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Being charged with a criminal offence is one of the most stressful experiences a person can face. Whether you are dealing with a minor traffic matter or a serious charge carrying the risk of imprisonment, the outcome can affect your employment, your freedom, and your future.
Getting the right legal advice early is critical. At Maguire & McInerney, our experienced criminal lawyers provide clear, honest advice and strong representation across all NSW courts, from the Local Court through to the District Court and Supreme Court of NSW.
First Steps When Charged With a Criminal Offence
If you or a family member has been charged with a criminal offence or wants to appeal a guilty verdict, it’s crucial that you seek advice from a criminal lawyer as soon as possible.
Whether you stand to lose your licence or are facing heavy penalties and jail time, the outcome of a criminal court case could be life-changing, so you need to secure the best legal representation possible. Even the impacts of a relatively minor offence may be long-lasting.
We can guide you through the process of participating in police interviews or assist you if you are searched or detained by police, informing you of your rights along the way. If you or a loved one are detained, we can make an urgent application to the court on your behalf to secure bail.
From there, our criminal lawyers can develop the best defence strategy for your circumstances and advise you on the likely outcomes of each strategy. If necessary, we’ll build a case for your defence. At every stage of the journey, we will guide you through the process, provide appropriate solutions, and help you decide on the best course of action.
Criminal Offences We Handle
Our criminal lawyers have experience defending clients facing a wide range of criminal offences, including the matters below.
Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs)
Apprehended Violence Orders carry serious consequences for your personal and professional life, even though they are not criminal convictions. We advise both those seeking an AVO and those defending against one.
Assault Charges
Assault matters, including domestic violence and other violent offences, require careful handling given the personal and legal stakes involved. We represent clients facing assault charges at every level of seriousness across NSW courts.
Driving Offences
Traffic and driving matters, including drink and drug driving, can result in licence disqualification or worse. We help clients understand their options and work towards the best possible outcome.
Drug Offences
From possession through to supply, trafficking, manufacture, and importation, drug charges vary enormously in severity and the strategy required. We advise on all drug-related matters across NSW courts.
Fraud
Fraud charges, including forgery, larceny, embezzlement, money laundering, and identity theft, often involve complex financial evidence. Our team has experience navigating these matters at all levels of seriousness.
Theft
Theft charges range from minor shoplifting matters to more serious larceny offences. We advise on plea options, restitution, and minimising the impact of a conviction on your record.
Weapons & Firearms Offences
Charges involving prohibited or unregistered firearms, weapons possession, or unlawful supply carry significant penalties under NSW firearms legislation. Early advice on your options, including bail and likely sentencing outcomes, is critical.
Other Criminal Matters We Handle
We also act in matters involving defamation, property offences, appeals, and serious indictable offences including murder and manslaughter. If your matter isn’t listed above, contact us to discuss your circumstances.
Avoiding a Conviction: Section 10 Dismissals
For many clients, avoiding a criminal conviction is as important as the outcome of the charge itself. A conviction can affect your employment, professional licences, overseas travel, and Working With Children clearances.
Under Section 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), a court can find you guilty but record no conviction. Section 10 is most commonly available to first-time offenders and for less serious matters, but it requires careful preparation and strong submissions. Our lawyers regularly appear in these applications and can advise whether it is a realistic option in your circumstances.
How Maguire & McInerney Can Help
Maguire & McInerney has a long-established and enviable record in criminal law advocacy. We have extensive experience in a range of criminal law matters, from traffic offences to assaults, and all types of serious criminal matters including drug offences and murder.
Our criminal lawyers know what it takes to get you the best possible result. We appear in all jurisdictions, ranging from the Children’s Court and Local Court to the District and Supreme Court.
But not only that; our team is compassionate and understanding towards our client’s situations. We understand just how stressful and traumatic it can be to face criminal offences. Our key priority is reaching a satisfactory resolution for our clients as quickly as possible. We provide honest, straightforward advice to assist our clients to make decisions.
Courts We Appear In
Our Illawarra and Sydney coverage includes:
- Downing Centre;
- Wollongong;
- Moss Vale;
- Kiama;
- Port Kembla;
- Albion Park;
- Picton;
- Camden;
- Campbelltown.
For any criminal proceeding in the Local Court, we can provide a fixed-fee quotation at a very competitive price.
Speak With a Criminal Lawyer Today
If you or a family member has been charged with a criminal offence, do not wait. Contact our criminal lawyers Mark McDonald, Alyce Fisher and Lewis Bonney for clear advice and strong representation.
We act for clients across Wollongong, the Illawarra and Greater Sydney. Get in touch today.
Steps To Get Started
FAQs
Yes, in NSW there are two types of AVOs – an ADVO (Apprehended Domestic Violence Order) and an APVO (Apprehended Personal Violence Order).
In NSW, an AVO can be applied for directly through the court system, or via the police.
A Charge in New South Wales is generally initiated by New South Wales Police Force or other prosecuting body, such as the Department of Fisheries and the allegation is described as a Court Attendance Notice (CAN). The CAN is first heard in a Local Court situated in the vicinity of the alleged offence being committed. Depending on the type of offence and the Court’s jurisidiction, the matter may be mentioned, heard or finalised at one or a number of the different levels of the Justice System. Where a Defendant is required to provide a plea to a Court Attendance Notice, seeking our legal advice is strongly advised as a plea of guilty or a conviction may lead to serious consequences, including imprisonment.
An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO), or Restraining Order, is a court order issued to protect a person, whether that be from physical, sexual or other kinds of abuse.
The Criminal Justice System in NSW is where criminal offences against the State including indictable and summary matters are heard and finalised through the three levels of our courts, Local Court, District Court and Supreme Court. The matters deal with allegations that persons may face by breaching the criminal code such as crime, drug, traffic and summary offences. We deal with the current issues that clients face in the Justice System such as Domestic Violence, how the Court considers the options in sentencing, Bail, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Mental Health and representation on Appealing a Court’s decision.
Whilst generally, Criminal Law is a matter involving an offence against the State (or community) and a Civil Matter involves a wrong against another party, the lines are often blurred, such as in Cases of Fraud, Misrepresentations and Property disputes.
What Our Clients Say
