What is Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm?
An Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm is any act (but not a failure to act) where a person intentionally or recklessly causes another person to apprehend immediate and unlawful violence and bodily harm results.
Assaults are divided into “common assaults” and “aggravated assaults” – Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm is an aggravated assault.
Some examples of such assault include:
- Striking at a person with a fist or slapping a person;
- Throwing an object at another person (even if it misses); and/or
- Unlawful imprisonment of another person.
The Law
Section 59 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) states:
(1) Whosoever assaults any person, and thereby occasions actual bodily harm, shall be liable to imprisonment for 5 years.
(2) A person is guilty of an offence under this subsection if the person commits an offence under subsection (1) in the company of another person or persons. A person convicted of an offence under this subsection is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
What constitutes “actual bodily harm”?
Actual bodily harm is “hurt or injury that interferes with the health or comfort of the person assaulted”.
Jurisdiction / Case Law
An offence of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm is what is known as a Table 2 offence under the relevant legislation, which means it is to be dealt with in the Local Court unless an election is made, it is to be dealt with on indictment by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
What must the prosecution prove?
Since Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm is a criminal offence, the burden of proof lies on the Prosecution.
The prosecution must prove the Accused’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. That is a high standard of proof that the prosecution must achieve before someone can be convicted.
To establish Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, the prosecution must prove each of the following matters beyond reasonable doubt:
- You applied force, hit or touched another;
- You did so intentionally or recklessly;
- Without consent or lawful excuse; and
- That action caused bodily harm to the other person.
If you are charged with the offence of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, what are your options?
National Criminal Lawyers (NCL) have been successful in defending many Aggravated Assault charges where the prosecution could not establish each of the elements to the required threshold of beyond reasonable doubt. We have also achieved several non-convictions for these charges for those who are found guilty or plead guilty.
It is for that reason that National Criminal Lawyers are the preferred specialist criminal solicitors in Sydney.
Our Senior Criminal Defence Lawyers, headed by Michael Moussa, one of Sydney’s Best Criminal Lawyers, will ensure that your case is closely examined to achieve the best of results.
NCL offer the following options for those who have been charged with Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm:
- We will negotiate with prosecutors (police or DPP) (a term referred to as “plea negotiations”) to request that the charge is withdrawn, downgraded or fact sheets amended;
- NCL will Plead Not Guilty and go to hearing/trial and persuade the Court that the prosecution has not proven its case beyond reasonable doubt;
- Plead guilty to the elements of the charge and then dispute the facts (at a special “disputed facts” hearing) with the view of having you sentenced less harshly; and/or
- Plead guilty with full acceptance of the facts as set out by the police and make strong submissions on your behalf requesting that the Court not record a criminal conviction.
Please contact us now for more information about your options.
Why National Criminal Lawyers?
There are three reasons to choose National Criminal Lawyers:
1. Your best chance to get the result you’re after
We are the experts in either beating or having criminal charges withdrawn and/or obtaining the least restrictive penalty available.
This is because no matter which option you choose within our tailored Options at Law you will be dealing with experienced criminal lawyers who can ensure the evidence is not only obtained properly, but also that your case is prepared and presented to the highest best practice standards possible.
This is also done without breaking your pocket.
2. How a Senior Defence Lawyer can HELP YOU deal with criminal charges
No matter which option at law you choose, National Criminal Lawyers can guarantee that a Senior Defence Lawyer will represent you. This means that with our over 25 years of Combined criminal law experience, you will get the best result possible.
3. National Criminal Lawyers are the best defenders of your rights
At National Criminal Lawyers we know that Criminal Law is a matter of Human Rights.
For this reason, we take pride and passion in representing our clients. This pride and passion to assist those charged with an alleged or actual breach of the criminal law is to us a matter of righteous necessity and in that sense, you can always rest assured that National Criminal Lawyers are the best defenders of your rights.
This is true not only when the police have just simply got it wrong, OR if they have got it right, then we can speak with you and make sure you get the best result available.
