Business Details
18 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Criminal Defence Team in Melbourne
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers is a specialist criminal law firm with over 15 years of experience defending clients across Victoria. Our team of 20+ highly skilled criminal defence lawyers operates from 9 strategically located offices in Melbourne and regional Victoria, providing 24/7 legal representation. We specialise in complex criminal matters including assault, drug offences, traffic violations, bail applications, and appeals, with a proven track record of over 38,000 defended cases. Our client-focused approach combines strategic legal expertise with transparent communication, offering services from early intervention to jury trials.Recognised as Law Institute Accredited Specialists, we maintain strong relationships with local courts and prosecutors to deliver optimal outcomes. Our commitment to excellence has earned consecutive awards as Melbourne's Top Traffic Lawyers in 2024 and 2025, while our appellate specialists handle cases in the County Court and High Court of Australia.
Services
Criminal Defence
Bail Applications
Appeals
Traffic Offences
Assault Cases
Drug Offences
Intervention Orders
Sex Offences
White Collar Crime
Animal Cruelty
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- 20+ specialist criminal defence lawyers with Victorian court expertise
- 9 strategically located offices across Melbourne and regional Victoria
- 24/7 availability for urgent legal matters and consultations
- Proven track record with 38,000+ defended cases since establishment
- Accredited specialists with consecutive awards for traffic law excellence
Associations and certifications
- Law Institute Accredited Specialists
What people say
24/7 availability
Non-conviction outcomes
Expert legal knowledge
Successful appeals
Compassionate representation
Services
Criminal Defence
Our specialist criminal defence lawyers handle all levels of criminal charges across Victoria. With 20+ dedicated practitioners and 15+ years' experience, we defend clients in Magistrates', County, and Supreme Courts. Our team specialises in assault, drug offences, and serious indictable charges, offering strategic defence from first court appearance through to trial. We maintain strong relationships with local prosecutors and magistrates to achieve optimal outcomes.
Bail Applications
We provide urgent bail application services for clients facing remand in custody. Our lawyers operate 24/7 across Melbourne's Magistrates Courts, handling complex bail matters including family violence cases and serious indictable offences. With expertise in Bail Act 1977 compliance, we prepare compelling bail applications supported by character references and surety arrangements to secure release conditions.
Appeals
Our appellate specialists handle appeals in County Court and High Court of Australia. With experience in error-of-law appeals and rehearing applications, we challenge unfavourable verdicts through meticulous case preparation. We focus on procedural fairness issues, sentencing discrepancies, and legal interpretation errors to achieve successful appeal outcomes for clients across Victoria.
Traffic Offences
We defend clients facing traffic charges including drink driving, drug driving, and dangerous driving offences. Our lawyers specialise in avoiding licence disqualifications and minimising penalties through mitigation strategies. With expertise in traffic infringement warrants and court prosecutions, we represent clients in both summary and indictable traffic matters across Melbourne's courts.
Assault Cases
Our assault defence team handles all levels of violent offences from common assault to aggravated charges. We specialise in self-defence claims, family violence matters, and serious injury cases. With experience in both Magistrates' and County Courts, we develop tailored defence strategies focusing on witness credibility, forensic evidence, and proportionality of force to achieve charge withdrawals or reduced penalties.
People
David Dribbin
Managing Partner Criminal Defence Lawyer
Founding partner with 15+ years' experience in criminal law. Specialises in complex indictable offences and appellate work. Regularly appears in County Court and Supreme Court. Recognised Law Institute Accredited Specialist.
Mike Brown
Managing Partner Criminal Defence Lawyer
Co-founding partner focusing on traffic law and drink driving defences. Leads appellate team with success in High Court cases. Award-winning practitioner with expertise in bail applications and serious criminal charges.
Kieran Burke
Managing Lawyer Melbourne
Specialist in youth justice and children's court matters. Achieves diversion programs and non-conviction outcomes. Experienced in armed robbery and aggravated burglary cases across Melbourne's central courts.
Samantha Barwick
Criminal Defence Lawyer
Dandenong-based practitioner with focus on family violence and assault charges. Successfully secures diversion programs for first-time offenders. Experienced in Magistrates' Court proceedings and intervention order applications.
Benjamin Smith
Criminal Defence Lawyer
Ballarat-based specialist in traffic offences and driving charges. Regularly appears in regional courts. Achieves charge withdrawals for technical breaches and develops mitigation strategies for sentencing hearings.
Questions
What criminal charges can you defend?
We handle all criminal charges including assault, drug offences, traffic violations, bail breaches, and serious indictable offences across Victoria's court system.
Do you offer 24/7 legal assistance?
Yes, our criminal defence team operates 7AM-12AM daily with emergency bail applications and urgent court representation available across Melbourne.
Can you help avoid a criminal record?
We specialise in diversion programs, section 8 orders, and charge negotiations to achieve non-conviction outcomes where legally possible for eligible clients.
What court locations do you cover?
We operate from 9 offices in Melbourne CBD, Frankston, Dandenong, Ringwood, Moorabbin, Geelong, Ballarat, Werribee, and Broadmeadows with court representation statewide.
How much does legal representation cost?
Fees vary by case complexity. Simple matters start from $2,000 while serious charges requiring trials attract higher fees. We provide upfront cost assessments during consultations.
Do you handle appeal cases?
Yes, our appellate specialists handle County Court and High Court appeals focusing on legal errors, sentencing discrepancies, and procedural fairness issues.
