The firm offers a confidential consultation. Terms and fee structure aren't stated on its site. It says it can help with after hours emergencies.
Office
2/124 Margaret Street, Toowoomba City QLD 4350
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Bouchier Khan is a criminal defence practice built around Nathan Bouchier, a Queensland Law Society accredited specialist in criminal law who moved to Toowoomba in 2006 and opened his own firm here in 2010. The firm says it is in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court every day and takes bigger trials to the District and Supreme Courts. It also covers the Darling Downs and South West. It suits anyone facing a serious charge who wants a specialist from the start. The site offers a confidential consultation but doesn't spell out the terms.
Founded in 2010
Also worth knowing
It also has offices in Brisbane and Ipswich, opened in Ipswich in 2012.
Fixed fee quote at the start of a case. Legal aid funding accepted for eligible clients. The firm says a lawyer is available 24/7 for urgent matters, including advice before a police interview.
Office
120 Herries Street, East Toowoomba QLD 4350
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Skuse Graham is a criminal defence firm run by managing partners Brad Skuse and Claire Graham, with offices in Toowoomba, Dalby and Warwick. Brad has worked around the courts since 1987 and, the firm says, spent a couple of years as a magistrate before moving into private practice. Claire has done nothing but criminal defence since her admission in 2011. The firm gives a fixed fee quote at the start, takes legal aid clients and says a lawyer is on call around the clock. It suits Downs locals who want a dedicated crime team close to home.
Also worth knowing
It quotes a fixed fee at the start and accepts legal aid clients.
Free, confidential initial consultation with a fixed quote. Fixed fees for many court appearances, estimates for complex matters, and payment plans. The firm says it replies to enquiries within 24 hours and takes urgent calls 24/7.
Office
104 Margaret Street, East Toowoomba QLD 4350
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
McConnell & Saldumbide is a boutique Toowoomba defence firm run by directors Joe McConnell and Chelsea Saldumbide, who the firm says have worked only in criminal and traffic law for their whole careers. It was set up to defend people prosecuted by the State, not to run as a general practice. The firm says it caps its caseload and focuses on outcomes over volume. It suits drink driving, licence and assault clients through to serious charges. The first consultation is free and comes with a fixed quote.
Also worth knowing
It services Oakey, Dalby, Warwick, Stanthorpe, Goondiwindi, Chinchilla, St George and Roma from Toowoomba.
Free 20 minute initial consultation. The firm can help you apply for Legal Aid Queensland funding and offers flexible payment options if you aren't eligible.
Office
436 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba City QLD 4350
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
MacDonald Law is a Toowoomba litigation firm with a busy criminal team led by directors Jag MacDonald and Ryan McCullough. The firm says its lawyers are in court almost every day, and Jag's profile lists Court of Appeal and Crime and Corruption Commission work. It handles everything from traffic charges to drug trafficking and murder, and pairs crime with domestic violence and family law. It suits clients with overlapping criminal and family issues. The first 20 minute consultation is free and it can help with Legal Aid applications.
Also worth knowing
It handles Supreme Court bail applications and committals to the District and Supreme Courts.
Lawyers
Jag MacDonald, Legal Practitioner Director
Ryan McCullough, Director
Tegan Crighton, Associate Solicitor
Kate McIntyre, Solicitor
Lauren Warburton, Solicitor
Areas of criminal law handled
Assault and violence offences
Domestic violence and DVO breaches
Sexual offences
Drug offences
Fraud and dishonesty offences
Drink and drug driving
Dangerous driving and evading police
Work and special hardship licence applications
Supreme Court bail applications
Watch house and police interview advice
Crime and Corruption Commission matters
Coronial inquests
Office
436 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba City QLD 4350
Other details
Other offices
Brisbane (239 George Street) and Gold Coast (50 Cavill Avenue)
Not stated on the firm's website. The firm runs a 24/7 crime hotline.
Office
1/1B Kitchener Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Creevey Horrell, formerly Creevey Russell, is a Toowoomba founded firm with six Queensland offices and a crime and regulatory team. The team covers criminal, traffic and corporate matters, from bail through to trials, appeals and coronial inquests. The firm has joined forces with McGinness & Associates to add crime depth and runs a 24/7 crime hotline. It suits regional clients who want a larger firm with offices out west. The site doesn't publish consultation terms, so ask when you call.
Also worth knowing
It has offices in Toowoomba, Brisbane, Roma, Chinchilla, Townsville and Mount Isa.
Lawyers
The homepage lists team members without roles, so ask who will handle your matter.
