Criminal Defence

HFG Attorneys Inc is a leading international Criminal Defence Law Firm with a well-established, skilled, and experienced team of experts to assist our clients with various types of criminal related services.

The Best Criminal Lawyer in Cape Town and Paarl

At HFG Attorneys in Paarl, Western Cape, we also assist our clients with all firearm related matters across the border of the Western Cape. This will include, but is not limited to:

After-hour bail applications, formal bail applications in the court, in the Magistrates’ Court, Regional Court, appeals and reviews of unfavorable bail application judgements to the High Court.
Pre-trial stage proceedings, liaison, negotiations, mediation, criminal diversion, and representations to, and with the National Prosecuting Authority and South African Police Service.
Representing clients accused of a criminal offence by: Attending to court appearances throughout the process and conducting the accused defence during the criminal trial. Assisting clients during police interrogation, identification parades, criminal trials and during the investigating phase when evidence is being collected. Ensuring compliance of legislation, and applicable practice standards, by SAPS during the investigation by evaluating DNA evidence, fingerprint evidence, and/or blood samples and blood alcohol test.
Assisting clients with laying a criminal charge at the Police Station, by drafting of the A1 affidavit and managing the matter throughout as a watching brief.
Assistance with Forensic Law investigations and evidence with a panel of experts and advocates to our disposal for our clients

For any assistance regarding the firearm-related criminal defence, send an email to admin@hfglaw.co.za. We also assist our clients with appeals against judgments to the High Court of South Africa and the Supreme Court of Appeal. For any enquiries and to speak to a criminal defence specialist, please send an email to admin@hfglaw.co.za.

We have a team of the best criminal lawyers in Cape Town, Paarl and the surrounding areas. As one of the top niche Criminal Law firms in the area, we serve clients in the following areas: Paarl, Wellington, Malmesbury, Boschenmeer Golf Estate, Val de Vie Winelands Lifestyle Estate, Pearl Valley Golf Estate and Spa, Darling, Worcester, Franschhoek, Klapmuts, Stellenbosch, Strand, Somerset West, Belville, Durbanville, Kraaifontein, Parow, Century City, Cape Town, Claremont, Hout Bay, Table View, Milnerton, Bloubergstrand, Melkbostrand, Atlantis and many more through our online consultation facility’s.

Areas of specialty:

Drunk Driving and Driving under the influence in terms of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No. 93 of 1996)
Reckless and Negligent Driving
General traffic related offences
Offences relating to the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, 1992 (Act No. 140 of 1992)
Offences relating to the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000). Any offence relating to the dealing in or smuggling of ammunition, firearms, explosives or armament or the possession of an automatic or semi-automatic firearm, explosives or armament
Crimen injuria and criminal defamation
Rape or compelled rape as contemplated in sections 3 and 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007, respectively
Sexual assault, compelled sexual assault or compelled self-sexual assault as contemplated in section 5, 6 or 7 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007, respectively
Any other sexual offences committed in terms of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007
Murder

Culpable Homicide
Assault, when a dangerous wound is inflicted
Public violence
Breaking or entering any premises, whether under the common law or a statutory provision, with intent to commit an offence
Theft, whether under the common law or a statutory provision
Receiving stolen property knowing it to have been stolen
Malicious injury to property
Robbery
Arson
Contempt of court
Escaping from lawful custody after arrest and detention
Trafficking in persons relating to the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013
Kidnapping
Child stealing
Issues and offences relating to immigration within the South African Law

Fraud
Forgery or uttering a forged document knowing it to have been forged
Offences relating to the coinage
Any offence under any law relating to the illicit dealing in or possession of precious metals or precious stones
Treason
Sedition
Municipal legislation offences
Bestiality as contemplated in section 13 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007
Offences relating to abalone and poaching. Offences relating to ivory
Offences relating to rhino poaching
Offences relating to the International Criminal law and representation
Drafting written representation, consultations and negotiations with the National Prosecution Authority
Assistance with mediation in criminal matters
Assistance with diversion of criminal matters

What is the definition of Criminal Law?

