Sydney CBD
Criminal and traffic lawyers defend people charged with offences, from drink driving and licence matters to serious indictable crimes.
52 firms
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
Legal Point Lawyers & Migration Agent provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Divorce & Separation.
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
Sydney City Crime provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Surry Hills, NSW · Sydney CBD
Tully & Chiper Lawyers provides legal services in Surry Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Criminal Law and Corporate Law & M&A.
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
ZK Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
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.
A criminal charge can affect liberty, employment and travel. Early advice often changes the outcome.
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
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.
A city-centre address can be convenient for meetings, but it does not tell you which solicitor will handle the file. For a business transaction, employment issue or dispute, ask whether the team has experience with your particular industry and the size of the matter.
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 Sydney CBD. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
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.
Ask what evidence is available and what must be obtained. Decisions about a plea or statement should follow advice on your own circumstances.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.