Best Criminal Defence Lawyer Brisbane

Expert Criminal Lawyers for Criminal and Traffic Matters

One of Australia’s Most Trusted Criminal Defence Law Firms

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YOUR PRIVACY IS IMPORTANT TO US

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Consistently recognised by Doyle's Guide

The lawyers leading our practice are consistently recognised by Doyle's Guide, featuring across both leading firm and recommended lawyer categories.

Doyle's Guide independently ranks Australia's top lawyers and law firms based on peer review and client feedback across all major practice areas.

Second Tier Leading Criminal Defence Firm

NSW

Leading Lawyer

NSW

Trudie Cameron

Andrew Tiedt

Angela Cooney

Leading Lawyer

Trudie Cameron

Leading Lawyer

NSW

Andrew Tiedt

Recommended Lawyer

NSW

Angela Cooney

Recommended Doyles Criminal Law 2025

Recommended Law Firm

NSW

Leading Lawyer

NSW

Trudie Cameron

Rising Star

NSW

Sophie Ogborne

Leading Lawyer

NSW

Trudie Cameron

Recommended Lawyer

NSW

Angela Cooney

OUR TEAM

Armstrong Legal has a dedicated and experienced team of criminal defence lawyers who practice exclusively in Criminal and Traffic Law. The primary focus of each of our lawyers is the service provided to their clients. We recognise that facing criminal or traffic charges can be confronting and stressful and has potentially serious consequences.

At Armstrong Legal, we understand that being charged with a Criminal or Traffic offence can be an incredibly stressful time and we pride ourselves on our ability to guide you through the process, every step of the way. Criminal and Traffic law can be incredibly complex. It is important to have expert advice in your corner, to help you defend your matter, or obtain a sentence that will not impact your life, family or employment negatively.

With three of our Criminal lawyers recognised by the Law Society of New South Wales as Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law, Armstrong Legal's criminal lawyers have the skill, experience and expertise to handle all aspects of criminal law.

WE HAVE THE EXPERIENCE YOU NEED

Our lawyers practise in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. We appear in the Local, District, Magistrates and Children's Courts regularly as well as in the Court of Appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeal, and the High Court of Australia.

Criminal Defence Lawyers


Angela Cooney

Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law - National Practice Director – Sydney

Trudie Cameron

Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law - Principal Lawyer | Practice Leader – NSW & ACT

Craig Robinson

Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law - Special Counsel - Sydney

Andrew Tiedt

Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law – Chatswood

Sophie Ogborne

Criminal Law - Solicitor - Sydney

Kent Park

Criminal Law - Senior Associate - Sydney

Stephanie Beckedahl

Criminal Law - Senior Associate - Canberra

Emily Wood-Ward

Criminal Law - Solicitor - Sydney

Sheridan Gow

Solicitor - Criminal Law - Sydney

Ruby Hasler

Criminal Law - Solicitor - Chatswood

Shane McMaster

Trial Advocate - Darwin

Learn more about Best Criminal Defence Lawyer Brisbane

Recommended by Criminal law clients

I highly recommend Angela Cooney. She’s been professional, supportive, and extremely knowledgeable throughout my case. Angela took the time to explain every step of the process, kept me informed, and genuinely cared about achieving the best outcome. Her attention to detail and calm, confident approach made a stressful situation much easier to handle. I’m very grateful for everything she’s done.

We are here to help you

Our team are experienced in every aspect of Criminal and Traffic law – no matter what the charge, or what location in VIC you are in.

  • Competitive rates

    Our lawyers will be able to provide you with a cost estimate in your initial conference.

  • Clear communication

    We pride ourselves on our ability to provide you with clear legal advice in a way that you can understand.

  • Industry experts

    In our national team, we have Three accredited Criminal Law Specialists, and two of our lawyers and our firm has been recognised by the Doyles guide as industry leaders for many years running.

Frequently Asked Questions: Best Criminal Defence Lawyer Brisbane

What must I consider when looking for the best criminal defence lawyer in Brisbane?

