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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Midland, WA · Perth East
Fixed Fee Guilty Pleas provides legal services in Midland, WA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law and Traffic Offences.
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
Freemont Family Lawyers Dandenong provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
Goubar Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Criminal Law and Bail Applications.
Ayr, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
Harrington Legal provides legal services in Ayr, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Commercial Litigation.
Heidelberg, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Hartleys Lawyers provides legal services in Heidelberg, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Bathurst, NSW · Central West & Orana
James Taylor Bathurst Lawyer provides legal services in Bathurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Goulburn, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
Johnston Legal provides legal services in Goulburn, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Public Liability and Medical Negligence.
Somerton, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Justice First Legal provides legal services in Somerton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Brookwater, QLD · Ipswich
Justin Legal provides legal services in Brookwater, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Divorce & Separation.
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
Kilburn & Co Pty Ltd provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law.
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
Kozarov Lawyers provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Criminal Law.
Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
KPW Lawyers provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
Lamont Law provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Orange, NSW · Central West & Orana
Longman Hill Solicitors provides legal services in Orange, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
Malcolm Murray & Associates provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Insolvency & Restructuring and Family Law.
Warwick, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Warwick, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Firearms & Licensing Matters.
Seven Hills, NSW · Western Sydney
Michael Vassili Lawyers (Accredited Specialist provides legal services in Seven Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Criminal Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Mildura, VIC · Mallee
Mildura Conveyancing Services provides conveyancing services in Mildura, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Criminal Law and Wills & Estates.
Footscray, VIC · Western Melbourne
MLG LAWYERS provides legal services in Footscray, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
Mountains Lawyers Legal Solutions provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Debt Recovery.
Dee Why, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Nayel Lawyers provides legal services in Dee Why, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Contract Law and Criminal Law.
Griffith, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Olivia Harris Solicitor provides legal services in Griffith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences and Criminal Law.
Noosaville, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Olivia Wilson Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Building & Construction, Property & Conveyancing and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Minyama, QLD · Sunshine Coast
ROBINSON LAW PTY LTD provides legal services in Minyama, QLD. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Domestic Violence & AVOs 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.
