Criminal Law in Perth Metropolitan
Criminal law covers anyone facing a charge, from traffic and drink-driving matters through to assault, drug offences, dishonesty charges and more serious indictable crimes heard in the District or Supreme Court. A criminal lawyer's job is to advise you on the charge, negotiate with police or prosecutors where possible, prepare a defence or plea, and represent you at each court appearance. In Perth Metropolitan, that means dealing with Magistrates Court, District Court and Children's Court matters, plus bail applications, spent conviction applications and appeals.
Not every lawyer handles every type of charge equally well. Someone who mostly does traffic and minor offences may not be the right fit for a serious drug trafficking or violence charge headed to trial. When comparing the 67 firms listed here, look at how upfront they are about likely costs (fixed fee for a plea versus hourly rates for a contested trial), whether the lawyer appearing in court is the one you actually speak with, how quickly they return calls once you've been charged, and whether they have real experience in the specific court and offence type you're dealing with.
Our scoring weighs verified client feedback, responsiveness, and consistency of service across each firm's history, so you can shortlist candidates faster. For a ranked shortlist, see our best criminal lawyers in Perth Metropolitan guide. Details on how we calculate rankings are on the methodology page.
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All criminal law, ranked by score and relevance
We found 67 businesses offering criminal law; 31 met the criteria for the scored directory. The order weighs each business's overall score by how much of its reviewed work is criminal law, so a lower-scored specialist can rank above a higher-scored generalist. Filter and sort below, or open the full map view.
Enquiries submitted through our contact forms may be shared with partner providers to carry out the work, and we may receive a referral fee for those introductions. Our rankings and scores are based solely on our published method and are never affected by referral fees.
Common questions about criminal law
- How much does a criminal lawyer cost in Perth?
- It depends heavily on the charge and whether it's contested. A straightforward guilty plea in the Magistrates Court might be handled for a fixed fee of a few hundred to around a thousand dollars, while a contested trial or an indictable matter in the District Court can run into many thousands once you factor in preparation, barrister fees and hearing days. Ask for a written costs agreement upfront so you know what's included.
- How often do people need a criminal lawyer?
- Most people who need one only do so once or twice in their life, often after a traffic offence, an assault charge, or a drink-driving matter. Because it's usually a one-off and stressful decision, checking a firm's track record with your specific type of charge matters more than picking the first name you find.
- What should I expect at the first meeting with a criminal lawyer?
- Expect to be asked for the full details of the charge, any police statements or facts sheets you've received, and your version of events. A good lawyer will explain your options plainly (plea versus defended hearing), give you a realistic view of likely outcomes and penalties, and outline fees before doing any work.
- How can I judge whether a criminal lawyer is any good?
- Look for specific experience in the court your matter is listed in and the type of offence involved, clear communication about costs and process, and genuine client feedback about how the lawyer performed at hearings, not just how they were in the initial consultation. Our scoring on this site is built to surface exactly that kind of consistent, verified feedback.
Guides to choosing criminal law
- Getting arrested in WA: what happens and what to do first
A plain-English walkthrough of what typically happens after an arrest in Western Australia, your basic rights, and the first steps that matter most.
- Spent convictions and criminal record checks in WA
How spent convictions work under WA law, what typically shows up on a police clearance, and when it's worth getting legal advice on your record.