Criminal lawyers in Canberra
First, the 5 firms we picked in Canberra, 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
- 5
- 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.
Hugo Law Group provides criminal defence representation in Sydney (NSW), Canberra (ACT) and Perth (WA). The firm operates criminal law offices in those cities.
What the firm says it handles
- Drink and drug driving offences
- Licence appeals
- Traffic offences
- Assault offences
- Sexual offences
- Fraud offences
Why we picked it
A criminal-defence-only firm that Doyle's Guide lists as Leading in Canberra, and whose site says it has Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law.
- Office
- Level 10, 15 London Circuit, Canberra City ACT 2601
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Kamy Saeedi Law provides criminal defence, civil litigation and wills and estates services in Canberra. The firm is based at Level 1, 1 University Avenue, Canberra ACT. It was founded in 2008.
What the firm says it handles
- Sexual offences
- Family violence
- Drug offences
- Appeals
- Assault offences
- Murder and manslaughter
+1 moreShow fewer
- Traffic offences
Why we picked it
A Canberra firm that Doyle's Guide lists as Leading for criminal defence, and that describes criminal law as its first practice area.
- Office
- Level 1, 1 University Avenue, Canberra City ACT 2601
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Andrew Byrnes Law Group is a criminal defence firm serving Canberra and surrounding regions. It provides legal representation across criminal, driving and protection order matters.
What the firm says it handles
- Assault
- Drug offences
- Drink driving
- Bail applications
- Sexual offences
- Robbery & burglary
Why we picked it
A Canberra criminal defence firm that Doyle's Guide lists as Recommended.
- Office
- Level 6, 28 University Avenue, Canberra City ACT 2601
- Fees, as the firm lists them
- Free first consultation
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
CODA Criminal Law
Canberra CityCODA Criminal Law provides criminal law representation across a range of matters, from traffic and driving offences to serious criminal charges. The firm is based in Canberra and appears in courts in the ACT and other Australian jurisdictions. It is located at Level 7, 1 Hobart Place, Canberra.
What the firm says it handles
- Traffic and driving offences
- Protection orders
- Drug offences
- Sexual offences
- Domestic and family violence offences
- Weapons offences
+2 moreShow fewer
- White collar and fraud offences
- Murder and manslaughter
Why we picked it
A specialist criminal firm run by Canberra defence lawyers that Doyle's Guide lists as Recommended.
- Office
- Level 7, 1 Hobart Place, Canberra City ACT 2601
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Tim Sharman Solicitors
Canberra City- 3 lawyers
Tim Sharman Solicitors is a small Canberra-based firm providing advice and representation in criminal and traffic law. It practises primarily in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales.
What the firm says it handles
- Criminal matters
- Traffic matters
- Personal protection order proceedings
Why we picked it
A small Canberra firm focused on criminal, traffic and personal protection order matters that Doyle's Guide lists as Recommended.
- Office
- Level 1, AMP Building, 1 Hobart Place, Canberra City ACT 2601
- Fees, as the firm lists them
- Free first consultation · Fixed fees
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
If cost is the problem: free legal help
- Legal Aid ACT Helpline
Free legal information and referrals, and appointments with a lawyer where needed. Phone lines run Monday to Thursday 8.30am-7pm and Friday 8.30am-5pm; the Helpline gives information rather than legal advice.
1300 654 314
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 Canberra
- How does Zoe pick criminal lawyers in Canberra?
- 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 Canberra?
- Yes. If cost is the problem, this page lists Legal Aid ACT Helpline under free options.
Ask Zoe about your situation
Describe what is happening and Zoe gives plain-English legal information grounded in the law. Your first messages are free.
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.
