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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(56)Google rating from 56 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Shamac Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(52)Google rating from 52 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
McIntosh McPhillamy & Co provides conveyancing services in Bathurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Family Law · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wallace O'Hagan Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Criminal Law and Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal.
Domestic Violence & AVOs+7 moreCriminal Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Coronial Inquests · Traffic Offences · Drink & Drug Driving · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★3.0(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Canning Vale, WA. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreWills & Estates · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Criminal Law · Traffic Offences · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Thomas David provides legal services in Norwood, SA. Listed practice areas include Building & Construction, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Building & Construction+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
James Dowsley & Associates provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Bail Applications.
Criminal Law+7 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Bail Applications · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Traffic Offences · Coronial InquestsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(47)Google rating from 47 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rapid Legal Solutions provides legal services in Kirwan, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Agribusiness & Rural Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Traffic OffencesNo win, no fee
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ross Doyle Legal provides legal services in Lavington, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Notary Public & JP Services.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ainsley Law provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Drink & Drug Driving and Business & Commercial Law.
Traffic Offences+4 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Criminal Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Newman Lawyers provides legal services in Salisbury, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Workers Compensation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.2 languages
Seaforth, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Robertson Saxton Osborne Lawyers provides legal services in Seaforth, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(43)Google rating from 43 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Inner West Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreTraffic Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Bail Applications · Drink & Drug Driving · Drug Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Fraud & White Collar CrimeFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(43)Google rating from 43 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Newman Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Barker, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Workers Compensation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bobby Locker provides legal services in The Entrance, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Drink & Drug Driving+3 moreCriminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Traffic Offences
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(41)Google rating from 41 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Coburg, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreWills & Estates · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Criminal Law · Traffic Offences · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(41)Google rating from 41 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreWills & Estates · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Criminal Law · Traffic Offences · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Randles, Cooper & Co provides legal services in Brunswick, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Commercial Litigation.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Commercial Litigation · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Traffic Offences · Probate & Estate Administration
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(38)Google rating from 38 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Scammell & Co. Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Personal Injury and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 morePersonal Injury · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Criminal LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consult
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(38)Google rating from 38 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Thomas David provides legal services in Nuriootpa, SA. Listed practice areas include Building & Construction, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Building & Construction+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Atsils Cairns provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Criminal Law+3 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates
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.
