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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Rachel Storey & Associates provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Warrnambool, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
Randall Bell Lawyer provides legal services in Warrnambool, VIC. Listed practice areas include Child Protection & Care Matters, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
NSW · Brisbane South & Logan
Reeves Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Family Law and Traffic Offences.
Tamworth, NSW · New England & North West
Rice More & Gibson provides conveyancing services in Tamworth, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Criminal Law.
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
RJ Lawson Barrister & Solicitor provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Workers Compensation and Criminal Law.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Robyn Greensill & Associates provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Criminal Law and Bail Applications.
Jindera, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Ross Doyle Legal provides legal services in Jindera, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Notary Public & JP Services.
Fairfield, NSW · Western Sydney
Selva Daniel Lawyers provides legal services in Fairfield, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Immigration & Visas and Family Law.
Richmond, NSW · Western Sydney
Shaddicks Lawyers provides legal services in Richmond, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Agribusiness & Rural Law.
Margaret River, WA · South West
South West Community Legal Centre provides legal services in Margaret River, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Morphett Vale, SA · Adelaide Metro
SS Business Investments provides legal services in Morphett Vale, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
Stacks Law Firm Bundall provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Traffic Offences and Business & Commercial Law.
Bendigo, VIC · Bendigo & Loddon
Swayn Legal provides legal services in Bendigo, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and General Practice (regional generalist).
Tamborine Mountain, QLD · Gold Coast
Tamborine Mountain Law provides legal services in Tamborine Mountain, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Beaudesert, QLD · Gold Coast
Tamborine Mountain Law provides legal services in Beaudesert, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Fairfield, NSW · Western Sydney
Tashman & Associates Solicitors provides legal services in Fairfield, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Henty, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Taylor & Whitty provides legal services in Henty, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Holbrook, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Taylor & Whitty provides legal services in Holbrook, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Griffith, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Taylor & Whitty provides legal services in Griffith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
NSW · Western Sydney
The Property Conveyancers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Castle Hill, NSW · Hills District
The Property Conveyancers provides legal services in Castle Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
The Property Conveyancers provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Belrose, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
The Property Conveyancers provides legal services in Belrose, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Royal Park, SA · Adelaide Metro
Tim Dibden Barrister & Solicitor provides legal services in Royal Park, SA. Listed practice areas include 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.
