The 5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Melbourne Who Will Help You Get Charges Dropped
No one needs to deal with a defense lawyer who fumbles a key piece of evidence, or worse, one that leaves their client hanging.
We’ve heard all sorts of criminal defense fails from lawyers missing filing deadlines to those who say the wrong things to the jury.
After hearing about fails like these, we finally decided to take matters into our own hands. We sought out the best criminal defense lawyers in Melbourne that people can actually rely on.
Here are the ones we found who can help you win your case.
How much does it cost to hire a criminal defense lawyer in Melbourne?
It costs at least $250 per hour to hire a criminal defense lawyer in Melbourne. This cost is just an estimate. The actual price will depend on the lawyer’s fees and more.
1. Garde-Wilson Criminal Lawyers
Address: Level 40/140 William St
Contact Details:+61390988648
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Garde-Wilson is different because of its round-the-clock emergency helpline. This has been very helpful for those who experience late-night arrest and couldn’t find a reliable criminal defense lawyer in Melbourne.
Their helpline team is also very helpful. Many clients we talked to said the team walked them through what to say (and what not to say) before the first interview, which saved them from making the kind of mistakes that could have haunted their case.
Their clients also receive support from a full team, not just a single lawyer. This means people are not left waiting days for a call back, and paperwork actually gets sorted out on time.
Case-wise, they are over the map—drug possession, extradition, even the kind of cryptocurrency cases that most firms won’t touch.
Their approach to Interpol red notices is especially sharp. They actively coordinate with overseas counsel and ensure their client isn’t blindsided by local authorities.
The only con? Their services don’t come cheap.
Kept in touch, explained things clearly
I first reached out to Garde Wilson Lawyers through their free case consultation and spoke with Mitch, who was very supportive and gave me great advice. Throughout my case, Ray kept in touch, explained things clearly, and always made sure I felt reassured about the process. On the day of court, Lisa represented me and was absolutely fantastic. I’m so grateful for their help and really happy with the outcome. I couldn’t recommend them more.
– Jaskeerat, Google Reviews
Communication was excellent
“We had a great experience and were very happy with the outcome. Communication was excellent throughout the whole process — we were always kept updated and informed. Highly recommend this law firm for their professionalism and great results.”
– Suz Sisman, Google Reviews
2. Doogue + George Defence Lawyers
Address: level 1/486 Lower Heidelberg Rd, Heidelberg
Contact Details: +61394550787
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Doogue + George has been defending people for over 30 years, with more than 47,000 cases under their belt.
Since these lawyers are a regular fixture in the Court of Appeal and Royal Commissions, they’re trusted with the high-stakes, complicated matters where experience really counts.
Their nine accredited specialists bring serious expertise to everything from white-collar crime to bail applications. One of their clients, facing fraud charges in a high-profile corporate case, told us that he had several charges dropped with the team’s help.
We also like how they don’t shy away from cross-border investigations. These lawyers also take on international and transnational criminal law.
One Australian national told us he was facing extradition on drug trafficking charges, and his lawyer managed to negotiate a deal that avoided a lengthy overseas sentence.
The only real downside we noticed is that their communication can lag at times. A woman facing a minor criminal law charge told us that sometimes it took at least 3 days to get a response to her inquiries.
The best possible outcome
“I would like to recommend Doogue and George Lawyers as I have found them to be very helpful and friendly but most importantly very knowledgeable in knowing how to get the best outcome for their clients as myself. Edward knew the ins and outs of what he had to do to get me the best possible outcome concerning my case and was patient in explaining it to us a few times. Edward also made every effort to have the matter resolved as quick as possible.”
– Danny Lacok, Google Reviews
Personable and genuine
“I was recently represented by Shaun Pascoe of the Heidelberg office. His advice and support throughout having my matter dealt with was outstanding. Shaun was personable and genuine, and I strongly recommend him to anyone requiring legal assistance.”
– R Pinkerton, Google Reviews
3. Papa Hughes
Address: Level6/224 Queen St, Melbourne
Contact Details: +61396700688
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5:30 PM
Andrew Papadimitropoulos, Papa Hughes’ principal lawyer, is an accredited criminal law specialist. He has taken on everything from high-stakes homicide trials in the Supreme Court to those last-minute bail applications in the Magistrates’ Court.
One client told us that during his assault hearing, Andrew’s cross-examination picked apart the prosecution’s witnesses so thoroughly that it changed the whole direction of the case.
