Criminal law · Perth, WA
Verified Australian criminal lawyers practising in Perth and surrounding suburbs. Practising certificates checked against the WA register. Fees published. Methodology transparent.
Criminal law in Australia is state-based with significant procedural variation — each state has its own Crimes Act or Criminal Code plus sentencing statute. Matters proceed through the Local/Magistrates Court for summary offences and through the District/County or Supreme Court for indictable offences. Early engagement of a criminal lawyer materially affects outcomes, particularly for sentencing.
Perth is the centre of Western Australian legal practice with substantial resources, energy and mining-related commercial work. The Supreme Court of Western Australia, Federal Court (Perth Registry) and District Court all sit here. The Law Society of Western Australia regulates solicitors; WA Bar Association regulates barristers.
Regulators: Law Society of Western Australia (lawsocietywa.asn.au) and WA Bar Association (wabar.asn.au)
Magistrates Court of WA for summary; District Court of WA for indictable; Supreme Court for most serious. Criminal Code (WA).
Indicative fees drawn from our 2026 practitioner survey and published cost data. Confirm in writing with any firm before engaging — written costs disclosure is mandatory under the Legal Profession Uniform Law.
| Pathway / matter type | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early plea (Magistrates) | $1,800–$4,200 | |
| Defended hearing | $6,000–$13,000 | |
| District Court matter | $8,000–$90,000+ |
For the full criminal law cost breakdown across Australia, see our Criminal law cost guide.
Matter types we see most often in our intake from Perth and surrounding suburbs.
The most common Local Court charge. Penalty bands run from novice/special through to high-range. Section 10 dismissals (no conviction recorded) are available in narrow first-offence circumstances with appropriate preparation. Mandatory interlock applies in most states for mid-range and above.
Common assault, AOABH (assault occasioning actual bodily harm), GBH (grievous bodily harm). Range from Local Court summary through to District Court indictable. Defended hearings require careful witness evidence preparation.
Possession, supply, trafficking. Quantity thresholds determine jurisdiction. Diversion programs available in most states for personal-use possession. Supply-quantity matters typically proceed indictably.
Defending an apprehended violence order application. Technically civil but heard in criminal jurisdiction. Most contested AVOs resolve at first mention through undertakings or withdrawal.
Theft, larceny, fraud, burglary. Court hierarchy depends on value and complexity. Sentencing options heavily affected by prior history.
Serious offences proceeding by indictment. Committal hearings, jury trials or judge-alone trials, complex evidence. Senior counsel commonly briefed.
Five questions that determine whether the lawyer in front of you is the right fit for your matter.
Onboarding for this practice + city combination is currently in progress.
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