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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.
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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
Anastasia Qvist is an outstanding lawyer. My criminal law situation (family violence order) was difficult, complex and Ana's diligence saved me as I was going through the most difficult period of my life. Ana is down to earth, commonsense and she even kept our costs to a minimum. She is a skilled litigator and knows the ins and outs of the ACT Magistrates Court. She dealt skillfully with the DPP and is an excellent negotiator. You will get a fair representation and she genuinely cares about her clients. She has my complete recommendation. The lady goes to bat for her clients.
- Client
I would strongly recommend Anastasia to anyone who is seeking legal representation. As a first-time offender who was charged with a Level 2 Drink Driving offence, she walked me through every step of the matter and was very upfront and clear on all aspects of my case. She was always accessible when I needed advice. Her approach and advice were excellent. Under her representation, I received the best possible outcome and managed to avoid a criminal conviction. She was a pleasure to deal with throughout the whole matter.
- Client
Anastasia Qvist was very professional and helpful in every step of my matter. I got a very good outcome and I can’t thank you enough for your hard work and the Armstrong Legal team in Canberra. I would highly recommend her!!!
- 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."
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This article was written by Michelle Makela - Legal Practice Director
Michelle has over 15 years experience in the legal industry, working across commercial litigation, criminal law, family law and estate planning. Michelle has been involved in all practice areas of the firm and in her personal practice has had experience in litigation at all levels (state and federal industrial tribunals, the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, Federal...
Assault - First Offence Penalties
In New South Wales it is an offence to assault another person. An assault is any application of physical force to the body of another person which is unlawful. Common examples of assault are kicking, punching, slapping or throwing something at another person. In some circumstances, acting in a way that causes another person to fear that you will imminently harm them can also amount to an assault.
The penalties for an assault offence range from non-conviction bonds to more serious penalties which include possible gaol sentences, even for a first offence.
Types Of Assault
The Crimes Act 1900 includes the following assault-related offences:
- Common Assault
- Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm
- Reckless Wounding
- Wound with Intent
- Reckless Grievous Bodily Harm
Maximum Penalties For Assault Charges
There are a large number of different assault-related offences which vary in seriousness and penalty. The least serious assault-related offence is the offence of common assault which carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment. One of the most serious assault-related offences is assault occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent which carries a maximum penalty of twenty-five years imprisonment. As you can see, the range of penalties is significant.
The maximum penalties apply regardless of whether it is a first offence. The penalty that is imposed for a first offence will vary depending on the circumstances of the assault, whether an injury was inflicted, how that injury was inflicted, how serious the injury that was inflicted was, why the person inflicted the injury and whether there are any circumstances to explain why the assault occured.
Penalties For A First Offence
A first offence can see penalties imposed which range from a non-conviction under section 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act to a prison sentence. Generally speaking, a court can also impose penalties include a conviction only, a fine, a good behaviour bond, community service, suspended gaol sentence, intenstive corrections order, home detention or gaol. If an injury amounting to actual bodily harm or greater is inflicted then the court cannot impose a home detention order.
Whether you’re hoping to avoid a conviction, community service or gaol, it is imperative that you get legal advice about how to maximise your chance of getting the best possible result.
Types of penalties
Jail: This is the most serious penalty and involves full time detention in a correctional facility. Read more.
Home Detention: Home detention is an alternative to full-time imprisonment. In effect the gaol sentence is served at your address rather than in a gaol. If you receive a sentence of home detention you will be strictly supervised and subject to electronic monitoring. Read more.
Intensive corrections order (ICO): This option has replaced periodic detention. The court can order you to comply with a number of conditions, such as attending counselling or treatment, not consuming alcohol, complying with a curfew and performing community service. Read more.
Suspended sentence This is a jail sentence that is suspended upon you entering into a good behaviour bond. Provided the terms of the good behaviour bond are obeyed the jail sentence will not come into effect. A suspended sentence is only available for sentences of imprisonment of up to two years. Read more.
Community service order (CSO): This involves either unpaid work in the community at a place specified by probation and parole or attendance at a centre to undertake a course, such as anger management. In order to be eligible for a CSO you have to be assessed by an officer of the probation service as suitable to undertake the order. Read more.
Good behaviour bond This is an order of the court that requires you to be of good behaviour for a specified period of time. The court will impose conditions that you will have to obey during the term of the good behaviour bond. The maximum duration of a good behaviour bond is five years. Read more.
Fines When deciding the amount of a fine the magistrate or judge should consider your financial situation and your ability to pay any fine they set. Read more.
Section 10 avoiding a criminal record. Normally, when you plead guilty to a criminal offence, the court imposes a penalty and records a conviction. If the court records a conviction, you will have a criminal record. However, if we can convince the court not to convict you, there will be no penalty of any type and no criminal record. In all criminal cases, the court has the discretion not to convict you, but to give you a Section 10 dismissal instead. Read more.
If you require legal advice or representation in any legal matter, please contact Armstrong Legal.
Probation is a sentencing option commonly used by courts in NSW for both adult and child offenders. Probation involves supervision…
In New South Wales youth detention centres are known as youth justice centres. There are six of these centres in…
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.
WHY CHOOSE ARMSTRONG LEGAL?
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Sydney NSW 2000
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