If you are facing a jury trial in the District or Supreme Court, the outcome can change the rest of your life. Trials are won through preparation: knowing the brief better than anyone, testing every piece of the Crown case, and presenting your defence clearly to a jury. Call Robert Kaufmann on 1300 276 529 for a free initial consultation with an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law.
Experienced criminal trial lawyer
Robert Kaufmann has practised criminal law in NSW for over 23 years. For 17 of those years he has been an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law, recognised by the Law Society of NSW. He has run and instructed in jury trials for serious charges, including murder, sexual assault, robbery, drug supply and violent offences, in the District and Supreme Courts. Robert works closely with leading criminal barristers when a matter calls for counsel, and stays personally involved in your case from charge to verdict.
How a criminal case gets to trial in NSW
Serious charges (“indictable offences”) start in the Local Court and are then committed to the District or Supreme Court. Before committal, the DPP must serve the brief of evidence, certify the charges, and hold a case conference with your lawyer. This is a key opportunity to have charges reduced or withdrawn. If the matter is not resolved, it is committed for trial.
Under the early appropriate guilty plea scheme, the sentencing discount for pleading guilty is largest (25%) if the plea is entered before committal. It drops to 10% after committal, and 5% close to trial. This makes early, expert advice on the strength of the Crown case very valuable.
Preparing your trial
- Brief analysis: going through every statement, exhibit and recording, and requesting further material from the Crown.
- Defence investigations: witnesses, CCTV, phone data, expert reports and subpoenas.
- Pre-trial applications: challenging the admissibility of evidence, such as unlawfully obtained evidence, unfair police interviews, tendency and coincidence evidence, and identification evidence.
- Judge-alone trials: in some cases an accused can apply to be tried by a judge without a jury. We advise whether that is in your interests.
- Briefing counsel: selecting the right barrister for your case and preparing them thoroughly.
At trial
A jury trial usually runs for days or weeks. The Crown must prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt, and you do not have to prove anything. Juries generally must reach a unanimous verdict, although a majority verdict (11–1 or 10–2) can be accepted after at least eight hours of deliberation in certain circumstances. We prepare you for each stage of the trial, including whether you should give evidence.
If the verdict goes against you
We advise on sentencing and on whether there are grounds to appeal the conviction or the sentence to the Court of Criminal Appeal. Strict time limits apply, so get advice straight away. See our criminal appeals page.
Courts we appear in
We appear in the District Court and Supreme Court across Sydney and regional NSW, including the Sydney West Trial Courts at Parramatta, the Downing Centre and Darlinghurst Courthouse, as well as in the Court of Criminal Appeal.
Criminal trial FAQs
How long does it take for a case to get to trial?
It varies, but serious matters commonly take one to two years from charge to trial. Most of that time is spent on the brief, committal and pre-trial steps, where much of the important work happens.
Do I need a barrister as well?
For most jury trials, yes. Robert prepares the case and briefs an experienced criminal barrister to appear at trial, and he remains your solicitor throughout.
Can Legal Aid help with a trial?
In some cases Legal Aid NSW funding may be available. We can advise you on eligibility and on your options.
Speak to a criminal trial lawyer now
Call Robert Kaufmann on 1300 276 529 for a free initial consultation, book a phone consultation online, or send an enquiry through our contact form.
This page is general information about NSW law and is not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts.