Criminal Lawyers in Sydney CBD

Contact us, and get the best criminal lawyer in Sydney on your team.

 About our Sydney Criminal lawyers

Our Sydney based criminal lawyers appear for clients charged with all criminal and traffic matters.  This ranges from high profile murders, drug importations and sexual assaults, to smaller domestic violence, drink driving and drug possession cases.

Being charged with a crime is a time of significant stress.  We pride ourselves on successfully defending charges of criminal and traffic offences.  We can help get lenient sentences and avoid convictions being recorded.

With strong social justice beliefs, we maintain a section of the firm dedicated to providing accessible representation to clients with limited financial means.  This includes appearing for clients with Legal Aid.

If you want help to tell your side of the story in court, call our free 24/7 phone hotline for criminal law advice, or make a website enquiry.

Our Sydney criminal lawyers’ areas of expertise

Our expert criminal law team appears in all criminal and traffic matters. These include:

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

Sydney criminal defence services

• Bail applications
• Sentencing and defended hearings in the Local Court
• 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 Sydney CBD Defence Lawyer

The location of our Sydney CBD criminal law firm office is:

• 1/299 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000

The office is conveniently located on Elizabeth Street, across the road from Downing Centre Courthouse and Museum Station.

Parking is available for a fee at the Goulburn Street car park. You can also park at World Square Shopping Centre which is approximately a 3-minute walk to our offices.

Several public bus routes can also bring you close to our location. Visit Transport NSW’s Trip Planner to find which bus travels from your home or office.

Book an appointment with a criminal lawyer in Sydney CBD

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

• Phone: (02) 8815 8167
• Email: info@aclawgroup.com.au

Alternatively, fill in the form below, and get the best criminal lawyer in Sydney on your team.

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

Sydney Courts 

Our criminal lawyers appear in courts across Sydney.  For the full list of courts that we attend visit here.

• Downing Centre District Court
  Level 4 Downing Centre 143-147 Liverpool Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
• Downing Centre Local Court
  Level 4 Downing Centre 143-147 Liverpool Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
• Central Local Court
  98 Liverpool Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
• North Sydney Local Court
  94 Pacific Highway NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2060
• Supreme Court of NSW, Darlinghurst Courthouse, Taylor Square, Sydney
  Taylor Square, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
• Supreme Court of NSW, King Street Courthouse, Corner King and Elizabeth Streets, Sydney
  Corner King and Elizabeth Streets, SYDNEY
• Supreme Court of NSW, Law Courts Building, Queens Square, Sydney
  Queens Square, 184 Philip Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Frequently Asked Questions

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

In most instances, you will be taken to a police station if you are arrested. You may be detained for up to six (6) hours pending your participation in an interview and preliminary investigations into an alleged crime. If you are arrested, you should contact our Criminal Law team at (02) 8815 8167 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to seek legal representation as soon as possible. 

Upon expiry of the time limit, the police must either:

1. Charge you for a crime and release you on police bail;
2. Release you without charge (also known as “released unconditionally”); or
3. Bring you before the Court as soon as practicable. 

• What are my rights when arrested? 

You must be informed of your rights by the police if and when you are arrested. Some of the rights which you are afforded are as follows:

• The right to remain silent (with the exception of providing your name and address and in motor vehicle accidents, identifying the driver of the vehicle)
• Contact a lawyer and/or have them present during questioning and whilst undergoing preliminary investigations into the alleged crime;
• Contact a family member or friend;
• To have an interpreter present if English is not your primary language; and
• If reasonably required or requested, the right to seek medical attention.

• Why do I need a Criminal Lawyer? 

One of the main reasons a defence lawyer should be present is to protect your rights and defend your innocence by providing legal advice on what you should and should not say during a police interview. For most people, this will be their first time in a police station and the experience can be stressful, especially when police may seem authoritative in their line of questioning during an interview. 

