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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
MAGUIRE BARNES FAMILY LAWYERS provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Mansfield, VIC · Hume & North East
Mal Ryan & Glen Lawyers and Conveyancers provides legal services in Mansfield, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
Justine Fisher Barristers & Solicitors provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
UNIVERSAL LAWYERS Pty Ltd provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Grace Jill G provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Contested Wills & Family Provision.
NSW · Mallee
MYRIALLAKIS AND ASSOCIATES PTY LTD provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
TASC Legal and Social Justice Service provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Elder Law & Aged Care.
Werribee, VIC · Western Melbourne
Ann Valos Criminal Law provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Broadmeadows, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Broadmeadows, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
DSA Crime provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
St Albans, VIC · Western Melbourne
Lanham Lawyers provides legal services in St Albans, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Wills & Estates.
Chermside, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
MAGUIRE BARNES FAMILY LAWYERS provides legal services in Chermside, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
C F Davies & Co provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Bundaberg Dc, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
Messenger Legal provides legal services in Bundaberg Dc, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Traffic Offences.
Dubbo, NSW · Central West & Orana
Peter Payne Law provides legal services in Dubbo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Miranda, NSW · Southern Sydney
Saxton Peter & Co provides legal services in Miranda, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Probate & Estate Administration.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
WS Lawyers provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Child Protection & Care Matters, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Criminal Law.
Warragul, VIC · Gippsland
Robyn Greensill & Associates provides legal services in Warragul, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law.
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Fraud & White Collar Crime and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Bella Vista, NSW · Hills District
GILL LAWYERS provides legal services in Bella Vista, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Maitland, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
McDonald Johnson Lawyers provides legal services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drug Offences, Criminal Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Gunnedah, NSW · New England & North West
Michel + White Lawyers provides legal services in Gunnedah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Paul Edmonds provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
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.
