Charged? What you do in the next 24 hours matters.
Calm, clear representation from a solicitor who has worked for both the defence and the Crown.
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Both sides of the bar table
Prosecution solicitor at the NSW DPP from 2013 to 2016, defending since.
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Every stage, every court
Local, District and Supreme Courts, the Children's Court and the Coroners Court.
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Straight answers
A realistic view of your options once the evidence has been reviewed.
Areas of practice
Representation across the range of matters heard in NSW Local, District and Supreme Courts.
Drink & drug driving
PCA offences, drug driving, licence disqualifications and applications, and driving while suspended or disqualified.
Assault & violence offences
Common assault through to grievous bodily harm, affray, and matters arising from a single altercation or an ongoing dispute.
Domestic violence & AVOs
Defending and responding to Apprehended Violence Orders, and charges arising from domestic and family incidents.
Drug offences
Possession, supply and cultivation charges, from small quantity matters to indictable supply offences.
Fraud & dishonesty offences
Theft, fraud, obtaining financial advantage by deception, and related white-collar matters.
Sexual assault offences
Discreet, careful representation at every stage, from police interview through to defended hearing or trial.
Traffic & regulatory offences
Speeding, negligent driving, licence appeals, and matters before local courts and civil and administrative tribunals.
Bail applications & sentencing
Urgent and Supreme Court bail applications, and sentencing proceedings including Intensive Correction Orders and other alternatives to full-time custody.
Children's Court matters
Representation for young people, with particular attention to the Children's Court's rehabilitative framework and procedural protections.
Coronial inquests
Appearances before the Coroners Court of NSW, including its inquisitorial process and public interest focus.
Appeals
Severity and conviction appeals to the District Court, and matters before the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal.
Also:Criminal law guidesTraffic offencesFamily lawAbout the firm
What happens after you're charged
Every matter is different, but most criminal cases in NSW move through the same stages. Here's what to expect.
Charge, bail and release
Police decide whether to release you on bail, with or without conditions, or hold you for a bail hearing. What you say at this point — including to police, before you've had legal advice — can end up in the brief of evidence.
Day of arrestFirst mention in court
Your first court appearance. For most charges, you don't need to enter a plea yet — this is usually about confirming legal representation and setting a timetable for the case.
Days to weeks after chargeBrief of evidence & case conference
Police serve their evidence — statements, exhibits, CCTV, forensic material. We review it in detail, identify weaknesses, and where appropriate, negotiate with the prosecution about the charges themselves.
Weeks after first mentionPlea
Based on the evidence, you decide whether to plead guilty or not guilty. This is your decision — my role is to make sure it's an informed one, made with a clear picture of the likely outcomes of each path.
Once the evidence is reviewedHearing, trial or sentencing
A defended matter proceeds to hearing or trial, where the prosecution must prove its case. A guilty plea moves to sentencing, where the focus shifts to the strongest case for the most favourable outcome available.
Months after charge, matter-dependent
Questions people ask when they've just been charged
Do I need a lawyer if this is a first offence?
Yes — even a first, minor charge can carry a criminal record, licence loss or a fine that follows you for years. A lawyer can often negotiate the charge itself before it ever reaches a plea, which isn't something you can undo later by pleading not guilty and changing your mind.
Will I go to prison?
Most criminal matters in NSW do not result in a prison sentence, particularly first offences and lower-level charges. Outcome depends heavily on the offence, your record, and how the matter is handled from the outset. I'll give you a realistic view of the range of outcomes once I've seen the evidence — not before.
What should I do right now, before I've spoken to a lawyer?
Say as little as possible to police beyond identifying yourself, and do not discuss the incident with anyone else, including on the phone or by message. Write down what you remember while it's fresh, and call before your next scheduled contact with police or court.
What does a first consultation involve?
We go through the charge, what evidence exists so far, your bail conditions if any, and the immediate deadlines in your matter. You'll leave with a clear sense of what happens next and what it's likely to cost.
What's different about a lawyer with prosecution experience?
Having prepared briefs for the prosecution, I know how they're built, what gaps commonly exist, and how a prosecutor is likely to assess your matter. That informs where we push back and where we don't — which matters for both the outcome and the cost of getting there.
Charged with an offence? Let's talk before your next court date.
Consultations are confidential. If you're calling about an urgent matter — an upcoming bail hearing or court date — say so and it will be treated as a priority.
Prefer a form? Use the enquiry page