Criminal lawyers defend people charged with offences and advise them from the police station to the final hearing.
firms
1,114
regions
16
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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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.
Why criminal law matters
A conviction can affect employment, travel, visas and licences for years. The right early advice can change the result.
The Australian context
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.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Clements Fitzgerald Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Health & Medical Practitioner Law+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Administrative & Government Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Morwell, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Daniel Taylor Lawyers provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Chatswood, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
GEA Lawyers provides legal services in Chatswood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Family Law · Corporate Law & M&A · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Howden Saggers Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Coronial Inquests and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Podmore Legal provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Assault & Violent Offences, Criminal Law and Bail Applications.
Assault & Violent Offences+7 moreCriminal Law · Bail Applications · Business & Commercial Law · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Traffic Offences · Drug Offences · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Morwell, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tyler Tipping and Woods provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law
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Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(41)Google rating from 41 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Denise Dwyer Lawyers provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 morePowers of Attorney & Guardianship · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law
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Hamilton, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(40)Google rating from 40 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Melville, Orton & Lewis Solicitors provides legal services in Hamilton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Debt Recovery and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreDebt Recovery · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment
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Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(40)Google rating from 40 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Your Defence Advocates provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Assault & Violent Offences and Drug Offences.
Traffic Offences+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Drug Offences · Drink & Drug Driving · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Bail Applications · Criminal Law · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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West Footscray, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Asprey Lawyers provides legal services in West Footscray, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Debt Recovery · Partner & Family Visas · Insolvency & Restructuring
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Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
AT Legal Lawyers provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+3 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tang Lawyers provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drug Offences.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drug Offences · Professional Negligence · Divorce & Separation · Assault & Violent Offences · Skilled & Business Visas · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Dallas, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mohan Yildiz & Associates provides legal services in Dallas, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Commercial Litigation.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Slink & Keating provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
William Gerard Legal provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Citizenship and Criminal Law.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreCitizenship · Criminal Law · Partner & Family Visas · Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer) · Visa Cancellation & Character (s501) · Traffic Offences · Business & Commercial Law
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Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Australian Law Group provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Commercial Litigation and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreCommercial Litigation · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law
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Mount Pleasant, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bradford Legal provides legal services in Mount Pleasant, WA. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Workers Compensation and Public Liability.
Personal Injury+7 moreWorkers Compensation · Public Liability · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Medical Negligence · Product Liability · Partner & Family Visas · Criminal LawNo win, no fee
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Tahmoor, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Coutts Conveyancing & Legal Services provides conveyancing services in Tahmoor, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Commercial Litigation
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Farah Lawyers provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Wills & Estates · Building & Construction · Immigration & Visas · Divorce & Separation · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment
Understand the next step
A practical guide to criminal law
What to discuss at the first meeting
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.
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 criminal law adviser
Can you advise before the next required step?
Who will appear and what preparation is included?
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
Should I talk to police without a lawyer?
You generally have the right to remain silent. Ask to speak to a lawyer before any interview.
What if I can't afford a lawyer?
Legal Aid, community legal centres and Aboriginal legal services may be able to help, depending on the charge and your circumstances.
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.
