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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Haymarket, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Chen Shan Lawyers provides legal services in Haymarket, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Family Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Coral Coast Law provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Assault & Violent Offences.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Assault & Violent Offences · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Bail Applications · Fraud & White Collar Crime
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Waverley, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Greenwich Legal provides legal services in Mount Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Unfair Dismissal, Employment Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Unfair Dismissal+7 moreEmployment Law · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Warwick, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hede Byrne & Hall Lawyers provides legal services in Warwick, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Education Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Education Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law · Employment Law
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Murgon, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
J.A. Carroll Solicitors Murgon provides legal services in Murgon, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Criminal Law · Family LawFree first consult
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Sale, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Littleton Hackford provides legal services in Sale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mark Stone Solicitors provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Criminal Law+7 moreMediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Traffic Offences
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Monk Lawyers provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Youth Justice & Children's Court and Business & Commercial Law.
Criminal Law+3 moreYouth Justice & Children's Court · Business & Commercial Law · Coronial InquestsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Chatswood, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
VANTON LEGAL provides legal services in Chatswood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Criminal Law · Employment Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Drouin, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wakefield Lawyers provides legal services in Drouin, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Logan Central, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bamyan Law Group provides legal services in Logan Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Family Law and Divorce & Separation.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreFamily Law · Divorce & Separation · Traffic Offences · Bail Applications · Citizenship · Parenting & Child Custody · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kent Town, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
BARDO LAWYERS provides legal services in Kent Town, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Immigration & Visas and Notary Public & JP Services.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreImmigration & Visas · Notary Public & JP Services · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Warrnambool, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brown McComish Solicitors provides legal services in Warrnambool, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Chatswood, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cedric Spencer Lawyers provides legal services in Chatswood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Contract Law · Immigration & Visas · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gympie, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
L.T. Legal provides legal services in Gympie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Bail Applications · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Traffic Offences
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.
