Criminal Law Sydney
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Need Urgent Legal Help?
If you’ve been arrested, charged, or served with a Court Attendance Notice (CAN), or need to defend a traffic matter, time is critical. Call our office today to arrange a free initial consultation and let us protect your rights from the very start. We are accessible after hours for urgent matters.
We provide strategic, confidential, and results-focused advice and representation in all criminal matters, including:
– Assault and violence offences
– Drug possession and supply charges
– Property offences (theft, break and enter, malicious damage)
– Sexual offences
– Firearms and weapons offences
– Bail applications and variations
– AVOs (Apprehended Violence Orders)
– Traffic and driving offences (see below for details)
Traffic offences can carry serious penalties, including fines, licence disqualification, criminal convictions, or even imprisonment. We have significant experience defending clients charged with:
– Drink driving (low, mid, and high-range PCA)
– Drug driving
– Driving while suspended or disqualified
– Speeding offences, including excessive or dangerous speed
– Negligent, reckless, or dangerous driving
– Failure to stop or assist after an accident
We assist with pleas in mitigation, defending the charge, or applying for a Section 10 (no conviction), and advise on preserving your licence and minimising the impact on your livelihood.
Court Procedure – What to Expect
1. Your First Court Appearance (Mention):
We’ll appear with you or on your behalf to enter a plea, seek adjournments, or make preliminary applications such as for a brief of evidence or diversion. We explain everything in plain language before and after court.
2. Pleading Guilty or Not Guilty:
Pleading Guilty
If you accept responsibility, we guide you through the process of entering a guilty plea and prepare submissions to minimise penalties. This may include character references, evidence of rehabilitation, and applications for non-conviction outcomes such as a Conditional Release Order or Section 10 dismissal.
Pleading Not Guilty
If you deny the offence or dispute the facts, we will formally enter a not guilty plea. The court will order a Brief of Evidence, which we carefully review to advise you on the strength of the case. We prepare for hearing, negotiate with police or prosecution where appropriate, and present your defence in court.
3. Brief Service Orders:
If you plead not guilty, we request that the court order the prosecution to serve a Brief of Evidence by a set date (usually within 4–6 weeks). At the same time, we ask for an adjournment to a later date to allow time to review the evidence and prepare your case. The matter will then return to court for a further mention.
4. Bail Applications:
If you’re in custody, we act urgently to apply for bail, including in show cause matters. We prepare strong submissions and propose workable bail conditions to give you the best chance of release.
5. Hearings, Sentencing & Trials:
We appear at your hearing to contest the charges or seek leniency at sentencing. For serious offences, we brief experienced barristers and work closely with them to build a strong case for your defence.
Bail Applications – We Act Fast
Whether you’ve just been charged or are already in custody, we can apply for bail on your behalf. We prepare and present persuasive arguments, including:
– Why detention is not justified (“show cause”)
– How any bail concerns can be addressed (e.g., curfews, reporting conditions, sureties)
– What conditions are appropriate to secure your release
We also handle Supreme Court bail applications if you’ve been refused bail in the Local Court.