Dan Creevey, Co-principal
Daniel Creevey, Solicitor, criminal law team (as at 2022)
Areas of criminal law handled
Criminal defence
Bail applications
Trials
Appeals
Coronial inquests
Drug offences
Traffic offences
Domestic violence
Corporate and regulatory prosecutions
Crime and misconduct matters
Office
1/1B Kitchener Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350
Other details
Other offices
Brisbane, Townsville, Roma, Chinchilla and Mount Isa
You can book a consultation through the site. Terms and fee structure aren't stated. The firm doesn't do Legal Aid work.
Office
"Kensington" 126 Russell Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Hede Byrne & Hall is a Toowoomba full service firm founded in 1981, with offices in Roma and Warwick. Criminal and traffic work sits alongside its property, family and estates practices. Special counsel Bonnie O'Brien brings a background with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and duty lawyer work. The firm covers drink driving, heavy vehicle and licence matters as well as drug, assault and fraud charges. It suits regional clients who want a long established local firm. It does not take Legal Aid work.
Founded in 1981
Also worth knowing
It appears in the Toowoomba Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts.
Lawyers
Bonnie O'Brien is based in Warwick but supports Toowoomba clients.
Bonnie O'Brien, Special Counsel and Head of Legal, Warwick
Shanelle Harragon, Lawyer
Areas of criminal law handled
Drink and drug driving
Heavy vehicle, logbook and fatigue offences
Work and special hardship licence applications
Drug offences
Assault and weapons offences
Fraud and dishonesty offences
Sexual offences
Domestic violence applications and breaches
Bail applications
Police interviews and search warrants
Trials, sentences and appeals
Office
"Kensington" 126 Russell Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350
Not stated on the firm's website. Appointments can be booked online.
Office
126 Campbell Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Ferrier & Co is a small regional practice that started in Roma in 1991 and opened a Toowoomba office in 2015. Director Trevor May owns the firm and lists criminal and traffic law among his areas, next to rural, succession and property work. The criminal page covers traffic and drink driving through to drug, sexual and homicide charges, though it doesn't name a dedicated crime team. It suits clients with ties to the Maranoa who already use the firm. Consultation terms aren't published.
Founded in 1991
Also worth knowing
It has offices in Toowoomba and Roma.
Lawyers
Trevor May is the only lawyer named on the firm's site.
Toowoomba consultations by appointment. Terms and fee structure aren't stated on the firm's site.
Office
Suite 159, 58-62 Water Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Mark Stone Solicitors is a small practice led by Mark Stone, who has practised since 2004 and sees Toowoomba clients by appointment at a Water Street suite. The firm's Toowoomba page covers drink driving and licence matters through to assault, drug, weapons and sexual charges, plus Commonwealth offences. It also does probate work. It suits people who want a named principal handling their file and don't mind booking ahead. Consultation terms aren't published.
Also worth knowing
It also lists a Brisbane office at Waterfront Place.
Lawyers
The site doesn't name any other lawyers.
Mark Stone, Principal
Areas of criminal law handled
Drink and drug driving
Traffic offences
Work and special hardship licences
Assault
Domestic violence
Drug offences
Weapons offences
Sexual offences
Robbery
Commonwealth offences
Office
Suite 159, 58-62 Water Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350
Other details
Other offices
Brisbane (Waterfront Place, 1 Eagle Street); also lists Dalby, Roma, Tara and Ipswich
The firm advertises value based fees. First consultation terms aren't stated.
Office
Suite 1/297 Margaret Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Aden Lawyers is a Toowoomba general practice known mainly for conveyancing, commercial and construction work, and it now incorporates Greenhow & Yeates. Criminal and traffic matters are one of its service areas. The firm says it handles bail, case conferencing with police prosecutors, defended hearings and sentencing, and briefs counsel for District and Supreme Court matters. It also does work and special hardship licences. It suits existing clients with a one off traffic or minor charge. The firm advertises value based fees.
Also worth knowing
It handles work licence and special hardship applications.
Lawyers
The site doesn't name a lawyer for criminal work; director David Riwoe's profile lists commercial, employment and property work.
Firm details come from each firm's own website and the Queensland Law Society register. Google ratings are shown as published on Google and don't set the order. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Not sure which firm suits you?
Tell us a little about your matter and we'll put you in touch with a Toowoomba criminal lawyer. It's free and there's no obligation.
