Top Criminal Defence Lawyers in Melbourne for Indictable Crime

Indictable crime in Victoria covers offences serious enough to be heard before a judge and jury, with committal proceedings often preceding. Defence at this level requires lawyers comfortable with extended timelines, voluminous briefs, and the strategic judgment that distinguishes plea negotiation from trial preparation. Specialist counsel matters because indictable defence is a long game and the early decisions, including whether to elect committal, often constrain options at trial. All lawyers profiled below are recognised by Doyle's Guide and Best Lawyers.

1. Bill Doogue, Doogue + George

Bill Doogue's practice as a Director of Doogue + George centres on tax fraud, white collar crime, complex commercial crime, and cross-border matters. He has been admitted to practise in Victoria, the High Court of Australia, and New Zealand since 1991, with active practice across the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore.

His Doyle's Guide ranking sits at Pre-eminent in Criminal Law Defence, the highest tier in the methodology, and he is listed in Best Lawyers for Criminal Defence (2025). The international scope of his practice is unusual among Australian criminal defence lawyers and is particularly relevant where matters involve foreign agencies, evidence held overseas, or extradition issues.

The distinguishing feature for this category is Doogue's ability to manage a brief at scale. He has received the CCH technology award for database design, reflecting a systems-driven approach to complex litigation, and runs the Australian Criminal Lawyers Conference, which functions as a national gathering of senior criminal defence practitioners. For document-heavy matters with cross-jurisdictional elements, that infrastructure makes a measurable difference.

2. Howard Rapke, Holding Redlich

Recognised by Best Lawyers for Criminal Defence in 2017 and listed in Doyle's Guide as Leading in administrative law (2023), Howard Rapke practises as a Partner at Holding Redlich, where he heads the firm's national disputes practice. His criminal defence work centres on commercial crime, complex fraud, and regulatory matters.

The seniority of his role at Holding Redlich, combined with more than three decades at the bar, makes him a natural choice for matters where parallel regulatory and criminal proceedings need to be managed in tandem. Rapke practises in both Victoria and Federal jurisdictions and operates as solicitor advocate and instructor, retaining flexibility on whether to appear personally or brief counsel.

3. Angus Cameron, Angus Cameron and Associates

Angus Cameron's practice is built around Victorian criminal defence, run from Angus Cameron and Associates where he holds the dual roles of Partner and Director. He is listed by Doyle's Guide as Recommended in Criminal Law Defence (2026), placing him within the published rankings for the state.

The dual solicitor-advocate and instructor role means Cameron can take a matter to hearing himself or brief counsel where strategy requires. Operating as Principal of his own firm, with Doyle's recognition, he is a relevant choice for referrers assessing senior boutique-firm representation in Victorian criminal defence.

4. Tony Hargreaves, Tony Hargreaves and Associates

As Principal of Tony Hargreaves and Associates, Tony Hargreaves practises in serious criminal defence with the senior practitioner running matters directly rather than through delegation. He is listed by Doyle's Guide as Pre-eminent in Criminal Law Defence (2026) and brings more than 30 years of experience to the briefs he runs.

The Pre-eminent tier sits at the top of the Doyle's hierarchy and is reserved for the most senior Victorian criminal defence practitioners. Hargreaves practises in both Victorian and Federal jurisdictions and operates as solicitor advocate and instructor. The combination of a focused boutique structure and Pre-eminent recognition is itself a relevant signal for referrers assessing senior representation.

5. Emma Turnbull, Emma Turnbull and Associates

Indictable matters and legal aid work define Emma Turnbull's Victorian criminal defence practice. She is a Partner and Director of Emma Turnbull and Associates, the firm she heads, and operates as both solicitor advocate and instructor.

The combination of higher-court indictable work and legal aid practice is unusual and reflects an engagement across the full range of the Victorian profession. Turnbull runs her matters directly, with the dual solicitor-advocate role allowing her to take cases to hearing personally or brief counsel where strategy calls for it.

Selection of counsel in this category depends on matter type, jurisdiction, and stage of proceedings. Early engagement of senior counsel materially affects outcomes, particularly where decisions made at the investigation or charge stage shape the options available later. The practitioners profiled above represent a starting point for informed referral within Victorian criminal defence.