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.
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(68)Google rating from 68 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mangan Ey & Associates provides legal services in Murray Bridge, SA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(66)Google rating from 66 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(64)Google rating from 64 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Sydney Criminal & Traffic Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Drink & Drug Driving · Bail Applications · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drug Offences · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
James Dowsley & Associates provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Bail Applications.
Criminal Law+7 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Bail Applications · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Traffic Offences · Coronial InquestsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(43)Google rating from 43 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Inner West Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreTraffic Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Bail Applications · Drink & Drug Driving · Drug Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Fraud & White Collar CrimeFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Inner West Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreTraffic Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drink & Drug Driving · Drug Offences · Bail Applications · Fraud & White Collar CrimeFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
J D Hawkins & Associates provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Assault & Violent Offences, Criminal Law and Drug Offences.
Assault & Violent Offences+5 moreCriminal Law · Drug Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Bail Applications · Property & Conveyancing
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Monaco Compensation Lawyers provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bouchier Khan Lawyers provides legal services in Ipswich, 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
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brooke Winter Solicitors provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. 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
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Nq Mobile Law Service provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Bail Applications.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Inner West Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Zetland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Criminal Law+7 moreTraffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Bail Applications · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drug OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
UNIVERSAL LAWYERS Pty Ltd provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Drug Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Bail Applications · Divorce & Separation
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
MYRIALLAKIS AND ASSOCIATES PTY LTD provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · Bail Applications · Divorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Broadmeadows, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Criminal Law+7 moreBail Applications · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Traffic Offences · Firearms & Licensing MattersFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Fraud & White Collar Crime and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(19)Google rating from 19 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shotters Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Michael Sommerville Lawyer provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Baker Ryrie Rickards Titmarsh - Parramatta provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Bail Applications · Drug Offences · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Claremont Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+5 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Traffic Offences · Drug Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Bail ApplicationsNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Boudica Criminal Law provides legal services in Busselton, WA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreBail Applications · Assault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Drink & Drug Driving · Drug Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Immigration & Visas
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
James Trembath & Associates provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Bail Applications+7 moreCriminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Administrative & Government Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Drug OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.2 languages
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.