We like how his background in tricky fraud and drug cases makes him ready for just about anything. One woman told us Papa Hughes helped her work out plea deals that kept her out of a drawn-out trial and away from a tough sentence.
Communication here is straight to the point, with regular updates. A client of theirs mentioned that Andrew called after every court date, even if there was nothing major to report, just to keep her in the loop.
The only downside is that sometimes the prep before court can drag on. One woman admitted she had to call the office a couple of times to make sure her urgent matters stayed on track.
Fantastic lawyers
“Fantastic lawyers, straight to the point and waste no time getting a fair result i highly recommended using Pappa Hughes if you are lookimg for a law firm with a firm idea on proper representation and industry experixence inside this law firm are a team of experts I would speak more highly of Pappa Hughes if it was possible but I am utterly speechless over the result I had gotten from my case in the magistrates court. They have delivered time after time thank you Andrew and thank you Oscar 😊”
– Jac Walls, Google Reviews
Andrew was an incredible lawyer
“Wow! Andrew was an incredible lawyer throughout my case and i highly recommend him if you want a great result. Andrew always had a way of making legal matters seem easy to understand. He was incredibly thorough, paying attention to every detail, and his thinking was spot on. He’s not just a quality lawyer but also a friendly and approachable person. Thankyou Andrew for your outstanding work!”
– Matthew Miles, Google Reviews
4. Emma Turnbull Lawyers
Address: Level 9/552 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Contact Details: +61390774834
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Emma Turnbull Lawyers start building trust from the first phone call. In one criminal law case, a client told us they broke down what to do after their arrest into clear, bite-sized steps.
We like how in one assault case, the lawyer mapped out exactly what evidence she’d need and what to expect at each hearing.
Their work with personal safety intervention orders also stands out. This is a court order that helps protect people from threats or harassment.
The lawyers here don’t just toss the case to the admin to file the paperwork. We like that these lawyers take time to explain what each order means, what evidence will help, and what to say in court.
However, a few of their clients said they had to wait a bit for a callback. One guy said he got a callback about his case only after a few days had passed.
Open and honest, non judgmental and very caring
“Adrian and the team at Emma Turnbull are the best people to go to if you need a good, solid, and reputable lawyer. Open and honest, non judgmental and very caring, you definitely get your money’s worth here. Very happy with the service, and extremely pleased with the positive outcome I’ve received.”
– Rick Razor, Google Reviews
Great listener, easy to deal with
“Manny took on my case at relatively short notice and worked hard to achieve an outcome I thought wasn’t possible. Manny is a great listener, easy to deal with and understands individual circumstances. I am eternally grateful for his efforts. Thanks Manny”
– Stan, Google Reviews
5. Balot Reilly Criminal Lawyers
Address: 462 William St, West Melbourne
Contact Details: +61393266606
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Balot Reilly’s lead lawyer wears both hats: solicitor and barrister. So their clients don’t have to juggle two different people for their case, and that can mean saving a hefty chunk on court fees.
They really do handle the whole process, from the first meeting to the final court date. One of their clients said his lawyer actually ran a mock cross-examination with him, so that he wouldn’t get blindsided by any curveball questions in front of the judge.
Plus, they can brief top barristers or QCs (Queens Counsel) from Melbourne or even further if needed. One woman told me her lawyer brought in a QC with a big reputation, and that move helped get her charges dropped before the trial even started.
The lawyers here don’t cut corners with evidence, either. One man who was up on theft charges told us his lawyer actually tracked down the CCTV footage and hunted for witnesses, just to make sure nothing slipped through the cracks on his trial day.
The one thing that could use work is their paperwork. A few clients mentioned that their lawyers sometimes took a few days to get documents sorted.
Exceptionally professional and forward-thinking
“When the police tried to trick us, George helped our family. He was exceptionally professional and forward-thinking, considering every possible aspect for us. Thanks to his help, we smoothly achieved the result we wanted and finally ended months of worry. We’re truly grateful and highly recommend him”
– Claire Z, Google Reviews
Got me a full withdrawal of all charges
“Balot Reilly Criminal Lawyers Got me a full withdrawal of all charges. They work tirelessly to get you awesome results. I’m totally ecstatic with the results. I will definitely use them again. I highly recommend them. And just like to say THANK YOU so much Luke for all your hard work. And a awesome result.
– Max, Google Reviews