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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Buckley Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Commercial Property & Leasing · Building & Construction · Criminal Law · Residential Tenancy · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Palmos Legal provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Debt Recovery.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Albury, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Angus Lingham Albury Criminal Law provides legal services in Albury, NSW. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Bail Applications+3 moreCriminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Traffic OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Quinn Law Group provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Commercial Litigation, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Commercial Litigation+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Immigration & Visas · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Administrative & Government Law · Property & ConveyancingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Werribee, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Westjustice, Western Community Legal Centre provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Family Law.
Partner & Family Visas+5 moreHealth & Medical Practitioner Law · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTPFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Gladstone Central, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kenny & Partners provides legal services in Gladstone Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Criminal Law · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas
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Kingston, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Advocate Lawyers Kingston provides legal services in Kingston, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
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Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
★★★★★★★★★★3.6(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cinque Oakley Bryant provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Commercial Litigation · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Doncaster East, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
RJ Legal provides legal services in Doncaster East, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cottier Stenning Lawyers Frankston provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · General Practice (regional generalist) · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOsNo win, no fee
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Cessnock, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Howells & Co Legal & Conveyancing provides legal services in Cessnock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Personal Injury.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Personal Injury · Immigration & Visas · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Business & Commercial Law · Commercial Property & LeasingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
NICHOLAS VADASZ LLB Barrister and Solicitor provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Business & Commercial Law.
Criminal Law+2 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Business & Commercial Law
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Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
NSW Lawyers provides legal services in Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Drug Offences and Criminal Law.
Traffic Offences+6 moreDrug Offences · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Building & ConstructionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cleveland, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cherry Family Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Cleveland, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Surrogacy & Adoption and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
GRAYS LEGAL provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Assault & Violent Offences · Property & ConveyancingFree 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.
