Free first consultation of up to 30 minutes for criminal and traffic matters, in person at the Sydney, Parramatta or Liverpool office or by phone, during business hours. Fixed fees for each stage of common matters where possible, with no separate charges for calls or emails. If a fixed fee isn't possible the lawyer gives an estimate at the first conference.
Office
Level 45, 680 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
A criminal and traffic practice led by principal lawyer Avinash Singh, an accredited criminal law specialist, according to the firm. It has offices in the Sydney CBD, Parramatta, Liverpool and Wollongong, and its lawyers handle Local Court pleas, bail applications, licence appeals and mental health applications. It publishes fixed fees for each stage of common matters, which helps if you want to know costs before you commit. It suits people facing Local Court charges or a bail hearing. The first consultation is free for up to 30 minutes, in person or by phone.
Also worth knowing
It has offices in the Sydney CBD, Parramatta, Liverpool and Wollongong.
Lawyers
Avinash Singh, Principal Lawyer Accredited criminal law specialist
Isaac Hoballah, Lawyer
Nandita Jagota, Lawyer
Benjamin Li, Lawyer
Areas of criminal law handled
Local Court guilty pleas
Defended hearings
Bail applications, including Supreme Court bail
AVOs and domestic violence charges
Drug offences
Assault and violence charges
Fraud and dishonesty offences
Sexual offences
Section 14 and Section 32 mental health applications
Severity appeals to the District Court
Drink and drug driving
Licence suspension appeals
Office
Level 45, 680 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Other details
Other offices
Parramatta, Liverpool and Wollongong in NSW, plus Perth and Melbourne
Appointments by phone, in person at Penrith or Norwest, or online. The firm says it offers fixed fees. The site doesn't say whether the first consultation is free.
Office
Level 1, Suite 3, 87-93 Henry Street, Penrith NSW 2750
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
SCB Legal is a western Sydney practice run by principal solicitor Sionea Breust, who opened it in 2016. It works from Penrith and Norwest and covers criminal law alongside family law, care and protection matters, wills and conveyancing. On the criminal side it lists bail, assault, AVOs, drug charges, sexual offences and traffic matters, and says it appears from the Local Court up to the Supreme Court. It suits people in the Penrith and Hills area. Meetings can be in person, by phone or online, and the firm says it offers fixed fees.
Opened in 2016
Also worth knowing
It says it offers fixed fees.
Lawyers
The firm's site doesn't name the lawyers who handle its criminal matters.
Sionea Breust, Principal Solicitor
Areas of criminal law handled
Bail applications
Section 10 applications
Assault, wounding and GBH
AVOs and domestic violence charges
Drug offences
Sexual offences
Intimate image offences
Property damage
Drink and drug driving
Traffic and licence matters
Sentencing preparation
Court representation
Office
Level 1, Suite 3, 87-93 Henry Street, Penrith NSW 2750
Free first consultation with no obligation, including for a second opinion. Book by phone or online, at the Sydney or Parramatta office. Fees are explained at the first meeting and set out in a written cost agreement.
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Australian Criminal and Family Lawyers is run by principal lawyer Osman Samin, who the firm says is a Law Society accredited specialist in criminal law and holds a Masters in criminal law. It has a team of seven lawyers working from the Sydney CBD, Circular Quay and Parramatta. The firm says it handles everything from traffic and AVO matters up to terrorism and murder. It suits people who want a criminal specialist at the helm and an office close to the city courts. The first consultation is free and comes with no obligation.
Also worth knowing
The first consultation is free, and fees are set out in a written cost agreement.
Lawyers
Osman Samin, Principal Lawyer Accredited criminal law specialist
Nicholas Franklin, Managing Senior Lawyer
Giordano Borzuola, Lawyer
Joshua Lawson, Lawyer
Eda Arslan, Lawyer
Honor Williams, Lawyer
Matthew Gillis, Lawyer
Areas of criminal law handled
Bail applications
Drug possession and supply
Assault and affray
Robbery and larceny
Fraud
Sexual assault
Firearms offences
Murder and manslaughter
AVOs and ADVOs
Section 10 and Section 32 applications
Criminal appeals
Drink driving and major traffic offences
Other details
Other offices
Circular Quay (1 Macquarie Place) and Parramatta Square
Not published on the site. Enquiries by phone or online form.
