Criminal Lawyers in Parramatta

Parramatta Criminal Lawyers

Suite 2, Level 1, 154 Marsden St, Parramatta

No criminal lawyers in Parramatta can compete with our powerhouse team of defence solicitors

Australian Criminal Law Group are the best criminal lawyers in Parramatta.

We were co-founded by NSW Australian of the Year Deng Adut to provide the best representation at an affordable price. Our Parramatta criminal lawyers have been the recipients of many awards, including the Law Society President’s Medal, Human Rights Medal, Pride of Australia Medal, WSU Community Award, and Young Global Leaders Award.

Our Parramatta criminal lawyers include:

• 2016 NSW Australian of the Year and Law Society President’s Medalist, Deng Adut.
• Managing partner and one of Parramatta’s best criminal lawyers, Joseph Correy.
• Special counsel at criminal law and premier drug lawyer, Joseph Harb.
• Criminal lawyer Steven Mercael, one the best criminal lawyers under 30.

Our criminal defense firm in Parramatta has also been the recipients of many awards, including:

• The Law Society President’s Medal
• Human Rights Medal
• Pride of Australia Medal
• WSU Community Award
• Young Global Leaders Award

Contact us, and get the best criminal lawyer in Parramatta on your team, or read more about Australian Criminal Law Group below.

 

About Our Criminal Lawyers Parramatta

Australian Criminal Law Group represent clients at Parramatta Local and District Courts, as well as all other criminal courts in Australia.

We offer affordable representation, fixed fees, free first consultations, and a 24/7 hotline for criminal law advice over the phone.

If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence our Parramatta criminal lawyers can help. We are regarded by many as the best criminal lawyers in our area. Every day we successfully defend people charged with criminal and traffic offences. We’re enabling many to be found not guilty or receive lenient sentences including having no conviction recorded.

We appear in the highest profile cases from murders to drug importations and serious sexual assaults. We appear daily in smaller cases involving domestic violence, driving under the influence and drug possession.

We understand being charged with a crime is a time of significant stress for you and your family. We pride ourselves on helping you tell your side of the story in court.

Our Parramatta Criminal Lawyers areas of Expertise

Types of criminal and traffic matters we appear in include:

• Drink driving
• Domestic violence
• Drug offences
• Sex offences
• Murder and assault
• Robberies, fraud, and stealing

Our services include:

• Bail applications
• Sentencing and defended hearings in the Local Court
• Sentencing and conviction appeals to the District Court
• Sentencing and jury trials in the District Court
• Sentencing and jury trials in the Supreme Court
• Hearings at the Court of Criminal Appeal
• Hearings at the High Court of Australia
• Children’s Court proceedings
• Parole Board proceedings
• Crime Commission proceedings
• Coroner’s Court proceedings

Where to find your Parramatta Criminal Defence Lawyer

Our Parramatta office is located at:

• Suite 2, Level 1, 154 Marsden St, Parramatta, NSW 2150

Our Parramatta office is less than five minutes’ walk from Parramatta Train Station.

On-street parking is limited but there is a City Centre Car Park nearby on Horwood Place. Parking is also available at Westfield Parramatta.

Buses are also available to bring you close to our location. Visit Transport NSW’s Trip Planner for more information. You can also use City of Parramatta’s Free Shuttle Bus.

To book an appointment to discuss legal representation from a criminal lawyer in Parramatta, contact us via phone or email:

• Phone: (02) 8815 8167
• Email: [email protected]

Or fill in the form below to get the best criminal lawyer in Parramatta on your team.

Our qualified legal experts will represent you and fight to allow your life to go back to normal, with minimal impact on you and your family.

Criminal Lawyers Parramatta – Australian Criminal Law Group

With over 60 years’ of combined experience across a multitude of Criminal Law disciplines, AC Law Group is your local, award-winning Criminal Lawyers in Parramatta. Founded by two of Western Sydney’s most recognised Criminal Lawyers, Deng Adut (2017 NSW Australian of the Year) and Joseph Correy, AC Law Group has an established reputation for winning the toughest of cases and representing clients in all types of Criminal Law matters. From Drink Driving and ‘No Conviction’ Section 10s, to Drug Offences and Firearm and Prohibited Weapon Offences, the team at AC Law Group should be your first point of call for Criminal Lawyers in Parramatta  – enquire online now or call our free 24/7 Criminal Law hotline on 02 8815 8167. 

