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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Merimbula, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sautelle White Lawyers provides legal services in Merimbula, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Beenleigh, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(19)Google rating from 19 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Compass Legal Solutions provides legal services in Beenleigh, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Criminal Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Debt Recovery · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Deakin, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(19)Google rating from 19 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
David Healey Solicitors provides legal services in Deakin, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Administrative & Government Law and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreAdministrative & Government Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Criminal Law · Workers Compensation · Medical Negligence · Personal InjuryFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong North, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(19)Google rating from 19 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Legoll Legal Practitioners provides legal services in Dandenong North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Partner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(19)Google rating from 19 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rapid Legal Solutions provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Traffic Offences.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Traffic Offences · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Agribusiness & Rural Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(19)Google rating from 19 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Vanguard Lawyers provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Employment Law · Criminal Law · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dorahy Davis Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Employment Law and Criminal Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreEmployment Law · Criminal Law · Drug Offences · Unfair Dismissal · Drink & Drug Driving · Traffic Offences · Assault & Violent OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.6(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
James Dowsley & Associates provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Criminal Law+6 moreBail Applications · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Coronial InquestsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Legal One Services provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreCriminal Law · Family Law · Building & Construction · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maclean, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mark Vincent Glaser provides legal services in Maclean, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Contract Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Contract Law · Wills & Estates · Building & Construction · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Orange, NSW · Central West & Orana
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Campbell Paton & Taylor provides legal services in Orange, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Debt Recovery · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cityscape Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Assault & Violent Offences, Property & Conveyancing and Traffic Offences.
Assault & Violent Offences+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Traffic Offences · Drug Offences · Medical Negligence · Defamation · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Rockhampton City, QLD · Central Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
CQ Legal provides legal services in Rockhampton City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Employment Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Auburn, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★2.8(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ariana Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Auburn, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Criminal Law.
Business & Commercial Law+3 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Assault & Violent Offences
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cameron Scott provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Traffic Offences and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreTraffic Offences · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Firearms & Licensing Matters · Criminal Law
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.
