Criminal Law
This is the body of law that relates to crime. It regulates social conduct and proscribes whatever is threatening, harmful, or otherwise endangering to the property, health, safety, and moral welfare of people.
In South Africa, as in most adversarial legal systems, the standard of evidence required to validate a criminal conviction is proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The sources of South African criminal law are to be found in the common law, in case law and in legislation.
At Ashersons our team of attorneys will be able to assist you in a number of areas of criminal law, including but not limited to:
- 24 Hour Bail Applications at Police Stations
- Formal Bail Applications in all Courts
- Plea and sentence Agreements
- Formal Representations
- Criminal Litigation
- Review of setting aside of admission of guilt payments
- Expungement of Criminal Records
- Fraud, Theft & other Commercial Offenses
- Customs and Vat Related Offences
- Assault Charges
- Drug Related Offences
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Other driving related offences
Recent articles
Lockdown “Admission of Guilt” Fines – The Criminal Record Risk - Breaking any of our lockdown laws can be an expensive business, risking heavy penalties. If you are accused of a contravention and offered the option of paying an “admission of guilt” fine to avoid a court appearance, beware! It may seem like the easy way out to pay up and put the whole thing behind […]
Expungement of your criminal record - Most people living with a criminal record will be able to explain precisely how the smallest of criminal offences can have a big impact on your life. All is however not lost. You can apply to have the offence removed from your record and lead a normal, record-free life. What does Expungement of a criminal […]
It Pays to Report Crime! First Offender’s 20 Years in Prison Confirmed for R4.9m Fraud - It is tempting sometimes to think that the high levels of criminal activity plaguing us at every level of our society are here to stay and that it is pointless reporting crime when you fall victim to it. But if we don’t all report crime when it happens, and if we don’t keep following up […]
Traffic Fines and Admissions of Guilt – Will They Earn You a Criminal Record? - We live our lives beset by so many laws and regulations that even the most law-abiding of citizens will sooner or later be accused of some petty offence or other and then faced with the question “Do I fight this in court or do I just pay the fine and get on with it?” Tread […]
Victims of Corruption Take Heart – “Big Chief” Gets 15 Years Behind Bars - We are all of us tired of reading about the rampant corruption in our society, and even if you aren’t one of the many businesses or individuals directly affected, everyone is ultimately a victim. Let’s take heart then from two recent Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) decisions. Firstly, to set the scene – Minimum sentences […]