Criminal Lawyer Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of a criminal lawyer. The charge, whether you plead guilty or not guilty, and whether it goes to a hearing or trial drive the cost enormously, from a simple local-court plea to a lengthy defended matter.
Your criminal lawyer details
Your estimate sits within the typical range.
A guilty plea in the local court is the cheapest path if you accept the charge, the lawyer presents your case for the best outcome on sentence. Good preparation (references, materials) can significantly affect the result.
Criminal lawyer costs vary enormously with the charge and whether you plead guilty or fight it. A simple local-court plea is a few thousand dollars, a defended serious matter is tens of thousands. Legal Aid exists for those who qualify.
💰 Ways to save
- Get early advice, a lawyer can often resolve or reduce a matter at an early stage for less.
- If eligible, Legal Aid or a community legal centre can represent you at no or low cost.
- Agree a fixed fee for a guilty plea where possible, so the cost is known up front.
How we estimate this
A criminal lawyer in Australia typically costs around $2,000 to $4,000 for a guilty plea in the local court in 2026, $6,000 to $15,000 for a defended hearing, and $20,000 to $60,000 or more for a serious charge going to trial. A barrister and expert reports add to that.
Pricing reviewed: November 2026.
Understanding criminal lawyer costs in Australia
A criminal lawyer in Australia typically costs around $2,000 to $4,000 for a guilty plea in the local court in 2026, $6,000 to $15,000 for a defended hearing, and $20,000 to $60,000 or more for a serious charge going to trial. A barrister and expert reports add to that.
The charge, the plea and whether it is defended drive the cost. A guilty plea is far cheaper than a contested trial. Legal Aid is available for eligible people depending on the charge and their means, so check if cost is a barrier.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a criminal lawyer cost in Australia?
Roughly $2,000 to $4,000 for a guilty plea in the local court in 2026, $6,000 to $15,000 for a defended hearing, and $20,000 to $60,000+ for a serious trial. A barrister adds more.
Can I get a criminal lawyer for free?
Legal Aid may fund representation for eligible people depending on the charge and your financial means, and community legal centres offer free advice. Check your eligibility if cost is a barrier.
Are you a criminal law firm?
Everyone on this page is working out what criminal lawyer costs because they are ready to hire. Put your business right beneath the calculator, in your state, so you are who they find. From $50/mo.