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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 Fernanda Dahlstrom - Content Editor - Brisbane

Fernanda Dahlstrom has a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. She has also completed a Master’s in Writing and Literature. Fernanda practised law for eight years, working in criminal defence, child protection and domestic violence law in the Northern Territory and in family law in Queensland.

How Long After An Assault Can You Press Charges? (NSW)

How long after an assault can you press charges? This is a question lawyers are often asked. First of all, it is important to understand that it is the police and not the victim of a crime who make the decision whether or not to press charges. The answer to the question of how long after an offence police can lay charges depends on the limitation period that applies to the offence. Some offences are subject to a relatively short limitation period, while others have no limitation period at all.

How long after a summary offence can you press charges?

Summary offences are minor offences that are dealt with in the Local Court. These include driving offences like speeding and drink driving and public order offences under the Summary Offences Act 1988 such as drunk and disorderly and obscene exposure. These offences carry maximum penalties of short terms of imprisonment but are often dealt with by way of a fine or a good behaviour bond.

A summary offence can generally be charged up to six months after the offence is alleged to have occurred. This is set out in section 179 of the Criminal Procedure Act. However, police may have a longer period of time to lay a charge in relation to a summary offence if the relevant legislation provides for a longer limitation period.

Summary offence that has resulted in a death

In New South Wales, when a summary offence has resulted in a death and an inquest into the death has been held, the police may lay charges up to six months after the conclusion of the inquest and no more than two years after the date of the alleged offence.

How long after an assault can you press charges?

Indictable offences are more serious offences such as assault, sexual assault and murder. Some indictable offences – such as assault – can be heard in the Local Court when both defence and prosecution agree to this. More serious indictable offences – such as murder and manslaughter – must be dealt with on indictment in the Supreme Court.

There is no limitation period for laying charges for indictable offences in New South Wales. This means that a person can be charged with a serious offence that they committed many years – even decades – earlier if the police make the decision to lay charges.

The challenge for prosecutors when charges are laid in respect of crimes committed long ago (often called ‘historical offences’) is that it may be more difficult to prove a person guilty of an offence when a lot of time has passed since it happened.

In some cases, however, the passage of time can make it easier to prove a person guilty of a crime as new technology – such as the ability to collect and analyse DNA evidence – has developed since the events in question. For this reason, old prosecutions that were abandoned long ago due to insufficient evidence are sometime reopened and a conviction secured that could not have been secured at the time.

Reporting historical offences

If you were the victim of an indictable offence such as assault in the past and you want to report the offence, you can do so by contacting your local police station. If the offences in question were domestic violence offences, you can ask to speak to the Police Domestic Violence Liaison Officer (DVLO). If the offences were sexual offences, you should ask to speak to the detectives to make a report.

It is important to remember that even if you make a statement to police about a crime, the police may choose not to lay charges. Ultimately, it is up to the police to decide whether or not to pursue a prosecution. It is not up to the victim of the alleged crime.

If you require legal advice or representation in any legal matter, please contact Armstrong Legal.

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