Criminal Law Centurion

Burger Huyser Attorneys provides criminal defence, bail application and court representation services from its Centurion branch at Block 12, Unit 34, First Floor, Central Office Park, 257 Jean Avenue. Call 012 644 4990 during office hours or the dedicated after-hours bail line on 069 522 7696 after an arrest. The firm assists from urgent pre-charge advice and first appearance through bail, plea and trial preparation, trial representation and appropriate post-conviction steps.

Why Engage a Specialist Criminal Defence Attorney in Centurion

An arrest starts a time-sensitive process. Section 35 of the Constitution protects an arrested person’s rights to remain silent, to be told of that right and the consequences of not remaining silent, and not to be compelled to make a confession or admission that could be used in evidence. A detained person may also choose and consult a legal practitioner.

Early advice helps avoid an uninformed statement and allows the defence to assemble reliable bail information. Under section 50 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, an arrested person who has not been released must generally reach a lower court within 48 hours, subject to the Act’s court-day rules. Bail may be postponed for further information and is not necessarily finalised at the first appearance.

A criminal defence attorney must identify the correct bail test, prepare evidence addressing the statutory risks and follow the matter into the court selected for trial. Burger Huyser Attorneys supports Centurion instructions through its criminal law practice, including specialist consultant Clinton Shaw and the firm’s general litigation team.

What the Service Covers (Scope of Engagement)

Criminal defence begins before trial by protecting the accused’s rights and establishing the charge and arrest circumstances.

• Police-station assistance: advising on section 35 rights before any statement, admission or confession is made and obtaining available information about the arrest and charge.
• First-appearance representation: attending the relevant lower court, checking that the accused is charged or informed why detention should continue, and addressing bail or a remand.
• Bail applications: preparing opposed or unopposed court bail, including Schedule 5 and Schedule 6 applications under section 60 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
• Case preparation: taking instructions, analysing the charge sheet and disclosed docket material, consulting witnesses and engaging the prosecutor where appropriate.
• Plea and trial representation: advising on plea options, preparing cross-examination and defence evidence, appearing in the magistrate’s court or regional court, and briefing counsel when a High Court matter requires it.
• Post-conviction advice: assessing sentence-related remedies and the applicable route for leave to appeal or appeal, which depends on the court of origin and the order made.

The Centurion branch acts as the practical intake point for local accused persons and for family members giving urgent instructions on their behalf.

Schedule 5 vs Schedule 6 Bail: What the Charge Schedule Means for Your Matter

The alleged offence schedule changes the burden in the bail enquiry but does not decide the trial venue. Under section 60(11), the accused must adduce evidence in both Schedule 5 and Schedule 6 matters; Schedule 6 adds the stricter exceptional-circumstances requirement.

Feature	Schedule 5	Schedule 6
Examples	Murder outside specified Schedule 6 circumstances; rape outside specified Schedule 6 circumstances; qualifying high-value fraud or theft	Planned or premeditated murder; rape in specified aggravated circumstances; robbery involving a firearm, grievous bodily harm or a motor vehicle
Statutory test	The accused must adduce evidence satisfying the court that the interests of justice permit release.	The accused must adduce evidence satisfying the court that exceptional circumstances exist which, in the interests of justice, permit release.
Typical evidence	Verified address, employment and family ties, travel documents, prior convictions, pending cases and proposed conditions	A detailed affidavit or oral record addressing the exceptional-circumstances test as well as every relevant statutory bail risk
Key risks considered	Public or complainant safety, absconding, witness interference, destruction of evidence, interference with the justice system and, exceptionally, public order or security

Section 50(6)(c) provides that a Schedule 6 bail application must be considered by a magistrate’s court, unless the Director of Public Prosecutions or an authorised prosecutor directs in writing that a regional court should consider it. This is different from the later allocation of the trial.

The Local Court Landscape: Where the Matter Is Heard

Centurion matters ordinarily enter through the Centurion Magistrate’s Court at 100 Napier Road, Lyttelton Manor. The first appearance addresses the charge, continued detention and release. Depending on the offence, release before first appearance may be considered as police bail under section 59 or prosecutor-authorised bail under section 59A.