How we compiled this list
We include firms with a Toowoomba office that do criminal defence as a main part of their work. Some are criminal law practices, and some are general or full service firms with a criminal practice, which we note in the write-up. For each firm we read its own website in October 2026 and wrote the description ourselves. Where a firm says a lawyer is a Queensland Law Society accredited specialist, we say so, and you can check the QLS register. We list nine firms rather than ten because we'd rather show fewer firms we've checked than pad the list. Free consultations and fee terms are as the firm describes them, so confirm them when you call. We show Google ratings with the date we checked them.
No firm pays for its place on this list, and the order is our own. We write the descriptions ourselves. If something here is out of date, let us know. There's more detail on how we rank law firms.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws and programs are as published by the Queensland Government, Queensland Courts and Legal Aid Queensland in October 2026.
Where Toowoomba criminal charges are heard
Almost every criminal case starts in the Magistrates Court. In Toowoomba that's the courthouse at 159 Hume Street, phone (07) 4591 4700. The registry is open 8:30am to 4:30pm on Mondays and Wednesday to Friday, and 8:30am to 4pm on Tuesdays. The District Court and the Supreme Court both hold criminal sittings in Toowoomba, so most serious charges committed from the Magistrates Court are dealt with here. Queensland Courts lists Toowoomba as a District Court circuit office.
Type of matter
Where and when it's dealt with
Arrests and remands
Magistrates Court, 9am, Monday to Friday except public holidays
Summary offences and most property offences, such as stealing and fraud
Magistrates Court. Hearings and long pleas are listed at 9am on Mondays and Tuesdays, and on other days only in consultation with the presiding magistrate. Trial reviews are at 2pm. For some charges you can choose to go to a higher court
Serious indictable charges
Committed to the District Court or Supreme Court, which both hold criminal sittings in Toowoomba. At a committal, the magistrate decides whether there's enough evidence for the case to go to trial
Domestic violence criminal charges
Toowoomba isn't one of Queensland's specialist domestic and family violence courts, so these charges go through the ordinary Magistrates Court lists
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants
Murri Court, a less formal, culturally appropriate sentencing court. In Toowoomba its callover is at 9am for adults and 11am for young people, on set dates
Charges against under 18s
Youth Justice callover every Thursday at 9am, with long pleas on set dates. The Childrens Court of Queensland sits with District Court judges
Young people: the Youth Justice list and adult penalties
Children's criminal matters in Toowoomba have their own list. The Youth Justice callover is every Thursday at 9am, and Murri Court has a separate youth callover at 11am. Legal Aid Queensland lists the Toowoomba Magistrates and Childrens Court among its criminal duty lawyer courts. For advice before the court date, call the youth legal advice hotline on 1800 527 527.
The state's youth crime laws apply in Toowoomba as they do everywhere else in Queensland:
Adult Crime, Adult Time: since 13 December 2024, children sentenced for listed serious offences face the same penalties as adults, up to the adult maximum, and mandatory adult penalties apply too. For murder that means mandatory life detention, with at least 20 years before parole
A longer list: it started with 13 offences, including murder, grievous bodily harm, robbery, burglary and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. It has been extended three times, in May 2025, March 2026 and April 2026, and now covers more than 40 offences, including drug trafficking, rape, arson and strangulation in a domestic setting
Sentencing: courts sentencing any child must give primary regard to the impact on the victim, and no longer treat detention as a last resort
Electronic monitoring: since 30 April 2026, a court anywhere in Queensland can make electronic monitoring a bail condition for a child if it decides it's appropriate after a suitability assessment, and the services needed to support it are available where the child lives
Bail for children is dealt with under the Youth Justice Act. The Breach Bail, Go to Jail bill, which had not passed when we checked on 24 October 2026, would cover children as well as adults: for a child, committing an Adult Crime, Adult Time offence while on bail would carry at least 12 months in youth detention, and police and courts would face a tougher bail test. The bail section below has the detail. The rules that apply depend on when the offence happened, so if your child has been charged, get advice early.
Arrest, police questioning and bail
You have the right to stay silent. You only have to give your name and address when police are entitled to ask, for example if they suspect you of an offence. Police must caution you before questioning. Before they question you about an indictable offence, they must tell you that you can contact a lawyer and a friend or relative, and give you a reasonable time to do it. Your lawyer can be present during the interview. Police can generally hold you for up to 8 hours to question you about an indictable offence, with no more than 4 hours of actual questioning, unless police get a magistrate to extend it. Extra protections apply to children and to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The bail rules below are the adult rules in the Bail Act. A court must grant bail unless there's an unacceptable risk you would fail to appear, commit another offence, endanger someone's safety or interfere with witnesses. It looks at the seriousness of the charge, your background, your bail history and how strong the evidence is. For some charges you must show cause why you shouldn't be held, including:
an indictable offence allegedly committed while you were already on bail or awaiting trial for another indictable offence
an indictable offence involving a firearm, offensive weapon or explosive
an offence against the Bail Act, such as failing to appear in court
serious domestic violence offences, such as strangulation or a violent breach of a protection order
Where a conviction would mean mandatory life imprisonment, only the Supreme Court can grant bail. If you're refused bail, you can apply again if your circumstances change, or apply to a higher court.
