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THE BEST LAWYERS
The 10 Best
Criminal Lawyer In Melbourne
We Have Listed The Top 10 Criminal Lawyers In Melbourne To Help You Choose The Best Professional Criminal Lawyer For Your Needs.
Doogue + George
Doogue + George is Melbourne’s leading specialist criminal law firm, with the highest number of Accredited Criminal Specialists of any Victorian criminal law firm.
Our lawyers are expert criminal defence lawyers who understand the law and specialise in representing clients charged with criminal offences on pleas of guilty and not guilty.
Doogue + George criminal lawyers understand that a criminal charge can have a significant impact on a person’s life, personally and professionally. The most important part of a person’s defence is having a strategy in place to defend or mitigate our client’s penalties. Doogue + George lawyers prepare your defence strategy and will pursue this effectively in court. Doogue + George lawyers provide their clients with pragmatic advice and clear communication throughout the process.
Our experience includes defending clients in hundreds of successful jury trials and thousands of matters before all courts in Victoria. These matters range from very serious to minor, each case is as important to our lawyers as it is to each individual client, and we are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for all.
Doogue + George is listed as a Top Tier Law Firm in the Doyle’s Guide and annually represented by our outstanding lawyers in the rankings of Preeminent, Leading and Recommended Lawyers for Criminal Lawyers in Victoria.
Contact Doogue + George on (03) 9670 5111 to discuss your matter and how we can help you achieve the best outcome.
CLICK TO CONTACT DOOGUE + GEORGE NOW!


Pica Criminal Lawyers
Accredited Criminal Lawyer Specialist
The principal of the firm – Steven Pica is an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist. He was admitted to practice in 1983 and has practised both as a solicitor and barrister in the State of Victoria as well as interstate.
Steven has acted in numerous high profile cases and has a commitment to providing the best legal service available. He has acted on behalf of clients in all Courts, ranging from the Children’s Court to the High Court of Australia.
Our firm offers a 24 hour/7 day emergency service for those in urgent need of legal assistance. Your first conference with our Lawyers is obligation free.
Our firm further offers potential clients an opportunity to meet with the solicitor handling their matter ‘in person’ for an obligation-free first meeting. This allows all prospective clients to discuss their matters so that they have a better understanding of their case, without incurring any legal fees, whether or not that prospective client decides to engage our legal services.
Pica Criminal Lawyers is on the Victoria Legal Aid Panel for matters in all Courts. Should a prospective client require assistance from Victoria Legal Aid, our firm has the capacity to process and expedite the required documentation for a grant of legal aid, subject to the client meeting Victoria Legal Aid’s guidelines for funded assistance.
Contact – Pica Criminal Lawyers

Pentana Stanton Lawyers
Pentana Stanton Lawyers is a full-service law firm with departments in Family Law, Commercial Litigation and Criminal Law. Their criminal lawyers and defence team are highly skilled in defending their clients for all types of criminal matters, including:
- Property Damage.
- Drunk and/or disorderly behaviour,
- Sexual offences,
- Offensive behaviour,
- Assault charges,
- Indecent assault,
- Drug trafficking offences,
- Aggravated burglary,
- Rape and other sexual offences,
- Manslaughter,
- Murder, and
- Other matters.
The leading law firm has two primary practices located in Melbourne CBD and Dandenong. Their team of lawyers and solicitor-advocates embody a practical and empathetic approach and works hard to achieve swift and favourable outcomes for their clients. Their solicitors work with all of their clients to make their voices heard in bail applications, sentencing hearings, jury trials and appeals.
Contact Pentana Stanton Lawyers Today
Melbourne CBD Address: Level 3, 552 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Dandenong Address: Suite 9 (Level 1) 50-54 Robinson Street, Dandenong VIC 3175
Phone: (03) 900 22 800
Email: [email protected]
Website: pentanastanton.com.au
Contact – Pentana Stanton Lawyers

MK Law
Michael Kuzilny is a Barrister & Solicitor who is widely acknowledged to be an expert in the defence and representation of all criminal law cases in Victoria. He is one of Melbourne’s leading criminal lawyers who has been dealing with criminal law and police charges since 1986. Michael has a genuine passion to help You through the tough times and give you peace of mind again! If you have been charged with a criminal offence, forgive yourself, take action and move on. You had something to learn from the experience!
Michael Kuzilny has a Bachelor of Laws with Honours, and is a member of the Law Institute’s Criminal law section. He has also completed the Victoria Police Prosecutor’s Course in 1989, and has completed tertiary studies in white collar crime. All this and more gives him a leading edge in Victoria’s Criminal law system.
Michael appears in the childrens’ Courts, all Magistrates’ Courts of Victoria, and the County Court Victoria. His wealth of experience in this area of the law will be used to personally ensure you receive the best advice and the best possible outcome to your case.
MK LAWS’ RATE IN CRIMINAL LAW CASES IS HUGE in avoiding jail terms, avoiding criminal records being recorded, and achieving outcomes concentrating on rehabilitation.
Having an experienced and courageous criminal lawyer on your side is the best defence. It is the only way to help you achieve the best possible results when facing criminal charges.
As an experienced Melbourne criminal lawyer, Michael can only take on a limited number of clients at any given time. For those he chooses to represent, he will give you fearless and courageous court representation.
Michael understands that good people can make mistakes and has a genuine passion to help people through tough times. He provides caring and powerful court representation at a very reasonable cost. MK LAW also have a flat fee and discounted fees for pensioners, students and unemployed.

