Drink and drug driving
Among the matters David handles most in the South West. Losing your licence is a serious problem out here, so get advice early.
Criminal defence lawyer
Criminal defence in the City, the South West and the Wheatbelt
Charged, going to court, or asked in for a police interview? Talk to David Markovich before you decide anything. David appears as Counsel in criminal trials and appeals, and regularly represents people charged with drug, assault, driving and stealing offences, including drink and drug driving.
If you have been charged
Get advice early
The sooner David is involved, the more he can do. A criminal charge can affect your record, your licence and your work, and some steps have time limits, so it is worth talking to a lawyer before you decide your next move.
- You have been charged and have a court date.
- Police have asked you to come in for an interview.
- You have been bailed and are not sure what happens next.
- You are not sure how serious the charge is.
Whatever stage you are at, you can call David and talk it through. He will explain where you stand and what your options are, in everyday language.
Charges
Criminal charges David defends
David regularly acts for people charged with a wide range of offences, at trial and on appeal. Find your charge below, or call and ask.
Drug charges
Possession, supply and other drug offences, from the Magistrates Court through to the higher courts.
Assault charges
Assault and related charges, including matters that put your record and your work at risk.
Stealing and property offences
Stealing and other property and dishonesty charges, in the local court and on appeal.
Driving and traffic offences
Driving and traffic charges beyond drink and drug driving, including matters that threaten your licence.
Other criminal charges
If your charge is not listed here, call and ask. David takes on a wide range of criminal matters.
David appears as Counsel in criminal trials and runs matters to trial and appeal in the Magistrates and District Courts. You are not handing your matter to a duty lawyer you have never met.
Why local matters
A criminal lawyer who works the regions
"I also do criminal work and probably do more regional criminal work than I would in the city."
David Markovich, on the Law Society of WA Country Counsel podcast
David acts for clients across the City, the South West and the Wheatbelt. That runs from Perth down to Bunbury, Busselton and Dunsborough, the Margaret River region and Manjimup, out to the Wheatbelt towns of Narrogin and Katanning. He can meet clients in Busselton as well as Perth, and works across the region.
The stakes can run deeper in the regions. Losing a licence carries far greater consequences where there is little or no public transport to fall back on.
Legal aid and community legal centres in the regions are stretched, and can often give advice but are not able to carry a matter through to court. David runs criminal cases to trial and appeal, including in the Magistrates and District Courts, when a matter needs to be taken further.
The first call
What happens when you call
You will not be passed around. Markovich Legal is principal-led, so you talk to David, the lawyer who would run your matter.
1
You explain what has happened
Call or email and tell David briefly where things are up to. Your enquiry is confidential.
2
David talks through your position
He explains the charge, the likely steps and your options, in plain terms.
3
You decide what to do next
If you want David to act, he will tell you how fees would work before any work starts.
Who you would be working with
David Markovich
David is the principal of Markovich Legal and a trial advocate. He appears as Counsel in criminal trials and appeals, from the local Magistrates Court through to the District Court, and is admitted to practise in Western Australia, the High Court of Australia, and England and Wales. The Law Society of Western Australia has named him a finalist for Regional Practitioner of the Year in its 2026 Annual Awards.
He regularly represents people charged with drug, assault, driving and stealing offences, and by his own account does more regional criminal work than he would in the city. When you call, you deal with David directly, the lawyer who would run your matter, not a call centre or a junior.
David has made the South West his home and acts for people across the region who are facing criminal charges. If you are dealing with one, you can call him to talk it through.
Questions
Common questions
Short answers to what people in the South West ask before they call. None of this is legal advice on your matter, but it should help you decide your next step.
I've just been charged with a criminal offence. What should I do first?
Keep any paperwork the police gave you, and be careful about what you say about the matter to other people. Before you answer further questions or enter a plea, it is worth getting advice on your position. The earlier David is involved, the more he can do.
Do I need a lawyer for a charge in the Busselton Magistrates Court?
You can represent yourself, but a criminal charge can affect your licence and your work, and the process is hard to read on your own. David appears as Counsel in criminal matters and can explain the charge, the likely steps and your choices before your court date.
It's my first offence. Do I still need representation?
A first charge still goes through the court process, and how it is handled early on can matter. David will look at the specific charge and the facts as the prosecution has put them, and talk through your options. He will not promise a particular result. He will be straight with you about your situation.
I have been charged with drink driving or drug driving. Can you help?
Yes. Driving offences, including drink and drug driving, are among the matters David acts in most across the South West. Losing your licence can be a serious problem out here, where there is often little or no public transport, so it is worth getting advice early.
Will a criminal charge go on my record?
Whether a matter is recorded, and how, depends on the charge, the outcome and the court, so it is not the same for everyone. David can explain how this works for your particular charge and what is at stake for you.
Do you travel to regional courts, or do I have to come to Perth?
David does a large amount of regional criminal work, by his own account more than he does in the city. He acts for clients across the City, the South West and the Wheatbelt, from Busselton and the Margaret River region out to Narrogin and Katanning, and can meet clients in Busselton as well as Perth.
My court date is soon. Is it too late to get a lawyer?
Having a court date coming up does not mean it is too late to get advice. David can look at where your matter is up to and explain your options before you next appear. If your timing is tight, say so when you call so it can be prioritised.
How much does a criminal lawyer cost?
Cost depends on the charge, how the matter runs and how much work it needs. David will talk to you about fees up front, before any work starts, rather than leaving you guessing.
I've tried legal aid or a community legal centre but still need help. What now?
Legal aid and community legal centres in the regions are stretched, and can often advise but are not able to carry a matter through to court. David runs criminal cases to trial and appeal, including in the Magistrates and District Courts, when a matter needs to be taken further. Your enquiry is confidential.
Still not sure? Talk to David about your matter and just ask.
Contact
Talk to David about your matter
Tell David briefly what has happened and the best way to reach you, and he will get back to you. Enquiries are confidential.
Call (08) 6316 4502
Email dm@m4legal.com.au
Busselton
Shop 15, Fig Tree Lane
55 Prince Street
Busselton WA 6280
Perth
Level 27, St Martins Centre
44 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000