Drug lawyers defend charges from possession to supply and importation.
firms
138
regions
16
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Drug charges vary enormously in seriousness. A lawyer examines how the drugs were found, the lawfulness of searches, the quantity alleged and whether diversion programs are available for minor possession.
Why drug offences matters
Drug charges range from minor possession to serious supply and importation, with penalties that vary enormously depending on quantity and circumstances.
The Australian context
Possession and supply are state offences, with thresholds for trafficable and commercial quantities. Importation is a Commonwealth offence under the Criminal Code. Several states offer diversion for small quantities.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(102)Google rating from 102 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Smith Criminal Law Sunshine Coast provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Criminal Law and Drug Offences.
Traffic Offences+7 moreCriminal Law · Drug Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Assault & Violent Offences · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Domestic Violence & AVOs
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Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(86)Google rating from 86 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Caldicott + Isaacs Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Assault & Violent Offences, Drug Offences and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Assault & Violent Offences+7 moreDrug Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Firearms & Licensing Matters · Drink & Drug Driving · Centrelink & Social SecurityFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(86)Google rating from 86 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Melinda Griffiths Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Medical Negligence and Public Liability.
Wills & Estates+7 moreMedical Negligence · Public Liability · Drug Offences · Class Actions · Personal Injury · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Assault & Violent OffencesNo win, no fee
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Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(85)Google rating from 85 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Gold Coast Leasing & Mortgage provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Probate & Estate Administration · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Drug Offences · Public Liability
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(58)Google rating from 58 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Penrith Criminal Law Centre provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(51)Google rating from 51 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
McMahon Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
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
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Beenleigh, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
JSLegal Law Practice provides legal services in Beenleigh, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Traffic Offences and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreTraffic Offences · Parenting & Child Custody · Drug Offences · Property & Conveyancing · Binding Financial Agreements · Divorce & Separation · Drink & Drug Driving
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Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Podmore Legal provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Assault & Violent Offences, Criminal Law and Bail Applications.
Assault & Violent Offences+7 moreCriminal Law · Bail Applications · Business & Commercial Law · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Traffic Offences · Drug Offences · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(40)Google rating from 40 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Your Defence Advocates provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Assault & Violent Offences and Drug Offences.
Traffic Offences+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Drug Offences · Drink & Drug Driving · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Bail Applications · Criminal Law · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tang Lawyers provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drug Offences.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drug Offences · Professional Negligence · Divorce & Separation · Assault & Violent Offences · Skilled & Business Visas · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
GC Traffic Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+5 moreBail Applications · Traffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drug Offences · Drink & Drug DrivingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Understand the next step
A practical guide to drug offences
What to discuss at the first meeting
Explain the exact allegation and whether the matter is at investigation, charge or hearing stage. The substance, alleged conduct and available evidence should be assessed from the documents.
Avoid treating all drug allegations as the same matter; ask the lawyer to explain the particular charge and process.
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 drug offences adviser
What evidence is available and what must be obtained?
What preparation is required before the next event?
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
Is there a diversion option for possession?
Many states offer diversion or cautioning schemes for small quantities, depending on the drug and your history.
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.
