Criminal & Traffic · Canberra
10 criminal law firms in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, including Canberra City, Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong.
10 firms
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Andrew Byrnes Law Group provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Partner & Family Visas and Drink & Drug Driving.
From the first interview to sentencing, a criminal lawyer protects your rights and gives you a realistic view of your options. They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.
A conviction can affect employment, travel, visas and licences for years. The right early advice can change the result.
Criminal law is mostly state-based, with each state's crimes legislation and courts, while Commonwealth offences such as drug importation and fraud against the Commonwealth are prosecuted federally. Legal Aid and Aboriginal legal services help people who can't afford a lawyer.
Understand the next step
Provide the charge or police correspondence and explain the current stage. Ask about representation for the next event as well as longer-term case preparation.
A first consultation and acceptance of ongoing representation are separate; obtain clear confirmation about responsibility for the next appearance.
A Canberra address does not automatically mean ACT law is the only law involved. Commonwealth decisions, workplace matters and transactions involving nearby NSW can require different experience and procedures.
For criminal law, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant ACT experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Canberra. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
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.
In the ACT, the Magistrates Court and Supreme Court share the caseload without an intermediate court. Tenancy, discrimination, planning and guardianship disputes go to ACAT. Canberra also hosts many federal bodies, so public law and Commonwealth employment matters are common. The ACT Law Society regulates practitioners and handles complaints.
Good to know
You generally have the right to remain silent. Ask to speak to a lawyer before any interview.
Legal Aid, community legal centres and Aboriginal legal services may be able to help, depending on the charge and your circumstances.
Most matters start in the Magistrates Court. More serious cases go to the Supreme Court of the ACT. Family law matters are heard by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Hugo Law Group Canberra provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Coronial Inquests.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Kamy Saeedi Law provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Criminal Law and Wills & Estates.
Deakin, ACT · Canberra
David Healey Solicitors provides legal services in Deakin, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Administrative & Government Law and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Gungahlin, ACT · Canberra
Pennicott Weir Lawyers provides legal services in Gungahlin, ACT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Property & Conveyancing and Employer Advisory & Industrial Relations.
Narrabundah, ACT · Canberra
Collaery Lawyers provides legal services in Narrabundah, ACT. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Coronial Inquests and Medical Negligence.
Grace Jill G provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Contested Wills & Family Provision.
Paul Edmonds provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Greenway, ACT · Canberra
Erindale Discount Meats provides legal services in Greenway, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Wanniassa, ACT · Canberra
Erindale Discount Meats provides legal services in Wanniassa, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
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.
Practising certificates in Australian Capital Territory are managed by the ACT Law Society. You can check a solicitor's status on its public register or by contacting it directly.