Criminal Lawyers In Randburg

Burger Huyser Attorneys provides criminal defence in Randburg from its head office at 49 First Avenue, Linden, covering urgent arrest response, bail, plea and trial work, and post-conviction matters. Contact the office on 011 888 0246 or use the after-hours bail line, 069 522 7696, for urgent assistance.

The firm’s criminal law bench includes specialist consultant Clinton Shaw, whose listed focus includes assault matters, and admitted attorney Abrie van der Merwe in Linden. Randburg-area matters commonly begin at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court under procedures governed by the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 and section 35 of the Constitution.

Why You Need a Randburg-Based Criminal Defence Lawyer

Section 35 of the Constitution protects an arrested person’s right 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. A detained person may also choose and consult a legal practitioner. Invoke those rights clearly, avoid discussing the allegations before receiving advice, and give the attorney the police station, case number and arrest time.

Under section 50 of the Criminal Procedure Act, an arrested person who has not been released must generally appear before a lower court as soon as reasonably possible and within 48 hours. If that period expires outside ordinary court hours or on a non-court day, it ordinarily extends to the end of the first court day. Burger Huyser’s Linden team can coordinate local station consultations and first-appearance preparation.

What the Criminal Defence Service Covers

Service	What it involves
After-hours arrest response	Urgent intake through the after-hours bail line, contact with the relevant SAPS station, and preparation for the first appearance, including weekend and public-holiday arrests.
Bail applications	Applications under section 60 of the Criminal Procedure Act, including opposed bail, Schedule 5 and Schedule 6 matters, applications to vary bail conditions, and section 65 bail appeals where appropriate.
Warning-statement assistance	Advice before a warning statement or other disclosure is made, with attention to the rights to silence, representation and freedom from compelled self-incrimination.
Plea and trial representation	Case assessment, engagement with the prosecutor, plea discussions, trial preparation, examination and cross-examination of witnesses, legal argument and sentencing submissions.
Charge-specific defence	Matters involving assault, robbery, theft, burglary, malicious damage to property, fraud and other white-collar allegations, drug offences, driving under the influence, and other serious charges.
Post-conviction work	Advice and representation concerning leave to appeal, criminal appeals, reviews and applications relating to sentence where the law permits.

The Randburg Procedural Context: Where Matters Are Heard

A charge’s schedule affects bail but does not by itself determine the trial court. The charge, statutory jurisdiction and prosecutorial decision determine whether the case remains in a district court, proceeds in a regional court or is tried in the High Court.

Stage or forum	Typical role in a Randburg matter
SAPS and the first 48 hours	The responsible station processes the docket and detention. Confirm the actual station for arrests around Linden, Ferndale, Blairgowrie or Cresta rather than assuming it from the suburb.
Randburg Magistrate’s Court	Handles first appearances, remands, many bail applications, preliminary proceedings and district-court trials. A Schedule 6 bail application goes before a magistrate’s court unless an authorised prosecutorial direction places it before a regional court.
Regional Court	Tries serious offences within its statutory jurisdiction. A Schedule 5 or Schedule 6 classification does not automatically place the trial in the High Court.
High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Johannesburg	Hears criminal trials within its jurisdiction, lower-court appeals and reviews, and section 65 bail appeals.

Who at Burger Huyser Handles Criminal Defence Files

Practitioner	Confirmed role
Clinton Shaw	Specialist Consultant in Criminal Law, with assault listed as a particular specialisation, supporting the firm’s criminal defence work across branches.
Abrie van der Merwe	Admitted Attorney working in Criminal Law from the Linden office and a local point of contact for Randburg instructions.

A matter may require further practitioners or an advocate depending on the charge, forum and complexity. The client should ask who will appear, who will supervise preparation and whether counsel’s fees are included in the quoted scope.