Office
Suite 901, Level 9, 368 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Hanna Legal is a Sussex Street criminal defence firm founded in 2010 by principal Nick Hanna, who was listed in Doyle's Guide every year from 2016 to 2023. The firm says it focuses on serious and complex matters, and its news page backs that up with fraud, drug, murder and misconduct in public office cases reported in the press. A team of six lawyers also handles police investigations, inquests and professional discipline. It suits people facing serious indictable charges or a public inquiry. The site doesn't publish consultation terms, so ask when you call.
Founded in 2010
Also worth knowing
It also acts in police investigations, inquests, parole and extradition matters.
Lawyers
Nick Hanna, Principal
Abbas Soukie, Senior Associate and co-founder
Bobby Hill, Associate
Olivia Branson, Solicitor
Rola Elayan, Solicitor
Jade Eassey, Solicitor
Areas of criminal law handled
Homicide charges
Drug offences
Fraud and white collar crime
Proceeds of crime and money laundering
Sexual offences
Firearms and weapons offences
Bail applications
Defended hearings and trials
Sentencing and appeals
Police investigations
Parole applications
Extradition
Office
Suite 901, Level 9, 368 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Free, confidential first consultation, bookable online or by phone. Available 24/7 for urgent matters. Fixed fees for criminal and traffic matters, no hourly billing.
Office
Suite 36, Level 4, 402-410 Chapel Rd, Bankstown NSW 2200
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Blackridge Law is a Bankstown criminal and traffic firm founded by partners Mustafa Agar and Mohamed Bejjaoui. It appears in courts across Sydney, including the Downing Centre, Parramatta, Liverpool and Penrith, and takes on everything from licence appeals to murder charges. The line is staffed 24/7 for arrests, police station attendance and urgent bail. Fees are fixed rather than hourly. It suits people in south west Sydney who need a lawyer fast. The first consultation is free and confidential.
Also worth knowing
It appears in Local, District and Supreme Courts across NSW.
Lawyers
Mustafa Agar, Principal and Partner
Mohamed Bejjaoui, Partner
Areas of criminal law handled
Bail applications
Police station attendance
AVO defence and breaches
Assault charges
Drug possession and supply
Sexual offences
Fraud and identity crime
Firearms and weapons offences
Murder and manslaughter
Section 10 applications
Criminal appeals
Drink and drug driving
Office
Suite 36, Level 4, 402-410 Chapel Rd, Bankstown NSW 2200
Free first consultation with no obligation. Fixed fees, with the cost confirmed at the first meeting.
Office
Level 1, 299 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Australian Criminal Defence is a Sydney criminal and traffic practice led by principal Joseph Harb. The firm says Harb is best known for drug supply and importation cases and appears in the Local, District and Supreme Courts, as well as NSW Crime Commission proceeds of crime matters and ICAC. Senior lawyer Robert Boulos also does a lot of drug work. The firm promises a lawyer with at least ten years in criminal law on every file. The first consultation is free with no obligation, and fees are fixed and quoted at that meeting.
Also worth knowing
Fees are fixed and confirmed at a free first consultation.
Lawyers
The firm's site doesn't give admission dates or years in practice for its lawyers.
Joseph Harb, Principal
Robert Boulos, Criminal defence lawyer
Areas of criminal law handled
Drug supply and importation defence
Bail applications
AVO and domestic violence matters
Sexual assault defence
Fraud and proceeds of crime
Murder and manslaughter
Jury trials
Severity and conviction appeals
Mental health applications
Commonwealth offences
Drink driving and traffic offences
Office
Level 1, 299 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Other details
Other offices
Bankstown, Parramatta and Wollongong (all by appointment)
Free, confidential initial consultation and case review. Fixed fee options available.
Office
Level 57, 25 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
A criminal and traffic practice with an address at Martin Place in the city and offices in Liverpool, Parramatta, Campbelltown, Gregory Hills and Oran Park. The firm says it works only in criminal and traffic law and appears in the Local and District Courts. Much of its work is drink driving, licence appeals, AVOs and assault, along with drug, fraud and sexual offence cases. Its phone line runs around the clock. It suits people in western and south western Sydney. The first case review is free and confidential, and fixed fee options are available.
