Criminal Lawyers Melbourne

James Dowsley & Associates (JDA) are criminal defence lawyers available 24/7 from offices across Melbourne.
If you need immediate advice or support in regards to any criminal matter, contact our lawyers 24/7 on (03) 9781 4900.
If you need immediate advice or support in regards to any criminal matter, contact our lawyers 24/7 on (03) 9781 4900.

Our criminal law experts represent clients at all levels of proceedings, including those heard in the Magistrates’ Court, County Court, Supreme Court, High Court, Children’s Court and Victorian Court of Appeal.

We can assist with matters heard in any part of Victoria. Some of the criminal law services we assist with are:

Request a Free Consultation

Our Legal Services

JDA Legal homepage Fraud Identity Theft 1

Bail
Applications

Our specialist criminal bail lawyers in Melbourne are experienced in representing clients in all jurisdictions

JDA Legal homepage Driving traffic

Drink Driving
Offences

Our criminal defence solicitors are highly experienced in representing Drink Driving offenders in Victoria

JDA-Legal_homepage_Assault-Charges

Traffic
Offences

Get expert advice and representation for driving and traffic offences in Victoria

JDA Legal homepage Sexual Offences

Sexual
Offences

Our experienced sexual offence lawyers can provide you with much needed advice and representation

JDA-Legal_homepage_Serius-Offending

Assault
Charges

Our expert criminal law solicitors advise and represent clients in relation to a range of Assault charges

JDA Legal homepage Family Violence

Family Violence & Intervention Orders

Contact JDA’s criminal lawyers today for expert family violence advice

JDA Legal homepage Burglary Theft

Burglary, Robbery & Theft Charges

Our criminal law solicitors advise and represent clients in relation to all Theft, Burglary and Robbery offences in Victoria

JDA Legal homepage drug offences

Drug Related Offences

JDA Law’s specialised solicitors provide quality advice and representation for drug related offences in Victoria

JDA Legal homepage Homicide

Murder & Manslaughter Offences

Our skilled criminal solicitors can provide you with important advice and representation

JDA Legal homepage Fraud Identity Theft 1

Appeals

Our experienced appeals solicitors can advise and represent you for an appeal to any court in Victoria

JDA Legal homepage Fraud Identity Theft 1

Fraud, Dishonesty & Identity Theft Offences

We have expert solicitors who can advise you on any criminal Fraud, Dishonesty and Identity Theft charges in Victoria

Why Choose James Dowsley & Associates?

About us

James Dowsley & Associates are criminal lawyers in Melbourne who apply a high level of commitment and expertise to every case.

We act in all courts and tribunals relevant to criminal law matters in Victoria.

Our team can help you with any criminal law matter involving any issue or offence. We have a number of offices across Melbourne, and act for clients in all parts of Victoria.

Our team is comprised of three Law Institute of Victoria accredited criminal solicitors as well as several other solicitors with 10+ years’ experience.

Find out more about how Justice Demands Attention

Why Choose James Dowsley & Associates?

Legal Aid Victoria

We act for private clients and those who are eligible for funding assistance through Victoria Legal Aid.

Our work for legally aided clients, and our position as a preferred provider of Victoria Legal Aid, is driven by our longstanding commitment to justice.

We are a trusted adviser and advocate because of our work and the level of care we show for every client and matter.

