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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Wagaman, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
David C. Story provides legal services in Wagaman, NT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Robina, QLD · Gold Coast
Daylight Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Business & Commercial Law.
Brunswick, VIC · Northern Melbourne
De Marchi & Associates provides legal services in Brunswick, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Campbelltown, NSW · Western Sydney
Doyle Legal provides legal services in Campbelltown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Criminal Law.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Mount Gambier, SA · Limestone Coast
Dunsford Co provides legal services in Mount Gambier, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Traffic Offences.
Wanniassa, ACT · Canberra
Erindale Discount Meats provides legal services in Wanniassa, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Farrell Lusher provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Karabar, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
Farrell Lusher provides legal services in Karabar, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
George Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Scone, NSW · New England & North West
George Fraser Solicitor provides legal services in Scone, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Criminal Law.
Strathpine, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Strathpine, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Ballina, NSW · Northern Rivers
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Ballina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Tweed Heads South, NSW · Northern Rivers
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Tweed Heads South, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Murwillumbah, NSW · Northern Rivers
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Murwillumbah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Lismore, NSW · Northern Rivers
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Lismore, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Tintenbar, NSW · Northern Rivers
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Tintenbar, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Bentleigh, VIC · South East Melbourne
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Bentleigh, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
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.
