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O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors are expert assault lawyers. We have represented clients across a large variety of serious assault offences including:
- assault occasioning actual bodily harm,
- assault causing grievous bodily harm
- affray
- and wounding.
We have assisted clients in Local Court trials, District Court jury trials and sentencing hearings. Here are a number of successful cases where O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors have secured a favourable result for our clients.
MM – Successful outcome for client charged with assault occasioning bodily harm
MM was unhappy with the complainant as he was harassing MM’s mother-in-law. He was charged with Assault occasioning bodily harm when victim challenged him.
OW – Successful outcome for client charged with affray and common assault
Man assaulted for allegedly looking at another’s wife. He responds with his own assault & ends up in hospital & facing charges. He got a community release order.
Aggravated Assault
EK – Defence successfully undermines evidence of co-accused
The victim of an aggravated assault was unable to identify the person who assaulted him. Our client was charged with this offence after a co-accused gave evidence that EK was the person who assaulted the victim. We represented EK in his hearing where we successfully undermined the credibility of the co-accused whose evidence was not corroborated by any other evidence.
Assault with intent to rob in company
HD – Jury found client not guilty of all assault charges
The complainant made several allegations against HD claiming that HD had demanded money from them on several occasions. At trial, we successfully discredited the complainant’s testimony. As a result, the jury found HD not guilty of all charges.
Assault with intent to rob
Noah – client acquitted of all charges
Noah* was charged with assault with intent to rob with wounding when an alleged argument ensued between Noah and his friends, and another man. The man was stabbed and robbed.
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm
HJ – Client has charges of assault withdrawn and dismissed
HJ was originally charged with the offence of choking and assault occasioning actual bodily harm of his ex-partner by the police. We issued subpoenas to prove the elements to assist in formulating the defence’s case, as a result, the initial charge of choking was withdrawn by the prosecution and our firm negotiated for a lesser charge of common assault (DV). HJ entered a plea of guilty to one count of common assault with the charges of choking and assault occasioning actual bodily harm withdrawn and dismissed. Ultimately, HJ served his sentence by way of an Intensive Correction Order (ICO) for a period of 9 months.
DPP v AU – Client successfully acquitted of all charges before sworn jury
AU was charged with two counts of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm and also an additional charge of Enter with Intent to Commit Indictable Offence (actual bodily harm). It was alleged a scuffle ensued after our client forcibly entered a home following a long-standing dispute. Our client maintained their innocence throughout this matter and entered Pleas of Not Guilty. We were able to successfully bring light to the inconsistencies in the evidence of the complainants, their credibility including the improper handling of the matter by the police against our client
DC – ICO Report considered ‘suitable’ after assault charges
A scuffle ensued after DC grabbed a knife, which resulted in two wounds to the complainant’s back. DC pleaded guilty at trial to reckless wounding causing Actual Bodily Harm and not guilty to Wound with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm. With O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors representing DC, the District Court considered the Intensive Correction Order (ICO) Report, which came back as suitable. Ultimately, DC was ordered to serve a two-year sentence by way of ICO.
XWD – Not guilty verdict found in favour of our client
A physical altercation occurred between our client and the victim. Our client was charged with stalk/intimidate, common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Statements were given to the police by the victim and her ex partner which alleged that XWD had assaulted the victim causing minor injuries. After pleading not guilty to the charges, we represented XWD in her trial. The defence successfully cross-examined the victim and their ex-partner which resulted in a finding of not guilty.
JD – Successful legal arguments by lawyer to gain a ‘Not Guilty’ verdict in assault case
We represented JD at her trial for assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Our solicitor successfully argued that the prosecution was unable to establish their case given that the entirety of the alleged victim’s evidence was excluded from the trial. This case is a good example of our solicitors’ abilities in presenting successful legal arguments at trial.
SM – Good outcome in sentencing hearing for client
SM was charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assaulting a police officer in the execution of duty. We represented SM in her case and successfully got the wounding charge withdrawn due to a strong self-defence case. She pleaded guilty to the assaulting a police officer charge in which we represented her at her sentencing hearing. We helped her achieve a good outcome of a conviction being recorded but no other penalty being given.
HXJ – Prosecution withdrew assault charge, client found not guilty in affray charge
Our client was in a dispute with another at a family gathering. The police alleged that HXJ punched the other person causing actual bodily harm. We represented HXJ in his trial for affray after the prosecution withdrew the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Our solicitor successfully cross-examined the prosecution’s witnesses, raising doubt in light of their conflicting evidence. We helped HXJ achieve a not guilty outcome.
JXP – Negotiation charge with no conviction imposed for common assault
JXP was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm after spontaneously and impulsively punching his 15 year old son. He was a lawyer and could not risk having a criminal conviction. We helped JXP enter into a plea negotiation where he would enter a peal of guilty to a lesser charge of common assault. Psychiatric material was presented that showed that JXP was a loving and caring father, that there was no history of physical abuse, and that it was unlikely that he was going to conduct himself in that fashion again. Taking this into consideration, the Magistrate imposed no conviction and placed him on a good behaviour bond.
NJ – Self-defence argument run leading to acquittal of assault charge.
