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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Cleveland, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Cleveland, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Windsor, NSW · Western Sydney
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Windsor, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Redcliffe, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Redcliffe, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Nundah, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Nundah, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Caboolture, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Caboolture, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Subiaco, WA · Perth CBD
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Subiaco, WA. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Toowong, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Toowong, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Tuggerah, NSW · Central Coast
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Tuggerah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Fairfield, NSW · Western Sydney
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Fairfield, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Cabramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Cabramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
O'connor, WA · Perth South
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in O'connor, WA. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Grace Jill G provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Contested Wills & Family Provision and Criminal Law.
Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Grace Jill G provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Contested Wills & Family Provision, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Grope Hamilton Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Guest Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Traffic Offences.
Five Dock, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
GWK Allars provides legal services in Five Dock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
Hammond Legal provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Lambton, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Hanlon Mark provides legal services in Lambton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, 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.
