Bail, AVOs & Appeals
Appeals & Severity Appeals
An unfair result is not always the end, there are appeal rights, with strict time limits.
If you have been convicted or sentenced in the Local Court, you generally have a right to appeal to the District Court, against the conviction, the severity of the sentence, or both. The window is short, usually 28 days, and preparing the appeal well is what changes the result.
City Group Legal runs severity and conviction appeals, and advises quickly, because the appeal period does not wait.
What's at stake. An appeal can reduce a sentence, overturn a conviction, or substitute a non-conviction. It can also, in some cases, risk a different outcome, which is why proper advice before appealing matters. Time limits are strict.
How we defend appeals & severity appeals
We advise honestly on the prospects, prepare the fresh material an appeal court needs, and argue the sentence or conviction afresh in the District Court. Where the time limit has passed, we can apply for an extension in the right case.
Frequently asked
How long do I have to appeal?
Generally 28 days from the Local Court result to appeal as of right, with a longer window in which you may seek leave. Because it is short, get advice immediately after a result you want to challenge.
Could an appeal make things worse?
It can in some cases, which is exactly why honest advice on prospects comes first. We will tell you plainly whether an appeal is worth running before you commit to it.
How long do I have to appeal?
Appeal periods are short, commonly 28 days from sentence, with a further period sometimes available by leave. Because the timeframe is tight and evidence gets harder to gather, the day of the sentence is the right time to ask about an appeal, not weeks later.
Can my sentence get worse on appeal?
It is possible. On a severity appeal a court can, in some circumstances, impose a different or heavier sentence, and there is usually a warning before that happens. This is exactly why an appeal is worth assessing honestly before it is filed rather than lodged on principle.
Some deadlines are short
Generally 28 days from the Local Court result to appeal as of right, with a longer window in which you may seek leave. Because it is short, get advice immediately after a result you want to challenge.
28days
the usual appeal window
Indicative only. The 28 days generally runs from the Local Court result, and a further period is sometimes available by leave. Confirm your own date with a solicitor.
Every stone turned. Every avenue pursued.
Whether you’ve been charged, arrested, or are helping a family member, the earliest advice is the most valuable.