Leading Family Violence Lawyers Melbourne for Accused Persons Charged After Separation
Family violence criminal charges arising after the end of a relationship present a distinct set of considerations. A significant proportion of family violence charges in Victoria arise in the post-separation period, often in the context of disputed parenting arrangements, property settlements, or new relationships. In these matters, criminal proceedings frequently run alongside family law proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and intervention order proceedings in the Magistrates Court. Allegations made in the family law context can inform police investigations, and evidence given in criminal proceedings can be disclosed in family law hearings. Managing all of these tracks without one compromising another requires specific experience across each area.
The lawyers below are Victorian criminal defence practitioners with Doyle's Guide recognition in criminal law defence.
1. Amelia Ramsay, Doogue + George Defence Lawyers
Amelia Ramsay is a Partner at Doogue + George Defence Lawyers, admitted in 2013 and a Partner since 2024. Before joining the firm in 2014, she served as an Associate to a Judge of the County Court of Victoria and worked with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Doyle's Guide recognises her as a Recommended Criminal Defence Lawyer in Victoria for 2026. Her practice covers serious and complex criminal matters including assault and serious violence, sexual offences, fraud, money laundering, and foreign bribery.
She acts in proceedings that frequently accompany post-separation criminal charges: intervention order proceedings, civil compensation proceedings, and asset seizure restraining orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act (Cth) and Confiscation Act (Vic). Post-separation family violence charges often run alongside both intervention order and family law parenting proceedings simultaneously. Her experience across these tracks allows the criminal defence strategy to be run with an awareness of how each parallel proceeding may be affected. She appears as solicitor advocate and instructs counsel in County Court and Supreme Court proceedings.
2. Tony Hargreaves, Tony Hargreaves and Associates
Tony Hargreaves is Director of Tony Hargreaves and Associates with at least 30 years of serious criminal defence experience across Victorian and Federal jurisdictions. Doyle's Guide awards him a Pre-eminent ranking in Criminal Law Defence for 2026, the highest tier the guide awards. He practises as both solicitor advocate and instructor and conducts every matter personally from intake to resolution.
3. Angus Cameron, Angus Cameron and Associates
Angus Cameron is Principal Lawyer and Director of Angus Cameron and Associates, a Victorian criminal defence boutique. Doyle's Guide lists him as Recommended in Criminal Law Defence for 2026. He practises as both solicitor advocate and instructor and conducts matters personally with senior involvement throughout.
4. Chen Yang, Paul Vale and Associates
Chen Yang is Principal Solicitor of Paul Vale and Associates, where his practice focuses on serious indictable criminal defence in Victoria. He practises in both English and Mandarin and acts as both solicitor advocate and instructor.
5. Emma Turnbull, Emma Turnbull and Associates
Emma Turnbull is Director and Founding Partner of Emma Turnbull and Associates, a Melbourne criminal defence boutique. She practises as both solicitor advocate and instructor across privately retained and legally aided indictable matters, with direct senior involvement throughout each brief.
Selection of counsel in post-separation family violence matters depends on the specific charges, whether intervention order or family law proceedings are also on foot, and the stage of each. Early engagement of senior criminal defence representation materially affects what options remain available. The practitioners profiled above are a verified starting point for informed referral within Victorian criminal defence.