What to Look for When Choosing a Randburg Criminal Lawyer

• After-hours availability and communication: confirm the urgent contact channel, the response available for the specific station and who will provide updates.
• Relevant court experience: the attorney should explain the likely route through the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, Regional Court or Johannesburg High Court without promising an outcome.
• Command of constitutional rights: advice should address section 35, the right to silence, consultation with a legal practitioner and fair-trial protections.
• Charge-appropriate experience: driving-under-the-influence, fraud and Schedule 6 bail matters call for different evidence and preparation.
• A clear fee and scope discussion: ask what the quote includes, which disbursements are separate, whether counsel may be briefed and what may change the estimate. The Legal Practice Council’s Code of Conduct recognises a practitioner’s entitlement to a reasonable fee.

Burger Huyser Attorneys addresses these needs through its criminal law practice, Linden office and after-hours bail contact, supported by a 4.8/5 average from 250+ Google reviews verified by Trustindex.

Practical Considerations: Cost, Timeline, What to Bring

Question	Practical answer
What will it cost?	Fees depend on the charge, urgency, bail schedule, number of appearances and whether the matter proceeds to trial or appeal. Burger Huyser quotes per matter after initial intake.
When is the first appearance?	Ordinarily as soon as reasonably possible and within 48 hours, subject to section 50’s first-court-day rule. Bail may be considered then, although the court may postpone it on statutory grounds.
How long will the case take?	No attorney can guarantee finalisation. The investigation, disclosure, witnesses, court roll, applications and charge complexity all affect timing.
What should be brought?	Bring the SAPS case number, charge sheet, any warning-statement record, bail paperwork, the accused person’s identity document and known investigating-officer details. Disclose pending cases, existing bail conditions, prior convictions and protection orders because they may affect bail.

If you have been arrested or face a criminal charge in Randburg, contact Burger Huyser Attorneys at 49 First Avenue, Linden, on 011 888 0246. For urgent after-hours bail assistance, call 069 522 7696. Clinton Shaw and Abrie van der Merwe support the firm’s criminal defence work covering station consultations, bail, trial and appeal-related matters. Burger Huyser was named Best Criminal & Family Law Specialists 2025 in the MEA Business Awards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I am arrested in Randburg?

State clearly that you are exercising the right to remain silent and wish to consult a legal practitioner before discussing the allegation or making a warning statement. Give the attorney the police station, time of arrest and SAPS case number if known, and call Burger Huyser Attorneys on 069 522 7696 for urgent after-hours bail assistance.

How quickly can Burger Huyser act on an after-hours arrest?

Burger Huyser can begin urgent intake and response once the after-hours line receives enough information to identify the accused, station and charge. Actual attendance and bail timing depend on the station, court hours, charge and available information; call 069 522 7696 without delay rather than waiting for the next business day.

Where does my matter get heard if I was arrested in Randburg?

A Randburg matter will commonly begin in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court for the first appearance and bail. The trial may remain in a district court, proceed in a regional court or be tried in the High Court, depending on the charge and jurisdiction; bail appeals from the lower court go to the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Johannesburg.

How much does a criminal lawyer cost in Randburg?

There is no single fee for every Randburg criminal matter. Cost depends on urgency, the charge, whether bail is opposed, the number of appearances, trial preparation and whether an advocate is briefed. Burger Huyser Attorneys provides a matter-specific quote after intake and explains what is included and which disbursements are separate.

Can Burger Huyser help if the matter is already at trial stage?

Yes, Burger Huyser Attorneys can consider instructions at trial or post-conviction stage, subject to a conflict check, sufficient time to review the record and the applicable procedural rules. The team can assess a file transfer, plea or trial strategy, leave to appeal, an appeal or review, and sentence-related remedies where available.

Does Burger Huyser handle Schedule 6 bail applications?

Yes. Burger Huyser Attorneys’ criminal defence offering includes Schedule 6 bail work. Section 60(11)(a) requires the accused to present evidence satisfying the court that exceptional circumstances exist which, in the interests of justice, permit release, so early evidence-gathering and careful preparation are essential.