Business Details
Emergency
services
Trusted Criminal Defence Lawyers in Melbourne
Established by principal lawyer Steven Pica, our firm delivers expert criminal law representation across Melbourne. With over four decades of legal experience since admission in 1983, we handle cases ranging from minor traffic infringements to complex High Court matters. Our team provides 24/7 emergency legal assistance for urgent criminal law and intervention order matters. We prioritise client understanding through obligation-free initial consultations, ensuring transparency about court procedures and case strategies. Specialising in bail applications, appeals, drug offences, assault cases, and sex-related charges, we combine deep technical knowledge with practical courtroom experience.Our Law Institute accreditation underscores our commitment to maintaining specialist competence in criminal law. We appear daily in courts from Children's Court to the High Court of Australia, consistently achieving acquittals even amid evolving legal frameworks. Our approach balances prompt service with cost-effective solutions while treating every case, regardless of complexity, with equal dedication. Clients benefit from our team's collective expertise in defending diverse criminal charges including fraud, murder, and white-collar crimes. This combination of experience, accessibility, and specialist focus defines our practice's reputation for delivering favourable legal outcomes.
Services
Criminal Defence
Bail Applications
Drug Offences
Appeals
Sexual Offences
Assault Charges
Intervention Orders
Traffic Infringements
Fraud Cases
Murder Charges
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 emergency legal representation for urgent matters
- Our principal lawyer has over 40 years of criminal law experience
- We provide obligation-free initial consultations with case analysis
- We handle matters from Magistrates Court to High Court of Australia
- Our team maintains Law Institute accreditation in criminal law specialisation
Associations and certifications
- Law Institute of Victoria
Services
Criminal Defence
Our criminal defence service provides specialist legal representation across all Victorian courts. We handle charges ranging from minor traffic offences to serious indictable matters including murder and sexual offences. With Law Institute accredited specialists and 24/7 emergency availability, we prepare robust defences through evidence analysis and court procedure expertise. Clients receive obligation-free initial consultations to understand case strengths and potential outcomes before committing to representation.
Bail Applications
We offer urgent bail application services for clients facing criminal charges. Our experienced lawyers advise on optimal timing and strategy for bail applications, appearing in court to present compelling arguments. The service includes immediate assistance upon police contact, family support during proceedings, and strategic decision-making to maximise favourable outcomes. We handle bail matters across all criminal charge severities, focusing on securing release conditions that protect client interests.
Drug Offences
Our drug offence service covers possession, trafficking, importation, and manufacturing charges. We conduct detailed analysis of available defences, including quantity assessments and procedural challenges. The service addresses both personal use and commercial-scale cases, with expertise in complex drug laboratory prosecutions. We represent clients in court appearances and negotiations, focusing on minimising penalties through technical legal arguments and evidence scrutiny.
Appeals
We handle appeals against convictions and sentencing across all Victorian courts including Supreme Court and High Court of Australia. Our service includes case review, grounds identification, and appellate strategy development. We represent clients in appeal hearings, focusing on legal errors or disproportionate sentencing. The service covers both criminal law appeals and complex cases involving multiple jurisdictions or precedent-setting interpretations.
Sexual Offences
Specialist defence service for sexual offence charges including rape, indecent assault, and child pornography. We provide immediate representation for released-on-bail cases and court proceedings. Our approach combines legal expertise with sensitive handling of complex evidence and witness statements. The service addresses recent legislative changes increasing conviction probabilities, focusing on acquittal strategies through forensic evidence analysis and procedural challenges.
People
Steven Pica
Principal Lawyer
Admitted in 1983, Steven Pica is a Law Institute Accredited Criminal Law Specialist with extensive courtroom experience. He has represented clients in high-profile cases across all Victorian courts and interstate jurisdictions. His practice spans from Children's Court matters to High Court appeals, maintaining specialist focus on criminal defence strategy and evidence analysis.
Questions
What areas of criminal law do you specialise in?
We handle all criminal charges including drug offences, sexual offences, assault cases, bail applications, appeals, and intervention orders. Our expertise covers matters from Magistrates Court to High Court of Australia.
Do you offer emergency legal services?
Yes, we provide 24/7 emergency representation for urgent criminal law matters and intervention order applications. Contact us immediately for bail assistance or police interviews.
Can I get a free initial consultation?
We offer obligation-free first meetings to discuss your case details, court procedures, and defence strategy options without any commitment or legal fees.
Are your lawyers accredited specialists?
Yes, our principal lawyer Steven Pica is an accredited criminal law specialist with the Law Institute of Victoria, maintaining specialist competence through ongoing professional development.
What court levels do you handle?
We represent clients in all Victorian courts including Children's Court, Magistrates Court, County Court, Supreme Court, and High Court of Australia for both summary and indictable offences.
