Criminal Defense · Sydney
Top Criminal Defense Lawyers in Sydney
Criminal defense lawyers represent people under investigation or charged with offences, from traffic and misdemeanour matters to serious felonies. This list compares 5 criminal defense lawyers practising in Sydney on verified licences, years in this area, focus and sourced reputation.
- Updated 19 Oct 2026
- Ranking v1.0.0
- How we rank
- lawyers considered
- 5
- 3 verified licences
- 60%
- average years in practice
- 15
The ranking
Score out of 100- 1
Mateo Castellano
VerifiedOf Counsel
Vance & Redfern Lawyers17 yrs in practice3.5(2)Criminal DefenseBusinessPersonal InjurySpeaks English, Italian
- 2
Aisha Vasquez
Out of datePartner
Fairfax & Ashby Lawyers37 yrs in practice3.7(22)Criminal DefenseEmploymentPersonal InjurySpeaks English, Arabic
- 3
Helena R. Vance
VerifiedAssociate
Vance & Redfern Lawyers25 yrs in practice4.8(23)ImmigrationCriminal Defense - 4
Andre L. Whitaker
Out of datePartner
Vance & Redfern Lawyers25 yrs in practice4.3(2)Criminal DefenseSpeaks English, Arabic
- 5
Grace Underwood
VerifiedSenior Associate
Wyatt & Brook Lawyers21 yrs in practice3.5(2)Real EstateCriminal DefenseSpeaks English, Arabic
How we rank
Each lawyer gets nine component scores from 0 to 100. The bar shows how many of the 100 available points each component contributed. Weights are fixed for every lawyer in this list and published in full; payment plays no part.
Expertise50%
- Credentials20%
- Relevant experience15%
- Specialization15%
Standing35%
- Verified reputation15%
- Professional recognition10%
- Relevant track record10%
Service & data15%
- Client experience5%
- Profile & data quality5%
- Data freshness5%
Sydney legal resources
- Law Society of New South Wales
Solicitor referral service.
Choosing a criminal defense lawyer
Experience in the specific court and with the specific type of charge matters. Ask whether the lawyer has handled trials, not only plea negotiations, and whether they previously worked as a prosecutor or public defender. Contact a lawyer before speaking to investigators.
Frequently asked questions
Should I talk to the police without a lawyer?
You generally have the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present. It is usually wise to speak to a criminal defense lawyer before giving any statement.
What if I cannot afford a lawyer?
If you are charged with an offence that can lead to imprisonment, you may be entitled to a public defender or legal aid. Ask the court about eligibility.