Being arrested and charged with a criminal offence can be a harrowing experience for everyday people. We understand that not all those who have been charged are hardened criminals, whether it be the wrong place at the wrong time or an unfortunate period in one’s life, AC Law Group is there to for you to ensure you get the best representation with our many years of legal experience as a specialist Criminal Law Firm in Parramatta.

Our uncompromising commitment, attention-to-detail, and genuine care and understanding for our clients are what sets us apart from other Criminal Law Firms in Parramatta. To us, you are a person with unique circumstances involved in a regrettable situation, not merely just another case number. We make every effort to reassure our clients they have made the right in choice in us as their Criminal Lawyers in Parramatta – and our results and reviews show exactly that.  Contact us without delay if you’ve been charged with a crime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for an obligation-free and cost-free first consultation with AC Law Group on 02 8815 8167.

With many of our staff growing up in Western Sydney, we have a genuine, personal connection and commitment to the people of the area we serve and understand the unique challenges our clients face. Call us on (02) 8815 8167 or contact us via email [email protected] and connect with your local and highly-experienced Criminal Law Firm in Parramatta for a free appointment. 

AC Law Group Criminal Lawyers Parramatta – providing friendly, expert advice and assistance (without the legal jargon) for all Criminal Law matters. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where will I go if I am arrested by the police? 

In most cases, you will be taken to a police station following an arrest. Usually, the police can detain you for up to six hours to interview you and conduct investigations. At the end of this time, they must charge you and release you on bail, release you with no charge, or bring you before the court as soon as possible. If you have been arrested, contact the Australian Criminal Law Group on (02) 8815 8167. We are the best criminal lawyers in Parramatta and can assist you in the event of an arrest.

• What are my rights? 

The police must inform you of your rights after an arrest. These rights include the right to contact a lawyer and have them present, the right to say nothing (exceptions apply), and the right to call a friend or relative. If necessary, you can also ask for an interpreter. If you need medical treatment, you have the right to have it. 

• Why do I need a Lawyer? 

The criminal law system protects people who have been accused or charged with certain rights, including due process on the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise. Your lawyer is with you every step of the process to not only protect your rights but to explain your charge, any evidence against you, and what needs to be proven. He/she can communicate with police on your behalf and guide you on a defence strategy.

• Where do I find a Lawyer? 

You can use a search engine to find a lawyer or look in online or printed directories like the Yellow Pages. Make sure your lawyer is experienced in criminal law and has experience in the specific type of charge that applies to you. 

Australian Criminal Law Group are experts criminal lawyers based in  Parramatta. Contact us via phone on (02) 8815 8167 or via email at [email protected]

• What do I do if the police refer me to a Lawyer? 

You do not have to accept any lawyer referred to you and you have the right to choose who represents you. You may consider the lawyer referred to you by the police, or you can ask for a directory like the Yellow Pages to search for lawyers. Australian Criminal Law Group is the best criminal law firm in Parramatta. Contact  us for a free first appointment 24/7 on (02) 8815 8167 or via email at [email protected]

• What happens if I am charged with drink driving? 

With a drink driving charge, You could face immediate licence suspension, an on-the-spot fine, and a criminal charge. Your blood alcohol concentration and type of licence determines the level of your charge, which then impacts the potential maximum penalty, including licence suspension periods. It’s vital you contact a traffic lawyer as soon as possible, as you could make a licence suspension appeal. Australian Criminal Law Group are highly experienced traffic lawyers in Parramatta and you can contact us 24/7 on (02) 8815 8167.

• What is the role of the courts? 

When the police lay charges against the defendant, it’s then the role of the court to decide on the issue of guilt. If someone is found guilty, then the court also makes a decision about penalties, whether that’s imprisonment and/or a fine. In New South Wales, there are three levels of courts: the Local Court, the District Court, and the Supreme Court. 

• What is the Local Court? 

All criminal law cases start in the Local Court, and most of these will be commenced by the New South Wales police. The Local Court has jurisdiction to hear most types of criminal charges. Summary offences, such as possession of drugs and assault are heard in the Local Court. Offences of a more serious nature will start in the Local Court, where there will be a committal hearing (see below), and then be referred to a higher court. 

• What is the role of the District Court and Supreme Court? 

The District Court has jurisdiction to handle appeals from a lower court as well as any criminal offence except for piracy, murder, and treason. Only the Supreme Court can hear these matters. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the state and has two appellate courts that deal with appeals: the Court of Appeal and the Court of Criminal Appeal.

• What is the difference between a Court and a Tribunal? 

Tribunals usually handle specific topic areas whilst courts can hear a wide range of civil and criminal cases. Though their decisions are binding, tribunals are more informal and they aren’t bound by the rules of evidence. A tribunal can provide a more cost-effective and faster way to resolve a legal dispute. The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, for example, can hear guardianship issues, consumer claims, and other claims. 