The best criminal defence lawyer in Brisbane is one who has the necessary experience in criminal law, communicates clearly and can provide practical legal advice about the steps ahead.

Obtaining the right legal advice can be particularly important if your situation involves serious consequences, such as a possible conviction, licence issues, employment concerns, or the risk of a custodial sentence.

Experience can also help a lawyer assess the facts, identify potential issues and explain the legal process in a clear and practical way. Whether you require legal representation for criminal charges or legal help after arrest, understanding a lawyer’s skill set and reputation will help you make a more informed decision.

For many people searching for the best criminal defence lawyer in Brisbane, choosing a lawyer involves considering both professional recognition and the quality of advice received from the outset.

Should I get someone who focuses on Criminal Law?

Yes. It is usually sensible to seek advice from criminal defence lawyers, as they focus on Criminal Law rather than a general lawyer who only handles criminal matters occasionally.

Criminal matters involve specific procedures, deadlines, sentencing principles and evidentiary issues. A lawyer who regularly practises in this area is more likely to understand how these factors may affect your situation and what may require attention from the outset.

In Criminal Law, a breach of bail can have serious consequences, highlighting the importance of obtaining advice from a lawyer who regularly deals with these issues.

A general lawyer may have experience across several legal areas, but criminal matters often require focused knowledge. 

You will need guidance on pleas, sentencing material, possible defences, licence consequences or the Court process that may follow. Each of these topics warrants careful consideration and informed legal advice.

Similarly, when facing allegations such as drink driving, the experience of a drink driving lawyer demonstrates the value of working with someone whose practice is focused on Criminal and Traffic Law.

For those searching for the best criminal defence lawyer in Brisbane, experience in Criminal Law is an important consideration. 

Armstrong Legal has a team of lawyers that practises exclusively in Criminal and Traffic Law and handles more than 1,000 criminal and traffic cases each year. This focus allows our lawyers to explain the legal process clearly and provide practical advice based on extensive experience in this area of law.

Do I need a local criminal defence lawyer?

The best criminal defence lawyer in Brisbane is one who understands Queensland’s legislation, Court procedures and practical processes. 

An experienced Court lawyer who regularly handles Queensland criminal matters can explain Court documents, outline the steps that may apply before your next Court date and help you understand what is required throughout the process. As long as the lawyer is experienced in practising in Queensland, they will have the necessary skills to assist you. 

When seeking a local criminal lawyer, it is sensible to consider whether they have experience with Queensland’s legal framework and local Court procedures.

If you require a criminal defence lawyer for Court appearances, familiarity with local processes can assist with navigating procedural requirements.

Armstrong Legal provides Criminal Law services throughout Queensland, including Brisbane. Our broader presence across several states and territories can also be beneficial where a case involves more than one jurisdiction or requires insight into different legal processes.

Choosing the best criminal defence lawyer in Brisbane often involves considering both local knowledge and wider Criminal Law experience.

What can I ask a criminal defence lawyer during a consultation?

A consultation gives you the opportunity to ask about the allegation, possible penalties and the steps that may follow. You may wish to ask what the prosecution needs to establish, whether there are any apparent issues with the evidence and what options may be available based on the circumstances.

It is also important to explain what happened and identify any documents, witnesses, messages or other material that may be relevant. Depending on the allegation, legal advice may also be relevant.

You can also ask about plea options, bail conditions, sentencing preparation, likely costs and the communication you can expect throughout the matter.

If you’re seeking the best criminal defence lawyer in Brisbane, a consultation is an opportunity to assess both the quality of the advice provided and whether the lawyer is the right fit for you.

During consultations, you can also explore how criminal solicitors would approach your case and the options that may be available.

How should I prepare for an initial consultation with a criminal defence lawyer?

No matter the nature of your case, whether it involves an apprehended violence order, a DVO application or something else, it’s important to have all your facts straight. To ensure you won’t forget any key details, you can write down everything you remember that’s relevant to your case.

As much as possible, take note of the date, time and place of the events as these can help your lawyer understand the relevant factors to achieve the best outcome for your matter.

Call 1300 038 223 Lawyers available 24/7 for criminal matters