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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
AFL Withnalls provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Chermside, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
Biggs Fitzgerald Pike provides legal services in Chermside, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
CPC Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
Gympie, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Jeffery Cuddihy & Joyce provides legal services in Gympie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Bail Applications.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Jones McCarthy Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law and Coronial Inquests.
Shellharbour City Centre, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Kells The Lawyers provides legal services in Shellharbour City Centre, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Lion Legal provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Beerwah, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
Spire Law - Beerwah provides legal services in Beerwah, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Sykes Pearson Miller provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Bundaberg Central, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
Fisher Dore Lawyers provides legal services in Bundaberg Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law.
Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Rockdale, NSW · Southern Sydney
Lovemore Lawyers provides legal services in Rockdale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Immigration & Visas and Criminal Law.
Essendon North, VIC · Northern Melbourne
MDM Lawyers provides legal services in Essendon North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Randall Bell Lawyer provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Child Protection & Care Matters, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Sykes Pearson Miller provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
NSW · Brisbane South & Logan
CG Legal Group provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Cridland & Hua Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Assault & Violent Offences.
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
J P O'Neill provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Coronial Inquests and Drug Offences.
Sale, VIC · Gippsland
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Sale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Whyalla, SA · Eyre, Yorke & Mid North
Whyalla Conveyancers provides legal services in Whyalla, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Mount Isa City, QLD · Outback & Torres Strait
Anderson Telford Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Isa City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Ardross, WA · Perth South
Graeme A Ryan & Associates provides legal services in Ardross, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Gawler South, SA · Barossa & Adelaide Hills
Newman Lawyers provides legal services in Gawler South, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Berri, SA · Riverland & Murraylands
Thomas David provides legal services in Berri, SA. Listed practice areas include Building & Construction, Property & Conveyancing and Family 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.
