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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coburg, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(85)Google rating from 85 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Haitch Legal provides legal services in Coburg, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Burwood, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(85)Google rating from 85 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Karnib Saddik Law Firm provides legal services in Burwood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+6 moreCriminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas · Skilled & Business Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(84)Google rating from 84 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Fumens Lawyers 富文律师行 (Melbourne CBD) provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Insolvency & Restructuring · Wills & Estates · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maryborough, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(84)Google rating from 84 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
John Willett Lawyers provides legal services in Maryborough, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+3 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(83)Google rating from 83 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Lyons Law Group provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreTraffic Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Family Law · Bail Applications · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Divorce & Separation · Centrelink & Social Security
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Carlton North, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(83)Google rating from 83 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
RRR Lawyers provides legal services in Carlton North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Debt Recovery · Criminal Law · Building & Construction2 languages
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Fremantle, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(81)Google rating from 81 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Andrew Williams Criminal Law Offices provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Bail Applications · Drug Offences · Drink & Drug Driving · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Property & Conveyancing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(80)Google rating from 80 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Driving Law Queensland provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+5 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Traffic Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Partner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Highett, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(78)Google rating from 78 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
De Kretser Law provides legal services in Highett, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law · Drug Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
North Melbourne, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(78)Google rating from 78 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
McNally & Gleeson Lawyers provides legal services in North Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Criminal Law and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Bail Applications+6 moreCriminal Law · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Firearms & Licensing Matters · Traffic Offences · Drink & Drug Driving
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(74)Google rating from 74 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Lee, Turnbull & Co Solicitors provides legal services in Townsville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(74)Google rating from 74 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Lee, Turnbull & Co Solicitors provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
West Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(73)Google rating from 73 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hartleys Lawyers provides legal services in West Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Wills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Skilled & Business VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newport, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(73)Google rating from 73 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hartleys Lawyers provides legal services in Newport, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Wills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Skilled & Business VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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.