Our client was charged with assaulting a man with the alleged victim claiming that NJ had hit him with a baseball bat. We represented NJ in his Local Court hearing, arguing that he had acted in self-defence and was therefore not guilty. Considering all the evidence from the witnesses, the Magistrate was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that NJ had not acted in self-defence. NJ was acquitted of the charge.
KA – Preparation of pre-sentence report for university student
KA was a university student who became involved in a violent altercation with a security guard. She threw a glass bottle at the security guard which caused a laceration under his eye. She pleaded guilty to the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. We assisted KA in developing her pre-sentence report. The Magistrate took this into account and ordered that she perform community service work.
BD – Assault charges dismissed after complainant’s credibility was questioned
BD was charged with multiple assault offences towards his wife. He pleaded not guilty to all offences and we represented BD in his three day Local Court hearing. We argued that his wife had made the complaint with the ulterior motive of attempting to gain permanent residency after he had withdrawn his sponsorship for her visa. The charges were dismissed on the basis that there was no additional corroboration of the complainant’s evidence, and that there was an ulterior motive for the complainant to lie.
FH – Representation for security guard in his local court trial
Our client was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and breaching an AVO. A conviction against FH would have jeopardised his job as a security officer. He pleaded not guilty and his matter was heard in the Local Court. We assisted FH in getting the charges against him dismissed.
SB – Good character references assist client in getting charge dismissed
SB was charged with common assault after he grabbed and pushed another man within his community. During his sentencing hearing the Magistrate heard in great detail about the significant role that SB had performed in his community. The charge was dismissed without a conviction.
TS – Victim’s lack of credibility in trial results in not guilty verdict for client
An allegation of kidnapping and assault was made against TS to which he entered a plea of not guilty. After withdrawing the kidnapping charge, the prosecution proceeded to a two day trial on the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company. The court found that the victim lacked credibility which left the court with reasonable doubt. TS was found not guilty.
WJP – Costs awarded after client found not guilty of assault charges
WJP was charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. It was alleged that he and two others approached two young victims and used violence to take money off them. We represented WJP in his two day hearing in the Local Court. It was successfully argued that the complainants’ identification was vague and contradictory and therefore WJP could not be properly identified as one of the assailants who attacked the complainants. The Magistrate was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that WJP was involved in the offence. The Magistrate also ordered that the prosecution pay WJP’s legal expenses as the case was baseless from the outset.
FF – Assisted client in tendering of psychological report and good character references
The victim and FF were in a domestic relationship when FF was charged with multiple assault offences. The Police withdrew one of the charges with the other charges being heard at the Local Court. We made submissions that FF was of good character, and tendered a psychological report outlining his ongoing rehabilitation and anger management issues. The Magistrate conditionally dismissed the charge without recording a conviction.
Assault causing grievous bodily harm
MK – Charge of Assault Occasioning ABH and AVO Withdrawn
MK was charged with domestic violence related with injury (assault occasioning actual bodily harm) after she whacked the victim across the face during a confrontation, and was also subject to an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO). We successfully negotiated with the police before the hearing to withdraw charge of assault occasioning ABH. The Police accepted the offer and the charge and AVO against MK were withdrawn.
RXC – Represented transgender client in sentencing hearing after guilty plea
During a physical altercation with the victim, RXC stabbed the victim with a kitchen knife. She was arrested and was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent. She pleaded guilty in the local court and was committed for referral in the District Court. We represented RXC in her sentencing hearing where we argued that time in prison would be harsher on her as her transgender status would require special kinds of assistance.
Reckless wounding
DC – Client has ICO Report considered ‘suitable’ after assault charges
DC was sentenced in respect of reckless wounding, which carries a maximum sentence of 7 years imprisonment with a standard non-parole period of 3 years. We represented DC, who had his Intensive Correction Order (ICO) Report considered as ‘suitable’ by the District Court. Ultimately, DC was ordered to serve a two-year sentence by way of ICO.
MFA – Client found not guilty on the basis of self-defence in two week trial
MFA and the complainant were former housemates. On the day of the incident, MFA returned to the house to collect his belongings but the two of them got into a physical struggle. The complainant was punching MFA and after telling the complainant to stop, the complainant continued to attack MFA. MFA stabbed the complainant in the back of the leg and called an ambulance and police. We represented MFA in a two-week jury trial, and assisted him with running the defence of self-defence. MFA was found not guilty and was acquitted.
AVG – Reckless wounding charge withdrawn in joint criminal enterprise case
AVG was part of a group that started a brawl at a house party which resulted in one of the complainants suffering two shallow knife wounds. He was not the person wielding the knife, but was charged with reckless wounding under the rules of joint criminal enterprise. We assisted AVG in getting the charge of reckless wounding withdrawn by arguing that there was no evidence of AVG’s agreement to commit the offence.
CYL – Client represented in sentencing hearing after pleading guilty
CYL was charged with reckless wounding in company after an altercation with the complainant. He pleaded guilty to the charge. We represented CYL in his sentencing hearing where the judge took into account that the Crown was not able to prove beyond reasonable doubt precisely how or by whom the wounds were inflicted.
If you’re facing assault charges, contact our assault lawyers right now. We can help you get the best possible result in court, even getting the prosecution to withdraw or downgrade the charges.
