Criminal Lawyer In Marrickville

How We Handle Your Criminal Law Matter

STEP ONE

STEP TWO

STEP THREE

Exercise the Right to Silence

Get Legal Advice Early

Review the Court Attendance Notice (CAN) and Police Facts

You are generally not required to answer police questions beyond providing your name, address, and identification details.

DO NOT participate in formal interviews or make statements without a lawyer.

Contact CDA Legal & Associates.

Early legal advice can significantly influence how police handle your matter and whether bail is granted.

When charged, you will be issued with a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) specifying the exact charges against you, the court location, and your first court date (known as a “mention”).

Ask for or review the Police Fact Sheet, which outlines the specific allegation and evidence the police are relying on.

Facing criminal charges in NSW can be daunting. Taking the right initial steps is crucial to protecting your rights.

Why Choose The CDA Way?

Direct Principal Contact

Direct access means the senior lawyer handling your strategy is the exact person you talk to at midnight, on a Saturday, or right before walking into court. There is no game of telephone; the legal strategy is formed and executed immediately by someone with skin in the game.

Fixed Fees

Fixed fees are typically staged packages rather than a single flat fee covering the entire case from start to finish. The actual fixed quote is locked in after your first consultation, once the lawyer has reviewed the Police Facts Sheet, assessed the complexity, and provided a fixed-price agreement for that specific stage.

24/7 Support, Weekends Included

In criminal law, speed is not just about convenience, it dictates outcomes. Yes, CDA Legal takes on weekend appointments if urgent. If you are arrested on a Friday night, we may have to apply for bail on a Saturday morning at the Parramatta Local Court.

What Our Clients Say About Us

Chris isn't just a great solicitor. He's a great person. It matters to me that I'm working with someone genuine that I feel I can trust and who actually cares. It's not every day you meet someone capable, ethical and professional (and connected to great barristers!) who is also so warm, respectful and compassionate. Chris fought hard for me and I felt truly supported throughout my matter. Thank you, Chris, for looking after me, for getting me a great outcome and for being a genuinely lovely person. I know who I'll be calling next time I need any kind of legal service!

Kristina Zane

★★★★★

Google Review

I was represented by Christopher Alis through legal aid and he was very professional, attentive and helpful with my matter in court and not only did he get the best outcome for my matter but was understanding and respectful. It was a smooth process and helped with settling anxious emotions and nerves.

I would 100% recommended his services through and through.

Thank you again.

Rich Onosemu

I was represented by Chris through legal aid and I was super impressed with Chris. Chris was professional and made me feel comfortable and I got the best outcome I could have asked for. Chris is a really amazing legal representative.

Maddie Toohey

★★★★★

Google Review

I engaged Christopher David Alis to represent me as my lawyer and in court. Chris is very approachable and listens. Chris advised the best possible way to move forward with my legal case and got straight to work to make it happen. I can say we achieved a favourable result in court in the end and I could not of asked for anything more. Good lawyer.

m s

★★★★★

Google Review

Really appreciate the legal representation today from Christopher, he was excellent and made me feel like I am in very safe hands and and this is what I ask for in a solicitor. Also very friendly and well-spoken. So thankyou,

Justin Green

★★★★★

Google Review

Recently I was in the unfortunate position of needing a lawyer to defend me. However, my lawyer Chris turned a stressful situation into a much easier burden to bear.

He was very supportive through the whole process. He had great communication, he explained everything I needed to know well, and when I did have a question or concern, he rang/txted me in a timely manner to answer. His a very punctual, professional lawyer , who’s knows the law like the back of his hand. His pricing is very fair, and most importantly he got me the best possible outcome in my case.

I can’t recommend Chris highly enough!! I feel very lucky to have had him as my lawyer.

Mathew Losurdo

★★★★★

Google Review

Chris is an exceptional lawyer who combines professionalism with genuine dedication to his clients. He worked incredibly hard on my brother’s case and showed a deep understanding of the law every step of the way. His communication was clear, and he made a stressful situation much easier to handle. We’re very grateful for his support and would highly recommend him to anyone needing a reliable and skilled lawyer.

Nisreen Alnouemi

★★★★★

Google Review

★★★★★

Google Review

Frequently Asked Questions

What actually happens if someone calls at 2am after an arrest?

