Police interview
Find out what matters before you speak further or attend.
NSW criminal defence lawyers · Celebrating 20+ years' experience
Charged? Get clear advice.
If police have contacted you, court is approaching, or you are worried about a charge, get clear legal advice before you decide what to do next.
- Confidential advice
- Urgent matters
- NSW court experience
- Fixed fee options
- Payment plans
Immediate criminal defence support
Criminal defence help when timing matters.
The first decision can shape everything that follows. We help you understand the charge, immediate conditions, court process, and the information needed for your next step.
Police contactKnow what to do before an interview or further conversation.
Conditions and deadlinesCheck bail, AVO, licence, and court requirements first.
PreparationBring the right papers together before decisions are made.
Start with the issue in front of you
Pick the problem you need help with.
Choose the closest match. This helps make the first conversation practical and focused.
AVO and domestic violence
Understand current restrictions, response options, and the risks of a breach.
Bail applications
Get clear advice about conditions, preparation, and urgent next steps.
Drink driving and DUI
Check licence risks, paperwork, court dates, and practical preparation.
Drug offences
Understand the allegation, likely pathway, and information that may matter.
Affray
Understand the allegation, evidence questions, and preparation before your next step.
Read about affray chargesGrievous bodily harm
Review the allegation, evidence questions, and court preparation.
Read about grievous bodily harmStalking or intimidation
Understand the allegation, evidence, and practical next steps.
Read about stalking and intimidationRobbery
Prepare for robbery or aggravated robbery charges and the next court step.
Read about robbery chargesCriminal appeals
Review conviction and sentence appeal pathways in NSW.
Understand criminal appealsFirst court date
Know what to bring, what to ask, and what should happen before court.
Prepare for your first court appearanceA calmer first step
Use Ask Banjo to organise the first call.
Ask a question in your own words, get oriented, and decide what information to have ready before you speak with a lawyer.
Start with Ask Banjo
A practical way to organise your first questions.
Banjo handles intake, payment and document collection; it is not legal advice.
If Ask Banjo is unavailable, call +61 (02) 8858 3233.
The first conversation
You should leave knowing what comes next.
Urgent deadlines first
We start with police contact, bail conditions, court dates, and anything that cannot wait.
Plain-English advice
We explain the issue, the available options, and the next practical step without legal jargon.
Confidential support
You can speak openly and get practical support without judgment.
Meet your solicitor
Katherine Hawes
Practical advice from first contact to final outcome.
Katherine Hawes is a criminal defence solicitor, assisting clients with urgent charges, police matters, court preparation and practical advice from first contact to final outcome.
Credentials: NSW courts · Criminal defence · Client-focused advice · Court advocate
Head Office:
Level 3/478 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
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First-call preparation
What we check about you.
Send the essentials
Bring the police or court notice, bail details, and any deadline you have been given.
Check what we need
We look at the allegation, current conditions, evidence, and information before the next step.
Prepare the next action
We explain what should happen now, what can wait, and what may need to be prepared for court.
Before work begins
Know the scope before the work begins.
Immediate triage
The first step is understanding the deadline, risk, and what needs attention today.
Clear next steps
You should understand the work required, the likely process, and what information to gather.
No outcome promise
Legal advice is about clear preparation and informed decisions, not promises about an individual result.
Practical answers first
Questions people often ask before they call.
What if police want to interview me?
Get advice before answering questions where possible. Follow any lawful direction and keep your paperwork and next date together.
Do I need a lawyer before court?
Early advice can help you understand the allegation, conditions, documents, and choices before a court decision is made.
What should I bring to the first call?
Bring or keep your court notice, police facts, bail or AVO paperwork, any deadline, and a short timeline of what happened.
What happens at a first court date?
The next step depends on the charge and your circumstances. Do not ignore the date or make assumptions about a plea before getting advice.
Do you offer payment plans or fixed fee options?
Ask about fee options during your first contact. The right arrangement depends on the matter and work required.
What if my court date, bail, or police contact is urgent?
Call now if police contact, bail, custody, or court is imminent so you can obtain individual advice promptly.
Confidential first contact
Speak with a criminal lawyer before you decide what to do next.
Tell us the issue, urgency, and best number to reach you. For police contact, bail, custody, or an imminent court date, call now as well.