In NSW, the Courts endeavour to resolve all matters in a just and timely manner; however, the duration of a matter can vary significantly due to a range of factors. Such factors include:

• The Court in which the case is being prosecuted. Generally speaking, matters in the Local Courts tend to be resolved more quickly than those in the higher Courts.

• Whether a guilty or not guilty plea is entered. Guilty pleas can often lead to a quicker resolution, whereas not guilty pleas usually require a full hearing or trial.

• Whether the accused is in custody or on bail. Additionally, the accused’s custody status can impact how soon a matter is listed and finalised.

• The caseload of the particular Court registry in which your matter is being prosecuted. Delays may arise if the Court registry is experiencing a high volume of cases.

• Prosecution and defence witness availability. The availability of witnesses on both sides is also a key factor that can influence timelines.

• Extent of negotiations with the Prosecution. Moreover, time spent in negotiation between the parties may affect how quickly the matter progresses.

• Pretrial applications in the higher Courts and many other factors. Finally, in cases before the higher Courts, pretrial legal arguments and applications, among other considerations, may contribute to extended timeframes.

An experienced criminal lawyer in Parramatta can help you understand where your matter fits within these factors and work to achieve the most efficient resolution.