Who are the best criminal lawyers in Brisbane 2023?
Ultimate guide to find the Best Criminal Lawyers Brisbane 2023: Who to Look For and How to Choose the Right One
If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges in Brisbane, you need the best criminal lawyer to represent you in court. The right criminal lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. But with so many criminal lawyers in Brisbane, how do you know which one to choose? In this article, we will discuss who and what to look for when choosing a criminal lawyer and provide you with the awarded criminal lawyers in Brisbane for 2023.
When facing criminal charges, it is important to have a criminal lawyer represent you in court. Criminal charges can have serious consequences, including fines, jail time, and a criminal record. A criminal lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and fight for your rights. They can provide you with legal advice, negotiate with the prosecutor, and represent you in court.
If your freedom, job and your reputation is at stake, we strongly recommend that you have a close look at this guide. We provide ways to find the best criminal lawyers as well as profiles of the best criminal lawyers in Brisbane that have recently been awarded on 20 September 2023, by Lawyers & Barristers Awards.
What to Look for in a Criminal Lawyer
When choosing a criminal lawyer in Brisbane, there are several factors to consider:
Experience
You want a criminal lawyer who has experience in the specific area of law that your case involves. For example, if you are facing drug charges, you want a criminal lawyer who has experience with drug cases. Look for a criminal lawyer who has a track record of success in similar cases.
Reputation
You want a criminal lawyer with a good reputation in the legal community. Look for a criminal lawyer who is well-respected by their peers and has positive reviews from clients. You can check online reviews and ask for referrals from friends or family members who have used a criminal lawyer in the past.
Communication
You want a criminal lawyer who communicates well and keeps you informed throughout the legal process. Look for a lawyer who is responsive to your calls and emails and explains things to you in a way that you can understand.
Cost
You want a criminal lawyer who is affordable and offers transparent pricing. Look for a lawyer who offers a flat fee or an hourly rate with a clear breakdown of costs.
Availability
You want a criminal lawyer who is available when you need them. Look for a lawyer who is willing to meet with you outside of normal business hours if necessary and who can accommodate your schedule.
Who are the best criminal lawyers in Brisbane 2023?
| Name | Law Firm | Award | Email Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristy Bell | Bell Criminal Lawyers | Leading Criminal Lawyer Award Brisbane 2023 | kristy@bellcriminallawyers.com |
| Bruce Peters | Brisbane Criminal Lawyers | Leading Criminal Lawyer Award Brisbane 2023 | bruce.peters@briscrimlaw.com.au |
| Justin Sibley | Sibley Lawyers | Leading Criminal Lawyer Award Brisbane 2023 | info@sibleylawyers.com.au |
| Amy Soong | Ashworth Lawyers | Leading Criminal Lawyer Award Brisbane 2023 | amysoong@ashworthlawyers.com.au |
Awarded Criminal Lawyers Brisbane 2023
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Kristy Bell
Kristy is the Director of Bell Criminal Lawyers, a boutique, specialist criminal law firm based in the Brisbane CBD.
Kristy has been engaged with the practice of criminal law since 2011. Despite commencing her career as a Prosecutor, she quickly found her calling as a criminal defence lawyer and is now one of a handful of Accredited Criminal Law Specialists in Queensland.
Kristy is a member of the Queensland Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee and Queensland Law Society’s Specialist Accreditation Committee. Kristy has been consistently recognised as one of Queensland’s recommended leading Criminal Defence Lawyers in Doyle’s Guide.
Kristy works on all kinds of criminal and quasi-criminal matters including investigative hearings, commissions, coronial inquests, parole applications and criminal confiscations matters.
Kristy understands being charged with a criminal offence is a distressing experience and considers discretion imperative in the conduct of all her matters, irrespective of the profile of her clients. She takes a considered and empathetic approach to client care, but is unyielding in the advocacy of her client’s rights.
Kristy’s areas of practice are:
• Criminal Law
• Investigative Hearings
• Proceeds of Crime
• Parole Applications
• Traffic Offences
• Domestic Violence
• Coronial Inquests
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Bruce Peters
With over 20 years experience in criminal law, what you can expect from Bruce is both legal advice and practical advice. Bruce possesses street knowledge which makes him one of very few lawyers that are approachable and easy to speak to when discussing your criminal law matter.
Bruce was first admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in August 2000. He later moved to Queensland and established Brisbane Criminal Lawyers in 2010.
​Bruce has since appeared in all levels of the Queensland Courts and has managed some of the most unique and complex criminal matters in Australia.
