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What to Expect from a Criminal Defence Lawyer


— June 3, 2025

Criminal defence lawyers will offer the support and guidance you need, while ensuring the best possible outcome for your case.


If this is the first time that you need a criminal defence lawyer, it can be difficult to know what to expect and what services they will provide. A criminal defence lawyer is there to help you, defend your case, and work to reduce your charges or dismiss your case. To provide you with a better idea of what to expect from a criminal defence lawyer, we have included everything you need to know in our brief guide below. 

An overview of a criminal defence lawyer 

A criminal defence lawyer is a lawyer specialising in cases relating to criminal charges. They will cover any offence that is punished by imprisonment, and sometimes, they will handle other offences too. You can expect a criminal defence lawyer to handle offences like fraud, drink driving, murder, rape, and drug offences ranging from possession to supplying or trafficking. 

Criminal lawyers also represent anyone with commonwealth offences, including drug exportation, importation, and welfare fraud. A criminal defence lawyer is responsible for defending the person charged with a criminal offence. They will defend the person, whether they are guilty or not and work towards the best outcome for their client. 

Criminal defence lawyers are required to meet the same qualifications as other lawyers and will have worked tirelessly for years to gain their qualification. 

What services does a criminal defence lawyer provide?

A criminal defence lawyer’s main service is representing you in court regarding your charge. They represent you through all stages of your case, from the initial police investigations through to your court appearance. The role of your criminal defence lawyer is to ensure your legal rights are upheld and that you are treated fairly and in accordance with the law.

Man in prison orange sitting with man in suit standing and woman sitting across the table; image by RODNAE Productions, via Pexels.com.
Man in prison orange sitting with man in suit standing and woman sitting across the table; image by RODNAE Productions, via Pexels.com.

They ensure that you have access to the support you need during your case and will arrange to meet with you to discuss your expectations and ensure they manage them correctly. For example, if you want your case dismissed and the lawyer doesn’t think that is likely, they will inform you of this before your trial begins and work with you for the next best possible outcome. 

Another service a criminal lawyer provides is ongoing support and explaining all of the upcoming proceedings and legal jargon to you. These phrases and proceedings can be confusing, especially if you have never been through them before. A criminal defence lawyer knows this and will do their best to explain everything to you ahead of time so you know what to expect. They understand how mentally taxing the process can be and are there to support you in any way they can. 

The process of dealing with a criminal defence lawyer

Dealing with a criminal defence lawyer usually follows the same process. You will first meet with a criminal defence lawyer to determine if you are a good fit and whether they can help with your case. During this initial consultation, the lawyer will discuss your case with you, ensuring they have all the information and you are aware of the charges levied against you. 

In the initial consultation, you will be provided with advice, and your steps moving forward will be discussed. This will include discussing possible strategies and the best possible outcome. You will have several consultations with your criminal defence lawyer as your case progresses. How many consultations you have will depend on the severity of the charges and the instructions you have given your lawyers. 

What are the benefits of a criminal defence lawyer?

Hiring a criminal defence lawyer comes with several benefits that can help you with your case, including accessing professional legal advice and ensuring your rights are protected. We have listed the main benefits of hiring a criminal defence lawyer below: 

  • You can avoid legal penalties 
  • Your rights are protected 
  • You can achieve the best possible outcome
  • You will get a thorough case analysis 
  • You will get professional legal advice 

A criminal defence lawyer will make these benefits known to you during your initial consultation, and it is important to consider the added support you will get from them throughout your case when deciding if a criminal defence lawyer is necessary. 

Find your criminal defence lawyer today 

Criminal defence lawyers will offer the support and guidance you need, while ensuring the best possible outcome for your case. An expert criminal defence lawyer should be contacted, like one from Donnelly Law Group. Donelly has some of the best criminal defence lawyers in the country, using years of experience and expertise to help get the best outcome for your case.

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