The 5 Trusted Lawyers Known for the Best Criminal Defences in Sydney
Searching for a defence lawyer is never something you plan for. Today, life feels normal. The next day, you’ll find yourself facing legal charges and unfamiliar court terms. The level of stress? It’s hard to put it into words.
Legal matters are urgent, and when it feels that way, it’s hard to know who you can actually trust. No time for proper research, and every lawyer feels like they’re just fine. The truth? Not all defence lawyers have the same level of skill or commitment.
To help those facing that dilemma, our team rounded up the best criminal defence lawyers in Sydney. We checked out previous cases, verified credentials, and talked to previous clients to find the best lawyers in the city.
Here are the ones that stood out to us!
How much does a criminal defence lawyer charge in Sydney?
A criminal defence lawyer in Sydney may charge from $200 to $900 per hour. Some legal professionals charge a fixed fee for specific services, like a bail application, simple guilty plea, or defended hearing.
1. Sydney Criminal Lawyers
Address: Museum Towers, 503/267 Castlereagh St
Contact Details: +61292618881
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: Open 24 Hours
Sydney Criminal Lawyers made it to our list for its lawyers’ combined 70 years of criminal defence experience.
We believe their experienced, certified team of lawyers is well-equipped with practical skills and knowledge to handle a wide range of criminal matters.
We also find their area of specialisation very diverse, making them a versatile option for various concerns. They’ve handled apprehended violence orders, assaults, and public order offences.
Aside from that, it’s reassuring that they also specialise in traffic offences. Issues like dangerous driving, mobile phone offences, and suspended driving are handled with the same level of care and attention as more serious charges.
Their lawyers also seem professional and very committed. They take time to explain what’s best for their clients and what needs to be done with honesty.
Apart from that, they know how to implement clever and effective strategies favourable to their clients.
The first appointment is free, and that earned them another point. Also, we like that they offer fixed or lump-sum fees, helping take the guesswork out of legal costs.
Downside? Their experience comes with a bit of a price, so expect higher fees compared to smaller firms.
Professional lawyers
“Robert is amazing! He’s super professional, easy to talk to, and really knows what he’s doing. He always took the time to explain things clearly and made sure I understood every step. I never felt rushed or ignored—he genuinely cared about my case and did everything he could to help. Thanks to his hard work, everything went really smoothly and I got a great result. I’d definitely recommend Robert to anyone who needs a reliable and trustworthy lawyer.”
-Mr. Lee, Google Review
Dependable firm
“I was charged for two offences and my friend recommended me to seek assistance from Sydney Criminal Lawyers. Mr. Muhammad Siddique was the one who handled my case. Being in the practice for many years, he is equipped with the legal knowledge and knows how to handle the case effectively.
Through his representation, the intimidation charge was dropped prior us facing the court. The second charge, use of offensive language, was also successfully let go by the judge, leaving me without conviction.
I am so grateful with Mr. Muhammad’s help. He has saved my stature from those allegations. Do continue to be the voice of the people to bring proper justice, Mr. Muhammad.
Many thanks overall to Sydney Criminal Lawyers. You are a firm that we can depend on. I highly recommend your services.”
-Mr. Nadeem, Google Review
2. Australian Criminal Defence
Address: 1/299 Elizabeth St
Contact Details: +61288158151
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: Open 24 Hours
Australian Criminal Defence makes criminal defence in Sydney accessible. They have four convenient locations, making it easier for those who need their service to find help.
Plus, they offer free consultations, helping clients better understand their situation without paying an upfront fee.
Their 35 years of combined experience make them prepared for various cases too. They’ve handled cases withdrawn before hearing, avoided criminal convictions, and dismissed charges at hearing.
We also find their services comprehensive. From sexual assault to domestic violence, they handle it all. They cover various areas, so you don’t have to look elsewhere for specialised legal support.
They’ve once successfully helped a client with a couple of serious charges, including drug offences, intimidation, and breaching an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO).
We also appreciate how great their communication is, especially with attorney Joseph Harb. He kept in touch with his clients and explained the situation in plain English.
Those complex legal processes? Clients said they became easier to understand and far less overwhelming, which is a huge plus for us.
If there’s a catch, it’s their availability. They’re quite in demand, which makes it challenging to secure a consultation with them.
Excellent lawyer
“Joseph Harb supported me through a challenging period and delivered an exceptional outcome. I had made contact with a few highly rated firms at the same time through their web contact forms, and Australian Criminal Defence were the only company to respond. From the outset, Joseph took the time to understand my situation and provided excellent legal advice at every step of the process. He was always responsive to my questions and concerns, which were many, as this was my first time before the court. Joseph formulated an excellent strategy based on his outstanding legal expertise and delivered on this, achieving the best possible result for me with my reputation intact. Highly recommended.”
-Mr. Scott C., Google Review
Expert team
“I want to thank the team at Australian Criminal Defence for helping me achieve a not guilty vedict at my trial. I now have my life back and am grateful to Joseph and the team. They are experts in what they do and they never judged me and always respected me. I am so grateful they were my lawyers.”
