Sydney Criminal Lawyers. Free Consultation With a Partner.
Charged or facing court? Talk to Mohamed or Mustafa before you speak to police or enter a plea.
- A partner on your matter from the first call, never a junior
- Fixed fees, agreed before you commit
- Available 24/7 for arrests and bail
5.0
239 Google reviews
Partners featured in
Criminal charges we defend across Sydney
Every matter is run by a partner, from the first advice to the last court date.
Domestic violence and AVOs
DV assault, ADVO applications and breaches, coercive control, stalking and intimidation.
A conviction is recorded as a domestic violence offence, and an AVO can affect where you live and your time with your children.
Assault
Common assault, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, wounding, affray and assaulting police.
Penalties climb steeply with the injury and the setting, so the way the facts are put to the court matters.
Drug offences
Possession, supply, deemed supply, ongoing supply and cultivation.
Deemed supply turns on the quantity found. Possession matters can sometimes be dealt with without a conviction.
Fraud and dishonesty
Fraud, larceny, identity offences, embezzlement and other financial charges.
A dishonesty conviction can affect work in finance, security and government roles.
Firearms and weapons
Unauthorised possession, prohibited firearms, knives and weapons, and firearms prohibition orders.
Courts treat firearms charges seriously, so get advice before you enter a plea.
Bail
Release applications, bail variations and breach of bail, including urgent after-hours matters.
We are available 24/7 for urgent bail and after-hours matters.
Appeals
Conviction and severity appeals to the District Court, annulments and Court of Criminal Appeal matters.
Strict time limits apply from the date of the Local Court decision.
You deal with a partner. Every time.
Blackridge Law was founded by Mohamed Bejjaoui and Mustafa Agar. Six paralegals handle evidence review and court preparation, so the partners can focus on your case.
Mohamed Bejjaoui
Partner · BBus&Com, LLB
Profiled by the Daily Telegraph and Wentworth Courier among Sydney's rising names in criminal defence. Co-founded the firm and acts in drug, violence, fraud and serious indictable matters.
Mustafa Agar
Principal and Partner · BBus&Com, LLB
Criminal, traffic, family and civil law advocate and co-founder of the firm. Clients write about him taking on their case at the last minute.
What happens after you get in touch
First call. A partner calls you back to hear what happened. Arrests and bail are dealt with straight away, 24 hours a day.
Free consultation. We go through the police facts sheet, your court date and the options open to you, including whether a non-conviction outcome is possible.
Fixed fee. If you go ahead, you get a fixed fee in writing. The partner you met prepares your case and stands up for you in court.
How a criminal matter runs in the Local Court
Most charges start and finish in the Local Court. Knowing what each date is for takes a lot of the worry out of it.
First mention
Your first date in the Local Court. Often the matter is adjourned so the police can serve the brief of evidence, or so you can get advice. We appear with you or for you.
Plea
Once we have read the police facts and the evidence, we advise you honestly on whether to plead guilty or not guilty. Some charges can be changed or withdrawn through negotiation with the police before a plea is entered.
Sentence or hearing
On a guilty plea, we prepare references and reports and make submissions on penalty, including whether a conviction needs to be recorded at all. On a not guilty plea, the matter goes to a hearing where the police must prove the charge.
What a court can do on a guilty plea or finding
Sentencing options in NSW, from least to most serious. At your free consultation we tell you honestly which are realistic for your charge and history.
Section 10 dismissal or conditional release order
The court finds the charge proven but records no conviction. Open for some first or minor offences.
Fine
Often with a conviction recorded. For traffic offences it usually comes with a licence disqualification.
Community correction order
A sentence served in the community with conditions such as supervision or community service.
Intensive correction order
A sentence of imprisonment served in the community under strict conditions, instead of in custody.
Full-time imprisonment
Reserved for the most serious matters, or where no other sentence is appropriate.
Bring this to your free consultation
Level 4, 402-410 Chapel Road, Bankstown, a short walk from Bankstown Local Court. Consultations are also available by phone or video.
- Court attendance noticeShows the charge, the section of the Act and your first court date.
- Police facts sheetThe police version of what happened. We read it line by line with you.
