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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Campbelltown, NSW · Western Sydney
ADL SOLICITORS provides legal services in Campbelltown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Eastlakes, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
All-Lawyers provides legal services in Eastlakes, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law.
Thuringowa Central, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
Anderson Telford Lawyers provides legal services in Thuringowa Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Norwood, SA · Adelaide Metro
Andrew B Thiele & Co Lawyers & Conveyancers provides legal services in Norwood, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Atsils Cairns provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Erina, NSW · Central Coast
Aubrey Brown Lawyers provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Mornington, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
Aussie Lawyer Directory provides legal services in Mornington, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Glenelg, SA · Adelaide Metro
Baycity Law provides legal services in Glenelg, SA. Listed practice areas include Commercial Litigation, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Surry Hills, NSW · Sydney CBD
Benjamin & Leonardo Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Surry Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Bradley Solicitors Pty Ltd provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Commercial Property & Leasing, Criminal Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Brisbane City Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Manly, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Buckley Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Manly, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Woodlands, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
C F Davies & Co provides legal services in Woodlands, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Wills & Estates.
Caloundra, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Caloundra Law provides legal services in Caloundra, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Camden, NSW · Western Sydney
Camden Solicitors And Conveyancers provides legal services in Camden, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Cairns, QLD · Cairns & Far North
Civic Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Cairns, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Bail Applications and Assault & Violent Offences.
Bowen Hills, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Corney & Lind Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Bowen Hills, QLD. Listed practice areas include Not-for-Profit & Charity Law, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Cessnock, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Coutts Conveyancing & Legal Services provides legal services in Cessnock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
North Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Coutts Conveyancing & Legal Services provides legal services in North Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
Coutts Conveyancing & Legal Services provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Harris Park, NSW · Western Sydney
CPC Lawyers provides legal services in Harris Park, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Curwen-Walker Conveyancing & Legal provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Danos Tony provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Traffic Offences and Criminal Law.
Wagaman, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
David C. Story provides legal services in Wagaman, NT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal 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.
