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Violence-related charges are serious, and all carry the penalty of imprisonment as an option. Some of the penalties can be found here. Seek advice from our highly experienced Perth criminal defence lawyers.
Murder, Grievous Bodily Harm, Assault in WA
Violence-related charges are serious, and all carry the penalty of imprisonment as an option. Some of the penalties can be found here.
Seek advice from our highly experienced Perth criminal defence lawyers.
IMPORTANT: If you are convicted of a violence-related offence, you may be liable to criminal injuries compensation of a significant amount.
The laws of (what can be generally referred to as) violence-related offences are mainly covered under the Criminal Code 1913. If you have been charged with this type of offence, you must receive the best professional advice and representation – as early as possible.
Call usThe law on violence-related offences
The law on violence-related offences is broad and complex. Each offence is divided into elements, and the prosecution must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt.
There are defences that the prosecution must disprove beyond a reasonable doubt once they are raised on the evidence by the defence. Porter Scudds has had multiple accused individuals acquitted based on self-defence in the past on offences of assault occasioning bodily harm, grievous bodily harm (GBH), manslaughter and murder.
Some defences place the burden of proof on the accused person to prove on the balance of probability.
Our defence lawyers represent accused on all violence-related offences.
Violence-related offences
Violence-related offences are numerous, and we represent accused on all violence-related offences, including:
- Murder (Section 279 of the Criminal Code)
- Manslaughter (Section 280 of the Criminal Code)
- Grievous Bodily Harm (Section 297 of the Criminal Code)
- Act or omission causing bodily harm or danger, endangering life health or safety (Section 304 of the Criminal Code)
- Assault Causing Bodily Harm (Section 317 of the Criminal Code)
- Common Assault (Section 313 of the Criminal Code)
Hiring an experienced defence lawyer may be an investment you’ll appreciate in years to come. Contact Porter Scudds today.
Which court will I be going to?
Depending on the type of the offence, your matter could be dealt with in the Magistrates Court, District Court or Supreme Court.
Will I go to jail for assaulting someone?
The more serious the assault you are charged with is, the greater the risk you have of imprisonment.
Will I go to jail for assaulting my partner?
The courts are viewing domestic violence more seriously and jailing offenders who assault their partners. There are programmes to assist offenders which may reduce penalties.
What are the defences to assaults and serious assaults?
The defences to such assaults may include self-defence, provocation and even defence of a dwelling.
What actions may be sufficient to amount to an indecent assault?
Any inappropriate physical contact, however slight, may be sufficient to amount to an indecent assault.
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