Criminal Lawyers Melbourne

There are no hidden costs with Ajak & Associates, meaning you know what your legal costs are upfront.

For summary matters, we charge $2200 plus GST for PREP and $1650 plus GST per appearance. Barristers fees and disbursements separate. So depending on whether the matter resolves or not, it can cost anything between $7k and $25K.  

For indictable matters, we charge $4400 plus GST for preparation and $2200 plus GST per appearance in Magistrates’ Court. Barristers fees and disbursements separate. These matters end up in the County Court and Supreme Court.

Once there, further fees of $4400 plus GST for preparation and $2400 plus GST for an appearance. Barristers are separate and it can cost up to $100K or more, depending on how complex the matter is and the work involved.

You may be able to get help from Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) if you can't afford a lawyer for your criminal matter. VLA is the organisation that provides funding for legal representation to those who cannot afford it. To apply, you will need to complete the relevant criminal application form and make an appointment with one of our solicitor's to discuss your eligibility for this funding (see also below section).

Our lawyers are all experienced in handling matters where the client is assisted by VLA, including preparing documentation for funding applications, attending court on your behalf and ensuring that you understand what is happening throughout the process. We will liaise with your VLA about your funding and will stay in contact as necessary.

In most cases, you cannot get a free lawyer in Australia. You will have to pay for a lawyer yourself unless you have been assessed as being eligible for funding from VLA. This means you can get a lawyer to represent you and the government will pay for it.

You may be eligible for legal aid if:

• you are a recipient of Centrelink benefits; or
• you earn less than $30,000 per annum as an individual or $60,000 as a couple with children;

and

one of the following situations applies to you:

• you have been charged with a summary offence but there is a risk that you will be sentenced to a term of imprisonment;
• you have been charged with an offence that is a serious indictable offence (which is an offence where the maximum penalty if found guilty is five years or more in prison);  
• you have been charged with more than one minor charge and VLA thinks it's not economical for you to be represented by a private lawyer;
• you have been charged with a serious indictable offence while representing yourself in court;
• you are facing legal action for sexual abuse that occurred while you were working in a government school or government-run children's home.
  

You may be eligible for legal aid and exempt from providing proof of your financial means if:

• were under 18 years of age at the time of the alleged crime;
• are experiencing homelessness;
• are fleeing from or experiencing family violence;
• are in custody seeking assistance for a bail application;
• reside in a remote area;
• are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander;
• are in custody and have savings of $1,095 or less:
• if they are released from custody while they have a grant of aid, they will have to provide supporting documents, unless one of the other factors above apply, or
• are in custody and the matter is a summary case that will be heard within seven days:

A lawyer is a person who is qualified to provide legal advice and representation. A criminal lawyer is an expert in the law of crime and represents people charged with crimes through the court process.

A criminal lawyer will represent their client from the earliest possible opportunity in a criminal matter. For example, if you are remanded in custody, your lawyer will represent you in applying for bail to be released into the community, and then continue the case through all court appearances and negotiations with the prosecution. The goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for the client, which could be a charge being withdrawn or a penalty that is less severe than what was originally sought by the prosecution.

Criminal lawyers must complete a four-year Bachelor degree in Law, plus a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. They need to pass the Victorian Legal Admissions Board's (VLAB) admission process before they can practice as a lawyer. Our firm is also an Accredited Specialist firm in the area of criminal law - this involves specialist training in the field of criminal law, as approved by the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV).