Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Marriott Oliver provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Merimbula, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sautelle White Lawyers provides legal services in Merimbula, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
RMB Lawyers Shellharbour provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Building & Construction · Strata & Body Corporate · Traffic Offences
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ridge Legal provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Criminal Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+4 moreCriminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Commercial LitigationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Burrill Lake, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Burrill Lake, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ulladulla, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Ulladulla, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Merimbula, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cruz Lawyers provides legal services in Merimbula, NSW. Listed practice areas include Building & Construction, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Building & Construction+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Commercial Litigation · Administrative & Government Law · Residential Tenancy · Assault & Violent Offences
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Milton, NSW · South Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Milton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bega, NSW · South Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
South Coast Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Bega, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
Criminal Law+3 moreTraffic Offences · Drink & Drug Driving · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Lambert Legal provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Property & Conveyancing and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+4 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Assault & Violent Offences · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Marriott Oliver provides legal services in Sanctuary Point, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas
Johnston Tobin Solicitors provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law · Buying or Selling a Business · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Lough & Wells Lawyers provides legal services in Huskisson, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Medical Negligence · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Public LiabilityNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
If you've been charged, speak to a criminal lawyer before your first court date. They can tell you whether the charge can be defended, whether the evidence is strong, and what penalty is realistic if you plead guilty. Many criminal lawyers offer a free first conversation and fixed fees for common matters such as drink driving and traffic offences. For serious charges they handle bail applications, negotiations with the prosecution, trials and appeals. Legal Aid and Aboriginal legal services can help if you can't afford a private lawyer.
Why criminal law matters
A criminal charge can affect liberty, employment and travel. Early advice often changes the outcome.
The Australian context
Criminal law is mostly state-based, with Commonwealth offences prosecuted federally, and each state has its own courts, bail laws and sentencing options.
Understand the next step
A practical guide to criminal & traffic in South Coast
Choosing the right kind of assistance
Criminal and traffic advice begins with the actual allegation and stage of the case. Say whether police want an interview, charges have been laid, bail conditions apply or a decision has been made. An enquiry is not confirmation that a lawyer has accepted responsibility for a forthcoming appearance.
Working with a firm in South Coast
The South Coast directory area stretches across several separate towns, from Nowra and Ulladulla to Bega and Eden. An office somewhere in the region may still be a substantial journey from home.
For criminal & traffic, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant NSW experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside South Coast. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable 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 criminal & traffic adviser
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 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.
What happens at a bail hearing?
The court decides whether you can stay in the community while the case runs, and on what conditions. A lawyer presents your circumstances and proposes conditions that address the court's concerns.
