Citilawyers acts for individuals facing criminal charges across Sydney and New South Wales, from summary matters in the Local Court to serious indictable proceedings in the District and Supreme Court, and appeals to the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal. Our lawyers combine procedural knowledge with strong courtroom advocacy to protect our clients’ rights at every stage.
Criminal litigation is the process of adjudicating offences and punishing those deemed to be guilty beyond reasonable doubt. It is distinct from civil litigation which seeks to compensate victims for harm to them.
Criminal litigation in NSW is governed primarily by:
The court that hears a criminal matter depends on whether the charge is a summary offence, an indictable offence dealt with summarily, or a strictly indictable offence:
| Court | Jurisdiction | Typical matters |
|---|---|---|
| Local Court of NSW | Summary offences and indictable offences dealt with summarily (Table 1 or 2 offences) | Common assault, drink driving, drug possession, AVO matters |
| District Court of NSW | Most indictable offences | Assault occasioning actual bodily harm, dangerous driving, mid-range sexual offences |
| Supreme Court of NSW | Most serious indictable offences | Murder, manslaughter, serious sexual offences, large-scale drug supply, serious commercial crimes |
| NSW Court of Criminal Appeal | Appeals from District Court (in special circumstances) and Supreme Court | Conviction and sentence appeals on indictable matters |
| High Court of Australia | Final appellate court | Special leave applications on questions of law |
Most criminal matters in NSW are dealt with in the Local Court. Citilawyers acts for clients in:
The District Court hears most indictable offences in NSW. This is typically before a judge and jury of 12, though an accused may elect trial by judge alone in certain circumstances.
The Supreme Court hears the most serious criminal matters in NSW. This commonly includes murder, manslaughter, other strictly indictable offences (i.e. not in Table 1 or 2). These trials are run before a judge and jury, take substantive time, and require extensive preparation. The procedural and evidentiary stakes are high.
A party convicted or sentenced in NSW has appeal rights, subject to strict time limits, usually within 28 days.
For more on the appeals process, see our article on civil and criminal appeals in NSW.
Many criminal matters turn on what evidence is admitted at trial. Citilawyers conducts:
Sentence submissions are often the most important stage of a criminal matter. Citilawyers prepares:
A typical criminal matter follows this pathway:
Our criminal litigation lawyers in Sydney act for clients in:
We provide:
If you have been charged with a criminal offence, or are facing trial, sentence, or appeal, early advice is critical. Decisions made in the first weeks often shape the outcome of the entire matter.
Contact us to assess your matter, understand your legal options, and take immediate steps to protect your position. Call (02) 9233 7737 or contact us online for a confidential discussion with our criminal litigation lawyers.
Citilawyers acts for individuals facing criminal charges across Sydney and New South Wales, from summary matters in the Local Court to serious indictable proceedings in the District and Supreme Court, and appeals to the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal. Our lawyers combine procedural knowledge with strong courtroom advocacy to protect our clients’ rights at every stage.
Criminal litigation is the process of adjudicating offences and punishing those deemed to be guilty beyond reasonable doubt. It is distinct from civil litigation which seeks to compensate victims for harm to them.
Criminal litigation in NSW is governed primarily by:
The court that hears a criminal matter depends on whether the charge is a summary offence, an indictable offence dealt with summarily, or a strictly indictable offence:
| Court | Jurisdiction | Typical matters |
|---|---|---|
| Local Court of NSW | Summary offences and indictable offences dealt with summarily (Table 1 or 2 offences) | Common assault, drink driving, drug possession, AVO matters |
| District Court of NSW | Most indictable offences | Assault occasioning actual bodily harm, dangerous driving, mid-range sexual offences |
| Supreme Court of NSW | Most serious indictable offences | Murder, manslaughter, serious sexual offences, large-scale drug supply, serious commercial crimes |
| NSW Court of Criminal Appeal | Appeals from District Court (in special circumstances) and Supreme Court | Conviction and sentence appeals on indictable matters |
| High Court of Australia | Final appellate court | Special leave applications on questions of law |
Most criminal matters in NSW are dealt with in the Local Court. Citilawyers acts for clients in:
The District Court hears most indictable offences in NSW. This is typically before a judge and jury of 12, though an accused may elect trial by judge alone in certain circumstances.
The Supreme Court hears the most serious criminal matters in NSW. This commonly includes murder, manslaughter, other strictly indictable offences (i.e. not in Table 1 or 2). These trials are run before a judge and jury, take substantive time, and require extensive preparation. The procedural and evidentiary stakes are high.
A party convicted or sentenced in NSW has appeal rights, subject to strict time limits, usually within 28 days.
For more on the appeals process, see our article on civil and criminal appeals in NSW.
Many criminal matters turn on what evidence is admitted at trial. Citilawyers conducts:
Sentence submissions are often the most important stage of a criminal matter. Citilawyers prepares:
A typical criminal matter follows this pathway:
Our criminal litigation lawyers in Sydney act for clients in:
We provide:
If you have been charged with a criminal offence, or are facing trial, sentence, or appeal, early advice is critical. Decisions made in the first weeks often shape the outcome of the entire matter.
Contact us to assess your matter, understand your legal options, and take immediate steps to protect your position. Call (02) 9233 7737 or contact us online for a confidential discussion with our criminal litigation lawyers.
Criminal law is the body of law that defines offences and penalties, like the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) and similar Acts. Criminal litigation is the process of conducting proceedings under those laws through the courts to determine the guilt of the accused and the sentence where convicted.
Summary offences are less serious offences dealt with in the Local Court by a Magistrate, without a jury. Indictable offences are more serious and may be dealt with in the District or Supreme Court by a judge and jury. Table 1 and 2 indictable offences can be dealt with summarily in the Local Court if the prosecution and accused agree.
District Court trials typically run from a few days to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the matter and the number of witnesses. Supreme Court trials in serious matters (such as murder) can run for several weeks or months. The time from charge to trial is usually 12 to 24 months in the District Court and longer in the Supreme Court.
Yes. A Local Court conviction or sentence can be appealed to the District Court within 28 days. A District or Supreme Court conviction or sentence can be appealed to the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal within 28 days (with leave). The High Court hears further appeals on questions of law by special leave. Strict time limits apply, and early advice is critical.
Committal is the process by which an indictable matter is transferred from the Local Court to the District or Supreme Court for trial or sentence. Since 2018, NSW operates a “case conferencing” committal model, designed to encourage early plea negotiation and identification of issues before the matter is committed for trial.
A Local Court hearing is conducted by a Magistrate sitting alone, without a jury. Rules of evidence apply but in a more streamlined way. A District Court trial is usually conducted before a judge and a jury of 12. The rules of evidence are applied strictly, and the trial process is more formal. Contact a lawyer to determine the appropriate court.
