Criminal lawyers defend people charged with offences and advise them from the police station to the final hearing.
firms
1,114
regions
16
AI-generated editorial image
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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Burwood, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Buckley Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Burwood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Commercial Property & Leasing · Building & Construction · Criminal Law · Residential Tenancy · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Gravatt, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ian W Bartels & Associates Solicitors provides legal services in Mount Gravatt, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Contract Law · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Traffic Offences
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Pakenham, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mepstead Lawyers provides legal services in Pakenham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Timpano Legal Criminal Lawyers Mandurah provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreBail Applications · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drug Offences · Criminal Appeals · Partner & Family Visas · Traffic OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Forest Lodge, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(70)Google rating from 70 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Macquarie Law Group provides legal services in Forest Lodge, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(68)Google rating from 68 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kells The Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law · Coronial Inquests · Wills & EstatesNo win, no fee
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(68)Google rating from 68 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Opal Legal provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(65)Google rating from 65 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Wollongong Criminal Law provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Miranda, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(64)Google rating from 64 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
ELITE DEFENCE LAWYERS provides legal services in Miranda, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(63)Google rating from 63 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Bainbridge Legal provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(63)Google rating from 63 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Morrison Specter Attorneys provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+5 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toongabbie, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(63)Google rating from 63 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Toongabbie Legal Centre Inc. provides legal services in Toongabbie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and NDIS & Disability Law.
Family Law+2 moreCriminal Law · NDIS & Disability Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(61)Google rating from 61 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Conditsis Lawyers Newcastle provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Criminal Law+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Drug Offences · Divorce & Separation · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drink & Drug DrivingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Willetton, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(60)Google rating from 60 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Butcher Paull & Calder provides legal services in Willetton, WA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Tax Law · Competition & Consumer Law · Binding Financial Agreements
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Isa City, QLD · Outback & Torres Strait
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(60)Google rating from 60 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Spark Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Isa City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drug Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime
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.
