Criminal Lawyer Canberra

Criminal lawyer serving Canberra and the ACT

The ACT Magistrates Court handles the full range of summary criminal matters in Canberra, from minor offences and traffic charges through to more serious matters that are committed up to the ACT Supreme Court. The Supreme Court deals with serious indictable offences including assault, fraud, drug trafficking, sexual offences, and homicide matters.

Tony Cullinan is a specialist criminal defence lawyer who appears in Canberra for clients facing criminal charges in the ACT. Tony holds a Master’s degree in criminal practice (one of the most advanced qualifications available in Australian criminal law) and has over 20 years’ experience in criminal and traffic defence. He practises criminal and traffic law exclusively. You deal directly with him, not with a junior lawyer or a paralegal managing your file.

Appearing in Canberra courts

Under mutual recognition provisions, a NSW solicitor admitted to practise can appear in ACT courts. Tony Cullinan appears at the ACT Magistrates Court on Knowles Place and at the ACT Supreme Court on London Circuit for clients who need specialist criminal defence representation in the national capital.

The ACT Magistrates Court operates in a similar way to Local Courts in NSW. The first court date is usually a mention, the charge is noted, the brief of evidence is requested from the AFP or ACT Policing, and the matter is adjourned. The next stages depend on the nature of the charge, the strength of the brief, and the instructions you give your lawyer.

Serious matters committed from the Magistrates Court are heard in the ACT Supreme Court before a judge and, in some cases, a jury.

Criminal defence in Canberra

Tony handles a broad range of criminal matters for Canberra clients, including:

Assault and violence offences: From common assault and affray through to more serious assault charges requiring District Court or Supreme Court representation.

Drug offences: Possession, supply, and trafficking charges, Canberra has a significant drug enforcement presence given the AFP’s role in the ACT.

Property offences: Theft, fraud, receiving stolen goods, and break and enter charges.

Domestic violence and AVO matters: Apprehended Violence Order applications in the ACT, alongside any associated criminal charges.

Sexual offences: Serious criminal charges requiring specialist defence from the investigation phase through to trial.

White collar and fraud matters: Given Canberra’s professional demographic, fraud and financial crime charges are not uncommon. These matters require careful management from the earliest stage.

Traffic offences: Drink driving, drug driving, dangerous driving, licence matters, and traffic offences in the ACT. See Traffic Lawyer Canberra for more.

Why early advice matters most

For any criminal charge in Canberra, the most important decision you can make is to get specialist legal advice before speaking to police. AFP and ACT Policing interviews are recorded and admissible. What you say (or what you choose not to say) can determine how the prosecution builds its case.

Tony advises on the right to silence, attends police interviews as your lawyer, and makes bail applications in Canberra courts where custody is in issue. Early advice consistently produces better options than seeking representation only after a charge has been laid and an interview has already occurred.

Canberra clients and the South Coast connection

Tony is based in Bega on the NSW South Coast, approximately three hours from Canberra via the Monaro Highway. He appears in Canberra for clients who require specialist criminal defence representation and want to work directly with an experienced criminal lawyer, rather than a large urban firm where client contact is managed by juniors.

For Canberra clients, the initial consultation can be conducted by telephone or video, with in-person meetings arranged around court dates and preparation requirements.

Useful guides: What a criminal lawyer does, Criminal and traffic law for Canberra residents, Domestic violence, AVO and ADVO charges.

Contact

Call Tony on +61 2 6492 4035 for a confidential first conversation about your Canberra matter. His office is at 80 Auckland Street, Bega NSW 2550. The first call costs nothing.

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This page contains general information about criminal law matters in Canberra and the ACT. It does not constitute legal advice. Contact Tony Cullinan for advice specific to your situation.