Criminal Defence Lawyers in Fairfield & Sydney

You have the right to silence under NSW law, and in almost all cases you should exercise it until you have spoken to a lawyer. Apart from giving your name and address, you are not obliged to answer police questions, and anything you say can be used as evidence against you. A poorly handled police interview is one of the most common ways people damage an otherwise defensible case. If police ask you to attend a station or take part in a recorded ERISP interview, contact us first — we will advise you on what to say, whether to participate at all, and can attend with you to protect your rights. We appear in matters at Fairfield Local Court, Parramatta District Court and the Downing Centre, and give this advice in English and Dari.

Yes, bail is often achievable even for serious charges, but eligibility depends on the offence, your background, and the risks the court must weigh. Under the Bail Act 2013 (NSW) the court considers whether you are an 'unacceptable risk' of failing to appear, committing further offences, interfering with witnesses or endangering the community, and certain serious offences carry a 'show cause' requirement you must overcome first. A well-prepared application — addressing stable accommodation, employment, sureties and proposed conditions such as reporting or curfews — dramatically improves your prospects. We prepare detailed bail applications for the Local, District and Supreme Courts, and can act urgently when police bail has been refused and you are due in court the next morning. Advice is available in English and Dari.

Timelines vary widely depending on the court and the complexity of the matter. A guilty plea to a minor traffic or summary offence in the Local Court may be finalised within one to three months, while a defended hearing takes longer, and an indictable matter committed to the District or Supreme Court can run for twelve months or more through committal, arraignment and trial. Adjournments, the service of the brief of evidence, expert reports and negotiations with the prosecution all affect the schedule. At your first consultation we map out the likely stages and a realistic timeframe for your specific charges, so you can plan around court dates and any bail conditions. We keep you informed at every step and explain each stage in English or Dari.