First, the 5 firms we picked in Melbourne, 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.
1An office in the cityThe firm has an office in the city.
2A page for this area of lawIt has a dedicated page for this area of law on its own website.
3An active ABNIt has an active ABN, which we check on ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au).
4A 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.
Doogue + George provides criminal defence services across Victoria and New South Wales, including representation in serious and complex criminal matters. Founded in 1995, the firm has 20 criminal lawyers and five Melbourne offices (plus a Sydney office).
What the firm says it handles
Bail application
Drink driving & traffic offences
Sex offences
White collar crime
Intervention orders
Tax fraud & tax evasion
+1 moreShow fewer
Family violence
Why we picked it
A Melbourne criminal-defence firm that Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier, with Bill Doogue and Una Ebsworth ranked Preeminent.
Stary Norton Halphen & Galbally practises exclusively in criminal law and provides advice and representation in criminal and traffic matters in Melbourne and throughout Victoria. The firm has offices across Melbourne, including the CBD and Ringwood.
What the firm says it handles
Assault and violent offences
Drug offences
Driving offences
Theft and property offences
Sexual offences
Family violence-related criminal charges
+1 moreShow fewer
Bail applications
Why we picked it
A Melbourne criminal-defence firm that Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier, with Paul Galbally and Sam Norton ranked Preeminent.
Tony Hargreaves & Partners provides criminal defence and regulatory representation in Melbourne. The firm represents individuals, professionals and institutions in investigations, disciplinary hearings, prosecutions and appeals.
What the firm says it handles
Theft and fraud
Assault and serious violence
Murder & manslaughter
Culpable and dangerous driving
Sex offences
Asset confiscation & restraining orders
+2 moreShow fewer
Intervention orders
Drug offences
Why we picked it
A Melbourne criminal-defence firm that Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier, with Tony Hargreaves ranked Preeminent.
Emma Turnbull Lawyers practises exclusively in criminal defence and intervention order matters across Melbourne and Victoria. The firm appears daily in the Magistrates' Court, County Court and Supreme Court.
What the firm says it handles
Assault & violence offences
Drug offences
Property offences
Driving offences
Sexual offences
Bail applications
+2 moreShow fewer
Pre-interview advice
Jury trials
Why we picked it
A Melbourne criminal-defence firm that Doyle's Guide places in the Second Tier, with Emma Turnbull ranked Leading.
Slades & Parsons is a Melbourne criminal defence firm that specialises in defending people charged with State and Commonwealth offences. It was established in 1990 and has provided specialist criminal defence for more than 35 years. The firm is based in Melbourne CBD.
What the firm says it handles
Bail applications
Drink driving
Drug offences
Sexual offences
Traffic offences
White collar crimes
Why we picked it
A Melbourne criminal-defence firm that Doyle's Guide places in the Second Tier, with Jasmine Pisasale and Nick Tehan ranked Leading.
Free 24-hour legal help for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria, including criminal matters.
1800 064 865
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 Melbourne
How does Zoe pick criminal lawyers in Melbourne?
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 Melbourne?
Yes. If cost is the problem, this page lists Victoria Legal Aid and Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service 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.
ZoeLaw 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.
Doogue + George provides criminal defence services across Victoria and New South Wales, including representation in serious and complex criminal matters. Founded in 1995, the firm has 20 criminal lawyers and five Melbourne offices (plus a Sydney office).
What the firm says it handles
Bail application
Drink driving & traffic offences
Sex offences
White collar crime
Intervention orders
Tax fraud & tax evasion
+1 moreShow fewer
Family violence
Why we picked it
A Melbourne criminal-defence firm that Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier, with Bill Doogue and Una Ebsworth ranked Preeminent.
Stary Norton Halphen & Galbally practises exclusively in criminal law and provides advice and representation in criminal and traffic matters in Melbourne and throughout Victoria. The firm has offices across Melbourne, including the CBD and Ringwood.
What the firm says it handles
Assault and violent offences
Drug offences
Driving offences
Theft and property offences
Sexual offences
Family violence-related criminal charges
+1 moreShow fewer
Bail applications
Why we picked it
A Melbourne criminal-defence firm that Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier, with Paul Galbally and Sam Norton ranked Preeminent.
Tony Hargreaves & Partners provides criminal defence and regulatory representation in Melbourne. The firm represents individuals, professionals and institutions in investigations, disciplinary hearings, prosecutions and appeals.
What the firm says it handles
Theft and fraud
Assault and serious violence
Murder & manslaughter
Culpable and dangerous driving
Sex offences
Asset confiscation & restraining orders
+2 moreShow fewer
Intervention orders
Drug offences
Why we picked it
A Melbourne criminal-defence firm that Doyle's Guide puts in the First Tier, with Tony Hargreaves ranked Preeminent.
Emma Turnbull Lawyers practises exclusively in criminal defence and intervention order matters across Melbourne and Victoria. The firm appears daily in the Magistrates' Court, County Court and Supreme Court.
What the firm says it handles
Assault & violence offences
Drug offences
Property offences
Driving offences
Sexual offences
Bail applications
+2 moreShow fewer
Pre-interview advice
Jury trials
Why we picked it
A Melbourne criminal-defence firm that Doyle's Guide places in the Second Tier, with Emma Turnbull ranked Leading.
Slades & Parsons is a Melbourne criminal defence firm that specialises in defending people charged with State and Commonwealth offences. It was established in 1990 and has provided specialist criminal defence for more than 35 years. The firm is based in Melbourne CBD.
What the firm says it handles
Bail applications
Drink driving
Drug offences
Sexual offences
Traffic offences
White collar crimes
Why we picked it
A Melbourne criminal-defence firm that Doyle's Guide places in the Second Tier, with Jasmine Pisasale and Nick Tehan ranked Leading.
Every criminal law firm we could find in Melbourne and its suburbs, sorted by number of reviews. It is a list, not a recommendation, and more reviews does not mean a better firm.
136 firms · 145 offices
Balot Reilly Criminal Lawyers
★4.9 out of 5· 963 Google reviews
462 William St, West Melbourne VIC 3003
Listed as: Criminal justice attorney, Barrister, Family law attorney, Law firm