An experienced Criminal Lawyer in Sydney such as the team at Australian Criminal Law Group has been through this process thousands of times as part of their day-to-day – so it makes sense to have the best criminal lawyers in Sydney to guide you every step of the way. 

• Where do I find a Lawyer? 

The team at the Australian Criminal Law Group are some of the best Criminal Lawyers in Sydney. Contact us for an obligation-free, cost-free consultation at (02) 8815 8167 or via email at info@aclawgroup.com.au. 

Even if you may not need a lawyer right now, you should write down our details on a piece of paper and keep it on hand (such as in your wallet or handbag) if you ever need it (as your first consultation is free). 

You can also search online for a criminal law firm in Sydney or visit the Law Society of New South Wales website to find a criminal lawyer or traffic lawyer in Sydney. 

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

You have the right to choose your legal representation.  You are not obliged to use the lawyer which the police has referred to you.

Australian Criminal Law Group has many years of experience and strives to be one of the best criminal law firms in Sydney. With countless successful outcomes for our clients, contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on (02) 8815 8167 for a free first appointment on or via email at info@aclawgroup.com.au today.

It is up to you to determine which legal representative to retain, you can either accept the lawyer referred to you by the or you can ask for a phone book or directory (like the Yellow Pages) to search for a criminal lawyer in Sydney. 

• What happens if I am charged with drink driving? 

Drink driving is a serious offence and one which can have an impact on your criminal record if convicted. You can be issued with an on-the-spot fine, face immediate suspension of your license, and a potential criminal charge. 

The severity of the penalty is determined by the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) reading at the time you are charged (usually roadside and then at a police station or mobile testing station for confirmation) as well as the license held (such as a Provisional license holder or “P Plater”).

• What is the role of the courts? 

In New South Wales, there are three levels of courts: the Local Court, the District Court, and the Supreme Court.

If charged with a crime, you will become referred to as the“accused” (also known as a “defendant”) in court proceedings. The role of the Court is to determine:

a. if an individual is guilty of the charges against them beyond reasonable doubt (the “Standard of Proof” required in criminal proceedings); and

b. If guilty, the punishment (such as a fine and/or community service or imprisonment).

• What is the Local Court? 

The Local Court is the lowest court in the NSW judicial system. It has jurisdiction to hear most types of criminal and civil matters. 

The NSW criminal justice system distinguishes between two types of offences: 

a. Summary Offences – domestic violence (AVOs), drug possession and traffic offences are examples of matters which are heard in the Local Court

b. Indictable Offences – are more serious offences that commence proceedings in the Local Court and will progress through the justice system, depending on the nature of the crime.

More information on “Indictable Offences” can be found below.

• What is a Committal Hearing? 

Prior to the April 2018 amendments of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), a committal hearing was required where the prosecution had to prove a case was strong enough to proceed toward a trial. 

The committal process now involves confirmation of a verified charge by a senior prosecutor and discussions between prosecutors and the defence team (your criminal defence lawyers).

• What is an indictable offence? 

An indictable offence is a more serious criminal offence. Some indictable offences can be heard in the Local Court unless the Office of the Director of prosecutions and/or the Accused elect to have them heard in the District Court. The most serious indictable offences, known as strictly indictable offences (such as murder, commercial drug supply and most sex offences) can only be finalised in the District Court or Supreme 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? 

The Australian legal system is made up of courts and tribunals at both the state and federal levels.

A “Court” is part of the constitutionally established system of government that can hear a wide range of criminal and civil matters, where decisions are legally binding.

A “Tribunal” is typically less formal than a court in the way it is conducted, where the rules of evidence do not strictly apply. Commonwealth tribunals exist to review the merits of an administrative decision (typically by a government department). State tribunals may exercise semi-judicial power when dealing with smaller disputes, such as tenancy matters. 

• What happens when I arrive at court?

If you have a lawyer, you may meet them at their office or outside the Court.

Ensure you dress appropriately (business attire) and show proper court etiquette (refrain from talking loudly, turn your phone off, and do not eat or drink). 

