Wollongong Criminal Law is Australia's leading criminal defence and traffic law firm based in the heart of the Illawarra.

You will receive a Court Attendance Notice when you are charged with a criminal offence. The Court Attendance Notice or “CAN” will list the date and location at which you must appear. When you receive your CAN, you should seek legal advice quickly. Most criminal offences carrying a custodial sentence and a criminal record can have lifelong implications.

Call our team at Wollongong Criminal Law today 02 7228 7242

Most criminal matters will be heard in the Local Court – more severe cases will be listed in the District or Supreme Court of Australia. Police must personally serve a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) on the accused person. This CAN usually contain the charges, the alleged facts, and the date and time on which the matter is listed. When you receive a CAN, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible before the date listed on the CAN.

As criminal lawyers, we advocate and fight for our clients inside and outside the Courtroom. Our years of experience ensure we maximise your chances of getting the best possible outcome in your matter.
We will:

• Use our expert knowledge and extensive resources to ensure you are entirely prepared for Court.
• Advocate for you in Court.
• Sit down with you and listen – we will listen to your concerns and questions.
• We carefully analyse the evidence the prosecution seeks to rely upon – we will pick apart what does not add up and, if appropriate, negotiate with the prosecution to amend the criminal charges and alleged facts.

There are several risks a self-represented defendant can face in Court when dealing with a criminal or traffic matter. These risks include:

• Inexperience – many people never set foot inside a Courtroom. When an individual does find themselves inside a Courtroom, it can be an intimidating and emotional experience that leads to a lot of pressure on the individual. This pressure may mean that the defendant has difficulty speaking to the judge and cannot tell the Court what they want to say. This can lead to a poorer outcome than what you may have received if an experienced criminal lawyer represented you.
• Lack of Knowledge – Procedures and processes underpin criminal and traffic laws that the ordinary person may not know or understand. Not knowing these procedures and processes can result in a lack of preparation that may mitigate your outcome. Our experienced criminal lawyers are knowledgeable in these areas. They can best prepare your matter, ensuring you complete the right courses, documents and procedures to help you receive the best outcome.
• Risk of a higher penalty – We are dedicated criminal lawyers; therefore, we understand what the Court requires to extend leniency and ensure you will not re-offend. Self-represented defendants risk being unaware of how to present subjective and objective material and how to present themself to the Court, which can trigger a harsher penalty as the magistrate or judge has not been shown the best possible case or submissions. Our criminal lawyers prepare and present this material on your behalf to relieve the stress or risk a higher penalty.