Emma Turnbull Lawyers
Emma Turnbull lawyers are Victoria’s award-winning leading criminal law specialists.
We pride ourselves on our team of young, dedicated and highly experienced solicitors who can assist you in defending yourself in the justice system.
We understand that for most people being interviewed by police and being charged with a criminal offence is their first interaction with the criminal justice system. The experience is inevitably distressing, confusing and for those remanded in custody for the first time, a life changing one. Knowing where to go, what to do, what to say, what not to say are all critical decisions that can impact on the direction your case takes.
We are here to help.
If you have not yet been charged or interviewed by police, we can assist you in attempting to avoid criminal charges from arising. Our expert legal advice and involvement at an early stage has assisted countless clients to avoid a simple misunderstanding or civil dispute becoming a criminal investigation.
If you suspect you need a lawyer – you do need a lawyer.
Our accredited criminal law specialist lawyers appear in all matters in the Criminal Justice System, including:
- Pre-interview advice
- Bail applications for all criminal charges
- Plea hearings for all criminal charges and quasi-criminal charges
- Jury trials
- Contested hearings
- Breach proceedings
- Royal Commission Inquiries
- Appeals
- Intervention Order proceedings
- Compulsory examinations at the Australian Crime Commission, Office of Chief Examiner and Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission
- Children’s Court proceedings for criminal charges
Criminal Law is a results-based business and we let our results speak for themselves. Our office has been included in Doyles Leading Criminal Law Firms list annually since our first inclusion in 2015. We are winner of the Criminal Law Firm of the Year ACQ Award and Emma Turnbull is a current finalist in the Criminal Law Partner of the Year Award to be announced later in 2021.
We believe everyone has the right to receive specialist legal representation no matter their income, therefore we deal with both private clients and clients assisted through Victorian Legal Aid.
Contact – Emma Turnbull Lawyers

Papa Hughes Lawyers
PAPA HUGHES MELBOURNE CRIMINAL LAWYERS PROVIDES DEFENCE FOR ALL CRIMINAL CHARGES IN MELBOURNE.
Papa Hughes Lawyers is a client focussed Melbourne criminal defence law firm, and their priority is always to achieve the best possible result for their clients.
Principal lawyer, Andrew Papadimitropoulos, has been practicing as a criminal defence lawyer in Melbourne for twenty years and is an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist.
Papa Hughes Melbourne criminal lawyers are experienced in running complex trials in the Supreme Court of Victoria and County Court of Victoria, as well as regularly conducting bail applications, pleas and contested hearings in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and other Magistrates’ Courts throughout Victoria.
Papa Hughes criminal defence lawyers use their tactical skills, knowledge and experience as criminal lawyers to consistently achieve excellent results.
Strong connections with Melbourne criminal defence barristers and leading professional service providers in Melbourne ensures they are able to assemble the best possible team to defend your individual needs.
Papa Hughes Offer the below services:
- Trials
- Contested Hearings
- Bail Applications
- Guilty Pleas
- Supreme Court- Court of Appeal
- County Court Appeals
- Supreme Court matters
Papa Hughes practices in every aspect of criminal law and traffic offence matters, in all jurisdictions from the Magistrates’ Court to the Supreme Court.
From bail applications, pleas, trials and Court of Appeal matters, their aim is to ensure you get the best result possible.
From beginning to end, they apply a tactical approach to achieve every possible advantage.
They are on the summary and indictable panels of Victoria Legal Aid and can apply for funding on your behalf (subject to eligibility criteria).

Stary Norton Halphen
Stary Norton Halphen is one of the largest and most well-known criminal law firms in Victoria for a reason. The firm has 7 lawyers recognised by the Law Institute of Victoria with Specialist Accreditation. In 2022 the firm was recognised by Doyle’s Guide as one of the four leading criminal law firms in this state. For consecutive years our partners are listed in Doyle’s Guide as Preeminent, Leading and Recommended for Criminal Lawyers in Victoria. We have defended thousands of criminal matters across Australia.
Our collective experience sets us apart from other firms. We are advocates and solicitors driven by excellent outcomes for our clients. The size of our firm means that we are able to offer continuity of service without needing to outsource. Clients of Stary Norton Halphen benefit from the collective experience of the best criminal lawyers in the state.
We understand that in criminal defence good advocates should be courageous and principled. Lawyers in our team appear in every criminal court in Victoria, whether the case is privately funded or with assistance from Victoria Legal Aid. We are committed to offering accused persons a premium service while also ensuring money is no barrier to excellent representation.
If you’ve been charged or questioned in relation to a criminal offence, contact us immediately on (03) 8622 8200, or after hours on 0407 410 821.
Contact – Stary Norton Halphen

