Criminal Law

Many people can find themselves coming into contact with the Police, sometimes for the first time, without really knowing where they stand and their rights. This can be a daunting position and it is important that timely advice is provided.

It is also important to know when you do or do not have to talk to the Police. In many instances people can find themselves convicted by a court simply because of the fact they spoke with the Police when they did not necessarily have to. It is always important to obtain legal advice prior to entering into an interview with the Police. Mainstone Lawyers can provide advice in all Police related matters such as;

• Murder/Manslaughter
• Sexual Assault
• Serious Assault (grievous or actual bodily harm)
• Armed Robbery
• Fraud
• Firearms offences
• Stealing
• Malicious damage

Additionally, when charged with an offence the issue of bail is an important consideration. Mainstone Lawyers can appear in all courts regarding applications for bail or for the variation of bail conditions.

When matters are finalised in the Local Court a person has an automatic right of appeal to the District Court either on the basis they maintain their plea of not guilty despite the finding of the Local Court Magistrate, or simply they believe the penalty imposed by the Magistrate was too severe, or both.

We appear regularly in the District Court of New South Wales on all appeal matters and can provide advice as to the likely success of such an appeal prior to making a final decision whether or not to proceed.

Traffic Law

The laws in New South Wales relating to obtaining a drivers licence and driving a motor vehicle are vast and complex. Most people highly value their drivers licence so as to maintain their employment or to care for their family, or both. The loss of a drivers licence can have a devastating impact on a person’s lifestyle and needs to be protected. Heavy fines and lengthy disqualification periods apply to a number of traffic offences.
Mainstone Lawyers can provide advice regarding all traffic related matters and we regularly appear in the Local and District Court in matters such as:

• Drink driving
• Negligent driving
• Dangerous driving
• Driving whilst disqualified or suspended
• Unlicensed driving
• Speeding

Apprehended Violence Orders

New South Wales law provides for Police or private members of the public to apply to a court for Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders or Apprehended Personal Violence Orders. When either seeking an Order or having been served with an application for Order against you, it is important to know what your options are, as well as the impact of such an Order. Firearms and Security licences are particularly vulnerable when an Order is made against a licence holder.

Mainstone Lawyers can provide such advice and appear on a regular basis in the Local Court of New South Wales for both private applicants and Police or private defendants in Apprehended Violence Order matters.

Firearms related matters

We appear regularly for members of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia, the New South Wales Amateur Pistol Association and other firearms licence holders in matters where an allegation of a firearms offence has been made by the Police. This includes such offences as;

• Not keeping firearms safe
• Possession of unregistered firearms
• Unsafe transportation of firearms

Additionally, we regularly provide advice and representation for people who have made an application for a firearms licence, but it has been rejected by the New South Wales Police or where the Police seek to suspend or revoke a firearms licence.

We also provide advice as to the impact an application for an Apprehended Violence Order can have on a firearms licence holder.

Security licensing

We regularly provide advice and representation for people who have applied for, but been refused a security licence by the New South Wales Police or where a notice of suspension or revocation has been served on a security licence holder.

We also provide advice as to the impact an application for an Apprehended Violence Order can have on a security licence holder.

Administrative Law

We provide advice and representation in the Administrative Decisions Tribunal regarding matters such as;

• Firearms licenses
• Security licenses
• Freedom of Information applications

We have an enviable reputation in the Administrative Decisions Tribunal for success, particularly in regard to appeals against decisions of the New South Wales Police Firearms Registry to revoke forearms licences or refuse applications for same.