Lawyers defend assault charges, including common assault, assault occasioning bodily harm and domestic violence-related charges.
firms
245
regions
16
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Assault cases often turn on self-defence, the reliability of witnesses and CCTV. A lawyer tests the evidence, raises available defences, and where appropriate negotiates a plea or argues for a non-custodial sentence.
Why assault & violent offences matters
Assault convictions can mean jail, a criminal record and restrictions on work with children or vulnerable people.
The Australian context
Assault offences are defined in each state's crimes legislation, with self-defence and other defences available. Domestic violence-related assaults usually carry additional consequences, including protection orders.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(186)Google rating from 186 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Criminal Law+7 moreBail Applications · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Traffic Offences · Firearms & Licensing MattersFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(184)Google rating from 184 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Traffic Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Barangaroo, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(159)Google rating from 159 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Australian Law Advocates provides legal services in Barangaroo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drug Offences, Assault & Violent Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Drug Offences+6 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Skilled & Business Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(149)Google rating from 149 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
CHIDIAC LAWYERS PTY LTD provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(143)Google rating from 143 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Watling Roche Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Assault & Violent Offences, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Assault & Violent Offences+7 moreCriminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drug Offences · Traffic Offences · Personal Injury · Partner & Family Visas · Building & Construction
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Bairnsdale, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(135)Google rating from 135 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Daniel Taylor Lawyers provides legal services in Bairnsdale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Criminal Law and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(135)Google rating from 135 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Faraj Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Drug Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Drug Offences · Drink & Drug Driving · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Fraud & White Collar Crime
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(124)Google rating from 124 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Rana Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(122)Google rating from 122 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Spencer Lawyers provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Criminal Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Property & Conveyancing
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Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(119)Google rating from 119 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Fisher Dore Lawyers - Cairns provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(115)Google rating from 115 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Potts Bill provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(114)Google rating from 114 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Pharmacis Canning Lawyers provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Assault & Violent Offences · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(104)Google rating from 104 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hanna Legal provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hamilton, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(104)Google rating from 104 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Newcastle Legal provides legal services in Hamilton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Property & Conveyancing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Assault & Violent Offences · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(102)Google rating from 102 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Smith Criminal Law Sunshine Coast provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Criminal Law and Drug Offences.
Traffic Offences+7 moreCriminal Law · Drug Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Assault & Violent Offences · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(92)Google rating from 92 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Santone Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Employment Law · Criminal Law · Administrative & Government Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(89)Google rating from 89 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Australian Lawyers and Advocates provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Criminal Law+7 moreTraffic Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drink & Drug Driving · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Assault & Violent Offences · Family Law · Firearms & Licensing Matters
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(86)Google rating from 86 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Caldicott + Isaacs Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Assault & Violent Offences, Drug Offences and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Assault & Violent Offences+7 moreDrug Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Firearms & Licensing Matters · Drink & Drug Driving · Centrelink & Social SecurityFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Understand the next step
A practical guide to assault & violent offences
What to discuss at the first meeting
Tell the lawyer the alleged conduct, any existing conditions and the next appearance date. Related protection orders should be provided alongside the charge documents.
Ask about contact restrictions and the scope of advice for each proceeding rather than assuming one engagement covers them all.
How the engagement may progress
01
Send the charge, summons, bail paperwork and hearing dates through the method requested by the lawyer. Identify whether you are enquiring for yourself or someone else.
02
Ask what evidence is available and what must be obtained. Decisions about a plea or statement should follow advice on your own circumstances.
03
Confirm who will attend the next event, where to meet and what preparation is included. Ask how changes in the case would affect the estimate.
Fees and the scope of work
One mention, a contested hearing and an appeal are different scopes of work. Ask about preparation, barrister fees and additional appearances.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Make hearing dates and bail conditions clear at first contact. If the firm cannot assist in time, ask about an available practitioner or the relevant legal-aid service.
Questions to ask a assault & violent offences adviser
How do the charge and any related order interact?
What material is needed to assess the allegation?
Can you act before the next interview or hearing?
Who will appear and is that included in the quote?
What should I do if police contact me again?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is self-defence a defence to assault?
Yes, if you believed your conduct was necessary and it was a reasonable response in the circumstances as you perceived them.
Should I plead guilty?
Get advice first. A lawyer can check whether the police followed proper procedure, whether a defence is available, and whether the charges can be reduced or withdrawn before you enter any plea.
Can I keep my licence after a drink driving charge?
It depends on the reading, your record and your state's laws. In some cases a lawyer can argue for a reduced disqualification period or a work licence where one is available.
