Criminal Defence — All States & Territories
Criminal Defence Lawyers — Charged? Know Your Rights.
Being charged with a criminal offence is one of the most stressful experiences you will face. Whether you are dealing with a drink driving charge, a drug offence, an assault allegation, or a serious indictable offence — the decisions you make in the first 24 hours matter. Get connected with a criminal defence lawyer for a free, confidential consultation before your court date.
⚠ Court dates are fixed. If you have been charged or summonsed, get legal advice before your first appearance — what you say in court without preparation can affect your entire case. Submit your request now.
Criminal Law Practice Areas
Every criminal charge handled — from first court appearance to verdict.
Select the area that matches your charge or situation. Each page covers the specific offence, penalties, defences, and what to expect — and connects you directly with a criminal defence lawyer.
Drink Driving
BAC limits, licence disqualification periods, interlock requirements, and how to defend or mitigate a drink driving charge in your state.
Get drink driving help →Drug Offences
Possession, supply, and trafficking charges — including deemed supply, drug diversion programs, and the difference between state and federal charges.
Get drug offence help →Assault Charges
Common assault, ABH, GBH, and domestic violence assault — defences, aggravating circumstances, and how courts treat assault in the context of relationships.
Get assault charge help →Bail Applications
Remanded in custody or refused bail? Urgent bail applications, show cause hearings, and bail variation — act immediately to avoid unnecessary time on remand.
Get bail help now →Fraud & White Collar Crime
ATO investigations, ASIC referrals, corporate fraud, identity theft, and cybercrime — complex matters requiring specialist criminal defence from the outset.
Get fraud defence help →Weapons & Firearms
Possession of prohibited weapons, unlicensed firearms, and weapons trafficking charges — strict liability elements and mandatory sentencing considerations.
Get weapons charge help →Sexual Assault Charges
Affirmative consent laws, aggravated charges, tendency evidence, and navigating investigations and trials involving sexual offences.
Get sexual assault defence help →Spent Convictions
Clearing your criminal record under Commonwealth and state spent convictions legislation — eligibility, waiting periods, and exceptions for certain professions.
Get spent convictions help →Why Legal Advice Matters Early
The decisions made before your first court date shape the entire outcome.
Criminal proceedings move quickly once charges are laid. Understanding your rights, your options, and the process before you step into court significantly affects your prospects.
You have a right to silence — use it
You are not required to answer police questions beyond identifying yourself. Anything you say can and will be used as evidence. Early advice from a criminal lawyer before any police interview protects you from inadvertently damaging your own case.
Plea decisions are permanent
Entering a plea of guilty or not guilty has permanent consequences. A lawyer assesses the evidence against you before any plea is entered — weak evidence, procedural issues, and defences only become visible with proper legal advice before the first appearance.
Bail refusal can be challenged
If you or a family member has been refused bail, an urgent application can be made to a higher court. New information, changed circumstances, or legal errors in the original decision can all support a fresh bail application — but speed matters.
Sentences are affected by preparation
Even where a guilty plea is appropriate, the difference between a good and poor sentencing outcome is significant. Character references, psychological reports, rehabilitation evidence, and proper submissions can reduce penalties, avoid imprisonment, or secure a non-conviction order.
Not all charges lead to convictions
Many charges are withdrawn, dismissed, or result in non-conviction orders (s10/conditional release orders) when properly defended. Police evidence may have procedural flaws, witnesses may be unreliable, or defences may apply that are only visible on close analysis of the brief.
A conviction affects far more than the penalty
A criminal record affects employment, professional licences, working with children checks, travel visas, and immigration status. For many people, avoiding a conviction record — not just avoiding gaol — is the most important outcome of a criminal matter.
How It Works
One request. The right criminal lawyer.
Describe the charge and your situation — when the matter is listed, what state you are in, and any urgency. A criminal defence lawyer will follow up for a free, confidential consultation.
Submit Your RequestDescribe your charge
Tell us the offence, the state, and your next court date. Mention any urgency — bail refusal, police interview tomorrow, or a court date this week.
Matched to a criminal defence lawyer
Your request is matched to a lawyer with experience in your specific charge type and jurisdiction — local court traffic matters are different from District Court indictable offences.
Free consultation arranged
A criminal lawyer contacts you for a free consultation to review the charge, advise on your options, and explain what to expect before your court date.
About Criminal Law
How the criminal justice system works.
Criminal law in Australia operates at both state/territory and federal levels. Most offences — assault, theft, drug possession, traffic offences — are governed by state legislation. Federal criminal law (Commonwealth Criminal Code) applies to serious offences including terrorism, large-scale drug trafficking, immigration offences, and fraud against the Commonwealth.
The presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of the system — the prosecution must prove every element of the offence beyond reasonable doubt. A criminal lawyer's job is to hold the prosecution to that standard, identify weaknesses in the evidence, and present the strongest possible case in your favour.
Matters are heard in different courts depending on the seriousness of the offence — Local/Magistrates Court (summary offences), District/County Court (mid-range indictable offences), and Supreme Court (most serious indictable offences).
The right to silence exists at every stage — from police questioning to trial. You cannot be compelled to give evidence against yourself. A lawyer can advise whether to participate in a police interview, whether to make representations before charges are laid, and how to respond to court processes.
Sentencing outcomes range from non-conviction orders (where the court finds you guilty but imposes no conviction) through fines, community-based orders, and imprisonment. The sentencing range for any offence depends on the maximum penalty, the circumstances, your prior history, and the quality of your lawyer's submissions.
Legal aid is available for serious matters where imprisonment is a real prospect. Private representation typically delivers better outcomes across all charge types — particularly for plea negotiations, sentencing submissions, and defended hearings.