Paris Brotherton

Paris Brotherton is a criminal defence lawyer at Ashworth Lawyers, a Brisbane-based law firm practising exclusively in criminal law. She represents clients facing criminal charges and police investigations throughout Queensland, including matters involving sexual offences, drug offences, fraud, serious violence and public order offences.

Paris regularly appears in the Magistrates Court, District Court and Supreme Court of Queensland, representing clients at various stages of criminal proceedings. Her experience includes contested hearings, sentencing proceedings, serious criminal charges and complex procedural applications.

Paris takes a thorough and considered approach to criminal defence. She carefully examines the prosecution evidence, identifies legal and factual issues, and works closely with clients to understand their circumstances and the allegations against them. She places particular importance on clear communication, ensuring clients understand the charges they face, their legal options and what to expect as their matter progresses through the criminal justice system.

As part of the criminal defence team at Ashworth Lawyers, Paris works on a broad range of criminal matters, including serious and complex cases requiring detailed evidence analysis, legal research and preparation for court proceedings.

Qualifications and Professional Background

Paris holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Justice, majoring in Criminology and Policing, from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). She also completed her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at QUT.

Her academic background in both law and criminology provides a foundation for her work in criminal defence, including her understanding of criminal investigations, policing practices, evidence and criminal procedure.

Paris is admitted as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia.

Professional Memberships

Paris is a member of the Women's White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA), an international organisation comprising more than 5,000 women lawyers and professionals working in white-collar criminal defence, government investigations, corporate compliance and related fields.

Paris's membership reflects her professional interest in white-collar crime, fraud and financial investigations, and her ongoing commitment to developing her knowledge and experience in these areas of criminal law.

Experience

Paris represents clients across a wide range of criminal matters, with a focus on serious and indictable offences.

Her experience includes:

Magistrates Court, Brisbane
Fraud matter resolved in the Magistrates Court, with the proceedings finalised at an early stage through Adult Restorative Justice Conferencing (ARJC).

Magistrates Court, Toowoomba
Charge of indecent treatment discontinued prior to hearing following review of the evidence.

Magistrates Court, Cleveland
Charge of unlawful wounding discontinued prior to committal after targeted preparation for cross-examination.

District Court, Brisbane
Rape charge discontinued during a four-day trial after cross-examination raised issues as to the complainant’s credibility and reliability.

Magistrates Court, Brisbane
Following a three-day summary trial involving multiple co-defendants, a charge of unlawful assembly resulted in a not-guilty verdict because identification could not be established beyond a reasonable doubt.

District Court, Southport
Multiple sexual offence charges were discontinued following negotiations, with a plea entered to lesser offences. The client received a wholly suspended sentence with restitution ordered.

District Court, Maroochydore
Serious charges were discontinued following negotiations, with a plea to a Commonwealth offence. The Court imposed a good behaviour bond with no conviction recorded.

District Court, Southport
Fraud as an employee (value approaching $60,000) finalised on sentence, with a wholly suspended term of imprisonment imposed.

Children’s Court, Brisbane
Not guilty verdict on two counts of rape following trial, with the central issue of consent resolved in the client’s favour.

Magistrates Court, Beenleigh
Four counts of stealing finalised with a good behaviour bond and no conviction recorded, supported by evidence of remorse.