Meet The Team

Adrienna Kisvarda
Adrienna Kisvarda
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
(03) 9781 4900 - adriennak@jdalaw.com.au
Kymberley Skillen
Kymberley Skillen
Criminal Defence Lawyer Dandenong
03 8788 5600 - kyms@jdalaw.com.au
Melainie Vinton
Melainie Vinton
Criminal Defence Lawyer Dandenong
03 8788 5600 - melainiev@jdalaw.com.au
Scott Kaiser
Scott Kaiser
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
Scott was admitted into the Legal Profession in September 2019
03 9781 4900 - scottk@jdalaw.com.au
Stacey Stanley
Stacey Stanley
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
03 9781 4900 - staceys@jdalaw.com.au
Ben Hanley
Ben Hanley
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
03 9781 4900 - benh@jdalaw.com.au
Lorna Williamson
Lorna Williamson
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
03 9781 4900 - lornaw@jdalaw.com.au
Anthony Maselli
Anthony Maselli
Criminal Defence Lawyer Melbourne
03 8602 1400 - anthonym@jdalaw.com.au
James Dowsley
James Dowsley
Principal & Accredited Criminal Law Specialist
James has been involved in the Criminal Justice System as a Lawyer for over 25 years and gained his Specialist Accreditation from the Law Institute of Victoria in 2002. Being a dedicated advocate for clients human rights, James has a passion for defending his clients in the Australian Courts.
03 8602 1400 - jamesd@jdalaw.com.au
Shaana Wilk
Shaana Wilk
Criminal Defence Lawyer Moorabbin/Highett
Since completing her Articles of Clerkship in Criminal Law and Commercial Litigation at Birch Ross & Barlow Solicitors, Shaana has practiced solely within the Criminal Law jurisdiction. Joining the JDA family in 2010, Shanna began her at our Frankston office. Since 2012 Shanna has been the sole solicitor at our Moorabbin/Highett office.
03 9555 4442 - shaanaw@jdalaw.com.au
Domenic Care
Domenic Care
Accredited Criminal Law Specialist – Criminal Defence Lawyer - Melbourne
Domenic Care joined James Dowsley & Associates in 2013. He appears regularly in the Magistrates’ Court, County Court and Children’s Court of Victoria for matters including plea hearings, contested bail applications and appeal hearings.
03 8602 1400 - domenicc@jdalaw.com.au
Kieran Reynolds
Kieran Reynolds
Accredited Criminal Law Specialist – Criminal Defence Lawyer
Kieran joined the JDA family in 2015 having worked at several large Criminal Law firms since 2004. He regularly appears in both the Magistrates Court and County Court in a diverse range of matters. Kieran was admitted as an Accredited Criminal Law Speciality in 2009 and has maintained his Specialist Accreditation every year since. He is committed to ensuring that the rights of his clients are upheld in court.
03 8602 1400 - kieranr@jdalaw.com.au
Brett Barratt
Brett Barratt
Criminal Defence Lawyer - Melbourne
Brett joined the JDA family in 2013 as a law clerk. He has since then worked as a paralegal at our Dandenong office between September 2015 and March 2016. Commencing as a Lawyer at our Frankston office in March 2016. He appears regularly on behalf of clients facing a range of summary and indictable criminal matters in the Magistrates’ Court. Brett also instructs counsel and assists in the preparation and running of complex indictable criminal cases in the County Court.
03 8602 1400 - brettb@jdalaw.com.au
Jackson McLeod
Jackson McLeod
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
Having previously interned at the Victorian Law Reform Commission, JobWatch Victoria and Refugee Legal and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Jackson has dedicated his career to providing access to justice to those who need it most. He regularly appears in the Magistrates’ Court and has instructed in the County Court. Jackson applies his keen attention to detail and broad knowledge of the law to all of his matters, and capably and professionally handles pleas, bail applications and case conferences at the Magistrates’’ Court.
03 9781 4900 - jacksonm@jdalaw.com.au
Bridie O’Malley
Bridie O’Malley
Criminal Defence Lawyer Dandenong
Bridie joined the JDA family in 2014 commencing as a volunteer law student, assisting in the formation of our Intervention Order section. Graduating to become a paralegal at our Dandenong office in 2016 and joining our team of lawyers in 2017.
03 8788 5600 - bridieo@jdalaw.com.au
Sally Abel
Sally Abel
Business Manager
03 8788 5600 - aghk@jdalaw.com.au
Lucy Mcphail
Lucy Mcphail
Office Manager
03 8788 5600 - lucym@jdalaw.com.au
View Our Locations
Meet our Criminal lawyers