More serious prosecutions may proceed in a regional court or in the Gauteng Division of the High Court at its Pretoria seat. That allocation depends on jurisdiction and the prosecution’s decision; a Schedule 5 or Schedule 6 label is primarily a bail classification and does not automatically send a trial to the High Court.

What to Look for When Choosing a Criminal Defence Attorney in Centurion

• Criminal-court experience: ask who will prepare and argue the bail application and who will appear as the matter progresses.
• Urgent availability: confirm that the contact number is monitored after hours and clarify what assistance can lawfully be provided before court opens.
• Clear strategy: the attorney should explain the charge schedule, applicable burden, evidence needed and immediate risks without guaranteeing bail or acquittal.
• Direct communication: establish who will update the accused and family, especially when the accused remains in custody.
• Transparent fees: request the scope, billing basis and likely disbursements in writing before work proceeds where circumstances allow.

Burger Huyser Attorneys’ brand approach emphasises personalised service, plain-spoken advice and honesty about costs and prospects. The firm holds a 4.8/5 average from 250+ Google reviews, verified by Trustindex, and was named Best Criminal & Family Law Specialists 2025 in the MEA Business Awards.

Practical Considerations: Cost, Timeline, What to Bring

Issue	Practical guidance
Cost	Bail may be quoted separately from the full defence. Trial fees vary with complexity, appearances, investigation, counsel and transcription needs. Burger Huyser Attorneys quotes per matter after review.
Timing	First appearance is governed by the 48-hour and court-day rules. A bail hearing may be postponed for up to seven days at a time on statutory grounds. Trial timing depends on investigation, disclosure, court availability and plea.
Documents and details	Bring the charge sheet or SAPS CAS number, the accused’s identity details, arresting and investigating officer details if known, verified residential and employment information, travel-document details, prior convictions, pending charges and existing bail conditions.

Accuracy matters. Section 60(11B) requires disclosure in bail proceedings of prior convictions, pending charges and certain other statuses; deliberately withholding or falsifying required information can itself be an offence.

If you or a family member has been arrested or charged in Centurion, contact Burger Huyser Attorneys’ Centurion branch on 012 644 4990, Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 4:30pm. For urgent assistance after an arrest outside office hours, call the dedicated bail line on 069 522 7696. The branch is at Block 12, Unit 34, First Floor, Central Office Park, 257 Jean Avenue, Centurion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a criminal defence attorney cost in Centurion?

Costs depend on the stage, complexity, number of appearances and whether counsel is briefed. Bail may be quoted separately from the full defence. Burger Huyser Attorneys provides a per-matter quote after an initial review and explains the proposed fees and likely disbursements.

Do you offer after-hours bail assistance in Centurion?

Yes. Burger Huyser Attorneys operates a dedicated after-hours bail line on 069 522 7696 for urgent assistance after an arrest. The attorney can advise on immediate rights and prepare for the applicable release procedure, but an arrested person is not entitled to a court appearance outside ordinary court hours.

Where will my matter be heard?

The venue depends on jurisdiction and prosecutorial allocation. Centurion matters commonly begin at the Centurion Magistrate’s Court in Lyttelton Manor, while serious trials may proceed in a regional court or the Gauteng Division of the High Court at its Pretoria seat. The charge schedule does not alone determine the trial venue.

Can you help if I have been arrested and the police want me to make a statement?

Yes. Section 35 of the Constitution protects the rights to remain silent, to be informed of that right and its consequences, and not to be compelled to make a confession or admission. Seek legal advice before making or signing a statement.

What is the difference between Schedule 5 and Schedule 6 bail?

For Schedule 5 bail, the accused must satisfy the court that the interests of justice permit release. For Schedule 6 bail, the accused must satisfy the court that exceptional circumstances exist which, in the interests of justice, permit release. Schedule 6 therefore imposes the stricter test.

Can Burger Huyser defend me in the High Court if my matter is escalated?

Yes. Burger Huyser Attorneys handles criminal defence through the Gauteng Division of the High Court at its Pretoria seat and may brief counsel where appropriate, with the Centurion branch serving as the local point of contact.