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Domestic Violence Lawyers Melbourne
The Domestic Violence Lawyers at Ondrik Lawyers understand that relationships can be complex, and so can dealing with domestic violence allegations in a Court.
We represent people charged by police with any assault or domestic violence related charges across all Magistrates’ Court and County Courts in Victoria.
At Ondrik Lawyers, we will listen, and you will be heard.
If you are facing assault charges, including those involving domestic violence, our experienced domestic violence lawyers will help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Because we believe that your future matters and we will fight for your rights.
Domestic Violence Lawyers Melbourne
At Ondrik Lawyers, we will listen, and you will be heard.
The Domestic Violence Lawyers at Ondrik Lawyers understand that relationships can be complex, and so can dealing with domestic violence allegations in a Court.
We represent people charged by police with any assault or domestic violence related charges across all Magistrates’ Court and County Courts in Victoria.
If you are facing assault charges, including those involving domestic violence, our experienced domestic violence lawyers will help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Because we believe that your future matters and we will fight for your rights.
What Are Domestic Violence or Family Violence Offences?
Domestic Violence (also known as Family Violence) offences typically involve accusations of threats, violence, or assault against a current or former partner or family member. These cases are treated seriously by the legal system and can have significant consequences.
When you are charged with a domestic violence offence, there may be multiple charges involved and, in many cases, police will also apply for an Intervention Order against you. It’s important to understand that an Intervention Order is a civil matter, separate from any criminal charges.
If you’ve been accused or charged with a domestic violence offence, it’s critical to contact our lawyers as soon as possible. We can manage both the criminal charges and any Intervention Order application, developing a strategy for both matters from the outset. In many cases, we’ve had charges withdrawn before our clients even step into a courtroom. Early legal intervention can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Types of Domestic Violence Charges
Common criminal charges associated with Domestic Violence include:
- Contravention of Family Violence Intervention Order (interim or final)
- Persistent Contravention of Family Violence Intervention Order (interim or final)
- Assault
- Intentionally Cause Injury
- Recklessly Cause Injury
- Intentionally Cause Serious Injury
- Recklessly Cause Serious Injury
- Use Carriage Service to Harras/Menace
- Stalking
For more details regarding assault related offences, visit our dedicated page on Assault Charges.
Penalties for Domestic Violence Offences in Victoria
Penalties for domestic violence offences including breaching an intervention order, can range from adjourned undertakings (bonds) to imprisonment, depending on the circumstances of the offence and your criminal history. Courts treat these matters very seriously. Outcomes vary depending on the specifics of each case, but at Ondrik Lawyers, we strive to achieve the best possible result for every client.
This is why it’s critical to have the right legal team in your corner. Your future is too important to risk.
Understanding Intervention Orders in Domestic Violence Cases
An Intervention Order is an order made by a court making it illegal for you to do certain things, including but not limited to:
– Contacting the complainant or victim
– Visiting their home, workplace, or school
– Publishing content about them online
These orders are often made to protect the complainant. However, in some cases, the conditions may not reflect the wishes of either the complainant or the respondent and can be impractical. That’s why it’s crucial to involve our experienced domestic violence lawyers early to ensure your voice is heard before any orders are finalised.
For more details, visit our dedicated page on Intervention Orders.
Breaching an Intervention Order Is a Criminal Offence
Although an Intervention Order is not a criminal charge, breaching (or contravening) its conditions can lead to criminal charges. Repeated breaches within a specified timeframe may result in a charge of Persistent Contravention of an Intervention Order, which carries even more severe penalties.
Understanding Intervention Orders in Domestic Violence Cases
An Intervention Order is an order made by a court making it illegal for you to do certain things, including but not limited to:
– Contacting the complainant or victim
– Visiting their home, workplace, or school
– Publishing content about them online
These orders are often made to protect the complainant. However, in some cases, the conditions may not reflect the wishes of either the complainant or the respondent and can be impractical. That’s why it’s crucial to involve our experienced domestic violence lawyers early to ensure your voice is heard before any orders are finalised.
For more details, visit our dedicated page on Intervention Orders.
Breaching an Intervention Order Is a Criminal Offence
Although an Intervention Order is not a criminal charge, breaching (or contravening) its conditions can lead to criminal charges. Repeated breaches within a specified timeframe may result in a charge of Persistent Contravention of an Intervention Order, which carries even more severe penalties.
Why Choose Ondrik Lawyers for Domestic Violence Charges in Victoria?
Even a minor assault charge can have life-altering consequences. A criminal record may affect:
– Employment opportunities
– Overseas travel
– Insurance applications
– Firearms and security licences
– Working With Children Check applications
At Ondrik Criminal Lawyers, we understand what’s at stake. That’s why we fight to protect your future with strength, strategy, and compassion.
