Have you been charged with a Domestic Violence Offence?

Domestic violence (DV) offences—including assault, intimidation, stalking, property damage, and breaches of AVOs—are treated with particular seriousness in NSW. Police adopt a “zero-tolerance” approach, meaning charges are often laid even when the complainant does not wish to proceed. If you’ve been charged with a domestic violence offence in Byron Bay or across NSW, you must seek legal advice immediately.

DV cases frequently involve highly emotional circumstances, conflicting accounts, unreliable memory, or incidents fuelled by alcohol or stress. A defence lawyer will examine the evidence carefully, including body-worn police footage, witness statements, recordings, text messages, and any history of the relationship.

Common issues include:

• Police misinterpreting the situation
• Complaints made in anger or under pressure
• Mutual confrontation
• Self-defence
• Encouraged or recanted complaints

A defence may involve challenging the credibility of allegations, establishing that no offence occurred, or negotiating a change to the police facts or charges. If a guilty plea is appropriate, the focus is on minimising penalties and addressing underlying factors such as counselling, anger-management programs, or substance use treatment.

DV offences can have serious consequences including imprisonment, loss of employment, and restrictions on contact with family members. A conviction can also impact future travel, licensing, and visa status.