Joana joined JMW in December 2024 as a Solicitor in the Business Crime and Regulatory team. Joana is experienced in representing officers in criminal and misconduct proceedings. Joana has successfully represented clients in a wide range of criminal offences from arrest through to trial. These include serious sexual offences, firearm offences, serious violence, human trafficking, misconduct in public office and road traffic offences.
Joana’s notable criminal and misconduct cases include:
- R v LM – successfully defended client charged with Section 20 grievous bodily harm arising from use of taser during the arrest of a burglary suspect, following a foot chase in the early hours of the morning. The complainant fell from height during the incident and suffered tetraplegia as a secondary injury. The trial involved detailed consideration of body-worn footage, eyewitness accounts, and expert evidence on tasers and their use, which led him to be acquitted. This case was subject to national media interest.
- R v JR – successfully defended client charged with possession of ammunition.
- R v TC – successfully opposed a Domestic Violence Protection Notice (‘DVPO’) following strong written representations served arguing that the threshold was not met and there was no clear evidence to suggest that the client presented a continuing risk nor that the complainant required protection. It was further argued that the client was entitled to the presumption of innocence, and imposing a DVPO in the absence of formal decisions or charges undermines due process. Therefore, evident that the evidential threshold required, even on the balance of probabilities, was not satisfied.
- R v MS – the client had accumulated 12 points on his driving licence, and at risk of disqualification under the totting up provisions. A skeleton argument was drafted and a comprehensive mitigation bundle put together ahead of the hearing to demonstrate exceptional hardship. Counsel was instructed for the hearing, and the Court agreed to allow exceptional hardship in his case.
- MPS v L – case not proved following a five-day police misconduct hearing into allegations of sexual assault and harassment made by a fellow officer, the Panel rejected the IOPC’s case in its entirety.
- MPS v A – case withdrawn following allegations of sexual assault. The defence expert was instructed and opined that the description of the events was in keeping with NREM parasomnia (sexsomnia/sleep sex) rather than sexual assault. The Appropriate Authorities withdraw their case in its entirety.
Joana is dedicated to making sure her clients feel guided and reassured throughout every stage of the process. She is recognised for her careful attention to detail, calm and measured approach, and ability to handle sensitive matters. Joana regularly analyses complex cases, carries out defence enquiries, and engages with appropriate experts where required. She regularly engages with the prosecuting authorities, including the Crown Prosecution Service, National Crime Agency, and Private Prosecutors, at the outset of the case to make representations to prevent cases from proceeding beyond investigation.
Joana is a member of the London Young Lawyers Group and the Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers.
Joana is fluent in Portuguese.