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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Bathurst, NSW · Central West & Orana
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hennessy Dowd Lawyers provides legal services in Bathurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Debt Recovery and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreDebt Recovery · Criminal Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Employment Law · Medical Negligence · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Goulburn, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Johnson & Sendall provides legal services in Goulburn, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Traffic Offences · Criminal Law · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Surry Hills, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Neville & Hourn Legal provides legal services in Surry Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Insolvency & Restructuring · Criminal Law · Partner & Family Visas
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Sale, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sullivan Braham Pty Ltd provides legal services in Sale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law · Personal Injury
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Port Macquarie, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tony Cox Lawyers & Conveyancers provides legal services in Port Macquarie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Powers of Attorney & Guardianship, Property & Conveyancing and Notary Public & JP Services.
Powers of Attorney & Guardianship+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Notary Public & JP Services · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Traffic Offences · Business & Commercial Law
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Warragul, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Miceal Ambrose Lawyers provides legal services in Warragul, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreWills & Estates · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
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Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Phoenix Law provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Partner & Family Visas · Criminal Law · Planning & EnvironmentFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coolum Beach, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sunshine Coast Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Coolum Beach, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law
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Mount Gambier, SA · Limestone Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ASW Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Gambier, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Criminal Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Agribusiness & Rural Law
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Noosaville, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
BJH LAW PTY LTD provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Criminal Law+5 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Caloundra, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ferrall & Co. Lawyers provides legal services in Caloundra, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · De Facto Relationships · Criminal Law · Medical Negligence · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Woolloomooloo, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Livingstone & Company Lawyers provides legal services in Woolloomooloo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Debt Recovery · Employment Law · Unfair Dismissal
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dubbo, NSW · Central West & Orana
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maher Lonsdale Legal provides legal services in Dubbo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Coronial Inquests, Criminal Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Coronial Inquests+2 moreCriminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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.