- Bail papersIf you were given bail conditions, we check they are workable and can apply to vary them.
- Your criminal and traffic historyIf you have one. It shapes the outcomes that are realistic for you.
- ReferencesNot needed yet, but we will tell you who to ask and what they should say if you plead guilty.
What you can do right now
Keep your paperwork. Your court attendance notice, bail papers and the police facts sheet tell us most of what we need.
Say nothing more to police until you have had advice. Apart from your name and address, you can decline to answer questions.
Note the date. Court dates and appeal time limits are strict. Contact us well before your first mention.
What clients say
5.0 from 239 reviews on Google.
“Mustafa Agar took on my case. Even though it was last minute, he handled everything professionally and provided clear advice throughout.”
Rokia Ibrahem, Google review
“Mohammad was professional, supportive, and genuinely cared throughout the process. He kept us informed, answered our questions, and made a difficult time much easier.”
nour chabbia, Google review
“They communicated clearly through my case and achieved a great outcome. I felt well looked after from start to finish.”
ronias aziz, Google review
“Jawad and Mohamed were very polite and thorough in their work. I cannot thank them enough for their help and expertise.”
Zainab Beydoun, Google review
“Professional, responsive, and easy to work with. They explained everything clearly and handled my matter efficiently.”
Adam S, Google review
“They worked hard on my behalf and clearly explained my options. Their knowledge, support, and attention is second to none.”
zac karolia, Google review
Arrested or refused bail? What happens next
We are available 24 hours a day for bail matters. Call 02 9159 9010 as soon as someone is arrested.
Police bail
After a charge, police can release you on bail, with or without conditions, or refuse bail. If police bail is refused, you must be taken before a court as soon as practicable.
Court bail
A magistrate or judge decides the bail application. We prepare it with the information the court looks at: your ties to the community, work, family and a suitable address.
Show cause offences
For some serious charges you must first show why your detention is not justified. These applications need careful preparation, so call us straight away.
Changing bail conditions
Curfews, reporting and place restrictions can be varied by application when they stop you working or caring for family.
Courts we appear in
Based in Bankstown, appearing in courts across Sydney and NSW, from the Local Court to the Court of Criminal Appeal.
- Bankstown Local CourtCnr Chapel Road and The Mall, Bankstown. Our home court, we appear here daily
- Parramatta Local and District Court12 George Street, Parramatta
- Downing Centre Local and District Court143-147 Liverpool Street, Sydney
- Liverpool Local CourtCnr George and Elizabeth Streets, Liverpool
- Blacktown Local Court1 Kildare Road, Blacktown
- Fairfield Local CourtCnr Spencer Street and Court Road, Fairfield
- Campbelltown Local Court95 Railway Street, Campbelltown
Questions people ask first
Should I speak to police before I get advice?
You have the right to remain silent, apart from giving your name and address in most situations. Speak with a lawyer before you give a statement or take part in an interview.
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes. The first consultation is free and confidential. If you decide to go ahead we quote a fixed fee, so you know the cost before you commit.
Will a junior lawyer handle my matter?
No. Every client works directly with one of the two partners, Mohamed Bejjaoui or Mustafa Agar, and the partner who takes your matter is the one who appears for you.
Can I avoid a criminal record?
For some charges the court can deal with a matter without recording a conviction, for example under section 10. Whether it is open to you depends on the charge and your history; we tell you honestly at the first consultation.
Someone has just been arrested. Can you help tonight?
Yes. We are available 24 hours a day for bail and police matters. Call 02 9159 9010.
How long will my matter take?
A guilty plea in the Local Court is often finished within a few court dates. A defended hearing takes longer because the police brief and witnesses are involved. We give you a realistic timeline at the first consultation.
I am on a visa. Does a charge affect it?
It can. Tell us at the first consultation so your visa position is part of the advice on how to deal with the charge.
I already have a lawyer. Can I change?
Yes. You can change lawyers at any stage. We arrange the transfer of your file.
Which courts do you attend?
Every NSW court, from the Local Court to the Court of Criminal Appeal. Bankstown is our home court, and we appear across Sydney including Parramatta, the Downing Centre and Liverpool.