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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(141)Google rating from 141 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Law Lawyers & Associates provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Public Liability and Business & Commercial Law.
Criminal Law+7 morePublic Liability · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Building & Construction · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wynnum, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(139)Google rating from 139 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Australian Law Group provides legal services in Wynnum, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Commercial Litigation and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Port Adelaide, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(139)Google rating from 139 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Port Adelaide Lawyers provides legal services in Port Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+4 moreCriminal Law · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Child Protection & Care MattersFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(138)Google rating from 138 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Goldman Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Class Actions.
Family Law+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Class Actions · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law
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Bairnsdale, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(135)Google rating from 135 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Daniel Taylor Lawyers provides legal services in Bairnsdale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Criminal Law and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(135)Google rating from 135 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Faraj Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Drug Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Drug Offences · Drink & Drug Driving · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Fraud & White Collar Crime
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(135)Google rating from 135 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Unite Legal provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(129)Google rating from 129 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
King & York Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Child Protection & Care Matters · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(124)Google rating from 124 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Rana Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Moonee Ponds, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(122)Google rating from 122 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
MNG Lawyers provides legal services in Moonee Ponds, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(122)Google rating from 122 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Spencer Lawyers provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Criminal Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Property & Conveyancing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(121)Google rating from 121 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Cassab and Associates Solicitors provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Commercial Property & Leasing · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law · Family Law
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Mulgrave, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(121)Google rating from 121 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Eminent Lawyers provides legal services in Mulgrave, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Immigration & Visas · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(119)Google rating from 119 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Fisher Dore Lawyers - Cairns provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(115)Google rating from 115 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Potts Bill provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(113)Google rating from 113 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Verge Legal 维智律师事务所 (Melbourne CBD) provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Franchising · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law · Planning & EnvironmentFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(112)Google rating from 112 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Ajak & Associates Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Citizenship, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Citizenship+6 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Employment Law · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Victoria Park, WA · Perth East
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(109)Google rating from 109 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rebus Legal provides legal services in Victoria Park, WA. Listed practice areas include Probate & Estate Administration, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Probate & Estate Administration+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Traffic Offences · Building & ConstructionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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.
