Jesika Franco

Principal Lawyer

Jesika is a prosecutions and advocacy lawyer specialising in coronial inquests, criminal and regulatory prosecutions, and in providing advice to government clients on the prospects of success of prosecutions and on statutory interpretation. She also prepares matters under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003.

Prior to joining Crown Law in 2016, Jesika gained considerable experience in coronial inquests while working as Counsel Assisting in the Coroners Court of Queensland and in prosecutions with the Queensland Police Service.

Jesika has a career spanning over 15 years working across various sectors including government and private practice.

She was awarded the Legal Expertise Award in the Crown Law Staff Excellence Awards 2023.

Coronial inquests

  • Appearing as in house counsel at inquests and pre-inquest conferences.
  • Preparing complex, technical matters for inquest.
  • Instructing counsel in complex coronial inquests.
  • Advising and assisting government clients in relation to coronial investigations.
  • Conferencing with witnesses and expert witnesses prior to inquests.

Prosecutions

  • Advising on prospects of success for regulatory prosecutions.
  • Drafting complaint and summons for government clients.
  • Appearing as in house counsel for first return dates, call-overs, mentions, directions hearings and lengthy pleas.
  • Negotiating with counsel to resolve matters.
  • Preparing written submissions for use at sentences.

General advocacy

  • Advising on statutory interpretation.
  • Instructing on matters under the Dangerous Prisoner (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 including reviewing and considering complex psychiatric reports regarding level of risk of prisoner.
  • Advising Government departments on how matters ought to proceed.
  • Preparing court documents, including affidavits, originating applications, medico legal briefs to psychiatrists and draft court orders.