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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
East Victoria Park, WA · Perth East
Sussex Street Law Service provides legal services in East Victoria Park, WA. Listed practice areas include NDIS & Disability Law, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
Johnson's Solicitor's provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Port Adelaide, SA · Adelaide Metro
Scammell & Co. Lawyers provides legal services in Port Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Personal Injury and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Voumard Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Pialba, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
McDuff & Guilfoyle Lawyers provides legal services in Pialba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Commercial Litigation.
TWC Lawyers Qld provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Criminal Law.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Anderson Fredericks Turner provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Debt Recovery.
Queanbeyan, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
Bevan & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Queanbeyan, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Rockingham, WA · Perth South
Mountains Lawyers Legal Solutions provides legal services in Rockingham, WA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Wills & Estates and Bail Applications.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Mulcahy's Solicitors provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Bail Applications.
Mount Gravatt, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Hall & Co Solicitors provides legal services in Mount Gravatt, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Hannaway Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Sutherland, NSW · Southern Sydney
Hansons Lawyers provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Debt Recovery.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Mirabellas Solicitors provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Adelaide Mangan Ey Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Criminal Law and Native Title & Aboriginal Legal Services.
Murray Bridge, SA · Riverland & Murraylands
Mangan Ey & Associates provides legal services in Murray Bridge, SA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Mangan Ey & Associates provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
Anderson Telford Lawyers provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
Butler McIntyre & Butler provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
NSW · Western Melbourne
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
Sydney Criminal & Traffic Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Traffic Offences.
Cardiff, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Impero Conveyancing provides legal services in Cardiff, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
Takchi & Associates Solicitors & Notaries provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Heidelberg, NSW · Northern Melbourne
Doug Parker & Associates Lawyers provides legal services in Heidelberg, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Divorce & Separation.
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.
