Assault Lawyers Sutherland

Our client was charged with assault after a confrontation in a shopping centre car park. From the beginning, the client said another person approached and threatened him first. Police relied on short witness accounts and limited CCTV. We reviewed the material and found that the evidence did not disprove self-defence. At the hearing, we used cross-examination and submissions to show that the prosecution could not exclude the reasonable possibility that our client believed he needed to protect himself. The court accepted that position and dismissed the charge. The client avoided conviction and penalty.

Our client was charged with reckless grievous bodily harm and affray after an incident outside a nightclub. The complainant suffered serious facial fractures requiring surgery. Police alleged our client was the aggressor. We reviewed the brief and carefully analysed CCTV footage, which showed another person had confronted our client first. At the defended hearing, cross-examination exposed inconsistencies between the prosecution version and the footage. The court found that lawful self-defence could not be excluded beyond reasonable doubt. The client was acquitted of all charges.

Police alleged that our client committed domestic violence assault offences against a partner. The prosecution relied on photographs, a recorded statement and a 000 call. At the hearing, we tested the complainant’s account and identified differences between the statements and oral evidence. The complainant also accepted that some injuries may have been caused in another way. We submitted that the evidence did not prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt. The magistrate agreed and dismissed both assault charges. The client avoided convictions and the related impact on work and family life.

Yes. If the evidence supports it, a lawyer can raise self-defence and argue that the prosecution cannot disprove it beyond reasonable doubt.

Common assault can include intentional or reckless application of force or causing another person to fear immediate unlawful violence. The exact facts matter.

Charges may be withdrawn if the evidence is weak, unreliable or incomplete. A lawyer can prepare representations after reviewing the brief.