Appealing on severity is unlikely to make the sentence any worse if the appeal has merit.

Reasons to make a severity appeal can include the lack of special circumstances being found on sentence in the Local Court, ineptitude of previous representation or fresh material coming to light which the interests of justice demand be put before the court.

At a severity appeal the judge will be given a copy of the transcript of the Local Court proceedings. The convicted person (through their representative) will be given the opportunity to give evidence. Most severity appeals also involve the convicted person tendering evidence such as expert medical evidence or evidence from a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.

If the appellant has been sentenced to any form of imprisonment in the matter they are appealing, an application for bail can be made. If the bail application is successful, the convicted person will be at liberty until the date their appeal is heard.

Successful severity appeals are common and often result in a more appropriate and lenient sentence being imposed. A common example of a more appropriate sentence is a shorter non-parole period being imposed.

Our criminal lawyers are available on (02) 8810 0924 to discuss the merits of your appeal 24/7.

• Where you were suffering from a mental illness at the time of the offence (mental illness)
• Where your conduct was necessary to prevent serious injury or danger (necessity)
• Where someone threatened or coerced you into committing fraud (duress)

Full time imprisonment is an option open to the Courts, so the charge of Human Trafficking is a serious one. Nott and Co Lawyers will defend your rights if charged. Our experts can negotiate with police, seek to have facts amended, run a dispute facts hearing if required and provide you with a robust defence if you wish to plea not guilty.

If you are in trouble with the law, you need to get legal advice as soon as possible. The most important thing for Nott and Co Lawyers is to get back to you quickly.

Our commitment to anybody who reaches out to us is that we will be back in touch within 24hrs – personally and not via automated message.

People work around the clock these days and Nott and Co Lawyers always has the lights on to make sure that if you need us, you can find us.

Technology is in the DNA of Nott and Co Lawyers. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Facetime, dictation software, and mobile phones are everyday tools that we use to keep costs down for our clients and ensure that our lawyers are accessible.

We have a network of barristers and solicitors from all fields of legal practice. We call upon them for our clients to make sure that legal issues are examined from all angles.