
• Match-fixing or corruption allegations triggering both sporting bans and potential fraud charges
• Drug offences involving possession, trafficking, or use in violation of anti-doping codes
• Sexual assault allegations against athletes or coaching staff

Hannay Lawyers defend athletes and sporting professionals facing dual proceedings—navigating both sporting tribunal appearances and criminal court hearings simultaneously. We understand the unique pressures athletes face and how to protect both your sporting career and your liberty.

NRL and AFL Judiciary Matters

For professional rugby league and Australian Rules Football players in Queensland, judiciary appearances for on-field incidents can have career-ending consequences. While most judiciary matters remain internal, serious incidents can attract criminal charges, particularly where:

• High-grade striking or dangerous contact causes significant injury
• Off-field altercations at licensed venues or public places
• Allegations arise during investigations that reveal potential criminal conduct

We provide representation at both sporting tribunal hearings and criminal proceedings, ensuring consistent strategic defence across both forums.

Coercive Hearings: Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) in Queensland

The Crime and Corruption Commission wields extraordinary powers under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001 (Qld). CCC coercive hearings are closed,
secretive proceedings where individuals are compelled to answer questions under oath with no right to silence.

If you’ve been summoned to a CCC hearing, you’re facing one of the most dangerous legal environments in Queensland:

• You must answer all questions—refusing can result in contempt charges
• No right to silence—Fifth Amendment protections don’t apply
• Evidence can be used against you in subsequent criminal proceedings (with limited protections)
• Breaching confidentiality about the hearing can result in criminal charges
• Legal representation is restricted—your lawyer cannot speak for you during examination

CCC investigations typically involve:

• Public sector corruption allegations
• Serious organised crime matters
• Police misconduct investigations
• Major fraud or financial crime involving public officials
• Drug trafficking networks with public sector connections

Why Legal Representation at CCC Hearings is Critical

While CCC hearings feel like interrogations, strategic legal representation before, during, and after your appearance is vital:

• Pre-hearing preparation to understand the allegations and potential exposure
• Advising on responses that protect your position without breaching your obligation to answer
• Identifying privilege claims where appropriate
• Challenging unlawful questioning or procedural breaches
• Preparing for subsequent criminal charges that may follow from your testimony

Hannay Lawyers have extensive experience representing individuals summoned to CCC coercive hearings. We protect your rights within the constraints of the CCC’s extraordinary powers and prepare comprehensive defence strategies for any criminal charges that follow.

National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and Federal Coercive Hearings

Queensland residents involved in federal matters may be summoned to

National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)

hearings or other federal coercive processes involving:

• Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) investigations
• Australian Federal Police (AFP) serious crime inquiries
• National security matters under Commonwealth legislation
• Organised crime and terrorism investigations

These federal coercive hearings operate similarly to CCC hearings—you must answer questions, you have no right to silence, and breaching confidentiality can result in criminal charges. Federal criminal charges arising from these investigations carry severe maximum penalties under Commonwealth legislation.

Defence Strategies for Workplace Investigations and Coercive Hearings

The moment you become aware of a workplace investigation or receive notice of a coercive hearing:

1. Engage experienced criminal defence lawyers immediately—before you speak to investigators, police, or commission officers
2. Preserve all relevant documents and communications—but only disclose them on legal advice
3. Do not provide statements or attend interviews without legal representation
4. Understand your obligations—particularly in coercive hearing environments where refusal to answer is not an option

Parallel Proceedings Strategy

When facing simultaneous workplace disciplinary action and criminal charges, or sporting tribunal appearances alongside criminal proceedings, strategic coordination is essential:

• Timing of evidence and submissions across different forums
• Protecting privilege where possible
• Managing reputational damage during ongoing proceedings
• Negotiating outcomes that minimise impact across all proceedings

Challenging Investigative Processes

Where workplace investigations or coercive hearing processes breach procedural fairness or lawful authority:

• Judicial review applications challenging unlawful CCC or NACC actions
• Suppression orders to protect confidential information
• Challenging admissibility of evidence obtained during investigations
• Abuse of process applications where investigations were conducted improperly

Why Choose Hannay Lawyers for Workplace and Coercive Hearing Defence

Hannay Lawyers have defended Queensland professionals, public servants, police officers, and athletes facing career-ending allegations for over 20 years.

Our track record includes:

• Successful defence of CCC coercive hearing targets who faced subsequent criminal charges
• Not guilty verdicts in serious fraud, assault, and corruption trials arising from workplace investigations
• Successful appeals overturning convictions based on flawed investigative processes
• Negotiated outcomes protecting both professional registration and liberty
• Sporting tribunal representation for elite athletes facing dual proceedings

We appear in all Queensland courts

—Brisbane Magistrates Court, Brisbane District Court, Queensland Supreme Court, Southport courts, and beyond—and have extensive experience in federal jurisdictions for NACC and ACIC matters.