Criminal Lawyer Australia

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 Criminal Lawyer Australia

When facing criminal or traffic charges that may affect your livelihood, reputation and family responsibilities, calls for clear answers and steady support. We understand that the prospect of penalties, such as fines, licence loss or imprisonment, can leave you feeling uncertain. With legal processes introducing unfamiliar concepts and steps and online sources circulating contradictory advice, uncertainty about which advice applies to you can quickly arise. Without proper guidance, early decisions such as speaking to police can also feel particularly risky. That's where we come in at Armstrong Legal; for more than 30 years, our nationally recognised law firm has been offering practical, timely advice that explains what happens next in direct, plain language. When it comes to criminal defence lawyers, our team includes Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law who are recognised by the Law Society of New South Wales for their expertise and skill. With a presence across many states and territories, our firm holds a reputation for integrity and quality, which is also strengthened by consistent recognition in Doyle's Guide. So, whether you were looking up "criminal lawyer Australia" or "criminal lawyers", know that we give you honest communication, as well as realistic expectations about outcomes and costs.

Our team can support you in a range of criminal offences, such as when you face decisions around pleading guilty or not guilty. If you're facing matters involving break and enters, drug charges, fraud or other offences, we can support you, whatever the case's complexity. At Armstrong Legal, our specialist experience comes from handling more than 1,000 criminal and traffic matters each year. You can trust that you'll get expert legal advice since every lawyer on our team appears in court almost daily, building real expertise in court procedures, judicial expectations and prosecution tactics. We provide support in identifying the appropriate defences and applying them to your case, whether the situation calls for a legal defence, like self-defence or mental illness, or a factual defence, such as mistaken identity or an alibi. Those who have been browsing for "criminal lawyer Australia" or "criminal lawyer Melbourne" and "criminal lawyers in Melbourne" can be confident that our structured approach will not overlook any detail and will position the case for the best possible outcome. We also maintain fair, transparent pricing to ensure clients understand the value of the service provided while every matter receives careful, attentive handling.

At Armstrong Legal, we begin with a simple phone call or an online enquiry. We place you in direct contact with a lawyer who will analyse your charge, court notice and the important details from the beginning. This process defines the upcoming steps and lets you know what to do immediately. We will also keep you updated during your matter with timely notices of court dates, progress and recommended next steps so you know what to expect and what you may need to prepare. Our team guides you through the court system, from Local, District, Magistrates, County and Children's Courts to the Court of Appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeal and the High Court of Australia if necessary. On our website, you'll have access to legal resources written by practising criminal lawyers, with lots of background information that you might find useful for gaining a basic understanding of your matter, such as "licence appeal lawyer", "criminal lawyers Melbourne CBD" and beyond. It doesn't matter what area of criminal law you have been searching for help in, whether it's "traffic offence lawyers parramatta" or "traffic lawyer Townsville", Armstrong Legal is dedicated to upholding integrity, fairness and respect while keeping your needs at the centre. Contact us and connect with a lawyer who can guide you through your situation now.

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: Criminal Lawyer

Can a criminal lawyer help if I have already spoken to the police without legal advice?

Absolutely. A criminal lawyer can still provide advice and representation even if you have already spoken to the police beforehand. They can give you advice about what has already occurred and how that might impact your matter and can obviously assist you with the case moving forward. 

Whether you’ve received an apprehended violence order or you’ve been charged with an offence, seeking legal counsel will help you understand its implications. 

A lawyer will review all of the material that the police are relying on in the case against you. If you are yet to be charged, they can discuss what has happened in the matter to date and advise you about the likelihood that criminal proceedings will result as a consequence of the investigation.

Obtaining legal advice as soon as possible after speaking with the police will ensure that you are better prepared to make decisions about how to progress the matter. A criminal lawyer can explain what to expect in this potentially confusing process, provide legal representation and advise on actions that may assist you in responding to the allegations.

Even if you have spoken to the police without earlier legal guidance, criminal defence lawyers can still provide valuable insights into your situation.

This type of criminal legal advice can help you make informed decisions and avoid further actions that may complicate your situation.

What should I do if the police ask me to attend an interview?

A request to attend an interview should be taken seriously, and you should obtain legal advice from a specialist criminal lawyer before speaking to the police. Obtaining legal advice beforehand is critical to ensuring that you know whether you in fact have an obligation to participate and whether you in fact should participate in any discussions with police. 

Criminal solicitors play an important role in guiding people through police interactions. They can explain your rights and obligations before any police interview takes place and provide advice that is relevant to your circumstances.

A criminal defence lawyer or defence solicitor can outline the potential implications of participating in an interview.

Seeking legal guidance before participating in an interview can help you better understand how information provided to police could affect any future investigation, criminal charges or Court proceedings.

What offences can a criminal lawyer help with?

At Armstrong Legal, our team of criminal defence lawyers handles more than 1,000 criminal and traffic cases a year, with experience in handling everything from summary offences like speeding, failing to vote and possession of drugs to major offences such as assault, major vehicle theft and malicious damage to property.

