Professional Experience

Skye practices exclusively in criminal and traffic law in all courts throughout New South Wales, from Sydney to the far North Coast. She has experienced great success in matters including, but not limited to:

  • Bail applications to the Local, District, and Supreme Courts;
  • Sentencing proceedings in the Local and District Courts;
  • Complex Local Court defended hearings (including co-accused matters);
  • Domestic violence matters (including apprehended violence orders);
  • Serious sexual and/or personal violence matters;
  • Traffic offences, including licence appeals; breach of good behaviour bonds; heavy vehicle regulator offences; breach of Regulator authority offences;
  • White collar crimes;
  • Complex drug supply and possession crimes;
  • Mental health applications (‘s 14’)
  • All manner of appeals including to severity and conviction appeals to the District Court and Court of Criminal Appeal;
  • Indictable matters;
  • Terrorist offences;
  • Firearms offences and revocation appeals/orders;
  • Animal cruelty offences and disqualification orders;
  • Costs Applications;
  • Breach Intensive Corrections Orders (‘ICO’) including appeals to the Parole Authority;
  • Defended Apprehended Domestic Personal Violence Orders / Defended Apprehended Personal Violence Orders

Background

With over ten years’ experience in litigation and criminal defence, Skye understands that the ‘solicitor-client’ relationship is built on trust. Trust, that your solicitor will take an unrelenting approach in defence of your rights and in pursuit of the best possible outcome.

She has established a reputation for being a fiercely loyal defence advocate, ensuring her clients are thoroughly protected from investigation to sentence and everything in between.

Skye is the first person in her family to attain a university degree and is all too familiar with the chain of cause and effect of the criminal justice system that extends beyond the offender. This experience affords her a unique ability to support not just her clients, but also her client’s loved ones in navigating their way through the justice system with patience and compassion.

Results

  • Our client was a 20 year-old male charged with domestic violence related offences involving his father at their home. Our client was arrested and taken into custody, with the family arranging for our solicitor Skye to arrive at Maitland Police Station shortly after.

    Through a well-considered release application, our client was granted conditional bail upon a plea of guilty to 3 of the 5 charged offences. The matter was adjourned for hearing on the defended charges. At the hearing, two offences were withdrawn and dismissed. Skye was able to persuade the court to apply for the full utilitarian discount, and made compelling submissions on sentence. Ultimately, the charges were dismissed subject to the condition our client be of good behaviour for twelve (12) months. There was no conviction, and no penalty. Our client expressed his sincerest gratitude for having avoided a criminal record, with just one week to go in his education before progressing to work-placement.

  • Our client was a 57-year-old male charged with domestic violence related offences involving his older brother, following an argument which turned physical in their home. During the altercation, the victim was left with serious injuries requiring brief hospitalisation. Their mother was also left slightly bruised and battered in attempting to intervene, and our client too had a number of injuries. Whilst being transported to hospital, the complainant gave a self-serving version of events to emergency responders who swiftly notified police. Once again, the complainant gave a statement to police that was implausibly one sided and our client was charged with the offences. At the hearing, the complainant gave evidence that our client was so out control on the date in question he had no doubt he was fighting for his life. After a well-planned and thorough cross-examination, our client was found not guilty.

  • Our client, charged with domestic violence related offences following an argument at his home with his adult daughter, initially pleaded not guilty on advice from another lawyer. Just weeks out from the hearing, he contacted Lamont Law for a free consultation to seek out a second opinion. His concern was, the incident was fully captured on video and the evidence was expected to be played in Court.

    Our solicitor Skye spoke with the client on several occasions, taking the time to explain the available options and the consequences of each. Ultimately, our client instructed us to resolve the proceedings by way of charge negotiations.

    At the hearing, with the complainant present, Police accepted the defence offer and in doing so reinstated our client’s sentencing discount. After preparing for sentence, we were able to persuade the court to deal with the matters by way of Conditional Release Order without Conviction for a period of six (6) months. Our client was overjoyed by the outcome and to have avoided a criminal record.

  • Our client was a 39-year-old female who was charged with DV related ‘assault occasioning actual bodily harm’ of her former partner. The Facts as alleged by the complainant, is that whilst he was driving he assaulted with our client allegedly having punched him several times; and bit him to the centre of his back leaving a nasty bruise. Our client was arrested and taken into custody. She was subject to strict bail conditions, as well as an ADVO which prevented her from returning to her workplace where the complainant was also employed. Our solicitor Skye came into the matter a week prior to first mention. She immediately sought a variation of the ADVO and bail conditions to allow our client to return to work. A plea of not guilty was entered. At the hearing, Skye cross-examined the complainant meticulously and at the close of the evidence, the Local Court Magistrate declined to hear submissions from the parties. The learned Magistrate remarked he could not possibly accept the complainant’s version, with so many of the defence questions being answered with ‘I don’t know/I don’t remember’ and so many inconsistencies he could not explain. Our client was found not guilty.