Garde Wilson Lawyers
Choosing the right criminal defence lawyer can be one of the most important decisions you ever make. Garde Wilson Lawyers is a national criminal law firm with offices in Melbourne and Gold Coast, providing unmatched legal defence and representation in all criminal and traffic law matters, including:
- Murder and manslaughter
- Drug possession and trafficking
- Assault
- Sex Offences
- Weapons and firearm offences
- Fraud and theft
- Drug and drunk driving
- Family violence
- Bail applications
- Appeals and pleas
- Spent conviction orders
Led by firm founder and principal, Zarah Garde-Wilson, our lawyers are singly focussed on offering expert defence for clients charged with criminal offences, with over 100 years combined criminal law experience and achieving successful outcomes in all courts throughout Australia. In our fight for fairness, we have played a pivotal role exposing the questionable tactics employed by police in obtaining convictions and take every prosecution to task on matters of evidence and conduct.
We possess accredited, specialist knowledge of all areas of criminal law, having successfully defended our clients’ rights at all levels within the criminal justice system. Garde Wilson Lawyers tenaciously protects our clients, upholding their legal rights while holding police, prosecutors and courts to account.
Our team is sensitive to the impact a criminal charge can have on your life. From first call through to courtroom appearance, we extend understanding and empathy, championing your wellbeing through one of life’s most stressful experiences.
In addition to highly skilled advocacy and sophisticated knowledge of the law, we provide clients with transparency and peace of mind. Our fixed service fee gives you the assurance that every effort is made to obtain the best possible outcome for you, while insuring there no unwelcome surprises at the conclusion of your matter.
We believe everyone deserves the best possible legal representation by a lawyer who genuinely cares about their case. To get a free facetime and phone consultation to find out where you stand, contact Garde Wilson Lawyers as soon as you believe you have been charged with an offence or believe you are under investigation on (03) 9098 8648.
Contact – Garde Wilson Lawyers

Armstrong Legal Melbourne
At Armstrong Legal, we have a team of lawyers that practice exclusively in criminal law. We have a concentrated expertise in criminal law that can only be obtained by representing clients in these matters on a daily basis.
Our team of criminal lawyers handle a wide range of criminal cases including assaults, sexual assaults, drug offences, thefts and fraud matters. This means that our lawyers have years of experience in bail applications, plea hearings, intervention orders, contested hearings and trials.
We understand that criminal charges can have serious consequences on all aspects of your life. Most people who seek our advice are charged with offences that carry severe penalties, and where a custodial sentence is a very real possibility. In these circumstances, you need a firm that specialises in criminal law to ensure that you receive the best outcome possible.
Armstrong Legal can offer you expert legal advice in all criminal matters. Our team includes two former Judge’s Associates and two former police prosecutors with experience in all court jurisdictions. This allows us to view your matter from every perspective.
At Armstrong Legal we will thoroughly analyse and prepare your case for court so that we achieve the best possible outcome for you. Going to court can be a confusing and overwhelming process and our lawyers will help guide you through your proceedings and keep you fully informed of your court dates and all developments in your case. Our lawyers know how to best present your case at court and constantly monitor each court appearance to continually improve our approach in the future.
Contact – Armstrong Legal Melbourne

Furstenberg Law
Furstenberg Law is a criminal law firm in Melbourne Victoria. It was founded by Avi Furstenberg, one of Melbourne’s most respected criminal defence lawyers. Avi leads a highly-skilled team who are dedicated to providing the best possible outcome for their clients. If you need an expert criminal lawyer, please call now for an appointment.
Their Melbourne criminal lawyers provide legal services for all criminal and traffic offences.
Services include:
- Assault
- Bail applications and appeals
- Contested hearings
- Court order breaches
- Domestic violence
- Drink driving
- Drug offences
- Drug trafficking
- Fraud
- Intervention orders
- Larceny
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Online offences
- Plea hearings
- Rape
- Sex offender register matters
- Sexual assault
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual offences
- Spent conviction orders
- Theft
- White-collar crime
- And more.
7 reasons why people are choosing Furstenberg Law:
- 24/7 emergency criminal defence services.
- All Victorian courts.
- Outstanding 5-star reviews.
- High-success rate.
- Experts in criminal and traffic law.
- Plain-English communication.
- Dedicated criminal defence services.
Need advice? Please call now to arrange an appointment.
Phone (03) 9131 2000
Office: Level 7/533 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Contact – Furstenberg Law
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The Best Lawyers in Australia.