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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Guyra, NSW · New England & North West
Abbott Pardy & Jenkins provides legal services in Guyra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
Claremont Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Traffic Offences.
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
Kilcoyne Lawyers provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Kozarov Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Criminal Law.
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
Martin Bullock Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Rossi Simicic Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and De Facto Relationships.
Dalby, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
Bond & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Dalby, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Busselton, WA · South West
Boudica Criminal Law provides legal services in Busselton, WA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Assault & Violent Offences.
Morwell, VIC · Gippsland
James Trembath & Associates provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Doncaster East, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Laino Michael Solicitor provides legal services in Doncaster East, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Murray Bridge, SA · Riverland & Murraylands
Newman Lawyers provides legal services in Murray Bridge, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Prior Law provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Notary Public & JP Services.
Dandenong North, VIC · South East Melbourne
Smythe & Mallam provides legal services in Dandenong North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Family Law and Divorce & Separation.
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
Abigail Rogers Barristers & Solicitors Pty Ltd provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
Darwin Cbd, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Aboriginal Legal Aid, Darwin provides legal services in Darwin Cbd, NT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Aboriginal Legal Aid, Darwin provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Rockdale, NSW · Southern Sydney
Bryant-Thomas Legal Services provides legal services in Rockdale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
CBD Law provides legal services in Wyong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Haymarket, NSW · Sydney CBD
E.Law International provides legal services in Haymarket, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Fremantle, WA · Perth South
Farquhar Ian R & Co provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Parenting & Child Custody.
Port Augusta, SA · Eyre, Yorke & Mid North
Johnston Withers, Port augusta provides legal services in Port Augusta, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Cobar, NSW · Central West & Orana
Peter Payne Law provides legal services in Cobar, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Cobar, NSW · Central West & Orana
Peter Payne Law provides legal services in Cobar, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Victor Harbor, SA · Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island
Richards Adam provides legal services in Victor Harbor, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Business & Commercial Law.
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.