Following arrival at the charge station, an arrested person has the statutory right to communicate with a friend, relative, or lawyer (LEPRA s 123). At 2:00am, standard legal switchboards are closed, so the call usually goes to a private lawyer with a 24-hour emergency line such as CDA Legal & Associates.

If a lawyer is reached, the advice is brief and direct: exercise the right to silence. Police may want to conduct a recorded interview immediately. A lawyer will instruct the detained person not to participate in a middle-of-the-night interview while exhausted, stressed, or potentially intoxicated, as statements made under these conditions can severely damage a future defence.

Unlike a daytime enquiry where paperwork results in a future Court Attendance Notice, a 2:00am arrest forces an immediate decision by the police Custody Manager. If police bail is granted, the person is released with conditions (e.g. curfew, reporting conditions) and a future court date. If bail is refused, the person remains in the station cells overnight until they can be transported or video-linked to a Bail Court (such as Parramatta Bail Court or weekend sitting courts) later that day.

Do you take appointments or court work on weekends?

Yes, CDA Legal takes on weekend appointments if urgent. If you are arrested on a Friday night, we may have to apply for bail on a Saturday Morning at the Parramatta Local Court. Contact us at anytime

What’s included in a fixed-fee package?

For a standard matter, such as a guilty plea in the Local Court, a package typically includes:

1. Initial conference: reviewing the Police Facts Sheet and discussing your options.

2. Correspondence and liaison: communicating with police or the prosecution to negotiate facts or seek charge withdrawal where appropriate.

3. Preparation of documents: drafting written character references, letters of apology, and any required court forms.

4. Court representation: standard mentions, hearings, bail applications, annulment applications, and other hearings.

How does your fixed fee work?

Fixed fees are typically staged packages rather than a single flat fee covering the entire case from start to finish. Because a criminal matter can take unpredictable turns (e.g., changing from a plea of guilty to not guilty), CDA Legal & Associates structure fees into discrete milestones.

Not a flat rate per charge type: it is rarely priced strictly by the name of the charge (e.g., “drive under the influence cost $X”). Instead, pricing is determined by the complexity of the court work and the likely volume of evidence.

Why choose CDA over a big city firm?

Large commercial or multi-practice city firms often operate on a hierarchical model. Your file is typically taken in by a partner, handed down to a senior associate, and day-to-day communication is often managed by junior lawyers or paralegals. Decisions can be bottlenecked by internal structures, and you may struggle to get direct answers when anxiety spikes. At CDA, the senior lawyer handling your strategy is the exact person you talk to at midnight, on a Saturday, or right before walking into court.

What could push my matter outside the fixed fee?

Fixed fee agreements always come with a strict scope. Crossing certain thresholds will move the matter into a new fee arrangement or hourly billing:

• Pleading guilty vs. contested hearing: if you later decide to plead not guilty, the matter moves into a contested hearing or trial. A trial requires subpoenaing witnesses, cross-examination, and extensive preparation, which carries a higher, separate fee or daily hearing rate.

• Volume of the brief of evidence: an unusually large brief (thousands of pages of digital data, extensive CCTV footage, or complex financial records) exceeds standard scope.

• Unforeseen court adjournments: if a matter is repeatedly delayed through no fault of your lawyer, additional appearance fees may apply.

• District Court matters: indictable matters that start in the Local Court but are elected to the District Court for trial or sentence carry a significantly higher cost structure.

Which offences do you cover?

CDA Legal & Associates deals with a wide range of offences, including traffic and drink driving, assault, drug offences, domestic violence and AVOs, fraud, sex offences, bail applications, and appeals. Christopher David Alis assists Legal Aid NSW on a duty basis, meaning he works in all local courts around Sydney and knows exactly what judges are looking for.

Book your free, no-obligation consultation today.

Address:
136 Marrrickville Road, Marrickville, Sydney, NSW, 2204

Phone:
0413 425 072 (Available 24/7)

Email:
chris@cdalegal.com.au

Ready to Talk to Someone Who'll Fight for You?

Address:

136 Marrrickville Road, Marrickville, Sydney, NSW, 2204

Contact:

0413 425 072

chris@cdalegal.com.au

© 2026 CDA Legal & Associates. All rights

Open hours:

Available 24/7

ABN:

15253540142

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