Bail lawyers apply for release from custody while a case is ongoing.
firms
168
regions
16
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The court weighs risks such as failing to appear, committing further offences and interfering with witnesses. A lawyer prepares a bail proposal with conditions like residence, reporting and sureties to address those concerns.
Why bail applications matters
Bail determines whether you wait months or years for trial in custody or in the community, affecting work, family and your ability to prepare a defence.
The Australian context
Each state has its own Bail Act with different tests; some offences reverse the presumption so the accused must show why bail should be granted. Applications can often be renewed if circumstances change.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Proficient Legal provides legal services in Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Immigration & Visas and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreImmigration & Visas · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Citizenship · Bail Applications · Commercial Property & Leasing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Loganholme, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brooke Winter Solicitors provides legal services in Loganholme, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Criminal Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreCriminal Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Bail Applications · Drug Offences · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Moorabbin, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Moorabbin, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Albury, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Angus Lingham Albury Criminal Law provides legal services in Albury, NSW. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Bail Applications+3 moreCriminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Traffic OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
James & Jaramillo Lawyers Wollongong provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Divorce & Separation · Bail Applications · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Property & Conveyancing · Traffic OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bouchier Khan Lawyers provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Fraud & White Collar Crime and Criminal Law.
Bail Applications+6 moreFraud & White Collar Crime · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Coronial Inquests · Business & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing
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North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Reliance Law Group provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Skilled & Business Visas and Partner & Family Visas.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreSkilled & Business Visas · Partner & Family Visas · Citizenship · Visa Refusals & Tribunal Appeals · Criminal Law · Bail Applications · Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer)Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Legal Aid NSW provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Partner & Family Visas.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Partner & Family Visas · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Planning & Environment · Bail Applications · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.6(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
James Dowsley & Associates provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Criminal Law+6 moreBail Applications · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Coronial InquestsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rainer Martini & Associates provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Criminal Law+6 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Bail Applications · Assault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Drug OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sutherland, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Legal Aid NSW provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Partner & Family Visas.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Partner & Family Visas · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Planning & Environment · Bail Applications · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Pica Criminal Law Specialist provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Criminal Law+4 moreBail Applications · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar CrimeFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Understand the next step
A practical guide to bail applications
What to discuss at the first meeting
Explain whether the person is in custody, already on bail or seeking a change to conditions. The lawyer needs the current orders and circumstances to assess the appropriate application.
Confirm availability immediately; a routine enquiry form may not be monitored quickly enough for an urgent custody matter.
How the engagement may progress
01
Send the charge, summons, bail paperwork and hearing dates through the method requested by the lawyer. Identify whether you are enquiring for yourself or someone else.
02
Ask what evidence is available and what must be obtained. Decisions about a plea or statement should follow advice on your own circumstances.
03
Confirm who will attend the next event, where to meet and what preparation is included. Ask how changes in the case would affect the estimate.
Fees and the scope of work
One mention, a contested hearing and an appeal are different scopes of work. Ask about preparation, barrister fees and additional appearances.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Make hearing dates and bail conditions clear at first contact. If the firm cannot assist in time, ask about an available practitioner or the relevant legal-aid service.
Questions to ask a bail applications adviser
What information is needed urgently?
Does the quote cover preparation and the particular appearance?
Can you act before the next interview or hearing?
Who will appear and is that included in the quote?
What should I do if police contact me again?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
If bail is refused, can I apply again?
Usually, yes, especially if circumstances change or new information is available. Rules differ between states.
Should I plead guilty?
Get advice first. A lawyer can check whether the police followed proper procedure, whether a defence is available, and whether the charges can be reduced or withdrawn before you enter any plea.
Can I keep my licence after a drink driving charge?
It depends on the reading, your record and your state's laws. In some cases a lawyer can argue for a reduced disqualification period or a work licence where one is available.