  • Our client, charged with ‘assault occasioning actual bodily harm’ and ‘common assault’ scheduled a free no obligation consultation with our solicitor, Skye Nixon. From the outset, it was apparent on the Police Facts that our client was the true victim, and had been arrested without reasonable cause. We appeared at Toronto Local Court and entered pleas of not guilty. At the hearing, the charges were withdrawn and dismissed. Skye made an application for criminal costs, seeking compensation for the entirety of our client’s legal expenses. The matter was concluded with costs awarded leaving our client in the same financial position as he was prior to having been charged with the offences.

  • Our client was a 45-year-old male charged with one count of ‘armed with intent to commit indictable offence’ and one count of ‘stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear’ (laid as a backup offence). The complainant was a former friend he had known for over 20 years.
    On the night in question, the complainant attended the home of our client for a pre-arranged sexual dominatrix three-some with our client and his female housemate. The police case was that our client had demanded the complainant participate in ‘torture play’ which she had refused. Consequently, he demanded that she go into the kitchen, get a knife and cut her arm as a punishment. Police say he then held a knife to her throat and told her “you need to fix this” and “do what we organised”.
    Our client pleaded not guilty. At the hearing, the complainant was challenged at length in cross-examination. It was put to the complainant that she had a motive to lie, and her version was entirely fabricated.  At the conclusion of the complainant’s evidence Skye successfully submitted to the court that there was no case to answer. Our client was found not guilty without having to raise a defence case.

  • Our client was a 20-year-old male charged with ‘use carriage service to menace/harass’ and ‘assault occasioning actual bodily harm’. The complainant was his former partner of three years.

    The police case was, after enjoying a night out at Honeysuckle the two caught an uber to the complainant’s home in New Lambton. The complainant alleged that our client had taken her phone in the Uber and this resulted in argument between them. She told police on body-worn camera that they exited the uber and continued to argue at which time our client had pushed her to the ground multiple times causing her to hit her head and resulting in several lacerations to her elbows, knees and hands. She was taken to hospital and over the course of an hour our client had sent her 30 text messages. He was charged with the offences and pleaded not guilty.
    At the hearing, Skye put our client’s version to the complainant in cross-examination. She was challenged about the cause of her injuries which, on the defence case, occurred as a result of her intoxication. She denied this.
    At the conclusion of the hearing the court indicated its intention to find our client not guilty in respect of the assault offence, but adjourned the matter for further legal argument with respect to the use carriage offence.
    Skye and Tristan Appleton worked together preparing a compelling legal argument and ultimately our client was acquitted of all charges.

  • Our client was a 36-year-old male, and self-employed builder. He was charged with one count of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and one count of negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm) as a back up offence.   The circumstances are that on new-years-eve morning just after 8:30am, our client was leaving Bunnings, Maitland when his vehicle collided with a female pedestrian. Our client immediately rendered assistance. She was taken to Maitland hospital where she treated for a broken tibia requiring a piece of her hip to be used as a bone graft. She was bed bound for six weeks.
    Following the accident our client returned the victim’s car to her home, fed her dog, collected some of her personal belongings for her including her mobile phone and delivered them to her at the hospital. Police later attended and took a statement from the victim and our client was charged with the offences. He pleaded not guilty.  At the hearing the victim was challenged in cross-examination and our client was ultimately found not guilty. The court found that ‘bunnings’ is a busy place and one would expect a reasonable degree of care – but what had come out of cross-examination is that the complainant could not be sure that our client had done anything to depart from the reasonable standard of care of the ordinary driver.
    Our client was ecstatic with the outcome and to avoided a potential disqualification order for three-years which would derail his business.

  • Our client was a 21-year-old male and holder of a provisional one licence. He was facing his second period of suspension for exceeding the speed limit by more than 10km. The earlier offence was also an exceed speed which incurred double demerits. The offences occurred one month apart, however the second notice of suspension was not received until the first period of suspension had concluded. Our client appealed the second suspension of three (3) months, as he had recently commenced working in childcare and relied on his licence to get to and from work. We guided our client in preparing for the appeal. Our solicitor Skye appeared in the Local Court and made compelling submissions. The Court was persuaded to uphold the appeal and quash the decision of TfNSW. Our client was so relieved to have avoided a second period of suspension of three (3) months, which would effectively leave him unable to work.

