A 'statement of alleged facts' is meant to outline: - The **full story** in its entirety (not just police involvement); and - All the **evidence**, **witnesses** & **charges**; and - All statements made by the accused, including any **defences**. # General Tips >[!TIP] Everyone Does Briefs Different >Remember each correspondence sergeant will mark a brief differently. Some may like certain phrases, or dislike others. It is normal to get a brief back with corrections. - **Spelling**, **grammar** & **punctuation** are important. - Proofread your work **before** handing it to a Sergeant. - Use the "past-tense third person", as in reference to **all** parties by name or abbreviated name. # Standard Format Below is my own formatting for briefs. I keep my work consistent, which I would hope, enables prosecutors & others to know what they will receive when my name is on it. My SOAF's follow the order of: 1. Involved parties (accused, co-accused's, victims). 2. Current Incident 3. Police Investigation/Involvement 4. Disposition & Applications ## 1. Involved Parties ``` The accused in this matter is Steve BLOGGS (hereinafter referred to as BLOGGS), a 40 year old male who resides in Malvern. The victim in this matter is Jane SMITH (hereinafter referred to as SMITH), a 40 year old female who resides in Keysborough. ``` ## 2. Current Incident ``` On Monday the 1st of January 2024 at 12:00pm, SMITH went to the Woolworths Grocery Store located at 1 Waverley Road, Glen Waverley. SMITH went about her business at the store, purchasing her groceries and leaving the store with a trolley cart full of the goods she purchased. As SMITH approached her motor vehicle, a Honda Civic Sedan Grey 2019 bearing Victorian Registration Plates AAA-111, BLOGGS has approached her from between a number of vehicle (Exhibit 1 - CCTV). BLOGGS stated to SMITH, "Give me your wallet or I'll deck ya." (from SMITH's statement) SMITH panicked and handed over her wallet to BLOGGS who ran away from SMITH and left the Woolworths heading west down Waverley Road on foot (Exhibit 2 - CCTV). ``` Remember the key details of the current incident should be formed from the **testimony** and **exhibits** you are introducing. If it isn't an exhibit or a statement, you shouldn't be discussing it in the SOAF, as the Prosecution need to be able to 'tender' exhibits through a witness for it to be admissible. When I draft my current incident narrative, I follow this approach: 1. Write a summary of the story with only your primary victim's statement; then 2. Add in further exhibits such as CCTV or body-worn camera (if relevant) throughout that current incident narrative to strengthen it. ## 3. Police Involvement ``` On Friday the 6th of January 2024 at 2:00am, SMITH was arrested by Senior Constable DAVIDS and Constable PERSON at 20 Yellowbrick Road, Malvern (Exhibit 3 - Body-worn camera footage). SMITH was transported by S/C DAVIDS and C/ PERSON to the Malvern Police Station. At 2:30am, S/C DAVIDS and C/ PERSON conducted an interview with SMITH in relation to this matter (Exhibit 4 - DVD Record of Interview). SMITH was released pending summons in relation to the matter. ``` ## 4. Disposition & Applications ``` SMITH was released pending summons in relation to the matter. OR SMITH was bailed to attend the Malvern Magistrates' Court on the 2nd of February 2024 at 9:30am. He was bailed on his own undertaking with the following conditions: OR SMITH was presented before the Malvern Magistrates' Court on the 6th of January 2024 at 10:30am where he was remanded into custody until the 10th of January 2024 for a further hearing at the Malvern Magistrates' Court. ``` ``` A Forfeiture / Destruction Order is attached to this brief of evidence in relation to drugs located on SMITH during his arrest (see Charge 4). ```