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How Can a DVO Be Breached?


A Domestic Violence Order can be breached if the respondent commits any conduct prohibited by the order, whether that be a consent order or an order made by the court after a hearing. A DVO breach will result in the respondent being charged with Contravention of Domestic Violence under section 177 of the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 which states:

  • This section applies if a respondent against whom a domestic violence order has been made:
    • was present in court when the order was made; or
    • has been served with a copy of the order; or
    • has been told by a police officer about the existence of the order.
  • The respondent must not contravene the order. Maximum penalty —
    • if, within 5 years before the commission of an offence against this subsection, the respondent has been previously convicted of a domestic violence offence —240 penalty units or 5 years imprisonment; or
    • otherwise — 120 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment.

What the Police Must Prove

The police must prove each of the following elements of the charge:

  • the person is a respondent against whom a DVO has been made
  • the person was either:
    • present in court when the order was made; or
    • has been served with a copy of the order; or
    • has been told by a police officer about the existence of the order;
    • the person committed the conduct prohibited by a condition of the order. i.e. contacted the aggrieved.

What is the Likely Sentence?

A minor breach of an order such as sending a text to an aggrieved will usually result in either a small fine or, with excellent references and strong submissions from your legal representative, a bond to be of good behaviour.

If the breach is minor and you have no criminal record, you may avoid a conviction being recorded.

If the breach involves a serious assault against the aggrieved, the courts are far more likely to impose a more serious sentence and often consider long probation periods or even terms of imprisonment for repeat offenders.

For advice or representation in any legal matter, please contact Armstrong Legal.

Michelle Makela

This article was written by Michelle Makela

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...

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