Court cases are scheduled throughout the day so it is important to wait until your matter is called to be heard. 

• What is a Mention?

A Mention is typically the first appearance before a court where an accused has the opportunity to submit a pleading of “guilty” or “not guilty” before a judge or Magistrate (a judge in the Local Court) for an offence. 

There may be multiple instances of a mention throughout a matter where the Court is advised of the progress of the matter and what is to happen next. 

• What is Bail? 

In accordance with the Bail Act 2013 (NSW) a grant of “Bail” allows an individual back into the community until the next date in Court. A grant of bail is not automatic and you can only make a bail application once, it is up to your or your lawyer to prepare, file, and present bail applications to the Court. Australian Criminal Law Group has extensive experience in bail applications, contact us at (02) 8815 8167 to give your bail application the best chance of success.

With regards to the severity of the alleged crime, a judge or magistrate will review your bail application and determine whether it is granted or refused. Bail may come with certain conditions, such as surrendering your passport or reporting to the police on a regular basis. 

You will be remanded in custody until the end of the case if you have been refused bail.  You may also apply for bail in a higher court if refused in the Local Court. 

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

There are strict time limits and particular instances where a court’s decision can be appealed. 

Hire an experienced criminal lawyer in Sydney (such as the Australian Criminal Law Group).  Because you deserve accurate, realistic and trustworthy advice on your prospects of an appeal. Don’t waste your money and jeopardise your freedom by hiring just any lawyer, contact us at (02) 8815 8167 or via email at info@aclawgroup.com.au now for a cost-free, obligation-free initial consultation.

• What is the Standard of Proof? 

The standard of proof for criminal matters “is beyond reasonable doubt”, which denotes in fact that the jury must be persuaded beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty, and in the instance or presence of doubt, the jury must make a finding of acquittal or “not guilty”.

• What happens if I plead Guilty? 

You should always seek legal advice prior to entering a guilty plea – contact us 24/7 by phone at (02) 8815 8167 for advice on a guilty plea.

The judge will consider the submissions and evidence from both the prosecution and defence when making a finding on the question of guilt.  The judge may make an immediate decision or may set a further date for a sentencing hearing after all submissions have been made.

• What happens if I plead Not Guilty in local court? 

If you plead not guilty in a local court case, then a magistrate will hear your case.

The prosecution usually makes a brief opening statement outlining its case, and your lawyer may also make a statement.

Witnesses will give evidence when called to.   The prosecution and defence team (your lawyers) will then cross-examine, and re-examine them.  The accused may choose to give evidence for the defence (typically on the advice of their lawyers). 

The prosecution and defence (your lawyers) will finally make closing statements.  The magistrate then makes a decision on guilt to the criminal standard of beyond reasonable doubt.

• What if I plead Not Guilty in the District or Supreme Court? 

If you plead not guilty, the case proceeds to jury selection. 

Twelve (12) jury members are selected at random by drawing numbers from a box. The judge will explain the facts of the matter to the jury. 

The prosecution will make its opening statement, and your lawyer may also make a statement. 

At a jury trial, witnesses can be called to give evidence, be cross-examined, and re-examined by either the prosecution or the defence team (your lawyers). The accused may choose to give evidence for the defence (typically on the advice of their lawyers). 

The prosecution and defence (your lawyers) will finally make closing statements.  The judge will then sum up the evidence.    Finally, the jury members will deliberate and provide the verdict. 

• What happens at an Appeal? 

You can make an appeal if found guilty in local court matters.  The appeal would be lodged to a higher court if you are eligible (such as the District Court). 

The Court of Appeal hears appeals from the District or Supreme Court. If you are appealing to the District Court for a Local Court decision or appealing a sentence, the court will use the evidence given in the lower court. 

Strict time limits apply to appeals. Therefore, it is important to seek legal advice quickly if you want to appeal a decision.