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 Trudie Cameron - Practice Director – Sydney

Trudie Cameron is the Practice Director of Criminal Law and is responsible for supervising and managing the New South Wales Criminal Law team in addition to her own caseload. Trudie is an accredited specialist in criminal law, practising exclusively in criminal and traffic law. Trudie defends clients charged with both state and commonwealth offences and appears on their behalf in...

Telecommunication Offences (NSW)

Telecommunication offences are offences that are committed through the use of telecommunication services and devices. Some of the more common examples of telecommunication offences are those committed over the internet and telephone.

Commonwealth or State offence?

Telecommunication offences are typically Commonwealth offences. This is because the Constitution confers the power to make laws relating to “postal, telegraphic, telephonic, and other like services” on the Federal Parliament, rather than state parliaments. However, certain acts that involve telecommunication devices or services may also constitute state offences. An example would be where a person calls another person and makes threats over the phone. Such actions could constitute a state offence of Intimidation or, if it occurred in contravention of an AVO, an offence of Contravene Prohibition in Apprehended Violence Order. Other common state offences which may involve the use of telecommunications are: Revenge Porn offences, Fraud and Computer offences.

Commonwealth Offences apply throughout Australia, rather than from state to state. The Crimes Act 1914 (Commonwealth) governs Commonwealth criminal offences, prosecution and sentencing. The Criminal Code, which is a schedule to this Act, contains the majority of commonwealth offences, including the telecommunication offences. Commonwealth telecommunication offences include:

Use Carriage Service to Menace/Harass/Offend;
Use Carriage Service to Threaten Life;
Use Carriage Service to Threaten Serious Harm;
Use Carriage Service for Hoax Threat;
Improper Use of Emergency Call Service;
Offences relating to use of carriage service for child abuse material or sexual activity with person under 16;
Using a carriage service for suicide related material; and
Using a carriage service for sharing of abhorrent violent material.

New telecommunications offences

Over the past few decades, the Criminal Code has been amended a number of times to introduce new telecommunication offences. This is a response to changing societal attitudes and developing technologies that allow communication and information to be transmitted over vast spaces very quickly. As a result of these advances, criminal activity can now occur over these telecommunications systems. Crimes including online fraud, accessing of child abuse material or using a carriage service to threaten life or menace/harass/offend are examples of such offences that have emerged only in the past few decades.

In recent times, the legislation has been amended to introduce serious criminal offences for using a carriage service to procure a child for sexual activity outside of Australia or to use a carriage service to engage in a sexual act with a child outside of Australia. This reflects an increase in offenders using the internet to abuse children in other jurisdictions, such as the Philippines.

These types of offences can carry very serious penalties upon conviction, including jail sentences. A telecommunications offence can be committed through a variety of means, including, but not limited to telephone calls, text messages and communication via social media sites and applications.

If you require legal advice in relation to telecommunications offences or any other legal matter please contact Armstrong Legal.

WHERE TO NEXT?

If you suspect that you may be under investigation, or if you have been charged with an offence, it is vital to get competent legal advice as early as possible. Our lawyers are highly specialised in criminal law and will be able to guide you through the process while dealing with the various authorities related to your matter.

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