Criminal Lawyers in Brisbane

In Queensland, every criminal charge starts in the Magistrates Court. According to the Queensland Law Society, less serious offences are dealt with there, while serious charges such as armed robbery or fraud are sent on to the District Court. The most serious cases, including murder, are heard in the Supreme Court. Several of the Brisbane firms below have offices in or close to the CBD.

Getting advice early often gives you more options. A criminal lawyer may advise you before a police interview, apply for bail or speak with the prosecution about the charges. Ask whether the firm regularly appears in the court your matter is listed in, and how its fees are charged.

Robertson O’Gorman Solicitors
5/8 Petrie Terrace
Petrie Terrace QLD 4000
Tel: (07) 3034 0000

Based at Petrie Terrace, on the edge of the Brisbane CBD, Robertson O’Gorman Solicitors is a criminal law firm. It acts in drug, assault and violent offence, fraud, weapons, sexual offence, break and enter and murder matters, and handles bail applications and appeals. A corporate crime practice covers ASIC and ATO matters, workplace prosecutions, bribery and cybercrime. The firm also works on domestic violence applications, inquests, traffic law and parole, and lists a 24 hour emergency line.

Potts Lawyers
Level 6, Santos Place, 32 Turbot Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Tel: (07) 3221 4999

Potts Lawyers has its Brisbane office in Santos Place on Turbot Street. The firm appears in the Brisbane Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts and travels to courts across Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Its criminal work covers traffic and drink driving, drug, sex, violence and weapons offences, domestic violence matters, fraud and white collar crime. Advice is offered to people being questioned at Brisbane police stations, and the firm says most matters are charged on a fixed fee.
Claim this listing

Guest Lawyers
Level 1, 331 George Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Tel: (07) 3211 3007

Guest Lawyers works from George Street in the Brisbane CBD and acts for people charged with summary, indictable and regulatory offences. Matters include drug, assault, property, domestic violence and sexual offences, murder and manslaughter plus fraud and corporate crime. The team also handles bail applications, appeals, coronial inquests, confiscation matters and parole reviews, and has a separate traffic law practice covering drink and dangerous driving and work licences. First consultations can include prison visits.
Claim this listing

Fisher Dore Lawyers
Level 8, 420 George Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Tel: (07) 3236 1800

Fisher Dore Lawyers has its main office on George Street in Brisbane, with further offices in Mackay and Cairns. The Brisbane office handles criminal and compensation matters for clients across Queensland. Pages on its site cover drug, sexual, assault and weapons offences, domestic violence, drink driving and traffic matters, fraud and corporate crime, Commonwealth and customs offences, murder and manslaughter, criminal appeals and parole. A free call line is listed as open around the clock.
Claim this listing

Hannay Criminal Defence
388 Brunswick Street
Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Tel: (07) 3063 9799

Working from Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley, Hannay Criminal Defence focuses on criminal and traffic law. Its lawyers appear in Queensland’s Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts, with work running from committal hearings through to trials and appeals. Matters include drug, assault, fraud, sexual and domestic violence offences, break and enter, murder and manslaughter, drink driving and disciplinary law. The firm also has an office in Southport on the Gold Coast, and its site explains drug diversion programs.
Claim this listing

Hall Payne Lawyers
Ground Floor, 27 Peel Street
South Brisbane QLD 4101
Tel: (07) 3017 2400

Hall Payne Lawyers is a South Brisbane firm whose practice also includes employment, injury and union work. Its criminal law team handles traffic offences such as drink and drug driving and dangerous driving, domestic violence orders and breaches, drug charges, fraud and dishonesty plus theft and property damage. Lawyers give early advice after a charge, negotiate with police and prosecutors, and look for alternatives to jail where they may be available. Applications for restricted work licences are also handled.
Claim this listing

Help on your first court date

Legal Aid Queensland says a free duty lawyer is available at most Magistrates Courts in Queensland. The duty lawyer may help with a simple guilty plea, an adjournment or a bail application, but only acts for you on the day you are in court.

Some matters fall outside what the duty lawyer can do, including trials and committal hearings, so ongoing help may need to come from Legal Aid or a private lawyer. If a matter is complicated, the duty lawyer may suggest an adjournment so you can get further advice.

What to ask a criminal lawyer

Fees vary with the type of charge and how far the matter goes. Some Brisbane firms offer fixed fees for set stages, while others charge by the hour, so ask for the likely costs in writing before you commit. It also helps to ask who will appear for you in court, and whether a barrister may be briefed for a trial.

Bring your bail papers and any police documents to the first meeting. The more the lawyer can read early, the clearer their advice is likely to be.

Other practice areas in Brisbane

Looking outside Brisbane? Browse criminal lawyers in other cities.