Criminal lawyers in Adelaide
First, the 4 firms we picked in Adelaide, with the reason for each. Then every other firm in the area, so you can compare. Whether a firm suits your situation is something to check with the firm directly.
- Firms we picked
- 4
- Picks last checked
- 1 October 2026
How we pick
Every firm in our picks meets all four. Picks are not for sale.
- An office in the cityThe firm has an office in the city.
- A page for this area of lawIt has a dedicated page for this area of law on its own website.
- An active ABNIt has an active ABN, which we check on ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au).
- A merit signal we can citeIt has at least one merit signal we can point to: a Doyle's Guide listing for this area and state, a law society accredited specialist in this area, a Google rating of 4.5 or above from 50 or more reviews, or a notable reported case or recognised award.
What “our picks” means
These are our picks, which means our opinion, not a ranking and not a guarantee. We explain the reason for each pick and link to the evidence we used. Picks are not for sale. If a firm ever pays to be listed, it appears in a separate slot labelled Sponsored and is never counted among our picks.
Our picks
This is our opinion: firms that meet every criterion above. It is not a ranking, and the Google rating beside a firm is Google’s, not part of why we picked it.
Mangan Ey & Associates is a firm specialising in criminal and traffic law based in Adelaide. It serves courts throughout Adelaide and regional South Australia. The practice was formed in 1982.
What the firm says it handles
- Assault
- Drug offences
- Dishonesty offences
- Sexual offences
- Firearms offences
- Intervention orders
+2 moreShow fewer
- Drink driving
- Licence appeals
Why we picked it
An Adelaide criminal law firm, practising since 1982, that Doyle's Guide places in the First Tier for SA criminal defence.
- Office
- 118 Halifax Street, Adelaide
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Craig Caldicott Lawyers specialises in criminal defence and in defending claims under the Criminal Asset Confiscation Act. The firm appears in courts across South Australia and can appear in criminal courts across Australia.
What the firm says it handles
- Driving offences
- Arrest & bail
- Drug offences
- Assault & violence
- Sexual offences
- Fraud
Why we picked it
A boutique Adelaide criminal defence firm that Doyle's Guide places in the Second Tier for SA criminal defence.
- Office
- 139 Wright Street, Adelaide
- Fees, as the firm lists them
- Free first consultation · Fixed fees
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Jon Lister Barrister & Solicitor
AdelaideThe firm specialises in criminal, road traffic and criminal assets law in Adelaide. The practice appears in all criminal courts in South Australia and has been established for 40 years.
What the firm says it handles
- Criminal law
- Road traffic law
- Criminal assets confiscation
Why we picked it
A specialist Adelaide criminal, road traffic and criminal assets practice that Doyle's Guide places in the Second Tier for SA criminal defence.
- Office
- Level 1, 195 Victoria Square, Adelaide
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
D'Angelo Lawyers is a full-service law firm in Unley, Adelaide, located at 179 Goodwood Road, Millswood, South Australia. The firm provides family law, criminal law, wills and estates, and personal injury services. It states it has provided legal service since 1988.
What the firm says it handles
- Drug offences
- Offences against property
- Weapons offences
- Sexual offences
- Driving offences
- Bail applications
Why we picked it
A small Adelaide general practice with a dedicated criminal law page that Doyle's Guide lists as Recommended for SA criminal defence.
- Office
- 179 Goodwood Road, Millswood
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
If cost is the problem: free legal help
- Legal Services Commission of SA
State legal aid commission; free Legal Helpline, and help at court for people charged with offences.
1300 366 424
- Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement
Free legal help for Aboriginal people in South Australia, including criminal matters.
1800 643 222
All firms
Different city or area?
When you need a criminal lawyer
Situations where people commonly speak to a criminal lawyer:
- You have been charged with an offence or told you will be.
- Police have asked you to attend an interview.
- You have a court date for a criminal charge.
Questions about criminal lawyers in Adelaide
- How does Zoe pick criminal lawyers in Adelaide?
- Every firm in our picks meets all of these. The firm has an office in the city. It has a dedicated page for this area of law on its own website. It has an active ABN, which we check on ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au). It has at least one merit signal we can point to: a Doyle's Guide listing for this area and state, a law society accredited specialist in this area, a Google rating of 4.5 or above from 50 or more reviews, or a notable reported case or recognised award. These are our picks, which means our opinion, not a ranking and not a guarantee. We explain the reason for each pick and link to the evidence we used.
- Are these lawyers paid to be listed?
- No. Picks are not for sale. If a firm ever pays to be listed, it appears in a separate slot labelled Sponsored and is never counted among our picks.
- What does criminal law cover?
- Criminal charges: being charged with an offence, police interviews, and court dates for criminal matters. This is general information, not legal advice about your situation.
- When do people speak to a criminal lawyer?
- Situations where people commonly speak to a criminal lawyer: You have been charged with an offence or told you will be; Police have asked you to attend an interview; You have a court date for a criminal charge. This is general information about common situations, not advice about yours.
- Are there free options for criminal matters in Adelaide?
- Yes. If cost is the problem, this page lists Legal Services Commission of SA and Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement under free options.
Ask Zoe about your situation
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Start a free chat with ZoeZoeLaw is not a law firm. Picks are our opinion; we don't share your details.
AI-generated legal information, not legal advice. Zoe can make mistakes. Check the cited sources, and before you act on this, rely on it, or use any draft, get a qualified Australian lawyer to check it.