Areas of criminal law handled
Drink driving (PCA) and drug driving
Licence appeals
Driving while suspended or disqualified
Bail applications
AVO and domestic violence matters
Assault and weapons charges
Drug offences
Fraud and dishonesty
Sexual offences
Section 14 mental health applications
Severity and conviction appeals
Office
Level 57, 25 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000
Other details
Other offices
Liverpool (5/153 George St), Parramatta, Campbelltown, Gregory Hills and Oran Park
Free first conference for people going to court on a criminal or traffic matter, in person, by phone or Zoom. Fixed fees for many cases and cost estimates for complex ones.
Office
Suite 503, Museum Towers, 267 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Sydney Criminal Lawyers is one of the larger criminal defence practices in the state, run from Museum Towers opposite the Downing Centre courts. Principal Ugur Nedim has been an accredited criminal law specialist since 2005, the firm says, and leads a team of eight named lawyers. It covers everything from traffic and AVOs to murder, terrorism and Crime Commission matters. Lawyers between them speak more than ten languages. The first conference is free for people going to court, and many cases run on fixed fees.
Also worth knowing
Its lawyers speak languages including Arabic, Korean, Greek, Cantonese, Turkish, Vietnamese and Hindi, the firm says.
Lawyers
Ugur Nedim, Principal Accredited criminal law specialist
Vinny Vijay, Senior Associate
Mariecar Capili, Senior Associate
Rachel Williamson, Senior Associate
Enis Erdem, Senior Criminal Defence Lawyer
Patrick O'Sullivan, Senior Criminal Defence Lawyer
Michael Stelmach, Criminal Defence Lawyer
Xing Hu, Criminal Defence Lawyer
Areas of criminal law handled
Bail applications
Not guilty pleas and hearings
Jury trials
Appeals
Section 10 and CRO applications
Mental health applications
Drug offences
Fraud and white collar crime
Proceeds of crime and money laundering
Sexual offences
Murder and manslaughter
Drink driving and licence appeals
Office
Suite 503, Museum Towers, 267 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Other details
Other offices
Parramatta and Liverpool, plus appointment only offices in Chatswood, Penrith, Bankstown, Sutherland, Wollongong, Newcastle and Cessnock
Free first phone consultation, then a face to face meeting if you go ahead. Fixed fees set per stage and type of matter, with extra charges for travel outside Sydney or complex matters.
Office
Level 21, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Brian Walker is a criminal barrister at Clarence Chambers in the city, not a law firm. His site says he was a Commonwealth prosecutor on drug importation and sexual offence cases and acted for the AFP Commissioner in proceeds of crime cases in the Supreme Court. He also trained as an accountant and worked at the ATO, which fits fraud work. Clients call or book with him directly and his site doesn't say a solicitor is needed. The first phone consultation is free, and he works on fixed fees for each stage.
Also worth knowing
He is on the Legal Aid NSW summary and indictable criminal panels, according to his site.
Free first consultation, with phone advice 24/7. Fixed fees with no hidden extras, the firm says.
Office
Level 1, 299 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
MK Law is a small criminal and traffic practice run by Michael Kuzilny from Elizabeth Street, across the road from the Downing Centre courts. The firm says he has more than 30 years in the criminal justice system. Much of its work is Local Court matters such as drink and drug driving, AVOs, assault and Section 10 applications, along with fraud, drug and sexual offence charges. He will meet clients in the city, in Cronulla, at home or work, or over FaceTime. The first consultation is free and fees are fixed.
Also worth knowing
The first consultation is free and the firm says its fees are fixed.
Lawyers
The firm's site doesn't name any other lawyers.
