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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Box Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Verge Legal 维智律师事务所 (Melbourne CBD) provides legal services in Box Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Franchising · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law · Planning & EnvironmentFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brisbane Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP and Public Liability.
Personal Injury+7 moreMotor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Public Liability · Medical Negligence · Criminal Law · Drug Offences · Partner & Family Visas · Drink & Drug DrivingNo win, no fee
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
CH Legal provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & EnvironmentFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Morphett Vale, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lincoln Chambers Barristers & Solicitors provides legal services in Morphett Vale, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+4 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Traffic Offences · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Rosebud, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mulligan Lawyers provides legal services in Rosebud, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Walkerville, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Scammell & Co. Lawyers provides legal services in Walkerville, 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 Law
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Stanmore, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sharah Joanne provides legal services in Stanmore, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Criminal Law and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreCriminal Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Commercial Litigation3 languages
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Dubbo, NSW · Central West & Orana
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Warwick McCarthy & Co Solicitors provides legal services in Dubbo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Bail Applications · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Moorabbin, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Gigliotti Lawyers Moorabbin provides legal services in Moorabbin, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Insolvency & Restructuring and Wills & Estates.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreInsolvency & Restructuring · Wills & Estates · Debt Recovery · Criminal Law · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing
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Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mersal & Associates Solicitors provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Victoria Park, WA · Perth East
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Prime Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Victoria Park, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Divorce & Separation.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Family Property Settlement · Binding Financial Agreements · Administrative & Government Law
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Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ritchie Lawyers provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Baulkham Hills, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
The Property Conveyancers provides legal services in Baulkham Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Timpano Legal Criminal Lawyers Mandurah provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreBail Applications · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drug Offences · Criminal Appeals · Partner & Family Visas · Traffic OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Benchmark Law Services provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+5 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Child Protection & Care Matters · Youth Justice & Children's CourtFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Albury, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Burt Legal and Conveyancing provides legal services in Albury, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · 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.
