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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Good Legal provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maryborough, VIC · Bendigo & Loddon
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Herring & McMillan Solicitors & Accountants provides legal services in Maryborough, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Criminal Law · Family Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Liza Pearce & Associates provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Traffic Offences and Criminal Law.
Domestic Violence & AVOs+3 moreTraffic Offences · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gungahlin, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Pennicott Weir Lawyers provides legal services in Gungahlin, ACT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Property & Conveyancing and Employer Advisory & Industrial Relations.
Criminal Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Employer Advisory & Industrial Relations · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Drink & Drug Driving · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Domestic Violence & AVOs
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Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rainer Martini & Associates provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Criminal Law+6 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Bail Applications · Assault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Drug OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Taylor Smart provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include General Practice (regional generalist), Immigration & Visas and Business & Commercial Law.
General Practice (regional generalist)+8 moreImmigration & Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law · Debt Recovery · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Skilled & Business Visas
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Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Christopher Hannay Legal Solutions provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Criminal Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Drug Offences · Commercial Litigation · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Fraud & White Collar CrimeFree first consult
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Yass, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Davis Faulkner & Co provides conveyancing services in Yass, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
De Marco Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Insolvency & Restructuring · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Varsity Lakes, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Final Law provides legal services in Varsity Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Wills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hallani & Associates Lawyers provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Property & Conveyancing and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Red Hill, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
RedHill Legal provides legal services in Red Hill, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ridge Legal provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Criminal Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+4 moreCriminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Commercial LitigationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gawler South, SA · Barossa & Adelaide Hills
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Scammell & Co. Lawyers provides legal services in Gawler South, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Personal Injury and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 morePersonal Injury · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Criminal LawNo win, no fee
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Burrill Lake, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Burrill Lake, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wilson & Wilson Legal provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Criminal Law+1 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs
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.
