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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Claremont Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+4 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Traffic Offences · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent OffencesNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★3.4(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Gibson John F. Solicitor provides legal services in Kyogle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Employment Law
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Inner West Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreTraffic Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drink & Drug Driving · Drug Offences · Bail Applications · Fraud & White Collar CrimeFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mcgillivray Solicitors provides legal services in Castle Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+3 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Criminal Law
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Probe Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Criminal Law · Debt Recovery · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: arabic
Charters Towers City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rapid Legal Solutions provides legal services in Charters Towers City, 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 feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Claremont Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+3 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Traffic Offences · Assault & Violent OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
South Townsville, NSW · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kalo Children's Law provides legal services in South Townsville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Child Protection & Care Matters, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Child Protection & Care Matters+2 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Marsdens Law Group provides legal services in Oran Park, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment · Notary Public & JP ServicesNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Newman Lawyers provides legal services in Port Lincoln, 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
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Clarity Law provides legal services in Pialba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Criminal Law+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Centrelink & Social Security · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Drug OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Duncan & MacKenzie Solicitors provides legal services in Penshurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Education Law.
Family Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Education Law · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Domestic Violence & AVOs
★★★★★★★★★★2.3(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in East Maitland, 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
★★★★★★★★★★2.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Karratha, 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(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Helen Volk Lawyers provides legal services in Thornton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Commercial Litigation.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Schroder Cam Lawyers provides legal services in Rockhampton City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Traffic Offences · Family Property Settlement
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Taylor & Whitty provides legal services in Junee, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Building & ConstructionNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Taylor & Whitty provides legal services in Tumut, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Building & ConstructionNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Co provides legal services in Shepparton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Human Rights & Discrimination, Child Protection & Care Matters and Coronial Inquests.
Human Rights & Discrimination+4 moreChild Protection & Care Matters · Coronial Inquests · Criminal Law · Building & Construction
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Voumard Lawyers provides legal services in Salisbury, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Defamation · Wills & Estates · Personal Injury · Criminal Law · Public LiabilityNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
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.
