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 They can negotiate with prosecutors to have charges withdrawn or reduced, run defended hearings and trials, and present the strongest case for a lenient sentence.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
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Clarity Law provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Assault & Violent Offences, Fraud & White Collar Crime and Criminal Law.
Assault & Violent Offences+7 moreFraud & White Collar Crime · Criminal Law · Centrelink & Social Security · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Bail ApplicationsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Rooty Hill, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hemant Prakash & Associates provides legal services in Rooty Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Family Law+3 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Wills & Estates
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Park Holme, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tim Clarke & Co Lawyers PTY LTD provides legal services in Park Holme, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brunswick, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Non Stop Legal provides legal services in Brunswick, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Debt Recovery.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Debt Recovery · Commercial Litigation · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Oswald Legal provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+4 moreCriminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Morningside, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(47)Google rating from 47 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Australian Law Group provides legal services in Morningside, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Commercial Litigation and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreCommercial Litigation · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(47)Google rating from 47 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hannay Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drug Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Traffic Offences · Family LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.4 languages
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(47)Google rating from 47 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Metri Legal provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Employment Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(47)Google rating from 47 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
My Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Criminal Law+7 moreBail Applications · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Assault & Violent Offences · Drink & Drug Driving · Property & ConveyancingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Skuse Graham Criminal Lawyers Warwick provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Criminal Law+6 moreTraffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Partner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Bail Applications · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Footscray, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
BARDO LAWYERS provides legal services in Footscray, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Immigration & Visas and Notary Public & JP Services.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreImmigration & Visas · Notary Public & JP Services · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Rhodes, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Eden King Lawyers provides legal services in Rhodes, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Criminal Law · Personal Injury · Debt RecoveryFree first consult
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Marsdens Law Group provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Medical Negligence
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Olympus Lawyers provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Debt Recovery, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Debt Recovery+4 moreCriminal Law · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cooper Williams Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Redline Legal Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Defamation · Employment Law · Divorce & SeparationNo win, no fee
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Morwell, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Stephen Peterson Lawyers provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Criminal Law+5 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Child Protection & Care Matters · Traffic Offences · Administrative & Government Law · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(43)Google rating from 43 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Michael Vassili Lawyers (Accredited Specialist provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Criminal Law.
Family Law+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Immigration & Visas · Employment Law · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Auburn, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(43)Google rating from 43 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peerzada & Associates provides legal services in Auburn, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Immigration & Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Wills & Estates2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: hindi
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.
