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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Pica Criminal Law Specialist provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Criminal Law+4 moreBail Applications · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar CrimeFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Aitkenvale, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★2.8(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ross Lawyers provides legal services in Aitkenvale, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Parenting & Child Custody
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sibley Lawyers provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Employment Law and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreEmployment Law · Traffic Offences · Family Law · Class Actions · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Contract LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Erina, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Buckley Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Erina, 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
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Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Friedlieb Fox McLeod provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Baulkham Hills, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Langenberg Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Baulkham Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreFamily Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Pennicott Weir Lawyers provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. 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
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Burnie, TAS · North West & West Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Petersen Legal provides legal services in Burnie, TAS. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+3 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dalby, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Skuse Graham Criminal Lawyers Warwick provides legal services in Dalby, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Criminal Law+6 moreTraffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Partner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Bail Applications · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Boylan Lawyers provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+8 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law · General Practice (regional generalist)
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Port Augusta, SA · Eyre, Yorke & Mid North
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Boylan Lawyers provides legal services in Port Augusta, SA. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Wills & Estates.
Health & Medical Practitioner Law+8 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Immigration & Visas · Citizenship · NDIS & Disability Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · General Practice (regional generalist)
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Werribee, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Daniel Taylor Lawyers provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Murray Bridge, SA · Riverland & Murraylands
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Devine Murdoch Lawyers [Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation] provides legal services in Murray Bridge, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Child Protection & Care Matters.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Enderwick Lawyers provides legal services in Tweed Heads, NSW. Listed practice areas include Administrative & Government Law, Criminal Law and Skilled & Business Visas.
Administrative & Government Law+2 moreCriminal Law · Skilled & Business Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dubbo, NSW · Central West & Orana
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ison Law provides legal services in Dubbo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Elder Law & Aged Care · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Moil, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Northern Legal Services provides legal services in Moil, NT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+8 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Building & Construction · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Planning & Environment · General Practice (regional generalist)
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ulladulla, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Ulladulla, 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.
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.
