Criminal & Traffic
Bail lawyers apply for release from custody while a case is ongoing.
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.
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.
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.
Bail Applications firms in the directory
168 firms
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
Abigail Rogers Barristers & Solicitors Pty Ltd provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
Gympie, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Jeffery Cuddihy & Joyce provides legal services in Gympie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Bail Applications.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Cridland & Hua Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Assault & Violent Offences.
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
J P O'Neill provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Coronial Inquests and Drug Offences.
Abledale Law provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Bail Applications.
West Tamworth, NSW · New England & North West
West Tamworth Legal provides legal services in West Tamworth, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
South Yarra, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Lewenberg & Lewenberg Solicitors provides legal services in South Yarra, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
Inner West Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Brookwater, QLD · Ipswich
Abledale Law provides legal services in Brookwater, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Bail Applications.
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
Claremont Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Traffic Offences.
Surfers Paradise, QLD · Gold Coast
Abledale Law provides legal services in Surfers Paradise, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Bail Applications.
Cairns, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Civic Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Cairns, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Bail Applications and Assault & Violent Offences.
Harris Park, NSW · Western Sydney
CPC Lawyers provides legal services in Harris Park, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Danos Tony provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Traffic Offences and Criminal Law.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
George Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Guest Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Traffic Offences.
Sutherland, NSW · Southern Sydney
Inner West Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Herston, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Migration Solutions Australia provides legal services in Herston, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Fraud & White Collar Crime and Bail Applications.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
NICHOLAS VADASZ LLB Barrister and Solicitor provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Assault & Violent Offences.
Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Peter Lunt & Associates provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Assault & Violent Offences.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Robyn Greensill & Associates provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Criminal Law and Bail Applications.
Bendigo, VIC · Bendigo & Loddon
Swayn Legal provides legal services in Bendigo, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and General Practice (regional generalist).
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
Sydney City Crime provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Understand the next step
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.
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.
Ask what evidence is available and what must be obtained. Decisions about a plea or statement should follow advice on your own circumstances.
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.
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.
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.
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
Usually, yes, especially if circumstances change or new information is available. Rules differ between states.
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.
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.