Ryan Robertson, Criminal Lawyer
Ryan was admitted to the legal profession in 2016, following graduation with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours and a Bachelor of Criminology at Deakin University. He also holds a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Leo Cussen Centre for Law. Ryan is our Geelong Office’s managing lawyer and a skilled and experienced advocate.
Following his admission, Ryan practised for years in a busy regional criminal law firm, representing clients from various backgrounds and appearing almost daily in the Victorian courts.
With constant exposure to the dynamic and fast-paced Court system, Ryan has a sharp eye for detail and is adept at handling unexpected or challenging situations.
Ryan has handled many permutations of criminal law, including serious matters listed in the indictable stream and virtually all hearings in the Magistrates’ Court, ranging from contested bail applications, pleas of guilty, contested hearings, contest mentions and intervention orders.
With many years of experience practising exclusively in criminal law, Ryan is an exceptional advocate and takes pride in his ability to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients every time.
Ryan’s recent case outcomes:
1. Restorative justice for road safety matter
Ryan appeared before the Geelong Magistrates’ Court representing a young man charged with failing to obey a give-way sign and colliding with another vehicle.
The occupant of the other vehicle sustained serious and potentially life-long injuries. Our young client faced the risk of immediate imprisonment for his neglectful actions. The victim prepared a detailed and emotional Victim Impact Statement and presented before the Court for the plea hearing.
Ryan made impassioned submissions to the Court, detailing the client’s life, circumstances and immense remorse. It was clear that the client had not been alcohol or drug-affected and that it was a simple mistake on an unfamiliar road with terrible consequences.
In Court, the victim approached the accused and hugged him as he broke down and cried. Cathartic events like this in the Criminal Justice System are rare, and Ryan was delighted with the conclusion of this matter.
2. Tradie accused of propositioning apprentice for sex
Ryan appeared before the Geelong Magistrates’ Court representing a tradie accused of propositioning a child in his business for sex.
The child was 16 years old, and ordinarily, sexual activity between 16-year-olds and adults is lawful, except if the child is under care, supervision or authority, in which the age of consent is 18.
The client was looking at becoming a registered sex offender for a period of 8 years as a result of his conduct, effectively ruining his career prospects.
The matter proceeded as a plea of not guilty in the Magistrates’ Court, with Ryan making submissions that the child was not under the client’s care, supervision or authority. The prosecution withdrew the charges before the matter proceeded further.
3. Acquitted sexually assaulting police
Ryan appeared before the Geelong Magistrates’ Court representing a client who was accused of sexually assaulting a member of police on an alcohol-fuelled night.
The client worked in a highly regulated profession. A finding of guilt to such a serious charge would have meant an end to their career.
Ryan advocated strenuously for the client, arguing that the police could not prove beyond reasonable doubt that the touching was sexual in nature.
Before the matter proceeded to a contested hearing, the prosecution accepted Ryan’s submissions, and the Court struck out the charge of sexual assault.
4. False charges withdrawn
Ryan appeared before the Geelong Magistrates’ Court representing a client held in remand on allegations of persistent and horrific sexual abuse of a child.
Our client protested his innocence and had no criminal record. Early into the proceedings, further enquiries into the mental health and circumstances of the alleged victim revealed compelling evidence that the allegations had been fabricated.
Ryan immediately applied to abridge our client’s case and seek bail, securing our client’s release. The charges were later formally struck out by the Court.
Ryan has since referred the client to civil lawyers who are pursuing compensation for the time he spent in custody on spurious charges.
5. Reduced licence loss on a technicality
Ryan appeared in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court representing a client charged with a second drug-driving offence.
In Victoria, a first offence incurs a minimum of 6 months off the road, and every subsequent offence incurs a minimum of 12 months.
Our client was a single parent and had lost their job due to the charges. A year off the road was going to be extremely onerous.
Ryan analysed the case against our client and identified an administrative error in our client’s criminal history, which was used as grounds to object to the prosecution tendering evidence of our client’s prior convictions.
After lengthy legal submissions, the presiding Magistrate agreed with Ryan, and the offence was treated as a first drug-driving offence. Our client was able to get back on the roads 6 months earlier than expected.
Reviews from Google about Ryan at our Geelong office
Ryan was easy to communicate with and didn’t drown us in unnecessary legal jargon.
We always knew where we were at and we were always advised of all possible outcomes to our scenario, thus allowing Ryan to obtain us the best possible outcome on the day.
I would highly recommend Ryan to anybody looking for a no nonsense lawyer!
Ryan has done an amazing job, he is exceptionally knowledgeable with the law and a lawyer with high principles and integrity and will fight tirelessly for you.
Ryan efforts resulted in all charges against me being dropped I would highly recommend his to anyone in need.
Thanks again Ryan not just from me but my whole family
