Criminal lawyers defend people charged with offences and advise them from the police station to the final hearing.
firms
1,114
regions
16
AI-generated editorial image
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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Cleveland, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hopper Mott Bunting Lawyers (Previously Mott & Associates, Solicitors) provides legal services in Cleveland, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Criminal Law · Commercial Property & Leasing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Orange, NSW · Central West & Orana
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Worrad Traffic & Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Orange, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
Criminal Law+2 moreTraffic Offences · Drink & Drug Driving
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coburg North, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Le Kal Lawyers provides legal services in Coburg North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Partner & Family Visas.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas · Family Law · Employment Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Proficient Legal provides legal services in Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Immigration & Visas and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreImmigration & Visas · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Citizenship · Bail Applications · Commercial Property & Leasing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Armidale, NSW · New England & North West
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rice More & Gibson provides legal services in Armidale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Building & Construction · Wills & Estates
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bruce Legal provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Epping, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cameron Legal provides legal services in Epping, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Notary Public & JP Services and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreNotary Public & JP Services · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Debt Recovery · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Loganholme, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brooke Winter Solicitors provides legal services in Loganholme, QLD. 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
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Moorabbin, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Moorabbin, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Marriott Oliver provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sydney Family & Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
O'Reilly Stevens Lawyers provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Criminal Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreCriminal Law · Wills & Estates · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bamberry Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+6 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Traffic Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Assault & Violent Offences · Bail Applications · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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.
