Expert Criminal Defence Lawyers in Queensland

Osborne Butler’s criminal defence lawyers represent clients across a wide range of matters in Queensland, including:

• Assault and violent offences
• Domestic violence and protection orders
• Bail applications
• Theft and robbery
• Murder and manslaughter
• Fraud and white collar crime
• Drug offences
• Sexual offences 
• Public nuisance
• Arson
• Terrorism
• Traffic and drink driving matters

We provide advice and representation at every stage, from police investigations through to court proceedings.

As soon as possible and ideally before you speak to the police.

Many people wait until they've been formally charged, but the decisions made in the early stages of an investigation can have a lasting impact on how your matter plays out. If police have contacted you for an interview, if you know you're under investigation or if you've received a notice to appear, that's the time to call.

The earlier you get advice, the more options you have.

Our criminal defence lawyers regularly appear in courts in Cairns, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and surrounding regions. We can represent you in all Queensland courts that hear criminal matters, including:

• The Magistrates Court of Queensland
• The District Court of Queensland
• The Supreme Court of Queensland

Our lawyers can also represent you in the Federal Court of Australia if you’re charged with a criminal offence under Commonwealth law.

Osborne Butler criminal defence lawyers have offices in:

• Cairns
• Brisbane
• Gold Coast (Southport)

We also act for clients across Queensland and can assist remotely where needed.

You can contact our team by phone, email or by submitting an enquiry through our website. We aim to respond promptly and can arrange a confidential consultation to discuss your situation.

For urgent matters please call one of our offices direct on:

Cairns: 07 4041 3301

Brisbane: 07 3521 5588

Gold Coast: 07 5532 0066

Our partners are also available out of hours on their mobile numbers:

Mark Butler (Brisbane and Gold Coast): 0402 782 551

Scott Osborne (Cairns): 0438 595 336

Legal fees vary depending on how complex a matter is as well as how fees are charged.

Some criminal lawyers charge hourly rates, while others offer fixed fees for certain services. As a general guide, hourly rates for criminal defence lawyers in Queensland can range from approximately $250 to $600+, depending on the lawyers’ experience, the field of law and the nature of the offence.

At Osborne Butler, we provide clear information about costs upfront so you can always make an informed decision.

Yes, even if you’ve been convicted a criminal lawyer can often still assist with:

• Appeals against conviction or sentence
• Applications to reopen a matter
• Advice on your options following a conviction

You can represent yourself in the Magistrates Court, but most people who do are at a significant disadvantage. Magistrates Court handles the majority of criminal matters in Queensland and, while proceedings can seem straightforward, your outcome is likely to be affected by the way your matter is presented, the submissions made on your behalf and the early decisions taken.

A good lawyer will also make sure you understand exactly what's happening and what your options are, which often matters as much as the legal work itself.

Yes. We regularly represent clients in traffic-related offences, including drink driving, licence suspensions and dangerous driving matters. 

You can read more about our traffic law services here.

Yes. Our criminal defence lawyers regularly assist clients with domestic violence applications (DVOs), protection orders, alleged breaches and related criminal charges.

You can read more about our experienced domestic violence lawyers here.

We understand that criminal matters can arise unexpectedly. If your situation is urgent, please contact our legal offices directly using the phone numbers below.

Within office hours (8:30am - 5:00pm)

Cairns: 07 4041 3301

Brisbane: 07 3521 5588

Gold Coast: 07 5532 0066

Outside of office hours

Please contact our partners directly on their mobiles.

Mark Butler (Brisbane and Gold Coast): 0402 782 551

Scott Osborne (Cairns): 0438 595 336

When you're facing a criminal charge, the lawyer you choose will shape everything that follows: the advice you get, how your matter is handled and ultimately, your outcome.

Osborne Butler focuses exclusively on specific areas of the law, including criminal law, traffic law and native title. That means our lawyers aren't generalists fitting your matter between neighbourhood fence disputes and conveyancing. They’re in Queensland courts every day, representing clients on these exact types of cases.

We act quickly, communicate directly, and give you honest advice from the outset,  whether that means resolving your matter early or preparing it properly for court.

Our two principals, Scott Osborne and Mark Butler, are personally available to clients including outside business hours on their direct mobiles. When your situation is urgent, you reach an experienced lawyer and decision-maker who can give you answers, not a receptionist who puts you in a hold pattern.