Michael Kuzilny, Principal, criminal defence and traffic lawyer
Areas of criminal law handled
AVO matters
Assault charges
Drug charges
Fraud and theft
Sexual offences
Section 10 applications
Drink and drug driving
Dangerous driving
Driving while suspended or disqualified
Help for self represented people
Office
Level 1, 299 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Other details
Other offices
Meetings in Cronulla, at home or work, or by FaceTime
Firm details come from each firm's own website. Google ratings are shown as published on Google and don't set the order. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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How we compiled this list
We include firms and barristers that do criminal defence as a main part of their work and take Sydney clients. For each one we read its own website in October 2026 and wrote the description ourselves. Where a firm says a lawyer is a Law Society of NSW accredited specialist we say so. Free consultations and fee terms are as the firm describes them, so confirm them when you call. We show Google ratings with the date we checked them, and we leave out self-reported success rates.
Some firms pay for a featured listing, which affects where they appear on this page. Payment doesn't buy the write-up. We write those ourselves, and firms don't get to edit them. If something here is out of date, let us know. There's more detail on how we rank law firms.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws and programs are as published by the NSW Government, the NSW courts and Legal Aid NSW in October 2026.
Where Sydney criminal charges are heard
Most charges start in the Local Court. In the city that's the Downing Centre at 143 to 147 Liverpool Street or Central Local Court at 98 Liverpool Street, which hears criminal cases only. In western Sydney it's Parramatta Local Court, 12 George Street. The Downing Centre was flooded in June 2025 and reopened on 19 December 2025.
Type of charge
Where it's dealt with
Summary offences
Local Court. Charges generally have to be laid within 6 months
Table 1 and Table 2 offences
Local Court, unless the prosecution, or for Table 1 either side, elects a higher court. The Local Court can generally give up to 2 years' jail per offence
Strictly indictable offences
District Court at the Downing Centre or Parramatta (12 George Street), or the Supreme Court at 184 Phillip Street for the most serious
Young people go to the Children's Court, which sits at 2 George Street, Parramatta, among other places. If you've been charged, check the court and date on your court attendance notice and tell your lawyer straight away.
Bail in NSW
Under the Bail Act 2013, bail must be refused if there's an unacceptable risk, after considering whether bail conditions could manage it, that you would fail to appear, commit a serious offence, endanger someone's safety or interfere with witnesses or evidence.
Show cause offences: for serious charges, including offences carrying life imprisonment, serious domestic violence offences against an intimate partner carrying 14 years or more, coercive control, some firearm and commercial drug offences, and serious offences committed while on bail or parole, you must first show why you shouldn't be held. This doesn't apply to people under 18
Domestic violence: bail for a serious domestic violence offence must include electronic monitoring unless there are good reasons not to
Young people: for 14 to 17 year olds charged with certain motor vehicle theft or serious break and enter offences while already on bail for one, bail can only be granted if the court has a high degree of confidence they won't commit a serious indictable offence while on bail. Parliament extended this rule again in September 2026
If the Local Court refuses bail, you can apply to the Supreme Court. With this much riding on the first hearing, it's worth having a lawyer prepare your application.
Police powers and your rights
After an arrest, police can generally hold you for up to 6 hours of investigation time, which doesn't count breaks such as waiting for a lawyer, interpreter or medical care, so you may be held longer. A magistrate or authorised officer can extend it once
The custody manager must caution you that you don't have to say or do anything, and give you a summary of your rights
Before any questioning, you must be told you can contact a friend or relative and a lawyer of your choice. Questioning should be delayed for a reasonable time so you can, and for up to 2 hours for a lawyer to arrive
In most cases you have the right to stay silent, though there are exceptions, such as some vehicle and car crash matters
Legal Aid NSW lawyers don't attend police stations, so if you want advice before an interview, call a private lawyer or, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the Aboriginal Legal Service. If you're under 18, call the Legal Aid NSW Youth Hotline on 1800 10 18 10.
Outcomes: section 10, CROs and diversion
Section 10: the court can find you guilty without recording a conviction, and either dismiss the charge, make a conditional release order or require an intervention program. A dismissal can avoid a licence disqualification for some offences
Conditional release order: can be made with or without a conviction, with conditions such as supervision or treatment
Community correction order: up to 3 years, and can include a curfew or community service
Intensive correction order: a jail sentence served in the community, not available for under 18s
MERIT: a voluntary Local Court program for adults with a drug or alcohol problem, with about 12 weeks of treatment before your case is finalised. It only runs at some courts
Drug Court: for adults with a drug dependency who are likely to go to jail, plead guilty and live in a listed area, but not where the charges involve violent conduct or sexual assault, or for strictly indictable supply charges. Listed areas include the City of Sydney, Parramatta, Blacktown, Canterbury Bankstown, Liverpool and Penrith
Local Court decisions, including sentences, can be appealed to the District Court.
