Criminal lawyers defend people charged with offences and advise them from the police station to the final hearing.
firms
1,114
regions
16
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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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.
Why criminal law matters
A conviction can affect employment, travel, visas and licences for years. The right early advice can change the result.
The Australian context
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.
Michael J. O'Doherty & Co provides legal services in St Marys, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Criminal Law · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Migration Solutions Australia provides legal services in Herston, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Fraud & White Collar Crime and Bail Applications.
Criminal Law+3 moreFraud & White Collar Crime · Bail Applications · Coronial InquestsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Nanscawen Lawyers provides legal services in Essendon, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law
Newman Lawyers provides legal services in Reynella, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Workers Compensation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: korean
Newman Lawyers provides legal services in Whyalla, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Workers Compensation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: korean
NICHOLAS VADASZ LLB Barrister and Solicitor provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+3 moreBail Applications · Assault & Violent Offences · Business & Commercial Law
Nolan's Law provides legal services in Port Macquarie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Traffic Offences+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Personal Injury · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Medical NegligenceFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
OAKLEYS LAW provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Commercial Litigation.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Commercial Litigation · Family Law · Criminal Law · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Patrick Smith Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreCriminal Law · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Property & ConveyancingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Peninsula Law Practice provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Personal Injury · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law
Peter Lunt & Associates provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Assault & Violent Offences.
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Orbost, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Employment Law · Personal Injury · Child Protection & Care MattersNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Lakes Entrance, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Employment Law · Personal Injury · Child Protection & Care MattersNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Mallacoota, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Employment Law · Personal Injury · Child Protection & Care MattersNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Phillips Taglieri provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Professional Negligence, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Coronial Inquests.
Professional Negligence+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Coronial Inquests · Personal Injury · Criminal Law · Victims of Crime Compensation · Assault & Violent Offences · Workers CompensationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Port Augusta Magistrates Court provides legal services in Port Augusta, SA. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Traffic Offences+6 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drug Offences · Firearms & Licensing Matters
Povey Stirk Lawyers & Notaries provides legal services in Alice Springs, NT. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Contract Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 moreContract Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Personal Injury
Proctor & Associates provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Criminal Law and Traffic Offences.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreCriminal Law · Traffic Offences · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Assault & Violent Offences · Property & Conveyancing · Drug Offences
QLD Law Group provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Intellectual Property & Trade MarksNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
R J Cole & Partners provides legal services in Christies Beach, SA. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Criminal Law and Personal Injury.
Partner & Family Visas+6 moreCriminal Law · Personal Injury · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Business & Commercial Law
Understand the next step
A practical guide to criminal law
What to discuss at the first meeting
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.
How the engagement may progress
01
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.
02
Ask what evidence is available and what must be obtained. Decisions about a plea or statement should follow advice on your own circumstances.
03
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.
Fees and the scope of work
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.
Dates to raise at first contact
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.
Questions to ask a criminal law adviser
Can you advise before the next required step?
Who will appear and what preparation is included?
Can you act before the next interview or hearing?
Who will appear and is that included in the quote?
What should I do if police contact me again?
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
Frequently asked questions
Should I talk to police without a lawyer?
You generally have the right to remain silent. Ask to speak to a lawyer before any interview.
What if I can't afford a lawyer?
Legal Aid, community legal centres and Aboriginal legal services may be able to help, depending on the charge and your circumstances.
Should I plead guilty?
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.
Can I keep my licence after a drink driving charge?
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.