The Breach Bail, Go to Jail bill. This is a government bill, not yet law. It was introduced on 27 August 2026 and was still before Parliament when we checked on 24 October 2026. It would apply to adults and children. It would create a new offence of committing a listed serious offence while on bail, with a mandatory minimum of 12 months, served wholly in custody, and a maximum of 3 years. For children, the listed offences are the Adult Crime, Adult Time offences, and the 12 month minimum would be served in a youth detention centre. It would also make bail harder to get for anyone charged with one of those offences while on bail: police and courts would have to refuse bail unless satisfied to a high degree of confidence that the person won't commit another listed offence on bail. As introduced, it would start on 30 November 2026. The new offence would apply only where bail is granted on or after that date. The tougher bail test would apply to listed offences committed after that date, whenever the first bail was granted.
Domestic violence charges in Toowoomba
Toowoomba isn't one of Queensland's specialist domestic and family violence courts, so DV charges go through the ordinary Magistrates Court lists. Protection order applications are listed every Wednesday at 9am. Legal Aid Queensland's domestic violence duty lawyer is at Toowoomba on Wednesdays to help people applying for or responding to a protection order. That service helps with protection order applications. If you've also been charged with an offence, such as breaching an order, get criminal law advice early.
Coercive control: a criminal offence in Queensland from 26 May 2025, with a maximum of 14 years in prison. It covers an adult who uses domestic violence on more than one occasion against someone they're in a domestic relationship with, including a former partner, intending to coerce or control them, where that conduct is reasonably likely to cause them harm
Bail: serious domestic violence offences, such as strangulation or a violent breach of a protection order, are show cause offences
Young people: choking, suffocation or strangulation in a domestic setting is on the Adult Crime, Adult Time list
If you're in danger, call 000. DVConnect Womensline is on 1800 811 811 and 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, both 24 hours. DVConnect Mensline is 1800 600 636, 9am to midnight.
Drug charges and avoiding a conviction
If police find a small amount of drugs they believe is for your own use, police must offer an eligible person a drug diversion instead of a charge. Under 18s have the same eligibility, though police can use a caution or another youth justice option instead. You get up to three chances in your lifetime: a warning, then an assessment program, then a final assessment program. Each one is used up once it's offered, even if you say no. You're not eligible if there's a related indictable charge, or if you've ever been jailed for supplying, trafficking or producing drugs. Parliament has passed laws replacing this scheme with a single diversion chance, plus on-the-spot fines for minor drug offences other than cannabis. When we checked on 24 October 2026 those changes had not started, so check with a lawyer or the Legal Aid drug diversion line.
Drug
Diversion limit
Cannabis
50 grams
MDMA
4 pills
LSD
3 tabs
Ketamine
0.2 grams
Most other illicit drugs, such as cocaine, heroin and methylamphetamine
1 gram
If you've been charged and plead guilty to a minor drug offence in court, the Illicit Drugs Court Diversion Program may still let you avoid a conviction. The Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court sits only in Brisbane, and you have to live, or intend to live, in the Brisbane Magistrates Court district to take part. Court Link, the bail based support program for people with drug, alcohol, mental health or housing problems, isn't one of the programs run at Toowoomba.
For many first offences, the big question is whether a conviction will be recorded. The court can decide not to record one, looking at the nature of the offence, your character and age, and the effect a conviction would have on your job prospects and wellbeing. An unrecorded conviction isn't treated as a conviction for most purposes. A recorded conviction can stop showing on most checks after a rehabilitation period, as long as you weren't sentenced to more than 30 months' imprisonment, even if the sentence was suspended. The period runs from the date the conviction is recorded, or until any court order is satisfied if that's later. A new conviction during the period can restart the clock.
Conviction
Rehabilitation period
Adult convicted on indictment (a higher court)
10 years
Any other conviction, including all convictions as a child
5 years
Some jobs, such as working with children or in the law, still require you to disclose older convictions.
