Understanding Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (AOABH)
Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (AOABH) is a serious criminal offence charged when an assault causes more than minor or trivial injuries to another person.
It falls under the category of indictable offences, meaning it can be dealt with in either the Local Court or District Court depending on the circumstances. Unlike a common assault charge, AOABH requires the prosecution to prove that the victim suffered tangible harm.
If you or someone you know is facing an Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm charge, it is crucial to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Brightstone Defence Criminal Lawyers have extensive experience in defending AOABH cases and can provide clear advice, strong representation, and tailored defence strategies to protect your future.
The term actual bodily harm refers to any injury that is more than merely transient or trifling. It does not need to be permanent or life-threatening but must have some level of seriousness beyond a temporary or minor impact. Examples of actual bodily harm include:
- Bruises, cuts, or abrasions
- Swelling or lasting pain
- Psychological injuries such as shock or anxiety (if clinically diagnosed)
- Loss of teeth or black eyes
* A fractured bone that may be considered as grievous bodily harm
Under Section 59 of the Crimes Act 1900, AOABH is defined as an assault that results in actual bodily harm to the victim. The maximum penalties are:
- Imprisonment: Up to 5 years
- Imprisonment (in company): Up to 7 years
Australian courts take these offences seriously, particularly in cases involving domestic violence or repeat offenders. The severity of the sentence depends on factors such as the extent of the injury, the circumstances of the assault, and whether the accused has prior convictions.
检方必须证明的要素
To secure a conviction for AOABH, the prosecution must establish beyond a reasonable doubt that:
- An Assault Occurred – The accused applied force or threatened force against another person unlawfully.
- Actual Bodily Harm Resulted – The assault caused harm beyond transient or trifling injuries.
- Intent or Recklessness – The accused either intended to cause harm or was reckless as to whether harm would occur.
The prosecution must also prove that the accused did not act in self-defence or under other lawful circumstances.
可能的防御
If you are charged with AOABH, potential legal defence may include:
- Self-Defence – If you acted to protect yourself or another person from immediate harm.
- Duress – If you were forced to commit the act due to threats of serious harm.
- Necessity – If you acted to prevent greater harm from occurring.
- Lack of Intent – If you did not intend to cause actual bodily harm and were not reckless in your actions.
- Consent – In some cases, if the victim consented to the act, it may serve as a defence (e.g., during sports activities).
A skilled criminal defence lawyer can assess the evidence against you and determine the best strategy to challenge the prosecution’s case.
潜在的处罚
The court may impose various penalties depending on the severity of the offence, including:
- Conditional Release Order (CRO) – A good behaviour bond without a conviction
- Community Correction Order (CCO) – A supervised order with conditions
- Intensive Correction Order (ICO) – A custodial sentence served in the community under strict conditions
- Imprisonment – A custodial sentence served in prison
The sentence will depend on factors such as the seriousness of the injury, prior criminal history, and any mitigating circumstances.
法律程序
& 选项
Being charged with Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm is serious and can have lasting consequences on your criminal record, employment, and personal life. However, the legal process provides opportunities to challenge the charge, negotiate the facts, or seek a more lenient outcome. The most important step is to obtain legal representation early, so that your rights are protected and your options are fully explored.
恳求
无罪
If you believe you did not commit the offence or there is insufficient evidence against you, you may plead not guilty. Your lawyer can challenge the prosecution’s case by:
- Examining the credibility of the evidence and witnesses
- Arguing that the injuries do not amount to actual bodily harm
- Establishing a legal defence (such as self-defence or duress)
If the prosecution cannot prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, you will be found not guilty, and the charges will be dismissed.
恳求
有罪
If you admit to the charge, you may choose to plead guilty. Doing so can result in a more lenient sentence, as it demonstrates remorse and willingness to accept responsibility. The court may consider mitigating factors such as:
- A lack of prior criminal history
- Good character references
- The objective seriousness of the offending
- The subjective case of the offender
- Demonstrating remorse and taking responsibility
- Voluntary rehabilitation or anger management courses
Depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible for a reduced penalty, such as a conditional release order instead of imprisonment.
