Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers
Has your child been charged with a criminal offence and ordered to appear at Surry Hills Children's Court? Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers at Barsha Defence Lawyers represent young people in all criminal, traffic, bail, and AVO matters at this court. The Children's Court is a very different environment from the adult court. Our team understands the unique rules, sentencing options, and diversionary pathways available to young people, and we fight to protect your child's future.
Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers for Children's Court Matters
Surry Hills Children's Court at 66–78 Albion Street is a purpose-built courthouse that replaced the old Bidura Children's Court. It is one of four dedicated Children's Court buildings in New South Wales and deals exclusively with matters involving young people under 18. The court handles criminal charges, traffic offences, bail applications, AVO proceedings, and care and protection matters.
The Children's Court operates very differently from the adult Local Court. It is a closed court, meaning the general public cannot attend proceedings. The magistrates who sit here are specially trained in youth justice, and the sentencing framework places a strong emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment. For many young people, this is their first contact with the criminal justice system. How the matter is handled can shape their future for years to come.
Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers understand these differences and use them to get the best outcome for every young client. We regularly appear at this court and know the magistrates, the prosecutors, and the court processes inside out.
How Surry Hills Children's Court Differs From the Adult Court
The Children's Court exists because the law recognises that young people are not the same as adults. The Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 sets out the principles that guide how a court should deal with young offenders. The key differences that our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers work with every day include:
Criminal Offences Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers Defend
Assault Charges
Assault offences are common at Surry Hills Children's Court. Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers defend charges of common assault, assault occasioning ABH, assaulting a police officer, affray, choking, and recklessly causing GBH. Many of these matters involve school-age altercations or family disputes.
Domestic Violence & AVOs
Domestic violence charges and AVO applications involving young respondents are heard at Surry Hills Children's Court. Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers represent young people charged with breaching an ADVO, stalking or intimidation, and related matters. If your child has been served with a provisional AVO or charged with a breach of AVO, speak to us before the court date.
Drug Offences
Drug charges at Surry Hills Children's Court range from drug possession to drug supply and cultivation. For simple possession, diversionary outcomes under the Young Offenders Act are often achievable. Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers will advise on the best approach.
Sexual Offences
Charges of sexual touching, aggravated sexual touching, distributing intimate images, and child abuse material offences are heard at Surry Hills Children's Court. Serious Children's Indictable Offences like sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault are committed to the District Court.
Property & Fraud
Property offences at Surry Hills include larceny, break and enter, destroying property, and trespass. Fraud charges include obtaining a financial advantage by deception and goods in custody.
Firearms, Weapons & Public Order
Firearm and weapon offences carry heavy penalties, even in the Children's Court. Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers defend charges of knife possession and unlawful firearm possession. Public order charges include offensive language, offensive conduct, and resisting arrest.
Traffic Offences at Surry Hills Children's Court
Traffic offences involving young people below licensable age, or traffic charges connected to other criminal offences, are dealt with at Surry Hills Children's Court. Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers defend charges of:
- Drink driving
- Drug driving
- Driving whilst unlicensed
- Dangerous driving
- Negligent driving
- Police pursuit (Skye's Law)
- Speeding
- Failing to stop after an accident
The Young Offenders Act: Diversions at Surry Hills
The Young Offenders Act 1997 creates diversionary pathways that keep young people out of the formal court process entirely. If a matter is dealt with under this Act, no conviction is recorded and no finding of guilt is made. The three options available under the Act are:
Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers actively push for Young Offenders Act outcomes wherever possible. Even after a matter has been filed in court, the magistrate can refer it back for a youth justice conference. We know when and how to make these applications, and we fight for diversionary outcomes on every case where they are available.
Sentencing Options at Surry Hills Children's Court
If a matter proceeds to a finding of guilt and is not diverted under the Young Offenders Act, the Children's Court has a wide range of sentencing options under section 33 of the Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987. The court works through these options from least to most serious. Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers prepare detailed submissions to steer the outcome towards the lightest penalty available:
Bail Applications for Young People at Surry Hills
If a young person has been arrested and refused police bail, our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers can make an urgent bail application at Surry Hills Children's Court. The court takes into account the young person's age, ties to family, schooling, and the nature of the charges. Keeping a young person out of custody and back at home or in school is always the priority. We are available 24/7 for urgent bail matters.
Where bail is refused at the Children's Court, we can make a fresh application in the Supreme Court of NSW.
