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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Broken Hill, NSW · Far West
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Rachel Storey & Associates provides legal services in Broken Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Family Property Settlement · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Nowra, 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
Busselton, WA · South West
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
South West Community Legal Centre provides legal services in Busselton, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Box Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Summit Lawyers provides legal services in Box Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Insolvency & Restructuring and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreInsolvency & Restructuring · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Notary Public & JP Services · Family Law · Criminal Law · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Employment Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Williamson Isabella Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Powers of Attorney & Guardianship, Wills & Estates and Personal Injury.
Powers of Attorney & Guardianship+7 moreWills & Estates · Personal Injury · Criminal Law · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hughesdale, VIC · South East Melbourne
Asher Freeman Lawyers provides legal services in Hughesdale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Employment Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · NDIS & Disability Law3 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin, cantonese
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tuggerah, NSW · Central Coast
Aubrey Brown Lawyers provides legal services in Tuggerah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
BJH LAW PTY LTD provides legal services in Toowoomba 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
Concord, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
Bongiorno Lawyers provides legal services in Concord, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Criminal Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreCriminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Camden, NSW · Western Sydney
Coutts Conveyancing & Legal Services provides legal services in Camden, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Unfair DismissalNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Campbelltown, NSW · Western Sydney
Coutts Conveyancing & Legal Services provides legal services in Campbelltown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Unfair DismissalNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Coutts Conveyancing & Legal Services provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Unfair DismissalNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
Daniel Wakim Law Firm provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Administrative & Government Law.
Criminal Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Administrative & Government Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Drug Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Firearms & Licensing Matters · Fraud & White Collar Crime
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Dr John Weir provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal.
Criminal Law+3 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
Emerge Legal provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+3 moreCriminal Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kent Town, SA · Adelaide Metro
Eminent Lawyers provides legal services in Kent Town, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Immigration & Visas · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
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.
