Jeremy McGrath Criminal Defence

Jeremy McGrath Criminal Defence: criminal defence in Penrith and New South Wales

Jeremy McGrath Criminal Defence is a law firm specialising in criminal law based in Penrith, New South Wales. The firm, formerly known as Penrith Lawyers, operates from two office locations: one in Pyrmont and one in Penrith. Its work focuses on representing clients before the courts of New South Wales in matters of bail, domestic violence orders, sentencing, appeals and criminal charges.

The team

The principal solicitor, Jeremy McGrath, is a Penrith local and had a prior career in the Australian Defence Force, serving in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. He later studied law and has been practising as a prosecutor and criminal defence lawyer for more than ten years. During his studies he volunteered with the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, an experience which, by his account, steered him towards criminal law. After qualifying as a solicitor, he worked for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and later at Legal Aid NSW. He describes himself professionally as tenacious, diligent and patient.

Clare McGrath is the practice manager and oversees the day-to-day operations of the firm. She holds a Bachelor of Communications, a Graduate Diploma in Psychology and accreditation in Mental Health First Aid. Before joining the firm she worked as a television news journalist in Sydney, Canberra, Coffs Harbour, Alice Springs and Darwin.

Criminal law services

The firm structures its offering into several areas of practice:

• Bail: bail applications, including Supreme Court bail applications, and bail appeals.
• General criminal law: summary hearings, Local Court hearings, District Court trials and sentencing, Supreme Court trials and sentencing, criminal law advice and representation, criminal history, voir dire and costs applications.
• Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVO/AVO): applications for apprehended domestic violence orders, variation of orders, applications to vary and ADVO hearings.
• Sentencing: Local Court, District Court and Supreme Court sentencing, criminal law advice and representation and advocacy.
• Charge negotiations: before the Local Court, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, EAGP, indictable charges, summary charges and police prosecutors.
• Appeals: appeals against sentence and against conviction, legal representation, appeals to the District Court, annulment applications in the Local Court, mentions, legal advice, section 4 applications and court advocacy.

Track record and results

The firm states that it has defended and prosecuted in more than 1000 summary hearings and has appeared in the Local, District and Supreme Courts on bail applications, sentences, trials and appeals. Among the testimonials published on the site, several clients highlight the clarity of the advice received after an arrest, the usefulness of written advice following the first consultation and the confidence that the representation in court gave them.

Publications and outreach

The firm maintains a blog with articles on criminal issues in New South Wales, including police discretion in laying charges, withdrawing or correcting statements made to police, the use of body-worn cameras in domestic violence evidence and the question of who bears the costs when police withdraw charges.

Two office locations in New South Wales

The firm sees clients by appointment in Pyrmont and Penrith. The site indicated that the change of name and address was being completed in October 2025.

Offices and locations

Pyrmont office: 3/55 Pyrmont Bridge Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009

Penrith office: 95b Station St, Penrith NSW 2750