Call Our National Legal Hotline

Open 7am - Midnight, 7 days

Or have our lawyers call you:

I will definitely be using your company in the future if needed. Lisa kept me at ease also there were no grey areas with great advice. Helana is a great front of house.

- Client

My legal matter concerning an application for a Domestic Violence Order was managed by Mr Thomas Allen. I am grateful for the outcome he obtained. Without Mr Allen and his ongoing support, I would be certain of a different result. It has been an extremely stressful period. Mr Allen’s astute ability to liaise on my behalf and his expertise was invaluable and for which I am grateful as I am now able to move forward. Thanking you

- Client

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Armstrong Legal and specifically Mr Thomas Allen for representing me in my recent case. At the outset, I would like to thank Mr Allen for the very professional delivery of his legal service. From the first time that I met Mr Allen, I was very impressed with his demeanour and delivery as he made me feel at ease knowing the severity of my case. Mr Allen not only gave me the possible positive outcomes of the case but also the realisation of the worst-case scenario as far as sentencing goes. … I will certainly be recommending Armstrong Legal to any of my friends or family needing representation in criminal matters. Thank you so very much.

- Client

Thank you for your representation and help. Fingers crossed for the next step and parole. I just want to say that from the first phone call to your office, your service has been outstanding and have put my mind at ease. I am glad I picked your number to ring.

- Client

Thank you Armstrong Legal, the lawyers that have helped over the past 3 years but more importantly, thank you to Thomas Allen for the major part you and Mr Buckland played. Cannot thank you enough. Cheers.

- Client

Hi all. I would like to thank Ms Lisa Riley for all her help with my legal issues this past month. It was the most harrowing experience of my life and thanks to her expertise, professionalism and knowledge of the law, I came out almost unscathed. I have no hesitation in recommending Lisa Riley and Armstrong Legal if you need help. The service is amazing and the cost was very minimal for the great outcome. Thank you Lisa for helping me in the most difficult time.

- Client

I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. My whole life I was thrown away, you made me feel like I did mean something. I could not have asked for a better lawyer. Your compassion and love for your job is inspiring. Your upfront and honesty were muchly appreciated, you are a beautiful person. Thank you for not giving up on me and thank you for all the work you put in. I wish you all the best for the future and I will be recommending you to everyone I know. You're amazing!!!!

- Client

I just wanted to thank you for representing me on Monday, I was overjoyed & relieved with the outcome. I don’t think it could have gone any better. All the best, I hope you got to celebrate this one instead after work, you forever made a difference in my life.

I know I thanked you before we parted company but please allow me to reiterate in writing my sincere deepest thanks for defending me in court today. … Armstrong Legal certainly has a great Lawyer you are a credit to the company and I'm quite sure you will secure a very successful future! … My Kindest Regards and Thanks

- Client

Throughout Angela has been the consummate professional. She maintained a calm, yet strong demeanour remained informative and completely open in her communication and took complete ownership of the situation. We felt confident we finally had an advocate to steer us out of the nightmare we were in, and she did so with great respect and sincerity. I cannot speak more highly of Angela. She has literally rescued our family from what looked very much like a hopeless future.

- Client

Words can’t describe how grateful I am to Trudie Cameron being my solicitor and to Andrew Tiedt presenting my case in the court. They both have been very supportive and amazingly professional and effective. I’ve got an absolutely fantastic outcome I couldn’t even dream about.

- Client

Soon after meeting Andrew I knew he was the solicitor I wanted to handle my matter. He immediately sprang into action which brought me stability and hope during a tumultuous time in my life. Andrew was never afraid to give me straight answers to my tough questions which is a true mark of integrity. He is clearly at ease in the court environment and I believe his calm and measured demeanour went a long way to helping me secure the best result from my day in court. I would certainly recommend you approach Andrew if you need assistance.

- Client

"Andrew Tiedt was very professional and considerate to personal circumstances and gave sound advice that resulted in the best outcome possible. Highly recommended."

This article was written by Andrew Fraser - Managing Associate - Canberra

Andrew works in the areas of criminal law and traffic law, providing practical advice in all of his clients’ matters. Andrew has, over many years, developed positive working relationships with prosecutors, magistrates and judges. His no-nonsense approach means he has a reputation for putting forward the best case possible for clients. Andrew has won many matters for his clients, including...

Fraud - Using False Document

In the ACT, it is an offence to use a false document with the intention of obtaining a financial gain. In the ACT the maximum penalty for using a false document is 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of 1000 penalty units.

What Is Fraud – Using False Document?

The offence of Fraud – Using a False Document is defined in Sections 347, 348 and 349 of the Criminal Code 2002. A person commits the offence of using a false document when they use a document that they know is false with the intention of obtaining a gain or causing a loss or to influence the exercise of a public duty.

Under Section 348 of the Code, it is an offence to possess a document that you know is false with the intention that someone else will use it and this will lead to a gain, cause a loss or influence the exercise of a public duty.

Section 349 states that it is an offence to make or modify a device, material or something else knowing that it is capable of making a false document, even if the device was not originally intended to be used for making a false document.

Under this section it is also an offence if you have the intention that someone else will use the thing for fraudulent purposes or to possess something that you know is designed to make false documents.

A person will not be found guilty of this offence if they have a reasonable excuse for possessing the device, material or other thing.

Related Offences

Section 350 outlines the offence of False Accounting and states that a person commits an offence if they dishonestly destroy, damage or conceal an accounting document and do so with the intention to obtain a gain or cause a loss. A person commits an offence if they collaborate in the creation of modification of an accounting record, knowing it to be false and do so with the intention of obtaining a gain or causing a loss.

Under Section 351, it is an offence for an officer of a body to publish or collaborate in the publication of a document that is false or misleading and to do so with the intention to deceive members or creditors of the body about its financial affairs. The maximum penalty is 700 penalty units or 7 years imprisonment.

What Actions Might Constitute Using A False Document?

Using a false document includes:

falsifying a qualification to show at a job interview;
seeking a bank loan with falsified payslips;
seeking concession discounts with a Centrelink card you have manufactured yourself;
signing someone else’s name on a document. For example, signing a bank loan application as the other party so it appears as if both parties agree to the loan application.

What The Police Must Prove

The police must prove:

that the accused made a false document;
that they did so with the intention that you or another person would entice another person to accept it as genuine; and
that because it is accepted as genuine, the accused would obtain a gain or cause a loss; and
influence the exercise of a public duty.

Possible Defences To Fraud – Using False Document

Defences include:

that the documents were not false or that you did not have knowledge that the documents were false;
that no advantage was gained, no disadvantage was done and no public duty was influenced;
that you acted under duress.

Which Court Will Hear Your Matter?

All matters of Fraud – Using False Document will be dealt with in either the ACT Magistrates Court or the ACT Supreme Court. When a matter is dealt with summarily (in the Magistrates Court) the maximum penalty is $15,000, five years imprisonment or both. When the matter is dealt with on indictment (in the Supreme Court) the maximum penalty could be imposed.

Penalties

The maximum penalty is $15,000 penalty units and/or 10 years imprisonment; however the court can impose any of the following penalties:

If you require legal advice about fraud or any other legal matter, please contact Armstrong Legal on 1300 038 223 or send us an email.

Sydney Office

Level 35
201 Elizabeth Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Melbourne Office

Level 13
575 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Brisbane Office

Level 5
91 North Quay
Brisbane QLD 4000

Canberra Office

Level 9
Nishi, 2 Phillip Law Street
Canberra ACT 2601

Perth Office

Suite 207
22 St Georges Terrace Perth