Criminal Law is part of the South African Public Law. Th system that enforces the Criminal Law is the criminal justice system and entails a system of laws that acts as rules for the society, and sanctions of punishment for contravening them, to ensure the law and order. In a Criminal Law matter, there will be a prosecutor working for the National Prosecuting Authority charging you, and you will be represented and defended by your Criminal Defence Attorney / Lawyer / Law Firm.

When to Consult a Criminal Lawyer and Attorney?

Should you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being accused of a crime, charged, or arrested, it is of a paramount importance that you immediately contact the best criminal defence attorney in your area for assisting you with arranging for bail and representing you in the matter. Remember, never sign anything or say anything without your criminal defence lawyer / attorney present.

What to consider before hiring a Criminal Defence Attorney? What should you look for in a Criminal Defence Lawyer?

Ensure that you appoint the best criminal defence experts that money can buy! You are fighting for your freedom here, and no one wants to go to jail!
Appoint a criminal defence law firm that has skills, experience and expertise in Criminal Law, Forensic Law and Constitutional Law;
Ensure that the firm has the best experts and advocates on their panel to assist you with your criminal defence.
Evaluate their effectiveness based on their Google reviews, the website, and social media presence.

We can also assist with cases related to General Litigation, Family Law and Firearm Law.

Frequently asked questions:

What is the definition of Criminal Law?

When to Consult a Criminal Lawyer and Attorney?

What to consider before hiring a Criminal Defence Attorney? What should you look for in a Criminal Defence Lawyer?

Ensure that you appoint the best criminal defence experts that money can buy! You are fighting for your freedom here, and no one wants to go to jail!
Appoint a criminal defence law firm that has skills, experience and expertise in Criminal Law, Forensic Law and Constitutional Law;
Ensure that the firm has the best experts and advocates on their panel to assist you with your criminal defence.
Evaluate their effectiveness based on their Google reviews, the website, and social media presence.

How much does a good Criminal Defence Attorney cost?

Depending on the type of matter, the complexity of the matter, and the level of skill and expertise required from the legal practitioner to assist you, you can budget for an hourly fee of between R 800-00 per hour to R 2 000-00 per hour, plus VAT, expenses, advocates fees and experts’ fees, if applicable.

What is the bail application process?

Once a person is arrested and becomes the accused, he/she has the right to apply for bail. There are three types of bail applications in our criminal justice system. Firstly, Police Bail for minor offences, secondly, Prosecutor after hour bail applications for schedule 7 listed offences, and lastly bail applications in a formal court for your more serious offences. It is advisable to appoint a criminal defence attorney / lawyer to assist you through this process.

What is the difference between a Lawyer and a Criminal lawyer?

Although both of them are professionals, a normal lawyer will be seen as ‘n general practitioner doing a bit of everything, whereas a criminal lawyer is a normal lawyer that decided to specialise in a specific field of the law, being Criminal Law. Remember, jack of all trades, a master of none! Choose wisely when deciding on your legal practitioner.

What does a criminal lawyer do?

Ensure that your procedural and constitutional rights are protected throughout the criminal justice process.
Will assist you with your bail application and arrange with your family for payment thereof to the relevant state official at court.
Provide legal representation in court and advising you on the merits of the case.

What are the different types of Criminal Lawyers?

There is two different type of criminal lawyers / attorneys in South Africa:

Retainer Lawyer / Attorney: These legal practitioners will have a large volume of matters every day on the court roll in a specific court. Usually, these type of practitioners’ fees are relatively cheap, but will have the effect that you don’t have the undivided focus of your legal practitioner on your matter, and therefor share his focus with the rest of his clients on that day.
Boutique Law Firm Lawyers / Attorneys: These type of legal practitioners is mostly quite expensive as specialists in their fields of law. They usually have more time preparing for your matter through research, planning strategy and focusing on your criminal defence and trial with undivided focus.

Ultimately, the type of Lawyers / Attorney / Law Firm you appoint will be your choice considering your needs and ability to pay. At HFG Attorneys Inc, we are the boutique lawyers focussing on one matter at a time with undivided focus and success.