Highly Experienced
Approachable & Accessible
Reputable & Respected
Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law
About Australian Lawyers and Advocates
Founded by Jack Leitner and Daniel Shestowsky, Australian Lawyers and Advocates is dedicated to providing high quality legal representation to all of our clients. We believe that all of our clients should be part of their legal team and not simply treated as a number. We understand that legal proceedings, no matter which form they might take, can be confusing and stressful.
We are your strength throughout the course of your matter and pride ourselves in being with you every step of the way. As experienced advocates, we are your voice inside and outside of the courtroom and pride ourselves on our ability to present your case in order to advance your interests in the pursuit of the best possible outcome.
Many law firms claim to be the ‘best’ or ‘leading’ law firms. We don’t talk ourselves up, but instead let our results, reputation and high level of client service and satisfaction speak for themselves.
Jack Leitner
B.SocSc (Criminology), LL.B (Hons), GDLP, Acc. Spec (Crim)
Legal Practice Director
Jack is a passionate and highly skilled lawyer and advocate with high-level attention to detail, and is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for his clients. Jack’s expertise and experience in the field of Criminal Law has resulted in him being one of a small number of criminal lawyers accredited by the NSW Law Society as a lawyer who has demonstrated specialised competence in the field of criminal law and who has been conferred Specialist Accreditation by the Law Society under its Specialist Accreditation scheme.
Daniel Shestowsky
BA (Pol), LLB, GDLP, Acc. Spec (Crim)
Legal Practice Director
Daniel is a passionate and driven advocate for his clients. He has a focused and committed attitude to representing his clients and he recognises that every client’s matter is a significant priority in their lives. Daniel is an experienced advocate in the Courtroom, having appeared in all variety of Courts in Sydney and Greater NSW. Daniel’s expertise and experience in the field of Criminal Law has resulted in him being one of a small number of criminal lawyers accredited by the NSW Law Society as a lawyer who has demonstrated specialised competence in the field of criminal law and who has been conferred Specialist Accreditation by the Law Society under its Specialist Accreditation scheme.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Criminal lawyers defend their clients in a range of criminal law matters, including:
- Driving offences
- Drug offences
- Theft and property offences
- Assault and sexual offences
- Domestic violence
- Murder and manslaughter
- Weapons offences
- Fraud, forgery, identity and money laundering offences
- Any other criminal law offence
Criminal lawyers in Australia represent people who have been charged with crimes. The criminal lawyer’s job is to use their legal knowledge and experience to assess their client’s case, provide legal advice, and ultimately present the best possible case for the client. Criminal lawyers can also represent people who are suspects in a criminal matter and give crucial advice and representation to clients before they are arrested, interviewed and charged by the Police.
Yes, criminal lawyers represent their clients in a variety of courts such as the Children’s Court, Local Court, District Court and Supreme Court. If you need to go to court, it’s advisable to engage a knowledgeable, reputable and experienced criminal defence lawyer to present your case.
When deciding on a criminal lawyer in Sydney, it’s essential that you choose a legal firm with extensive knowledge and experience in the area of criminal law. At Australian Lawyers and Advocates, we’re your criminal law experts, with proven results behind us.
If you’re looking for the best criminal lawyers in Sydney, get in touch with our friendly team today.
When working with your criminal defence lawyer, it is vitally important that you are sincere and do not withhold any facts — regardless of how good, bad or ugly the truth may be. This will help your criminal defence lawyer achieve the best possible outcome for you.
Criminal lawyers usually base their fees on the type of criminal charge, how complex or simple the case is, and their experience level. As well as being among the best criminal lawyers in Sydney, we pride ourselves on being affordable and offer fixed and time-cost fee arrangements to suit your particular case.
How can we help?
Get in touch with our team by calling us in order to arrange an appointment to discuss your matter or alternatively, you can contact us with your query below and one of our team will contact you.
Jack Leitner represented a client who was one of four persons charged with stealing ladders from a Sydney Trains construction site. Jack's astute representation involved:
- Reversing our client's previous plea of guilty which was entered whilst he was self-represented and substituting our client's plea to a plea of not guilty.
- Carefully examining the evidence and ascertaining that whilst a number of co-offenders were caught in the act and had pleaded guilty, the case against our client was predicated upon there being a joint criminal enterprise where there were doubts as to whether our client's involvement could be established.
- Having our client's recorded interview with Police excluded from evidence on the basis that Police failed to correctly administer the appropriate caution against self-incrimination, thereby resulting in any admissions made by our client being unlawfully obtained.
- Thorough cross-examination of the key prosecution witness and persuasive submissions in support of our client's case.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the Judge found our client not guilty of the charge of larceny, finding that the prosecution could not prove that our client was involved in a joint criminal enterprise to steal the ladders beyond simply being present at the scene despite the other offenders, who had also been charged, having previously entered pleas of guilty.
Yet another example of doing what we do best! ... See MoreSee Less
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Daniel Shestowsky appeared at Burwood Local Court on behalf of a client facing a cultivate prohibited drug charge alongside several possess prohibited drug charges and a possess ammunition charge. As a result of carefully drafted representations to Police, the charge of cultivate prohibited drug was withdrawn and dismissed. After thorough preparation and convincing advocacy, our client's remaining matters were dealt with by way of Conditional Release Orders without conviction. A very happy and relieved client! ... See MoreSee Less
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As criminal defence lawyers, it is astonishing how many times we come across a scenario where police caution a suspect that they don't have to say anything, but anything they say can be used in evidence. Most people hear that and still talk.
An individual's right to silence is the most fundamental right in our criminal justice system. No adverse inference can be drawn against an accused person for exercising their right to silence. The onus stays on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, not on the accused to prove their innocence. Even seemingly innocent answers can become crucial admissions against an accused, contrary to their own interests.
The right to silence is of paramount importance. Although receiving a caution from the police that you do not have to say anything in an interview is a legal requirement, the conversation pertaining to your right to silence is best held with a lawyer and not with police.
If you've been contacted by police, get advice before you decide whether to speak. ... See MoreSee Less
The Right to Silence in NSW | Australian Lawyers & Advocates
australianlawyersandadvocates.com.au
Empower yourself with knowledge of your rights. Our legal team explains the right to silence in NSW, offering clarity and support in navigating the legal landscape.Comment on Facebook
It is important to understand the rules around prosecutorial disclosure obligations. Daniel Shestowsky appeared for a client at Waverley Local Court for a hearing in relation to a charge of Larceny. The Police had neglected to serve several items of evidence and failed to conduct a proper investigation. After Daniel pointed out numerous flaws in the case against our client, the Prosecutor attempted in vain to seek an adjournment, which was opposed and subsequently refused. The Police had no choice but to withdraw the matter and the charge against our client was dismissed. ... See MoreSee Less
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