- 不
不需要身体接触。您可以被指控普通攻击，只要威胁或试图造成伤害，只要受害人对即刻暴力有合理的恐惧。
- 是的
普通攻击的定罪将导致犯罪记录，这可能影响您的就业、旅行和未来机会。
然而，如果法院被说服根据第10条处理此事，可能避免定罪。
一旦提起指控，由警察或检察官决定是否继续或撤销，而不是受害人。虽然可能会考虑受害人的愿望，但继续的决定在于公诉局长（DPP）或新南威尔士州警察。
- 是的
如果威胁使受害人害怕即刻和非法的暴力，口头威胁可以构成普通攻击。
威胁必须足够严重，并在受害人真诚地相信伤害可能即将发生的情况下提出。
主要区别在于伤害的程度。普通攻击不需要证明伤害，而AOABH涉及超出短暂或轻微的身体伤害，例如淤伤、割伤或心理创伤。AOABH带有更重的处罚。
如果您能够证明您合理地相信您的行为是保护自己或他人所必需的，您不应被认定有罪。法院将考虑您是否相信武力是必要的，以及您的反应是否成比例。这是一个常见和有效的法律辩护。
- 不
不需要伤害。普通攻击可以来自威胁性手势、打耳光、推收或任何导致另一个人害怕非法武力或未经同意的轻微身体接触的行为。
未能出席法庭可能导致发出逮捕令。在指定的日期出席法庭至关重要，或如果可能安排法律代表代表您行事。如果您不确定，请始终联系法院或您的律师。
- 是的，但只有在警察或检察官的酸量权下。
如果证据不足或所称的受害人拒绝合作，检察官可能在律师和警察之间的谈判后撤销指控。然而，即使没有受害人的支持，指控仍然可以继续。
- 是的，新南威尔士州的法院可以根据《1999年犯罪（判决程序）法》第10条发出非定罪结果。
这意味着您被认定有罪但不记录定罪。如果罪行轻微并且您没有前科，这可能更有可能。
普通攻击涉及引起对即刻暴力的恐惧或担忧，或未造成重大伤害的轻微身体接触。AOABH涉及导致超出轻微或短暂伤害的实际身体伤害的攻击。
“实际身体伤害”包括干扰受害人健康或舒适的伤害，超出了微不足道的程度。示例包括：
- 淤伤或肿胀
- 裂伤或割伤
- 流鼻血
- 是的，它是一项可起诉的罪行。
然而，在某些条件下（取决于严重性以及检察官或辩护方的选择），它可以在地方法院简易审理。
- 是的
如果一拳导致伤害，例如淤伤、裂伤或流鼻血，可能足以支持AOABH指控。
抵抗指对合法警察行动的任何身体或积极反对（例如，在逮捕期间抽身）。阻碍可能涉及更被动的干扰，例如：
- 提供虚假信息
- 阻止警察进入某个地点
- 鼓励其他人抵抗逮捕
- 不
警察不需要穿制服，但他们必须明确地表明自己是警察。
此罪行仅适用于警察合法地执行职责时（例如，不是下班或非法行事）。
如果您能够证明您合理地相信您的行为是保护自己或另一个人所必需的，您可能有有效的自卫论证。这种辩护必须通过情况和事实仔细支持。
要被认定为轻率，法院必须认定在您的位置上的一个理智的人会意识到存在造成严重伤害的实质性风险。如果风险不明显或不可预见，这可能是一种辩护。一个经典的例子可能是，一个人将玻璃瓶扔向另一个人的脸，造成了眼睛失明。一个理智的人会意识到这样做可能伤害眼睛。
在某些情况下，法律代表可以与检察官谈判，根据伤害、证据和意图，将指控减少为造成实际身体伤害的攻击（AOABH）或普通攻击。
“伤口”涉及破坏皮肤的内外层（例如深切口或穿刺），而“GBH”涉及更严重或永久性的伤害。
故意伤口很严重，但由于造成的伤害程度更大，故意GBH通常导致更严厉的处罚。
“造成GBH或伤口并有意图”意味着检察官必须证明被告故意意图对另一个人造成严重伤害或伤害，而不仅仅是轻率行事。
重要的是要注意意图是一个关键要素，必须毫无疑问地证明。
- 是的
如果检察官能够证明存在造成GBH或伤口的意图，即使伤害不是永久性的或没有预期的那么严重，您仍然可以根据《1900年新南威尔士州犯罪法》第33条被定罪。
- 是的
- A Criminal lawyer can help you by:
- 解释您的权利和法律程序。
- 评估您是否有有效的辩护。
- 与检察官谈判以减少指控或处罚。
- 为您的案件准备并代表您进行辩护。
- 帮助减少对您未来的影响，例如避免犯罪记录。
- 早期法律建议可以显著提高您获得有利结果的机会。
- 寻找一位在辩护攻击和暴力罪行方面有证明经验、对当地法院有深入了解并且有为客户取得成功结果历史的刑事律师。
普通攻击涉及引起对即刻暴力的恐惧或担忧，或未造成重大伤害的轻微身体接触。AOABH涉及导致超出轻微或短暂伤害的实际身体伤害的攻击。
“实际身体伤害”包括干扰受害人健康或舒适的伤害，超出了微不足道的程度。示例包括：
- 淤伤或肿胀
- 裂伤或割伤
- 流鼻血
- 是的，它是一项可起诉的罪行。
然而，在某些条件下（取决于严重性以及检察官或辩护方的选择），它可以在地方法院简易审理。
- 是的
如果一拳导致伤害，例如淤伤、裂伤或流鼻血，可能足以支持AOABH指控。
- 是的
- A Criminal lawyer can help you by:
- 解释您的权利和法律程序。
- 评估您是否有有效的辩护。
- 与检察官谈判以减少指控或处罚。
- 为您的案件准备并代表您进行辩护。
- 帮助减少对您未来的影响，例如避免犯罪记录。
- 早期法律建议可以显著提高您获得有利结果的机会。
- 寻找一位在辩护攻击和暴力罪行方面有证明经验、对当地法院有深入了解并且有为客户取得成功结果历史的刑事律师。
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