Criminal & Traffic
Criminal lawyers defend people charged with offences and advise them from the police station to the final hearing.
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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.
A conviction can affect employment, travel, visas and licences for years. The right early advice can change the result.
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.
Criminal Law firms in the directory
1,114 firms
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Tringali Lawyers provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Business & Commercial Law.
Wheelers Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Verge Legal 维智律师事务所 (Melbourne CBD) provides legal services in Wheelers Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
Ammanah Legal provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, NDIS & Disability Law and Family Law.
Gladstone Central, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
Appleton Krebs Lawyers provides legal services in Gladstone Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law and Criminal Law.
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
Barnes Legal provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Bail Applications.
Grafton, NSW · Northern Rivers
Beneke Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Grafton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Maitland, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Bennett Law provides legal services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
BML Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Commercial Property & Leasing and Business & Commercial Law.
Rockhampton City, QLD · Central Queensland
Brooke Winter Solicitors provides legal services in Rockhampton City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Assault & Violent Offences.
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
Clarity Law provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Merimbula, NSW · South Coast
Cruz Lawyers provides legal services in Merimbula, NSW. Listed practice areas include Building & Construction, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Narrogin, WA · Perth East
Everett W L & K J provides legal services in Narrogin, WA. Listed practice areas include Probate & Estate Administration, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
Linc At Law provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Residential Tenancy, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
Marano Family Lawyers Hurstville provides legal services in Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Notary Public & JP Services.
Noosa Heads, QLD · Sunshine Coast
McCormick Lawyers provides legal services in Noosa Heads, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Avondale Heights, VIC · Northern Melbourne
MMH Lawyers provides legal services in Avondale Heights, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Dee Why, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Nathan Cox Lawyers provides legal services in Dee Why, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Business & Commercial Law and Criminal Law.
Bendigo, VIC · Bendigo & Loddon
Pica Solicitors provides legal services in Bendigo, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Quirk Lawyers & Conveyancer provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
Senior Legal provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
Shah & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Immigration & Visas and Wills & Estates.
Belgrave, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Armstrong Ross provides legal services in Belgrave, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Colac, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
Arundell Murray & Ryan provides legal services in Colac, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Barwon South West Lawyers provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law.
Understand the next step
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.
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.
Ask what evidence is available and what must be obtained. Decisions about a plea or statement should follow advice on your own circumstances.
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.
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.
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.
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
You generally have the right to remain silent. Ask to speak to a lawyer before any interview.
Legal Aid, community legal centres and Aboriginal legal services may be able to help, depending on the charge and your circumstances.
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.
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.
