Criminal law cost guide · Updated May 2026
Local Court guilty plea $2,000–$6,500. Defended summary hearing $8,000–$25,000. District Court trial $30,000+. Costs depend on plea, court level, and complexity.
Criminal law costs vary substantially by court level, plea, and matter complexity. A first-offence drink-driving plea in the Local Court is materially different from a contested District Court trial.
| Matter | Professional fee range | Court level |
|---|---|---|
| Drink driving — early guilty plea | $2,000–$4,500 | Local |
| Drink driving — s10 application with preparation | $3,500–$7,500 | Local |
| Drink driving — defended hearing | $6,500–$14,000 | Local |
| Drug possession — early guilty plea | $2,500–$5,500 | Local |
| Assault — defended summary hearing | $8,000–$18,000 | Local |
| AVO defence | $3,500–$12,000 | Local |
| Indictable matter — guilty plea | $8,000–$22,000 | District |
| Indictable matter — contested trial | $30,000–$120,000+ | District |
| Supreme Court matter (e.g. serious indictable) | $60,000–$250,000+ | Supreme |
| Appeal to District Court (severity) | $3,500–$9,000 | District |
Most criminal lawyers in Australia charge under one of: fixed fee for the appearance (common for plea matters), hourly rate ($350–$750 for solicitors, $700–$2,500 for counsel), or brief fees for senior counsel (a daily rate for trial appearance, typically $4,500–$15,000/day).
Under the Legal Profession Uniform Law, a written costs disclosure must be provided before the firm acts. Compare disclosures from two or three firms before engaging.
Legal Aid is available in most states for serious criminal matters where the accused is eligible on means and merit. Eligibility thresholds vary by state but generally require the matter to attract a real risk of custody, and the applicant to demonstrate limited income and assets.
Legal Aid NSW, Victoria Legal Aid, and the other state legal aid commissions publish their criminal law guidelines online. Most also fund duty solicitors at the Local/Magistrates Court — free representation for first appearances regardless of means.
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