Spent convictions and young people
Under the Criminal Records Act 1991, most convictions become spent after a crime free period, and then generally don't have to be disclosed.
Outcome
When it's spent
Section 10 dismissal without conviction
Straight away
Finding of guilt with a CRO and no conviction
Once the conditions are completed
Adult conviction
After 10 years in a row with no further jailable conviction and no time in prison
Children's Court conviction
After 3 years
Full time jail of more than 6 months, or a sexual offence
Never. An intensive correction order doesn't count as jail for this rule
Spent convictions still have to be disclosed for some roles, including police, teaching and Working with Children Checks.
Young people. Since 1 March 2026, the rule that children aged 10 to 13 are presumed not to know their conduct was seriously wrong is set out in legislation. From 1 July 2026, young people can be dealt with by a warning, caution or youth justice conference without admitting the offence, as long as they don't deny it. More offences are now eligible, and a child who has already been cautioned three or more times in the past three years isn't entitled to another caution. The Legal Aid NSW Youth Hotline is 1800 10 18 10.
Costs and free legal help
NSW lawyers must give you a written costs disclosure if your costs are likely to be more than $750, and you can ask for an itemised bill. No win, no fee agreements aren't allowed in criminal matters, and lawyers can't charge a percentage of any amount recovered.
LawAccess NSW: 1300 888 529, 9am to 5pm weekdays, for legal information and referrals
Duty lawyers: available at most NSW Local Courts. Help with a first bail application doesn't depend on the means test, but most other duty help does. Arrive by 9am
Legal Aid NSW: 323 Castlereagh Street, Haymarket, (02) 9219 5000
Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT): 1800 765 767, 9am to 5pm weekdays. Police contact its custody notification service whenever an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person is detained
Accredited specialists: search the Law Society of NSW Find a Lawyer tool with the accredited specialist filter
Sydney criminal law: common questions
Will I get a criminal record?
Not necessarily. A court can find you guilty without recording a conviction under section 10, and a section 10 dismissal is spent straight away. If a conviction is recorded, most become spent after 10 years in a row with no further jailable conviction and no time in prison, or 3 years for a Children's Court conviction. Full time jail of more than 6 months and sexual offences never become spent, but an intensive correction order doesn't count as jail for this rule.
Do I have to answer police questions?
In most cases you have the right to stay silent, though there are some exceptions, such as certain car crash matters. Before questioning, police must tell you that you can contact a lawyer and a friend or relative, and give you a reasonable chance to do it.
What is a show cause offence?
A serious offence, such as one carrying life imprisonment, a serious domestic violence offence or a serious offence committed while on bail, where you have to show why you shouldn't be held before the court considers the usual bail test. It doesn't apply to people under 18.
Can I get a free lawyer?
Duty lawyers at most Local Courts can help, including with a first bail application regardless of your income. For ongoing representation you usually need a grant of legal aid. LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 can tell you where to start.
What is an accredited criminal law specialist?
A solicitor accredited by the Law Society of NSW after at least 5 years in practice, 3 of them in criminal law, and a set of assessments. It isn't needed to practise, but it shows depth in the area. You can search for one on the Law Society's Find a Lawyer tool.
Can a criminal lawyer work on a no win, no fee basis?
No. NSW law doesn't allow no win, no fee agreements in criminal matters. Many firms offer fixed fees for each stage instead, and any lawyer must give you written costs disclosure if costs are likely to be more than $750.
What changed for young people in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, young people can be diverted with a warning, caution or conference without admitting the offence, as long as they don't deny it, and more offences are eligible. Separately, a stricter bail rule for some repeat motor vehicle and break and enter charges was extended in September 2026.
General information only, not legal advice.
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