-Mr. Daigo Sakura, Google Review
3. George Sten & Co Criminal Lawyers
Address: Suite C4, Ground Floor, 185 Elizabeth St
Contact Details: +61292618640
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: Open 24 Hours
George Sten & Co Criminal Lawyers is another reputable firm we just can’t miss because they come complete as a team – paralegals, lawyers, and support staff.
Having such a well-structured team and setup allows them to handle cases more efficiently. From matching you with one of their lawyers to processing the case itself, there’s assurance that you’ll be taken care of.
We also appreciate that they’re available 24/7 for urgent cases. For instance, situations like a sudden arrest or police interviews, where quick legal advice can make a difference.
Another thing we like about this firm is that they have the experience and resources to handle almost all types of criminal cases, including fraud, gang-related crime, and robbery.
And their lawyers? They’re responsive and address questions promptly, leaving clients with no time or space to worry.
Their courtroom advocacy is impressive too. They’re known for their professionalism and well-prepared representation in fighting for and securing not-guilty outcomes.
However, due to their busy schedule, they may not be able to take on every client. They’re quite selective with the cases they accept.
Helpful lawyer
“I cannot thank this company enough for representing me in court. Angus did himself and his company proud, so much so the judge congratulated him in his professionalism and how he contucted himself. Thank you again Angus for helping me throughout this case and clearing me.”
-Mr. Terrence Mason, Google Review
Strong and confident lawyer
“I had the pleasure of meeting Rick Rabbah and he has represented me over the last 3+years, he is an outstanding solicitor who has got me incredible results with very quick outcomes, I’m pleasured to have been represented by him and will definitely have him in my corner with any future matters. I highly recommend Rick Rabbah to anyone who needs a strong and confident lawyer !”
-Ms. Julz B., Google Review
4. Daoud Legal
Address: Level 8/265 Castlereagh St
Contact Details: +61291880999
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: Open 24 Hours
Daoud Legal deserved to be on our list because of their 24/7 accessibility.
The scope of their services also impressed us. From assault offences to stealing and firearm offences, they offer legal guidance and support to those. Whether it’s a minor or serious charge, they can be your go-to firm.
It’s also worth mentioning that they offer a free first session. This is very helpful, especially if you want to understand your legal options and get initial advice without the added pressure of upfront costs.
We also think that they have great lawyers. They know how to maintain a balance between professionalism and friendliness with their clients, making people feel respected and comfortable throughout.
On top of that, you don’t have to worry about hidden charges because they offer fixed-fee services. This gives you transparency and peace of mind when it comes to your budget.
Unfortunately, Daoud Legal is a small team, so they also have limited availability. While their personal approach is such a strong advantage, we think that it can also be challenging to secure an immediate consultation.
Professional and clear communication
“I’d like to thank my lawyer for doing an outstanding job with my case. From start to finish, he was professional, clear in his communication, and genuinely had my best interests at heart. He explained everything in a way that was easy to understand, kept me informed at every stage, and went above and beyond to achieve a great outcome. I really appreciate the effort and dedication, highly recommend his services to anyone needing reliable legal support.“
-Mr. Brett Gainsford, Google Review
Genuinely caring
“I had the pleasure of working with Robert and I can’t recommend their services enough. From the very beginning, he took the time to thoroughly understand my situation and provided clear, insightful guidance every step of the way. If you’re looking for a lawyer who is not only knowledgeable but also genuinely cares about his clients, I highly recommend Robert.”
-Ms. Melinda Goodwin, Google Review
5. LY Criminal Lawyers Sydney
Address: Commercial, World Tower, Suite 1511, 87/89 Liverpool St
Contact Details: +61300595299
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: Open 24 Hours
With 50 years of combined experience, LY Criminal Lawyers Sydney is also worth considering. They have six convenient locations across Sydney and New South Wales, which shows how well-established their practice is.
On top of that, the range of criminal offences they handle isn’t a joke. From fraud issues to assault cases, they have an experienced team that can handle them. They’ve got pretty much all bases covered, making them a solid option.
Another highlight of this firm is its strategic and patient lawyers. Clients mentioned that their lawyers really take their time to do cross-examination rather than offering an easy way out of the situation.
Also, they seem to value communication, which is a huge plus. They don’t rush to explain the process clearly to you and keep you informed every step of the way. For first-timers encountering the legal system, this level of guidance really helps.
However, they can be slow to respond via phone and email at times, which may be frustrating if you’re dealing with urgent matters.
Amazing team
“Adam LY and his team are amazing at what they do!! Expensive But worth every Dollar!! Does not muck around in the court room ! His legal advice second too None . Adam and his team very grateful too have them in my corner . highly recommended. Thank you 🙏 Too everyone at LY Lawyers you guys are amazing”
-Mr. Koro Patuwai, Google Review
Great defensive team
“Highly recommend, very good defensive team, if your needing legal advice from intelligent professionals in criminal matters Adam the Principal solicitor and his senior solicitor Rameen Sheranzey at Ly Lawyers Criminal Law Specialist are a great place to start if you need legal advice, we went ahead with using this firm of Solicitors as our legal representation and got a way better outcome then expected, will be recommending to anyone in future needing legal advice, thankyou.”
-Ms. Bliss Cooper, Google Review