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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(186)Google rating from 186 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Criminal Law+7 moreBail Applications · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Traffic Offences · Firearms & Licensing MattersFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bella Vista, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(184)Google rating from 184 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
AMAN Lawyers provides legal services in Bella Vista, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Debt Recovery and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+6 moreDebt Recovery · Business & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(184)Google rating from 184 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Traffic Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Herston, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(181)Google rating from 181 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Vocare Law provides legal services in Herston, QLD. Listed practice areas include Not-for-Profit & Charity Law, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Not-for-Profit & Charity Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Employment Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Administrative & Government Law · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Glenroy, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(178)Google rating from 178 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
BARDO LAWYERS provides legal services in Glenroy, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Immigration & Visas and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreImmigration & Visas · Property & Conveyancing · Notary Public & JP Services · Family Law · Criminal Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(171)Google rating from 171 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Firearms & Licensing Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Narellan, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(170)Google rating from 170 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Coutts Conveyancing & Legal Services provides legal services in Narellan, 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 · Commercial LitigationNo win, no fee
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(164)Google rating from 164 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
T&S Law Firm provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Barangaroo, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(159)Google rating from 159 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Australian Law Advocates provides legal services in Barangaroo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drug Offences, Assault & Violent Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Drug Offences+6 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Skilled & Business Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cheltenham, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(158)Google rating from 158 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Kingston Lawyers provides legal services in Cheltenham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Woy Woy, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(155)Google rating from 155 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Tonkin Drysdale Partners provides legal services in Woy Woy, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Planning & Environment and Family Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 morePlanning & Environment · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas · Wills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(149)Google rating from 149 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
CHIDIAC LAWYERS PTY LTD provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bella Vista, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(147)Google rating from 147 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Catron Simmons Lawyers provides legal services in Bella Vista, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Drink & Drug Driving · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cleveland, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(145)Google rating from 145 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Fit Lawyers (incorporating Colville Johnstone Lawyers) provides legal services in Cleveland, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Building & Construction.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(143)Google rating from 143 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Watling Roche Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Assault & Violent Offences, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Assault & Violent Offences+7 moreCriminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drug Offences · Traffic Offences · Personal Injury · Partner & Family Visas · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Caboolture, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(142)Google rating from 142 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Jurgensen Horne Lawyers provides legal services in Caboolture, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Criminal Law.
Family Law+4 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing
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.
Domestic Violence & AVOs · Firearms & Licensing Matters · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Traffic Offences · Partner & Family Visas · Drink & Drug Driving · Drug Offences
Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
The firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Wills & Estates · Building & Construction · Criminal Law · Personal Injury · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Commercial Property & Leasing
