ASSAULT OCCASIONING BODILY HARM CHARGES IN CAIRNS
We represent clients across Cairns, Far North Queensland, Greater Queensland, and Victoria, with remote consultations available Australia‑wide.

Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm (AOBH) is a criminal offence under section 339 of the Criminal Code (Qld). It applies where an unlawful assault results in bodily harm — defined as an injury that interferes with a person’s health or comfort and is more than minor or temporary. This makes AOBH more serious than common assault, with examples including cuts, scratches, swelling, or bruising that go beyond fleeting or trivial injuries. 

If you are facing an AOBH charge in Queensland, Coral Coast Law can provide clear advice and strong representation to protect your rights and future.

In Queensland, the penalty for Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm (AOBH) under section 339 of the Criminal Code (Qld) can be severe. The maximum sentence is 7 years’ imprisonment, increasing to 10 years if the offence is committed while armed or in company, or 9 years if the offence is publicised online.

The actual outcome depends on your circumstances — including the seriousness of the injury, whether weapons were involved, and your personal history. With the right legal advice, it may be possible to avoid a prison sentence and achieve a more favourable result.

To secure a conviction for Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm (AOBH) under section 339 of the Criminal Code (Qld), the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that:

- You unlawfully assaulted another person (an assault is any intentional or reckless application of force without consent).

- That assault caused bodily harm — meaning an injury that interferes with the person’s health or comfort and is more than minor or temporary.

- The harm was a direct result of the assault.

If the police cannot prove each of these elements, you should not be found guilty of AOBH.

If you have been charged with Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm (AOBH) in Queensland, there are a number of legal defences that may apply depending on your circumstances. These can include:

- Self‑defence – where you used reasonable force to protect yourself or another person.

- Defence of property – using reasonable force to protect your property.

- Accident – if the injury was not intended and occurred by genuine accident.

- Consent – in limited situations, such as lawful sporting contests.

- Duress – where you were forced to act under threat of serious harm.

- Lack of proof – if the prosecution cannot prove beyond reasonable doubt that you committed the offence or caused the injury.

Every case is different, and the availability of a defence will depend on the specific facts. At Coral Coast Law, we can assess your situation and advise whether a defence may apply to your AOBH charge.

A conviction for Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm (AOBH) in Queensland is serious and can have long‑lasting effects. Beyond the risk of imprisonment, a conviction will give you a criminal record, which can impact employment, travel, and professional licensing. It may also affect your reputation, family life, and future opportunities. 

Seeking early legal advice is the best way to minimise these consequences and protect your future.

Being charged with Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm (AOBH) in Queensland is a serious matter, but you don’t have to face it alone. 

Coral Coast Law provides clear advice, strong representation, and a tailored defence strategy to protect your rights. From guiding you through police interviews to negotiating with prosecutors and appearing in court, you’ll have skilled legal support at every stage of the process.