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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Randwick, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Macalester Lawyers provides legal services in Randwick, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Wills & Estates · Immigration & Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Manly Vale, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
McGowan Lawyers provides legal services in Manly Vale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Contested Wills & Family Provision and Criminal Law.
Traffic Offences+7 moreContested Wills & Family Provision · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Wills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Drug Offences · Assault & Violent OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kellyville, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Michael Vassili Lawyers (Accredited Specialist provides legal services in Kellyville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Criminal Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreCriminal Law · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Immigration & Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Employment Law · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, 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
Thomastown, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Torcaso Lawyers provides legal services in Thomastown, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Building & Construction and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreBuilding & Construction · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Castle Hill, NSW · Hills District
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
BLUECREST LEGAL PTY LTD provides legal services in Castle Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Darwin Cbd, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Bradley Solicitors Pty Ltd provides legal services in Darwin Cbd, NT. Listed practice areas include Commercial Property & Leasing, Unfair Dismissal and Criminal Law.
Commercial Property & Leasing+6 moreUnfair Dismissal · Criminal Law · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mackay, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Central Queensland Conveyancing Centre provides conveyancing services in Mackay, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Building & Construction · Planning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Debt RecoveryFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Launceston, TAS · Launceston & North
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Fran McCracken CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER provides legal services in Launceston, TAS. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Gambier, SA · Limestone Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Hancock Family Law provides legal services in Mount Gambier, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Family Law+4 moreCriminal Law · Child Protection & Care Matters · Planning & Environment · Wills & Estates
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Box Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Hartleys Lawyers provides legal services in Box Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Wills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Skilled & Business VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Jackson Solicitors provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cranbourne West, VIC · South East Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Kohinoor Legal provides legal services in Cranbourne West, VIC. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Immigration & Visas+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law · Visa Refusals & Tribunal Appeals
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Caloundra, QLD · Sunshine Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Michael Mason Lawyer provides legal services in Caloundra, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
North Coast Criminal Law provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
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.