  • Our client was a 48-year-old male charged with AOABH – domestic violence related. The Facts of the matter are that our client’s former partner made a complaint to police of a number of domestic violence related offences. First, an allegation that our client had slapped her in the face and pushed her so hard that her head hit the wall. The offence charged was one of assault. Second, inter alia, an allegation that on a separate occasion our client punched her in the face causing a black eye and swelling. A photograph was provided. The offence charged was AOABH. Our client pleaded guilty to assault on the basis that he did push the complainant during an argument in which she was cornering him and yelling in his face. In relation to the AOABH, he maintained a plea of not guilty on the basis that the complainant fell into his elbow after having assaulted him. The offences were dealt with together by way of disputed facts hearing, and defended hearing. The complainant gave evidence and maintained that she did not assault our client. The complainant was cross-examined at length by our criminal defence lawyer, Skye. Ultimately the Court persuaded by our submissions and in relation to the assault, the conduct was an open palmed push to the shoulders in circumstances of provocation. In relation to the assault occasioning actual bodily harm, our client was found Not Guilty.

  • Our client was a 25-year-old male charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage. The offence carries a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment on indictment, as well as a monetary penalty of $11,000. The facts of the matter are that our client obtained a false identity from Google, and using that created a fake Facebook account. He listed various and expensive car parts on marketplace and upon receiving payment he blocked the respective buyers accounts. Our client’s family made contact with Lamont Law and he was scheduled in a consultation with our criminal defence lawyer Skye. After working closely with our client, he disclosed that he was motivated by a gambling problem which caused him deep shame. We were able to correspond with Police in relation to the Facts, and direct the client in terms of preparing for the best outcome possible. As a result of our thorough preparation prior to Court, and compelling submissions on sentence, we were able to persuade the Court to deal with the matter by way of Conditional Release Order without conviction. Our client and his family were so grateful that he was able to avoid a criminal conviction for a fraud related offence, which may have serious consequences on his future prospects of employment.

  • Our client was a 43-year-old male charged with mid-range PCA. He was issued an immediate licence suspension by Police resulting in significant disruption to his employment in disability support. The Facts of the matter are that our client and his partner were drinking at their local hotel. They attempted to order an Uber but there was an extensive wait. He made the decision to drive the short distance home, where he came to the attention of police for driving 10km below the speed limit. He was subjected to a roadside breath test and was ultimately arrested. His reading was .122. Our client made contact with Lamont Law and spoke with our criminal defence lawyer, Skye. We were able to guide our client in terms of preparing subjective material to achieve the best outcome possible. Our client was sentenced by way of Conditional Release Order without conviction for a period of twelve (12) months. Both he and his partner were elated by this outcome. Not just for having avoiding a criminal record, but for the immediate return of his licence and avoiding twelve months subject to the interlock order.

  • Our client was a 67-year-old male charged with six counts of serious indictable offences. Following his arrest, he was refused bail in the Local Court and sent to gaol where he would await trial for up to two years on remand. Our client’s daughter made contact with our afterhours service and we prepared to make an urgent application for bail to the Supreme Court. At the bail hearing, the Crown adduced evidence of preliminary DNA testing which appeared as a match with our client. It was their position that the Crown case is a strong one and that bail should be refused. With thorough preparation and research, we were able to raise doubt with respect to the DNA evidence at this early stage, and direct the Court to a number of cases in support of our position. Ultimately, the Honourable Judge found in favour of our client and he was released from custody. His family were so grateful to have him home. After the hearing, our client phoned to express his gratitude for our professionalism in Court, and for the way that his case was presented to the Judge. He said: “You are exactly what I am looking for in a lawyer. Smart, confident, but not cocky. Thank you for knowing when to push but also when not to. I think it made all the difference in the end.

  • Our client was a 41-year-old male charged with the offence of drive whilst suspended for which he entered a plea of not guilty. At the hearing, police adduced body worn video of the roadside interaction as evidence that our client knew his driver’s licence was in fact suspended. We raised the defence of ‘honest and reasonable mistake of fact’ and our client gave evidence to the effect that he was unaware of the suspension. In order for the defence to succeed, the Court must be satisfied that the mistaken fact in question, was both honest and reasonable. The test for ‘reasonable’ can be a difficult one as Courts are rarely willing to accept that a person has not received a Notice of Suspension. Particularly in the current climate of quick access to digital licencing through your smart phone. Ultimately, the learned Magistrate was persuaded by our submissions and our client was found not guilty. This meant avoiding a court ordered disqualification period, which our client considered an outstanding result.

  • Our client was a 47-year-old male. The complainant was the director of a familiar construction company and the owner of the three (3) constructions sites in question. The particulars of the charge were that our client stole building materials to the value of over $45,000. The evidence included several witnesses who placed our client at the sites; the materials having been located by Police at our client’s home, as well as two recorded interviews whereby our client made admissions prior to seeking legal advice. With the physical case being a strong one, we raised two issues with the prosecution case. First that the property in question was abandoned at law; and second that, our client did not possess the necessary dishonest intent. At the conclusion of the hearing, the learned Magistrate was persuaded by our submissions and our client was found not guilty. The client was ecstatic to have avoided conviction and a compensation order of $45,000.

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