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Justin Sibley
Justin Sibley was admitted as a Barrister in 2001, whilst employed as a Police Officer in the Child and Sexual Assault Unit. Justin Sibley has unique insights into how the Police work, and will use that insight to develop the best strategies for your defence. Justin started his career as a police officer in 1997, working in criminal investigative squads including in Major Crime and in the Child and Sexual Assault Unit, before being admitted as a Barrister in 2001. He then joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Following overseas postings to the Philippines, Lebanon and Iraq as a Counter Terrorism officer, Justin resumed his work as a Barrister in 2015, whilst continuing to consult internationally, before establishing the practice in 2017.
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Amy Soong
Amy completed a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Business, and a Master of Laws from QUT. She has been admitted as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia for 15 years.
During this time, her practice has focused on criminal defence in all State and Commonwealth crime. Amy has extensive experience in representing clients for a wide range of offences, having worked for a large criminal law firm for 6 years and then establishing Ashworth Lawyers in 2014. During this time, Amy has appeared in numerous courts and jurisdictions in Queensland, and also travelled to represent clients in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide.
Amy has represented clients charged in large scale drug operations, transnational organised crime, offences of sexual violence, sophisticated and high-value fraud offences, and aviation offences. Amy also has extensive experience in white-collar crime, including Food Act prosecutions, tax offences, and ASIC investigations. Amy has represented clients in CCC coercive hearings and coronial inquests.
Amy is focused and is highly organised and has strong attention to detail to cases. Her strength is to explore all options and believes that thorough and meticulous preparation is the key to achieving the best outcomes for clients. She will always look for alternative processes which may end the matter early for clients to save stress, time, and costs. This includes having successfully negotiated or mediated cases so that they are discontinued from the court.
She is sensitive to the highly stressful and foreign nature of the criminal law process to most clients and so understands that working closely with clients and maintaining regular communication is important.
She is always looking for new arguments and perspectives for a client’s case. Her extensive court experience means that she can anticipate what the prosecutor will likely argue, and knows what arguments will likely be persuasive to a court.
She is a current member of the Queensland Law Society Wellbeing Working Group and is dedicated to supporting QLS in strengthening the health and wellbeing of fellow practitioners.
Now that you have a list of the best criminal lawyers in Brisbane for 2023, the next step is to choose the right legal professional to represent you in your case. Here are some tips on how to select the best criminal lawyer in Brisbane for your case.
Do your research
The first step in choosing the best criminal lawyer in Brisbane is to do your research. Look up the law firms and individual lawyers on your list, and read their websites and online reviews. Pay attention to their experience, success rate, and client feedback. This information can help you make an informed decision about which lawyer or law firm to choose.
Check their qualifications and credentials
When choosing a criminal lawyer in Brisbane, make sure to check their qualifications and credentials. Look for a lawyer who is licensed to practice law in New South Wales and is a member of the Law Society of Queensland. You can also check if they have any additional qualifications or certifications that make them an expert in their field.
Look for a lawyer with a personalised approach
Each case is unique, and you want a lawyer who will take the time to understand the specific details of your case and develop a personalised strategy for your defense. Choose a lawyer who is committed to providing personalised service and will work with you to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Book a free consultation and ask questions
During your initial consultation, there are several questions you should ask to determine if the lawyer is the right fit for your case. Some questions to consider include:
- What is your experience in handling cases like mine?
- What is your approach to defending criminal cases?
- What are your fees, and how do you charge for your services?
- How will you keep me informed about my case?
- What is the likely outcome of my case?
- What is the best case scenario if I plead guilty?
- What is the worst case scenario I plead guilty?
- Do I get a discount off my sentence if I plead guilty at the first available opportunity?
- Can I change the facts sheet?
- What happens if I plead not guilty?
- What are the fees if I plead guilty?
- What are the fees if I plead not guilty?
- What do my bail conditions mean?
- What happens if I breach my bail conditions?
- Are bail conditions the same as AVO conditions?
- What happens if I breach my AVO?
- If I serve time in custody, will the days served be accounted for when I am sentenced?
- How do I show the courts that I am otherwise a good person?
- At the time of the alleged offence I was suffering from a mental health condition, can this be considered by the courts?
- What defences are available to me?
- How can I avoid a criminal conviction?
- Do I need a barrister?
In conclusion, choosing the best criminal lawyer in Brisbane for your case requires careful consideration and research. By following these tips, you can select a legal professional with the experience, qualifications, and personalised approach needed to provide you with the best possible defense.
The awarded criminal lawyers at Lawyers & Barristers Awards is certainly a starting point for those that need the best possible outcome in their matter. Go through their profiles, and see which lawyer would best serve your needs.
For more information please email info@lawyersbarristersawards.com.au.
