Criminal & Traffic · Northern Rivers
25 criminal law firms in Northern Rivers, New South Wales, including Lismore, Ballina, Byron Bay, Tweed Heads.
25 firms
Tweed Heads, NSW · Northern Rivers
Save U Legal provides legal services in Tweed Heads, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Criminal Law.
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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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.
For matters involving Tweed Heads and Queensland, ask about cross-border experience. A nearby office is not enough to establish whether a lawyer can advise on property, proceedings or a business on the other side of the border.
For criminal law, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant NSW experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Northern Rivers. 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 New South Wales, most criminal and minor civil matters start in the Local Court, with more serious matters in the District Court and Supreme Court. Tenancy, strata, consumer and guardianship disputes usually go to NCAT. Solicitors are licensed by the Law Society of New South Wales, and complaints about lawyers go to the Office of the Legal Services Commissioner.
Criminal Law firms in Northern Rivers
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 Local Court. More serious cases go to the District Court or the Supreme Court of NSW. Family law matters are heard by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Maclean, NSW · Northern Rivers
Mark Vincent Glaser provides legal services in Maclean, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Contract Law.
Lismore, NSW · Northern Rivers
Randall Legal provides legal services in Lismore, NSW. Listed practice areas include Coronial Inquests, Criminal Law and Administrative & Government Law.
Murwillumbah, NSW · Northern Rivers
McDonald & Partners provides legal services in Murwillumbah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Property & Conveyancing and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Grafton, NSW · Northern Rivers
Clarence Valley Legal provides legal services in Grafton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Grafton, NSW · Northern Rivers
Beneke Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Grafton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Ballina, NSW · Northern Rivers
McBurney Law provides legal services in Ballina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Tweed Heads, NSW · Northern Rivers
MPB Lawyers provides legal services in Tweed Heads, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Grafton, NSW · Northern Rivers
Northern Rivers Law provides legal services in Grafton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Property & Conveyancing and Drink & Drug Driving.
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
East Point Law provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Criminal Law and Traffic Offences.
Lismore, NSW · Northern Rivers
Soutar Lynetta provides legal services in Lismore, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Nimbin Law provides legal services in Casino, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
Gibson John F. Solicitor provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Mullumbimby, NSW · Northern Rivers
Universal Legal Recoveries provides legal services in Mullumbimby, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Notary Public & JP Services and Property & Conveyancing.
Kingscliff, NSW · Northern Rivers
ONeills Law provides legal services in Kingscliff, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Murwillumbah, NSW · Northern Rivers
Turner Freeman Lawyers provides legal services in Murwillumbah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Nimbin Law provides legal services in Grafton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Kyogle, NSW · Northern Rivers
Gibson John F. Solicitor provides legal services in Kyogle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Lismore, NSW · Northern Rivers
Universal Legal Recoveries provides legal services in Lismore, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Notary Public & JP Services and Property & Conveyancing.
Ballina, NSW · Northern Rivers
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Ballina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Murwillumbah, NSW · Northern Rivers
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Murwillumbah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Lismore, NSW · Northern Rivers
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Lismore, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Tweed Heads South, NSW · Northern Rivers
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Tweed Heads South, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
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 New South Wales are managed by the Law Society of New South Wales. You can check a solicitor's status on its public register or by contacting it directly.