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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Inner West Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
J D Hawkins & Associates provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Assault & Violent Offences, Criminal Law and Drug Offences.
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
J P O'Neill provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Firearms & Licensing Matters and Property & Conveyancing.
Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Monaco Compensation Lawyers provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Nimbin Law provides legal services in Casino, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Nambour, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Nambour, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Taylor & Whitty provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Merrylands, NSW · Western Sydney
Prestige Solicitors & Associates provides legal services in Merrylands, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Criminal Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Forest Lake, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Bhardwaj and Associates Lawyers provides legal services in Forest Lake, QLD. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
Bhardwaj and Associates Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
DGB Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
Bouchier Khan Lawyers provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Fraud & White Collar Crime and Criminal Law.
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
Brooke Winter Solicitors provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Criminal Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Bathurst, NSW · Central West & Orana
Garden & Montgomerie provides legal services in Bathurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Nq Mobile Law Service provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Bail Applications.
Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
Curwen-Walker Conveyancing & Legal provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
Gibson John F. Solicitor provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Broken Hill, NSW · Far West
Peter Payne Law provides legal services in Broken Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Cannonvale, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
R J Taylor Law provides legal services in Cannonvale, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Armidale, NSW · New England & North West
CHRISTOPHER SEROW SOLICITOR provides legal services in Armidale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Notary Public & JP Services and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Armidale, NSW · New England & North West
CHRISTOPHER SEROW SOLICITOR provides legal services in Armidale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
Houston Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Zetland, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
Inner West Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Zetland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
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.
