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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Grafton, NSW · Northern Rivers
Northern Rivers Law provides legal services in Grafton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Property & Conveyancing and Drink & Drug Driving.
Milton, NSW · South Coast
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Milton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Cleveland, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Sibley Lawyers provides legal services in Cleveland, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Employment Law and Traffic Offences.
Mackay, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
Sibley Lawyers provides legal services in Mackay, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Employment Law and Traffic Offences.
Bega, NSW · South Coast
South Coast Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Bega, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
Sydney Criminal & Traffic Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Traffic Offences.
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Traffic Offences.
Mildura, VIC · Mallee
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Co provides legal services in Mildura, VIC. Listed practice areas include Human Rights & Discrimination, Child Protection & Care Matters and Coronial Inquests.
Werribee, VIC · Western Melbourne
A Hannebery provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Assault & Violent Offences.
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
Amanda Little & Associates provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
Astor Legal provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
Bob Zelden Solicitors provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Defamation and Family Law.
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Brooke Winter Solicitors provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Assault & Violent Offences.
Gympie, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Carter and Co Family Law provides legal services in Gympie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
Dlegal Barristers & Solicitors provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Immigration & Visas and Family Law.
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
East Point Law provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Criminal Law and Traffic Offences.
Warrnambool, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
Irvine Lawyers Warrnambool provides legal services in Warrnambool, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Werribee, VIC · Western Melbourne
Jasmin Kaur Dhillon (JKD) Legal provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Business & Commercial Law and Traffic Offences.
Epping, VIC · Northern Melbourne
JHV LAWYERS provides legal services in Epping, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Traffic Offences.
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
Lambert Legal provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Property & Conveyancing and Assault & Violent Offences.
Queanbeyan, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
Marjason & Marjason Solicitors provides legal services in Queanbeyan, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Preston, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Mark M.Morgan provides legal services in Preston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Fremantle, WA · Perth South
Nharo Legal provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Child Protection & Care Matters, Family Law and Criminal Law.
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
North Shore Criminal Law provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Property & Conveyancing and Assault & Violent Offences.
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.