The Youth Koori Court at Surry Hills
Surry Hills Children's Court is one of three locations in NSW where the Youth Koori Court sits. The Youth Koori Court was established to address the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the criminal justice system. It uses a culturally informed process that involves community elders, family members, and support services in the sentencing process.
Referral to the Youth Koori Court requires a guilty plea or an indication of a guilty plea. The young person then goes through a deferred sentencing process with a personalised action plan. Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers can advise whether the Youth Koori Court is an appropriate pathway and assist with the referral.
Serious Children's Indictable Offences From Surry Hills
Most criminal matters involving young people are dealt with entirely in the Children's Court. The exception is Serious Children's Indictable Offences, which include charges like sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, wounding with intent, armed robbery, and certain drug offences. These matters are committed from Surry Hills Children's Court to the District Court or Supreme Court for trial or sentence.
Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers handle both the Children's Court stage and the higher court proceedings. We will advise you on whether a charge falls into this category and what to expect at each stage.
Information for Parents
If your child has been charged with a criminal offence and needs to attend Surry Hills Children's Court, you are probably worried about what this means for their future. You are not alone. This is one of the most stressful things a parent can face. Here is what you need to know:
Why Choose Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers
The Children's Court has its own rules, its own sentencing framework, and its own culture. Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers regularly appear at this court and know the magistrates, the prosecutors, and the Youth Justice staff who work here.
We are a specialist criminal defence firm with based in Norwest. Every case we take is a criminal or traffic matter. That focus means you get a lawyer with deep knowledge of this area of law.
A criminal record at a young age can affect employment, travel, education, and professional licensing for years. Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers pursue every available pathway to avoid a conviction and keep your child's record clean.
We take calls 24/7, including weekends and public holidays. If your child has been arrested and needs urgent legal advice or a bail application, you can reach us immediately.
We quote a fixed fee upfront so there are no surprises. You will know exactly what your child's representation costs before you commit.
What to Expect at Surry Hills Children's Court
If your child has not been to court before, here is what to expect on the day:
Allow time to pass through security and speak with your lawyer before the matter is called.
Reports from school, counsellors, or any support services your child is engaged with can help the court see a fuller picture.
School uniform is fine. Otherwise, clean and presentable clothing. No hats inside the courtroom.
Only the young person, parents or guardians, lawyers, and relevant court staff will be present. This is designed to protect your child's privacy.
Your Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers will address the magistrate. The young person may need to confirm their plea and acknowledge any orders, but the lawyer does the talking.
Surry Hills Children's Court is at 66–78 Albion Street, Surry Hills. Central Station is a 5–10 minute walk away. Metered street parking and paid parking stations are nearby. Bus services run throughout the area.
Areas Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers Serve
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers offer a free initial consultation to review the charges and explain your options. After that, we provide a fixed fee quote so you know the total cost before you commit. Fees depend on the type of matter, whether it involves a guilty plea, defended hearing, or bail application.
Not necessarily. A conviction cannot be recorded for any young person who was under 16 at the time of the offence. For those aged 16 or 17, the magistrate can choose not to record a conviction. There are also diversionary outcomes under the Young Offenders Act, including warnings, cautions, and youth justice conferences, which do not result in a criminal record at all. Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers work to avoid a conviction in every case.
Yes. The court encourages parents and guardians to attend. While Surry Hills Children's Court is closed to the general public, parents and support people are welcome in the courtroom with the young person. Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers will explain the process to both you and your child before the matter is called.
The court deals with criminal charges against young people under 18, including assault, drug offences, property offences, sexual offences, traffic offences, AVO matters, bail applications, and defended hearings. Serious Children's Indictable Offences are committed to the District Court or Supreme Court.
The Young Offenders Act 1997 creates diversionary pathways that keep young people out of the formal court process. Options include police warnings, formal cautions, and youth justice conferences. If a matter is dealt with under this Act, no conviction is recorded. Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers actively push for these outcomes wherever they are available.
The Youth Koori Court operates at Surry Hills Children's Court for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. It uses a culturally informed approach that involves elders, family, and support services. Participants go through deferred sentencing with a personalised action plan. Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers can advise on eligibility and assist with the referral process. Contact us to discuss this option.
Contact Our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers
If your child has been charged with a criminal offence and needs to appear at Surry Hills Children's Court, contact our Surry Hills Criminal Lawyers for a free consultation. We will explain the process, the options available, and what we can do to protect your child's future. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
0474 708 070