Criminal Defence Lawyers in Darwin NT

Criminal Lawyers in Darwin

Criminal cases in Darwin are heard in the Local Court or the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. According to the NT Government, which court hears a case depends on the nature and seriousness of the offence. Several firms below act in both courts, from bail applications through to trials and appeals.

Some local firms run hearings themselves, while others brief barristers for trials. A few take urgent calls after hours, which can matter if someone has just been arrested. Getting advice before a police interview, or at least before the first court date, gives a lawyer more time to look at the charge and the options available. Several firms below also handle urgent bail applications.

Ward Keller
Level 7, Northern Territory House, 22 Mitchell Street
Darwin NT 0800
Tel: (08) 8946 2999

Criminal lawyers at Ward Keller work from the firm’s Darwin and Alice Springs offices and appear in the Local Court, the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory and the Court of Criminal Appeal. The firm acts for individuals and companies on sexual offences (including historic allegations), assault and serious harm, drug possession and supply, and property offences such as burglary and robbery. It also handles fraud, regulatory and tax prosecutions, drink and drug driving, and DVO applications and breaches, and briefs barristers when needed.

Maleys Barristers & Solicitors
17 Cavenagh Street
Darwin NT 0800
Tel: (08) 8981 2266

Maleys Barristers & Solicitors defends clients across Darwin and the Territory, from police interview through to trial and appeals. Its criminal work covers assault and violent offences, domestic violence and DVOs, sexual assault, drug offences, fraud, robbery and burglary, as well as youth justice. The firm appears in the Darwin Local Court and the NT Supreme Court and handles bail applications, mentions, committal proceedings and sentencing. Its office is on Cavenagh Street, and it also practises family law and conveyancing.
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Robert Welfare & Associates Lawyers
Metro Arcade, 30/21 Cavenagh Street
Darwin NT 0800
Tel: (08) 8941 8995

Based in the Metro Arcade on Cavenagh Street, Robert Welfare & Associates handles criminal matters from traffic and bail offences through to murder. The practice covers assault and affray, sexual offences, drug importation, trafficking and supply, and breaches of DVOs, bail or suspended sentences. It also defends drink, drug and dangerous driving charges, fraud, theft and robbery, and weapons and firearms offences. The team takes urgent calls from 8am to 10pm, and also helps with domestic and personal violence restraining orders.
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Jude Lawyers
Ground Floor, 9-11 Cavenagh Street
Darwin NT 0800
Tel: (08) 8941 8229

Jude Lawyers defends charges across Commonwealth and Northern Territory criminal law. The Cavenagh Street practice covers traffic, drug, violent, sexual, property and fraud offences, along with matters that have an international side. It also makes urgent bail applications, including after hours applications by phone to a magistrate. The firm practises commercial, family, migration and injury law as well, and its lawyers speak English, Mandarin, Hindi, Tagalog and Bisaya.
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Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers
1/21 Cavenagh Street
Darwin NT 0800
Tel: (08) 7929 1000

Tindall Gask Bentley’s Darwin criminal team appears in courts and tribunals across Darwin and the Territory. Its work includes road traffic charges such as drink driving, prescribed blood alcohol and drug driving, along with general criminal allegations. The firm also represents people in inquiries and investigations, including coronial inquests and royal commissions, and in disciplinary and professional misconduct matters. Advice on dealing with police before charges are finalised is part of the service, and the Darwin office is on Cavenagh Street.
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Armstrong Legal
Ground Floor, 22 Harry Chan Avenue
Darwin NT 0800
Tel: 1300 038 223

Armstrong Legal is a national firm with a Darwin office on Harry Chan Avenue. Its criminal lawyers attend the Local Court and the Supreme Court, making bail applications in the Local Court and bail appeals to the Supreme Court. Matters handled include assault, sexual offences, drink driving, drug offences, fraud, domestic violence charges and traffic offences. The firm gives advice before police interviews and forensic procedures, offers cost estimates at the first conference and answers criminal calls 24 hours a day. It does not currently take Legal Aid work.
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Legal Aid and free advice

Legal Aid NT provides legal advice and representation for people who have to go to court for a criminal case. Its Helpline is a free, confidential service. People can call it to make an appointment. Legal Aid NT also runs a service for people who have to go to the Darwin Local Court to respond to a domestic violence order.

Private firms work differently. Some accept Legal Aid matters and some do not, so ask about this at the first contact if cost is a concern.

Questions to ask a criminal lawyer

Ask who will appear for you in court and whether the firm plans to brief a barrister if the matter goes to trial. An estimate of costs for each stage, such as the plea, a hearing or an appeal, makes it easier to plan.

Bring the charge sheet, any bail papers and the court date to the first meeting. Write down what happened while it is fresh, and avoid discussing the case with others. Appeals often have strict time limits, so get advice quickly if you are unhappy with a result.