If you have been charged with a criminal offence, whether it’s a summary or major one, or have any questions relating to a criminal law matter, please reach out to us by calling 1300 871 246. We’re available 24/7. Alternatively, you can send an enquiry to us online, and one of our criminal lawyers will contact you shortly to discuss how we can help you with your specific matter.

What to do before meeting with a criminal lawyer?

Write down everything you remember about the event. It’s crucial to make the dates and times clear, especially while everything is still fresh in your mind. This will help ensure that your lawyer will have the full picture of events and shape a strong defence strategy.

If possible, it will also help to bring any relevant documents that will help your case. This should include any documents you have been provided by the police, particularly the Court Attendance Notice, Charge Sheet or Summons, Domestic Violence Orders and any bail decisions. 

You can also make a list of questions that you need to ask your lawyer so you won’t forget anything during the consultation. Ask them about your possible options, the expected timeline of the case and how they’ll communicate with you throughout the matter.

Can a criminal lawyer help me understand the long-term consequences of a criminal record?

Yes, they can. A criminal lawyer can explain what kinds of sentences will result in a criminal conviction and give you advice about how this might affect you moving forward. In some circumstances, even if you do not get sentenced to a result that includes a criminal conviction, even a plea of guilty or finding of guilt can be disclosable to certain professional bodies.

A criminal record may affect applications for professional licences, government clearances or positions that require extensive background checks. A lawyer can advise you on whether these kinds of impacts might be relevant for the Court to consider at sentence and provide you with advice about what kinds of documentary evidence to prepare to assist in advancing submissions on this point. 

That’s why it’s important to find a criminal lawyer who can clearly explain the situation to you and has a comprehensive understanding of your case and its implications for your specific circumstances.

Whether you need an assault lawyer or have been charged with a different offence, Armstrong Legal is here to help you understand your situation and the consequences it may have on your professional and personal life clearly. 

Our seasoned criminal lawyers have built strong familiarity with these proceedings. So, you can trust us to provide you with informed legal guidance grounded in real-world insights and experience.

About Armstrong Legal

When facing criminal or traffic charges that may affect your livelihood, reputation and family responsibilities, calls for clear answers and steady support. We understand that the prospect of penalties, such as fines, licence loss or imprisonment, can leave you feeling uncertain. With legal processes introducing unfamiliar concepts and steps and online sources circulating contradictory advice, uncertainty about which advice applies to you can quickly arise. Without proper guidance, early decisions such as speaking to police can also feel particularly risky. That's where we come in at Armstrong Legal; for more than 30 years, our nationally recognised law firm has been offering practical, timely advice that explains what happens next in direct, plain language. When it comes to criminal defence lawyers, our team includes Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law who are recognised by the Law Society of New South Wales for their expertise and skill. With a presence across many states and territories, our firm holds a reputation for integrity and quality, which is also strengthened by consistent recognition in Doyle's Guide. So, whether you were looking up "criminal lawyer Australia" or "criminal lawyers", know that we give you honest communication, as well as realistic expectations about outcomes and costs.

Our team can support you in a range of criminal offences, such as when you face decisions around pleading guilty or not guilty. If you're facing matters involving break and enters, drug charges, fraud or other offences, we can support you, whatever the case's complexity. At Armstrong Legal, our specialist experience comes from handling more than 1,000 criminal and traffic matters each year. You can trust that you'll get expert legal advice since every lawyer on our team appears in court almost daily, building real expertise in court procedures, judicial expectations and prosecution tactics. We provide support in identifying the appropriate defences and applying them to your case, whether the situation calls for a legal defence, like self-defence or mental illness, or a factual defence, such as mistaken identity or an alibi. Those who have been browsing for "criminal lawyer Australia" or "criminal lawyer Melbourne" and "criminal lawyers in Melbourne" can be confident that our structured approach will not overlook any detail and will position the case for the best possible outcome. We also maintain fair, transparent pricing to ensure clients understand the value of the service provided while every matter receives careful, attentive handling.

At Armstrong Legal, we begin with a simple phone call or an online enquiry. We place you in direct contact with a lawyer who will analyse your charge, court notice and the important details from the beginning. This process defines the upcoming steps and lets you know what to do immediately. We will also keep you updated during your matter with timely notices of court dates, progress and recommended next steps so you know what to expect and what you may need to prepare. Our team guides you through the court system, from Local, District, Magistrates, County and Children's Courts to the Court of Appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeal and the High Court of Australia if necessary. On our website, you'll have access to legal resources written by practising criminal lawyers, with lots of background information that you might find useful for gaining a basic understanding of your matter, such as "licence appeal lawyer", "criminal lawyers Melbourne CBD" and beyond. It doesn't matter what area of criminal law you have been searching for help in, whether it's "traffic offence lawyers parramatta" or "traffic lawyer Townsville", Armstrong Legal is dedicated to upholding integrity, fairness and respect while keeping your needs at the centre. Contact us and connect with a lawyer who can guide you through your situation now.

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