• What happens when I arrive at court?

If you have legal representation, you might meet the lawyer at his/her office or outside the court. Courts usually schedule all cases to be heard that day for the same time, and so you should expect a wait before the court calls your matter. In terms of etiquette, refrain from eating or drinking and turn off your phone before entering the court.

• What is a Mention?

A Mention happens on the first day you go to court for an offence. It is a short hearing for the court to find out how you are pleading (guilty or not guilty) and to inform the judge or magistrate about what will happen next in the matter. You could attend multiple mentions within the course of a trial. 

• What is Bail? 

A judge or magistrate can make an order that allows you to stay in the community before your matter is finalised in court. This is known as bail, and it usually has certain conditions, such as reporting to the police on a regular basis. If you have been refused bail, you can apply for bail in a higher court. Australian Criminal Law Group has extensive experience in bail applications, so contact us on (02) 8815 8167 or via email at [email protected]

• Can I appeal if I am unhappy with the court’s decision? 

In some instances, you may be able to appeal a sentence. You will need to do so within any applicable time limits. Australian Criminal Law Group are award-winning criminal lawyers based in Parramatta, and we can provide honest, trustworthy advice about your prospects in an appeal. Contact us on (02) 8815 8167 or via email at [email protected] for a free first consultation.

• What is a Committal Hearing? 

Prior to April 2018, committal hearings in NSW enabled any individual charged with a serious criminal offence to have the evidence reviewed by a Magistrate to decide whether there was enough evidence to go to trial. Today, the committal process involves charge certification by a senior prosecutor and case conferencing between prosecutors and the defence team.

• What is a simple offence? 

A simple offence, or summary offence as it is known in NSW, is a less serious offence, in contrast to an indictable offence. Summary offences can be heard in the Local Court. Many summary offences attract only a fine but some can come with a maximum penalty of two years where imprisonment applies. Examples of these offences include traffic offences, drink drinking, and failing to vote.

• What is an indictable offence? 

An indictable offence is a more serious criminal offence, and most cannot be heard in the Local Court but only in the District Court or Supreme Court. Examples of indictable offences are stealing, fraud, murder, rape, robbery, and burglary. Minor indictable offences can be heard and finalised in the Local Court. 

• What is the Standard of Proof? 

The standard of proof is the evidentiary standard the prosecution has to meet to convict someone charged of a crime. For criminal charges, the standard of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt. In practice, this means the jury has to be convinced of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and if there is any reasonable doubt, the jury is required to make a finding of acquittal or not guilty.

• What happens at the Trial? 

At the start of a criminal trial, the defendant goes to the dock when the bailiff calls. The judge then enters the court; everyone stands until the judge is seated. The judge’s associate reads out the charge and the defendant is asked to enter a plea. The defendant or his/her lawyer then stands and enters a plea. A plea of not guilty will result in a jury selection process before the trial proceeds. If it is a guilty plea, the trial won’t be decided by a jury but by the judge. 

• What happens if I plead Guilty? 

If you enter a guilty plea, the judge rather than a jury will make a finding on the question of guilt. The judge will consider the submissions and evidence from both the prosecution and defence. He/she could make a decision immediately after all submissions have been made or may set a further date for a sentencing hearing. 

• What happens if I plead Not Guilty? 

If you plead not guilty, the case proceeds to jury selection. 12 jury members are chosen by drawing numbers from a box, and the judge will explain things about the trial to the jury. The prosecution makes its opening statement, and your lawyer may also make a statement. At a jury trial, witnesses can be called to give evidence, cross-examined, and re-examined. The accused may choose to give evidence for the defence. Closing statements are made, the judge sums up the evidence, and the jury members deliberate and provide the verdict. 

• What happens at an Appeal? 

If you are found guilty in the Local Court and you are eligible to make an appeal, you will usually appeal to the District Court. Appeals for matters heard in the District or Supreme Courts go to the Court of Appeal. If you are appealing to the District Court for a Local Court decision, the court will use the evidence given in the lower court. Usually witnesses will not be called. For an appeal against sentence, the court will rehear the evidence given at the lower court. Strict time limits apply to appeals, so seek legal advice quickly if you want to appeal a decision. 
Australian Criminal Law Group are award-winning criminal lawyers based in Parramatta and other areas of Sydney. If you want the best legal guidance on making an appeal, contact us 24/7 by phone on (02) 8815 8167 or email at [email protected]