Sarah Condon
Criminal Law
Sarah Condon is a Principal Lawyer and Practice Group Leader for Crime and Advocacy.
An experienced solicitor-advocate, she defends some of the most serious criminal charges heard by the Victorian courts including homicides (murder, manslaughter, culpable driving), terrorism and foreign incursion offences, drug offences (trafficking and importation), matters of serious violence, organised crime, commercial fraud and sexual offences (sexual assault and rape).
Sarah has had conduct of and appeared in matters at every level of the Victorian criminal justice system (Magistrates’ Court, Children’s Court, County Court and Supreme Court), and appears before statutory bodies with coercive interrogation powers such as IBAC and the Australian Crime Commission. She particularly enjoys the challenges of leave applications in the Court of Appeal, in relation to both sentence and conviction appeals.
She has expertise in defending charges heard in the Magistrates’ Court, and mental impairment and fitness investigations under the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act.
Sarah is focused on alleviating the stress associated with being charged with a criminal offence and works hard to make sure that her clients understand the process, the evidence, and their rights. If a person is remanded awaiting trial, their liberty is always at the forefront of her decision making in relation to their case.
Defending the rule of law
Unafraid to take on the most complex of cases, Sarah is renowned for defending charges brought by Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police, in relation to both Commonwealth and Victorian state prosecutions, and assisting her clients in resisting the force of the state.
With particular expertise in national security and terrorism matters, her cases are often the subject of intense public scrutiny: she is highly skilled in protecting the interests of her clients and the right to fair trial throughout the trial process.
Tackling some of the most politically sensitive criminal cases in Australia is no easy task. Unyielding in her determination to uphold the rule of law, Sarah places paramount importance on protecting the rights of an accused, proper disclosure of a prosecution case, and ensuring that every client’s voice is heard - no matter the circumstances, the nature of the charge or the prejudice faced by her clients.
Highly regarded by her peers, Sarah works closely with a diverse range of stakeholders, including experienced barristers from the Victorian Bar and Victoria Legal Aid, to maintain and improve access to justice.
Having grown up in regional Victoria, Sarah will happily travel across the state, and interstate, to defend cases – ensuring that those in remote and regional areas have access to the highest quality of legal representation.
Access to justice and legal aid funding
Underpinning every aspect of Sarah’s work is her staunch commitment to protecting the rights of vulnerable, marginalised and disadvantaged individuals and communities, and she has a strong record of campaign, policy and pro bono work.
As a case manager for a leading Melbourne charity prior to qualification as a lawyer, she worked closely with healthcare, housing and welfare agencies to provide crisis support for victims of domestic violence, and people experiencing homelessness and complex mental health issues. She navigates the required support systems for an accused person with expertise, ensuring they have the necessary support in place for excellent outcomes at Court.
As a fierce believer that financial difficulty should never be a barrier to justice, Sarah acts under Victoria’s legal aid scheme - which allows private defence practitioners to conduct legal aid work, where a person is eligible for funding.
Sarah is an approved Panel Practitioner on the Victoria Legal Aid Panel for Indictable Crime, Major Criminal Trials, Sexual Offences and Summary Crime.
If you wish to discuss eligibility for VLA funding, please contact our office to make an appointment with Sarah.
Sarah was recognised as a Rising Star in Criminal Law by Doyles Guide in both 2020 and 2021.
Qualifications
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of International Studies （Community Development）
Memberships
- Deputy Chair of the Law Institute of Victoria’s Criminal Section
- Liberty Victoria
More from Sarah.
Analysis of Runacres v The Coroners Court of Victoria [2024] VSC 304
