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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Murgon, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Murgon, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Kingaroy, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Kingaroy, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Burwood, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Burwood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Caloundra, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Caloundra, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Gympie, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Gympie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Noosaville, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Landsborough, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Landsborough, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Gordon, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Gordon, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
South Melbourne, VIC · South East Melbourne
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in South Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Cessnock, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Cessnock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
North Curl Curl, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in North Curl Curl, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Jimboomba, QLD · Gold Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Jimboomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Helensvale, QLD · Gold Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Helensvale, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Jesmond, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Jesmond, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Sutherland, NSW · Southern Sydney
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Woolloongabba, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Woolloongabba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Loganholme, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Loganholme, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Acacia Ridge, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Acacia Ridge, QLD. 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.