Whether it’s negotiating a withdrawal of charges, securing a Diversion, or achieving a reduced sentence, we are committed to delivering the best possible outcome for every client.
What to Expect From Our Domestic Violence Lawyers in Melbourne
We don’t take shortcuts. We take your case seriously — because your freedom matters.
Our experienced criminal defence lawyers will:
– Carefully examine the police brief and evidence
– Identify all available legal defences
– Negotiate with police and prosecutors to reduce or withdraw charges
– Provide clear, honest advice about your options and prospects
– Represent you with strength and professionalism in court
We’ve successfully had charges withdrawn before our clients even stepped foot in court. That’s the power of early, strategic legal intervention.
Our Domestic Violence Lawyers in Melbourne are here to protect your rights, advocate for your future, and ensure your voice is heard.
Contact Our Domestic Violence Lawyers in Melbourne Today
If police have asked you to “come in for a chat” or attend a formal interview, don’t delay. The sooner you get in touch with our domestic violence lawyers, the better your chances of a successful outcome.
Our Domestic Violence Lawyers in Melbourne will:
– Give your case the attention it deserves
– Develop a tailored defence strategy
– Fight for your rights and your future
We are upfront, realistic, and always in your corner. You can trust that your case is in capable hands.
📞 Call Ondrik Criminal Lawyers today to speak with an experienced domestic violence lawyer in Melbourne. We’re here to protect what matters most — your future.
CASE STUDIES
Domestic Violence Charges NOT Proceeded With
Allegations:
Our client and the complainant were in a serious relationship and intended to marry. They were both living in Australia on student visas.
It was alleged that our client and his partner had gotten into a verbal argument which turned physical with our client allegedly hitting his partner to the back of her head with his fist, causing a lump. Whilst making her statement to police, the complainant stated that similar incidents had happened in the past, including physical violence and choking.
Police wished to interview him in relation to allegations of Recklessly Causing Injury and Unlawful Assault and obtained an Intervention Order against him for the protection of his partner.
Our client had no criminal record and he and his partner were both concerned that criminal charges would impact his student visa and any future travel.
Charges:
Police interviewed our client in relation to charges of:
- Recklessly Cause Injury under s.18 Crimes Act 1958 (Vic). Maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
- Unlawful Assault under s.23 of the Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic), the maximum penalty for which is 15 penalty units or imprisonment for three months.
Outcome:
This client contacted our Domestic Violence Lawyers before he was interviewed by police where we immediately gave him the right legal advice in relation to allegations of recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault on his partner.
Given that he contacted us before his interview with police, we were able to immediately begin working on a case strategy based on his instructions and our professional experience. The client followed our advice in his interview with police.
After his police record of interview, our domestic violence lawyers immediately prepared submissions to the police as to why he should NOT be charged with any criminal offence.
The complainant provided police with a signed statement setting out her version of the assault against her. She did not understand that by signing the initial statement to police that her partner would be charged. She was initially reluctant to sign the statement because English was not her first language and she was uncertain about some of the language used in the statement, but she signed it, nonetheless. What she had actually hoped to achieve by speaking to the police, was for the police to essentially scare him and persuade him to get some counselling so they can improve their relationship, as that is something that might typically occur in their home country.
She soon after made a statement of no complaint indicating that she wished for the police to take no further action. Whilst this provided the victim with a voice, it is important to note that merely because a victim provides a statement of no complaint, it does not automatically mean that the charges would not be proceeded with or dropped.
Following the strategic thought given to the matter at the outset and our persuasive submissions to the police, our client was not charged by police. The complainant got what she really wanted – for her partner to be taught a lesson, and to engage in counselling. She and her partner continued their relationship and were able to continue with their lives without fear that their futures together would be drastically affected by any criminal charges.
Domestic Violence Charges Withdrawn
Allegations:
Our client, “A”, was engaged to be married to her partner, “B”, of many years. They had gotten into an argument which in turn became physical. There were allegations that they had each hit each other, including slapping and punching to the face. Our client’s partner, “B”, had contacted 000 after our client, “A”, allegedly refused to let “B” leave the premises, and police soon arrived.
The police made an application for an Intervention Order against “B” and was interviewed by police in relation to charges of unlawful assault where he made admissions to hitting our client and also stated that “A” had also hit him several times and refused to let him out of the home.
Our client, “A”, contacted our office soon after the incident occurred, adamant that she did not wish for any Intervention Order to be put in place against her fiancé, nor did she want him to be charged with any criminal offence for what had occurred that evening. They were intending to marry, had a child between them and this would greatly affect their relationship and family dynamic.
