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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Wyong, NSW · Central Coast
Houston Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Wyong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Howden Saggers Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Coronial Inquests and Child Protection & Care Matters.
NSW · Eastern Melbourne
Hum Law provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Whyalla, SA · Eyre, Yorke & Mid North
Hume Taylor & Co provides legal services in Whyalla, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Sutherland, NSW · Southern Sydney
Inner West Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
Johnston Tobin Solicitors provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Noosaville, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Jones Christine provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include General Practice (regional generalist), Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
Joseph Nashed provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Family Law.
Tamworth, NSW · New England & North West
Justice Lawyers provides legal services in Tamworth, NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Orange, NSW · Central West & Orana
Justice Lawyers provides legal services in Orange, NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Morisset, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Kate Lilly provides legal services in Morisset, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Traffic Offences.
Dapto, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Kells The Lawyers provides legal services in Dapto, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
Lawley Legal provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Orange, NSW · Central West & Orana
Lee Dalton & Associates provides legal services in Orange, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
Legal Point Lawyers & Migration Agent provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Divorce & Separation.
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
Liam O'Connor provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, Business & Commercial Law and Criminal Law.
Williamstown North, VIC · Western Melbourne
Local Lawyers provides legal services in Williamstown North, VIC. Listed practice areas include General Practice (regional generalist), Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Corrimal, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Lough & Wells Lawyers provides legal services in Corrimal, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Huskisson, NSW · South Coast
Lough & Wells Lawyers provides legal services in Huskisson, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Campbelltown, NSW · Western Sydney
Macarthur Law Group Pty Ltd provides legal services in Campbelltown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
NSW · Townsville & North Queensland
McDonald Leong Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
MCE LEGAL provides legal services in Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Biggenden, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
Messenger Legal provides legal services in Biggenden, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Traffic Offences.
Perth Cbd, WA · Perth CBD
Michael Clarke Barrister & Solicitor provides legal services in Perth Cbd, WA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law and Traffic Offences.
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.
