Domestic Violence Lawyer
Cairns & Far North Queensland
Domestic violence matters are serious — for the people affected by violence, and for the people facing charges. Whether you need protection or you have been charged, the decisions made early shape what happens next. Civic Law provides fixed fee representation in domestic violence protection orders, criminal charges, and bail applications throughout Far North Queensland. Sacha Sarah Smith handles every matter personally.
If You Need Protection
If you have experienced domestic violence — physical violence, threats, intimidation, coercive control, or emotional abuse — you have the right to apply for a Domestic Violence Order under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld). In many cases, police will apply for an order on your behalf. If they have not — or if you need to act independently — Sacha can prepare and file a…
Criminal Charges in Domestic Violence Matters
If you are facing criminal charges arising from a domestic violence allegation — whether that is common assault, assault occasioning bodily harm, contravention of a DVO, wilful damage, stalking, or a more serious charge — you may be dealing with both the criminal charge and a protection order application at the same time. These are separate proceedings with different standards of proof. The…
Bail in Domestic Violence Matters
Bail conditions in domestic violence matters are routinely the most restrictive imposed in the Magistrates Court. If you have been arrested for a DV offence, your conditions may already include: No contact with the aggrieved — by any means, including through third parties Exclusion from your home Restrictions on contact with your children Reporting to a police station A curfew These conditions…
What Changes the Outcome
The sentencing range for domestic violence charges is wide. The factors that determine where your matter sits are the ones Sacha works with before the hearing. The nature and degree of any injury. Charges involving serious physical injury or choking are treated with significantly more gravity than charges involving minor contact. The court will consider medical evidence, photographs, and the…
Fixed Fees
- DV Criminal Charge — $4,800
- DVO — Uncontested — $2,500
- DVO — Contested Hearing — $4,800
- Wilful Damage — $2,100
- Stalking — $2,100
- Coercive Control — $3,200