Intervention Order:
We provided our client with advice in relation to the Intervention Order police had applied for against her fiancé and assisted with voicing her wishes to the police in relation to the intervention order and potential charges against her partner.
The Intervention Order application by the police was subsequently withdrawn by the Police.
A and B continued with their relationship and planned for their wedding day, believing that the worst was behind them.
Several months after the incident and after the Intervention Order against her fiancé “B” was withdrawn, police contacted “A”, to interview her in relation to allegations of an unlawful assault against “B”. She immediately contacted our Domestic Violence Lawyers. This enabled our office to speak with the police before the interview, obtain instructions and develop the appropriate strategy for our client before attending her police record of interview.
Charges:
Several months later, both our client and her partner were charged with unlawfully assaulting one another and summonsed to attend the Magistrates’ Court.
This is a rare but not entirely uncommon situation for both to be charged.
The maximum penalty for Unlawful Assault under s.23 of the Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic) is 15 penalty units or imprisonment for three months.
Outcome:
With careful and thoughtful planning which began even before our client was interviewed, we prepared thorough submissions as to why the charges against both “A” and “B” ought to be withdrawn.
The prosecution agreed to WITHDRAW ALL CHARGES against each of them, before the first court date. Neither of them had to step foot in court.
This was an outcome that both parties involved genuinely wanted. They never wanted their partner to be charged with what had occurred. They accepted that they had each made a mistake and they had, after the incident, undertaken couples counselling before they married to ensure that they developed better communication strategies. Their futures were preserved, and they were able to maintain a clean criminal record and continue with their professional careers thanks to our experienced Domestic Violence Lawyers.
Diversion for Domestic Violence charges
Allegations:
Our client was the passenger in a vehicle being driven by her partner when they began to have a heated argument. Our client punched her partner in the arm several times and then proceeded to hit him in the head and scratch his eye. Passers by noticed the altercation and called 000. Police arrived and our client was interviewed where she made full admissions to punching him, hitting him in the head and scratching his eye.
Charges:
She was charged with 1x charge of unlawful assault under s.23 of the Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic), the maximum penalty for which is 15 penalty units or imprisonment for three months, and received a summons to appear in the Magistrates’ Court.
Outcome:
After engaging our domestic violence lawyers to act on her behalf after receiving the summons to appear in court, our lawyers began to work on her case immediately to gather supporting material to use to assist us in persuading police to agree to recommend Diversion.
Our client had no criminal history and was a professional who stood to lose her licence qualifications if she were to receive a criminal record.
After assessing the material put to the police prepared by our domestic violence lawyers, including detailed written submissions, police and the prosecution were persuaded to recommend Diversion which was ultimately approved by a Magistrate.
Our client avoided getting a criminal record for domestic violence charges and her career and her future were both preserved.
client
testimonials:
Real Results
“Olinka came highly recommended to me and will be highly recommended from me in then future! Very pleasant to deal with and after working with each other over the period of many months we achieved a great result! Thanks ladies for all your work 🙏”
Raph Manos – 6 Reviews – 5 Stars
“Best lawyer in Australia
Helped me a lot
Thanks Olinka”
Prince Sandhu – 11 Reviews – 5 Stars
“…Ondrik are legendary, as they helped me to have my unlawful assault charge fully withdrawn! I had a unlawful assault charge back in Feburary 2020 when I had an argument with my partner one night and I stupidly called the police who had the body cam to record everything I said against me. I was sooo worried about this charge and so did my partner. We actively searched online and booked quite a few consulting sessions with some lawyers, among all of them, we chose Ondrik’s team, and it turned out that our choice is absolutely right! I want to address here that Ondrik’s team are very professional and with reasonable charge. Before contacting them I consulted one lawyer with relatively higher cost and he even told me that this case is no big hope and there would be big cost if I kept going, and I could actually leave it aside and it would not affect my future career! Hopefully and luckily, we then contacted Ashlee who was very patient and try her best to calm me down from the overwhelmed stress. After that, Ashlee and Ondrik were carefully taking care of my case, Ashlee even replied me promptly and detailedly when she was on her pregnancy leave. And finally, after almost one year of time, the charge against me was formally and fully withdrawn today! All the process was exactly going through like they have planned at the very beginning. Huge thanks to Ondrik and Ashlee from my bottom of my heart, I do not even know how to go ahead with my life if this case was still hanging there, and I am actually studying and pursing a teaching career at this moment, this means a lot to me! Definitely recommend their service to guys need it!”
A.W – 1 Review – 5 Stars
Frequently Asked Questions
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Criminal Law matters can be complicated, our Melbourne criminal lawyers are on hand to help inform you of every aspect regarding your legal situation.
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