Criminal Appeals Lawyers Sydney
Appealing a conviction or sentence in NSW?
Speak directly with a criminal defence lawyer now.
Strategic criminal defence representation in criminal appeals matters across Sydney and NSW. Experienced in matters where experience matters.
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Why Clients Choose Our Criminal Defence Lawyers
Trusted by clients appealing across NSW.
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100% Criminal Defence Focus
Focused exclusively on criminal defence.
30+ Years of Combined Experience
Appearing daily in NSW criminal courts.
Free Initial Consultation
Advice on your appeal and court date.
Fixed Fees. No Hidden Costs
Fees confirmed before any work begins.
Available 24/7
Nights, weekends and public holidays.
Recent Outcomes
Serious Charges. Experienced Representation.
Examples of matters handled by our firm. Each outcome depends on the specific facts, evidence, and circumstances of the case.
Trusted When It Matters Most
Criminal charges place your freedom, your reputation, and your future at risk. The decisions you make now can directly affect the outcome of your case.
General legal advice is rarely enough in criminal matters. Criminal Law Group practises exclusively in criminal and traffic law. With more than 30 years of combined experience, our lawyers appear daily across Sydney and NSW courts, identifying weaknesses in the prosecution case, challenging unlawful police conduct, and defending matters from charge through to finalisation.
This is where experienced criminal defence makes the difference.
Awards & Recognitions
Appeals We Handle
Severity Appeals
Conviction Appeals
Appeal Against Sentence
Local Court Appeals
District Court Appeals
Court of Criminal Appeal
Bail Pending Appeal
Quashing a Conviction
Appealing a Sentence NSW
Appealing a Conviction NSW
Weapons and Firearms
Robbery and Theft
Free Initial Consultation
Discuss your appeal, evidence and court date with a criminal defence lawyer.
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Criminal Appeals Lawyers Sydney
An appeal can be brought against a conviction, a sentence or both. A severity appeal argues the sentence was excessive. A conviction appeal argues the finding of guilt was wrong and proceeds as a rehearing of the evidence given in the Local Court.
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You Have Been Charged: What Happens Next
1
You Have Been Convicted or Sentenced
An appeal from the Local Court must be lodged in the District Court within 28 days of the conviction or sentence. An extension of time can be sought in appropriate circumstances. Your lawyer should review the proceedings, identify the grounds of appeal and advise on the prospects before the appeal is filed. Missing the deadline can prevent the appeal from proceeding.
2
We Identify the Grounds
We review the proceedings below and identify the grounds of appeal available to you. For a severity appeal, the grounds are that the sentence was manifestly excessive having regard to all of the circumstances. For a conviction appeal, the grounds may be that the verdict was unreasonable having regard to the evidence, or that there was a legal error in the conduct of the proceedings that affected the outcome. The strength of the grounds determines the prospects and must be assessed honestly before any decision to appeal is made.
3
We Prepare the Appeal
A District Court appeal proceeds as a rehearing before a District Court judge. For a severity appeal, the court reconsiders the sentence, and updated subjective material addressing any developments since the original sentencing is assembled and placed before the court. For a conviction appeal, the court reconsiders the evidence given in the Local Court, and fresh evidence may be admitted with leave. Written submissions addressing the grounds of appeal are prepared. The appeal is not a repetition of what happened below; it is a structured opportunity to present the strongest available case.
4
We File and Serve the Appeal
We file the notice of appeal within the required timeframe, serve all material on the prosecution and confirm all filing requirements are met before the appeal is listed. Where a severity appeal is being pursued, all updated sentencing material is served in advance of the hearing date. We appear at every mention of the appeal proceedings and confirm the matter is properly prepared and ready for hearing on the scheduled date.
5
We Appear at the Appeal Hearing
We appear at the appeal hearing and present the grounds of appeal to the District Court judge. The prosecution responds. The judge may allow the appeal and reduce the sentence or set aside the conviction, dismiss the appeal, or, in a severity appeal, increase the sentence. The strength of the submissions and the quality of the grounds are the primary determinants of the outcome. We present every available argument in support of the appeal in the strongest possible form.
6
Your Matter Is Finalised
If the appeal succeeds, the original conviction may be set aside or the sentence reduced. If dismissed, the original orders stand. A severity appeal carries the risk that the sentence is increased and that risk must be carefully weighed before the decision to appeal is made. Appeals from the District Court lie to the Court of Criminal Appeal and follow a different procedure. We advise on those rights at the time of the District Court outcome and on all further available steps.
Speak To A Criminal Defence Lawyer Now
Convicted or sentenced? Speak to a lawyer about an appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a free initial consultation available?
Yes. You speak directly with a criminal defence lawyer about the conviction or sentence, the grounds available for appeal, the realistic prospects and the applicable deadline. If you are approaching the 28-day filing deadline, you must act immediately. Call 1300 274 652 now to speak with a lawyer and protect your right to appeal before the deadline passes.
What happens if I call now?
You will speak directly with a criminal defence lawyer who will review the outcome, identify the available grounds of appeal, assess the realistic prospects and advise on whether filing an appeal is the right course in your circumstances. The 28-day deadline from the date of the decision is strict. If you are considering an appeal, you must act without delay.
What is the deadline for filing an appeal?
An appeal from the Local Court to the District Court must be filed within 28 days of the date of the conviction or sentence being appealed. That deadline is strict and cannot be extended without the leave of the court in appropriate circumstances where sufficient explanation for the delay is provided. If you are approaching or have passed the deadline, contact us immediately so that the position can be assessed without further delay.
What is the difference between a severity appeal and a conviction appeal?
A severity appeal challenges the sentence on the basis that it was excessive in all the circumstances. A conviction appeal challenges the finding of guilt on the basis that the verdict was unreasonable or that there was a legal error in the proceedings. Both are heard in the District Court as rehearings. A severity appeal carries the risk that the court may increase the sentence, and that risk must be carefully weighed before any decision to appeal is made.
What happens at the District Court appeal hearing?
A District Court appeal is heard as a rehearing before a judge who reconsiders the matter on the evidence given in the Local Court, and fresh evidence may be admitted with leave. Both parties make submissions. For a severity appeal, updated subjective material addressing any developments since the original sentencing is assembled and placed before the court. The District Court judge may confirm, reduce or increase the sentence, or in a conviction appeal, set aside or confirm the finding of guilt.
How much will this cost?
For appeals from the Local Court to the District Court, fixed fee arrangements are available in appropriate matters and fees are confirmed before any work begins. For Court of Criminal Appeal matters, a detailed fee estimate is provided at the initial consultation based on the complexity of the grounds and the expected scope of the proceedings. All fees are agreed before any work commences.
You have been convicted or sentenced. Speak with a criminal defence lawyer now.
Don't Face Court Alone
You have been convicted or sentenced. What you do next will affect the outcome of your case.
Waiting reduces your options. Early advice puts you in control of how your matter is handled.
Speak with a criminal defence lawyer before your court date.
🔒 Your details are 100% confidential and reviewed by our lawyers only.
Speak To A Criminal Defence Lawyer Now
🔒 Your details are 100% confidential and reviewed by our lawyers only.
Our Offices
Campbelltown
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CALL NOW 1300 274 652
1300 274 652
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