Best Criminal Lawyers in Melbourne for Federal and State Charges

Federal charges prosecuted by the CDPP differ in important respects from state charges run by the Victorian DPP, including in evidence handling, sentencing regimes, parallel agency involvement, and asset restraint under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth). Specialist counsel matters because the federal framework is procedurally distinct and the agencies involved, including the AFP, ATO, ACIC and ASIC, run their matters differently from state police. All lawyers profiled below are recognised by Doyle's Guide and Best Lawyers.

1. Bill Doogue, Doogue + George

Bill Doogue is a Director of Doogue + George, operating at the partner level on transnational criminal defence briefs. Admitted in Victoria, the High Court of Australia, and New Zealand since 1991, he has built a practice that extends to the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore.

The substantive focus of his work is on tax fraud, white collar crime, and complex commercial crime. He is ranked by Doyle's Guide as Pre-eminent in Criminal Law Defence, the most senior tier the guide recognises, and he is listed in Best Lawyers for Criminal Defence (2025). The cross-border element is what brings many of his matters across his desk in the first place.

What makes Doogue the relevant choice for this category is the combination of senior advocacy, the international practice base, and a systems-driven approach to evidence management reflected in his CCH technology award for database design. He runs the Australian Criminal Lawyers Conference, a national forum he founded for senior criminal defence practitioners. For briefs where the prosecution case rests on documents and overseas evidence, that combination of factors is the working differentiator.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

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.