Free and low cost criminal law help in Toowoomba
Legal Aid Queensland: 1300 65 11 88, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Its Toowoomba office is on the 1st floor, 154 Hume Street, (07) 4591 8200, open the same hours. The youth legal advice hotline, for under 18s or anyone with a Childrens Court matter, is 1800 527 527
Duty lawyers: Legal Aid Queensland lists the Toowoomba Magistrates and Childrens Court among its criminal duty lawyer courts, along with nearby courts at Chinchilla, Dalby, Goondiwindi, Inglewood, Millmerran, Oakey, Pittsworth, Stanthorpe and Warwick. On your court day they help with bail, adjournments and less complex guilty pleas, but not trials, committals, complex sentence hearings, domestic violence matters or traffic offences such as speeding, and not a first or second drink or drug driving charge unless jail is likely. Arrive early and ask court staff
Drug diversion advice line: Legal Aid Queensland, 1300 004 924 (over 18s, Monday to Thursday, 8am to 5pm)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service: 135 Margaret Street, Toowoomba, (07) 4659 7822, for criminal, family and civil law. Its Goondiwindi office is a satellite office for criminal law. Its free line 1800 012 255 takes general enquiries during business hours, and after hours is a custody notification service for new arrests only
TASC Legal Services: (07) 4616 9700, for adults on low to middle incomes, or in financial hardship, in Toowoomba, the Darling Downs and south west Queensland. It checks whether you're eligible during the first intake call. TASC says it may be able to help with some minor criminal matters in a limited way, but it doesn't represent people in criminal matters except in exceptional circumstances
To check a lawyer is practising, or to find an accredited criminal law specialist, search the Queensland Law Society register of solicitors.
Toowoomba criminal law: common questions
Do I need a lawyer for my first court date in Toowoomba?
Not always, but get advice before it. A duty lawyer at the Toowoomba Magistrates Court can help on the day with bail, an adjournment or a simple guilty plea, and Legal Aid Queensland can tell you if you qualify for a grant of aid. For anything that might mean jail, a lost licence or a recorded conviction, it's worth having a lawyer from the start.
What happens if I'm arrested and held in custody in Toowoomba?
Adults are usually brought before the Magistrates Court at 159 Hume Street, which hears arrests and remands at 9am, Monday to Friday except public holidays. Under 18s' matters go to the court's Youth Justice list, which has a callover every Thursday at 9am. If police refuse bail, they must take the person, adult or child, to court as soon as reasonably possible. Ask for a lawyer as soon as you can. For an indictable offence, police must give you a reasonable chance to contact one before questioning.
My child has been charged in Toowoomba. What should I do?
Get advice quickly. Legal Aid Queensland's youth legal advice hotline is 1800 527 527. Toowoomba's Youth Justice callover is every Thursday at 9am, and Legal Aid lists the Toowoomba Childrens Court among its duty lawyer courts. Since 13 December 2024, children sentenced for listed serious offences face the same penalties as adults, and the list now covers more than 40 offences. The Breach Bail, Go to Jail bill, not passed when we checked on 24 October 2026, would also apply to children charged with an Adult Crime, Adult Time offence while on bail. The rules that apply depend on when the offence happened.
What is the Breach Bail, Go to Jail bill?
A Queensland government bill, not yet law. It was introduced on 27 August 2026 and was still before Parliament on 24 October 2026. It would apply to adults and children. It would make committing a listed serious offence while on bail a separate offence with a mandatory minimum of 12 months in custody, or in youth detention for a child, where for children the listed offences are the Adult Crime, Adult Time offences. Police and courts would also face a tougher bail test for anyone charged with a listed offence committed while on bail. As introduced, it would start on 30 November 2026. The new offence would apply only where bail is granted on or after that date, and the tougher bail test to listed offences committed after that date.
Is there a drug court in Toowoomba?
No. The Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court sits in Brisbane, and you have to live, or intend to live, in the Brisbane Magistrates Court district to take part. Court Link, the bail based support program, doesn't run at Toowoomba either. For small amounts of drugs, police diversion or the Illicit Drugs Court Diversion Program may let you avoid a conviction.
What is an accredited criminal law specialist?
A solicitor accredited in criminal law by the Queensland Law Society. To keep it, they must spend at least 25 per cent of a full-time practice load in criminal law and complete 15 CPD points a year, at least 10 of them in criminal law. It isn't required to practise, but it's a good sign of depth. You can search for one on the QLS register of solicitors.
Do I have to answer police questions?
No. You only have to give your name and address when police are entitled to ask, for example if they suspect you of an offence. You can say you want to speak to a lawyer first, and your lawyer can be with you during the interview.
General information only, not legal advice.
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