A key lawyer representing bikie groups says the use of controversial New South Wales police powers on a young disability pensioner vindicates claims the laws would be abused.

So-called consorting laws allow New South Wales police to charge people for communicating four or more times with convicted criminals, with an associated jail term of up to three years.

The law was aimed at curtailing bikie gang culture following a raft of shootings in Sydney and is part of a suite of tough new police powers.

Inverell man Charlie Foster, 21, who was born with an intellectual disability and cannot read or write, was sentenced to between nine and 12 months' jail a fortnight ago for a series of shopping trips and walks with three friends who have prior convictions.

Bikie lawyer Wayne Baffsky, who will represent Foster without charge at appeal, says the charges show the laws have the capacity to be misused.

"This is the very thing police said they wouldn't do, and now they're doing it," he told the ABC's 7.30.

"I don't understand why people aren't jumping up and down and screaming about this.

"It isn't right. It's going against what the police said they were going to use the Act for and now we see the truth of it.

"Everybody is at risk and everybody's at risk before they've even tried to deal with outlaw motorcycle club members."

Jack Hayes is one of the three friends police caught Foster consorting with.

"As we've gone across the road, I've looked up and I've seen the paddy wagon at the top of that hill," Mr Hayes said.

"I've said to Charlie, 'here comes the filth'. Charlie says, 'put your head down and take no notice'.

"They've pulled up beside us and told us to stop walking. They told us that they gave us a warning a few days before that.

"We weren't doing anything wrong. We were going down the street to do our shopping and pay the rent. If we don't do that we won't have anywhere to live.

"We've all had similar charges like assault and affrays and what-not. Me and Charlie have had one affray together I think.

"That's literally the only charge me and Charlie's had together."

Rocky road

Inverell in the state's north is a long way from the gun violence that has rocked Sydney's streets, but like any town it has its fair share of troublemakers.

Foster and his friends - Mr Hayes, Damien Case and Eli Morris - have had several run-ins with the law since their early teens and have all served time for violent offences.

The consorting charges have seen Foster imprisoned for a second time.

At 13, he had his first brush with the law and he picked up a drug habit. First it was marijuana, later speed and prescription drugs, including oxycontin - the opiod known as hillbilly heroin.

Foster has been charged with driving on drugs, convicted with assault and charged with having sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 18. He has previously served a 12-month jail term.

The legacy of small-town crime has taken its toll on his mother Tricia Harrison.

"He'll use anything he can get his hands on. He's got other issues and that makes me sad in itself," she said.

Ms Harrison says more jail time is not the answer.

"Jail's not the place for him because in jail you can get your hands on everything, you know what I mean?" she said.

At age 23, Mr Case has been in jail seven times. He was targeted too after offering Foster a place to stay.

"Having the police rock up at at me door and givin' us warnings for consorting here - you know, that sort of stuff's not on.

"That's intimidating. That's threatening behaviour."

Heavy blow

Foster's solicitor, Jon Watts, was shocked with the charges.

"I was very surprised that he was charged with those offences, but I mean when you look at the the legislation, it fitted the legislation," he said.

"I thought it was right well at the top of the penalties.

"He is very unsophisticated, and he's now going to associate with sophisticated criminals and he can but learn new things to do.

"They've been in trouble, there's no doubt about that, but I wouldn't call them a crime gang."

The sentence has left Foster's mother gobsmacked.

"I couldn't believe it, I still can't. Twelve months for talking to your friends. You know, these kids were friends long before they ever had gone to jail and served any time.

"Why, because they have all been to jail, do they have to stop being friends? That's crazy.

"Charlie and Jack have been friends for more than 14 years. They were four years old and used to play with each other.

"They can't expect them to stop being friends just because they've served time in jail for different things."

In sentencing Foster, Inverell magistrate Michael Holmes said there was "no other option but to impose a term of imprisonment".

"The legislation... highlights the concerns of the community in relation to the problems, not just involving individuals of bikie organisations, but of individuals that have a criminal propensity," Mr Holmes said.

NSW Police and the State Government say they cannot comment on the matter while the appeal is underway.