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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dot Legal Penrith provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Tax Law · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Bail Applications · Divorce & Separation
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
GREENFIELD CRIMINAL & AVO DEFENCE LAWYERS provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+3 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Criminal Law3 languages
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Laidley, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mark Stone Solicitors provides legal services in Laidley, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Criminal Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Firearms & Licensing Matters
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Hampton Park, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
RK Legal Advisors Pty. Ltd. provides legal services in Hampton Park, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Bail Applications · Firearms & Licensing Matters · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drug Offences · Drink & Drug DrivingFree 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(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Bail Applications · Firearms & Licensing Matters · Drug Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drink & Drug DrivingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Singleton, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Umbrella Legal provides legal services in Singleton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Family Law · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: spanish
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cronulla, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Walkom Lawyers provides legal services in Cronulla, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Personal Injury · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Surfers Paradise, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
BJH LAW PTY LTD provides legal services in Surfers Paradise, 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
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
BJH LAW PTY LTD provides legal services in Townsville City, 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
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cardew Salmon Solicitors provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maitland, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Enrights Solicitors provides legal services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Debt Recovery · Criminal Law4 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: french, german, italian
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
K E Roussos and Associates Barristers and Solicitors provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Traffic Offences · Drug Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maylands, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Parkside Legal provides legal services in Maylands, SA. Listed practice areas include Probate & Estate Administration, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Business & Commercial Law.
Probate & Estate Administration+6 morePowers of Attorney & Guardianship · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Personal Injury
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, 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
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Bail Applications · Firearms & Licensing Matters · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drug Offences · Drink & Drug DrivingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Bail Applications · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Firearms & Licensing Matters · Drug Offences · Drink & Drug DrivingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Port Macquarie, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tasdemir Lawyers, Port Macquarie provides legal services in Port Macquarie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Criminal Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Tax Law · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Employer Advisory & Industrial Relations · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
The People's Solicitors provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Defamation.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Defamation · Administrative & Government Law · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Personal Injury
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.
