A Specialist Criminal Law Firm
Barsha Defence Lawyers is a criminal and traffic law firm based in Western Sydney. We do one thing and we do it well: defend people who are facing criminal charges and traffic offences across New South Wales. Our criminal defence lawyers appear at every level of the NSW court system, from the Local Court to the High Court of Australia.
With offices in Parramatta and Norwest, our criminal defence lawyers attend over 25 courts across Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, the Hunter Valley, the Illawarra, and regional NSW. We appear daily at Parramatta Local Court and travel regularly to courts including Blacktown, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Bankstown, Penrith, Downing Centre, Gosford, Newcastle, and Wollongong. A full list is available on our Courts We Attend page.
Our team is led by Principal Lawyer Michael Barsha, who has built a track record defending clients across the full range of criminal and traffic matters. Michael also volunteers as a lecturer at the Traffic Offenders Intervention Program, giving back to the community through legal education. You can read more about our lawyers on the Our Team page.
How We Handle Your Case
Every criminal charge is different, and the right defence depends on the facts. When you contact us, we start by reviewing the police facts, charge sheets, and any evidence available. We explain what the prosecution needs to prove, what penalties are on the table, and what options you have. That honest assessment forms the foundation of your defence.
Depending on the circumstances of your matter, we will discuss the options open to you. These include negotiating with police or prosecutors to have charges reduced or withdrawn entirely, entering a not guilty plea and defending the matter at a hearing, or entering a guilty plea with the strongest possible material to reduce the penalty. In some cases, we dispute the facts alleged by police while accepting the charge itself, which is known as a disputed facts hearing.
Where charges involve a mental health condition, we can prepare a Section 14 mental health application to have the matter dealt with outside the ordinary sentencing process. For clients who are in custody, we handle urgent bail applications at the earliest opportunity, including same-day bail at courts close to our offices.
We keep our clients informed at every stage. You will know what is happening with your matter, what to expect at your next court date, and what steps you need to take before you get there. That preparation makes a real difference when you walk into court.
Our Track Record
Results matter. We have built a strong record of outcomes for clients across hundreds of criminal and traffic matters in NSW courts.
Our firm has been recognised with awards for Best Criminal Law Firm, and Michael Barsha has received individual awards for Best Criminal Lawyer and Best Traffic Lawyer. You can read what our clients say on our Google Reviews.
Areas of Law We Defend
Our lawyers handle the full range of criminal and traffic matters heard in NSW courts. We defend clients facing minor summary offences through to serious indictable charges dealt with in the District Court and Supreme Court.
At the more serious end, we brief and instruct some of Sydney's most experienced barristers for matters including murder, terrorism, large-scale drug supply, and serious sexual assault matters before the District Court and Supreme Court. We act as solicitor advocates in the Local Court and frequently appear as instructing solicitors in jury trials.
Sentencing Options in NSW Courts
When a criminal matter results in a finding of guilt, the court must decide what penalty to impose. NSW courts have a range of sentencing options available under the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999. The penalty that a court imposes depends on the seriousness of the offence, your personal circumstances, and what your criminal defence lawyers put before the court on your behalf.
The goal of any sentencing hearing is to give the court every reason to impose the most lenient penalty available. We gather character references, medical reports, psychological assessments, completion certificates from programs like the Traffic Offenders Intervention Program, and any other material that strengthens your position. Preparation at this stage directly affects the outcome.
Where Our Criminal Defence Lawyers Appear
Our two offices give us efficient access to courts across Western Sydney, the Hills District, Greater Sydney, and regional New South Wales. The full list of courts we attend is on our Courts We Attend hub page, but here is a snapshot of our regular courts:
Greater Western Sydney & Hills District
South Western Sydney & Macarthur
Sydney CBD, Inner West & Eastern Suburbs
Central Coast, Hunter Valley & Illawarra
Transparent, Fixed-Fee Pricing
We know that legal fees are a real concern when you are facing criminal charges. We provide fixed-fee quotes for all matters so you know exactly what the cost will be before you commit. There are no hidden charges and no hourly billing. During your free initial consultation, we assess the complexity of your case and provide a quote that reflects the work involved. We do our best to offer a fee arrangement that works for you.
Quality criminal defence should be accessible. That is why we offer free initial consultations, flexible payment options, and a pricing structure that is upfront from the start. Contact us to discuss your matter and get a quote.