Questions When You've Just Been Charged

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.