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Years Criminal Defence Experience
Lauren prepares urgent first bail applications for clients who have been refused bail by police or remanded after a first appearance. She gathers supporting material, arranges proposed surety and bail conditions, and appears at the earliest available bail hearing.
Some offences require the applicant to show a compelling reason why continued detention is not justified under s 4D of the Bail Act 1977. These applications require careful preparation, targeted evidence and a credible plan to address risk.
For the most serious offences, including those listed in Schedule 1 to the Bail Act 1977, bail may only be granted if exceptional circumstances are established. Lauren prepares the evidence and submissions needed for these high-threshold applications.
Where bail has been refused in a lower court, or where the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction is engaged, Lauren prepares the affidavits, written submissions and supporting material required for a Supreme Court bail application.
A further bail application may be available where there is new evidence, a material change in circumstances, or fresh facts not previously before the court. Lauren advises on whether the threshold is met and prepares the application strategically.
Lauren acts in applications to vary bail conditions that are unworkable or no longer necessary, including curfews, reporting obligations, exclusion zones and residence requirements. Well-prepared supporting material can improve the prospects of a prompt variation.
Lauren appears in contested bail hearings where the prosecution opposes release. Where appropriate, she cross-examines informants, calls surety or family witnesses, and makes detailed submissions on risk, compliance and proposed conditions.
Lauren advises on surety arrangements and proposed bail conditions, including residence, curfew, reporting, exclusion zones, abstinence requirements and other tailored conditions. Practical, credible conditions can strengthen a bail application.
Lauren represents clients charged with contravening conduct conditions, failing to answer bail, or committing an indictable offence while on bail. These allegations are separate from the underlying matter and can affect future bail applications.
| Charge | Legislation | Max Penalty | Typical Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Assault & Aggravated Assault | |||
| Common Assault (Unlawful Assault) | Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic), s 23 | 15 penalty units or 3 months' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court |
| Aggravated Assault (Child Under 14 / Female Victim) | Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic), s 24(1) | 25 penalty units or 6 months' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court |
| Aggravated Assault (In Company / Kicking / With Weapon) | Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic), s 24(2) | 12 months if in company; 2 years if by kicking or with a weapon | Magistrates' Court |
| Common Law Assault | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 320; s 320A in certain circumstances | 5 years' imprisonment generally; up to 10 or 15 years in certain police/protective-services circumstances | Magistrates' Court or County Court |
| Causing Injury | |||
| Recklessly Causing Injury | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 18 | 5 years' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court or County Court |
| Intentionally Causing Injury | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 18 | 10 years' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court or County Court |
| Negligently Causing Serious Injury | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 24 | 10 years' imprisonment | County Court |
| Administering Certain Substances | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 19 | 5 years' imprisonment | County Court |
| Causing Serious Injury & Gross Violence | |||
| Recklessly Causing Serious Injury | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 17 | 15 years' imprisonment | County Court |
| Intentionally Causing Serious Injury | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 16 | 20 years' imprisonment | County Court or Supreme Court |
| Recklessly Causing Serious Injury in Circumstances of Gross Violence | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 15B | 20 years' imprisonment | County Court or Supreme Court |
| Intentionally Causing Serious Injury in Circumstances of Gross Violence | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 15A | 25 years' imprisonment | County Court or Supreme Court |
| Non-Fatal Strangulation | |||
| Non-Fatal Strangulation | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 34AE | 5 years' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court or County Court |
| Non-Fatal Strangulation Intentionally Causing Injury | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 34AD | 10 years' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court or County Court |
| Threats, Stalking & Extortion | |||
| Threats to Inflict Serious Injury | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 21 | 5 years' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court or County Court |
| Threats to Kill | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 20 | 10 years' imprisonment | County Court |
| Stalking | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 21A | 10 years' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court or County Court |
| Extortion with Threat to Kill | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 27 | 15 years' imprisonment | County Court |
| Extortion with Threat to Destroy Property | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 28 | 10 years' imprisonment | County Court |
| Assaults on Protected Workers | |||
| Statutory Assault (Police, Emergency Workers, Customer-Facing Workers, Resist Arrest) | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 31 | 5 years' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court or County Court |
| Assaulting Emergency Workers, Custodial Officers or Youth Justice Workers on Duty | Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic), s 51 | 60 penalty units or 6 months' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court |
| Assaulting Registered Health Practitioners | Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic), s 51A | 60 penalty units or 6 months' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court |
| Assaulting Applicable Customer-Facing Workers | Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic), s 51D | 60 penalty units or 6 months' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court |
| Discharging Firearm Reckless to Safety of Police Officer or Protective Services Officer | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 31C | 15 years' imprisonment | County Court |
| Intimidation of a Law Enforcement Officer or Family Member | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 31D | 10 years' imprisonment | County Court |
| Kidnapping & False Imprisonment | |||
| False Imprisonment | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 320 (common law) | 10 years' imprisonment | County Court |
| Kidnapping | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 63A | 25 years' imprisonment | County Court or Supreme Court |
| Public Order Violence | |||
| Conduct Endangering Persons | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 23 | 5 years' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court or County Court |
| Conduct Endangering Life | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 22 | 10 years' imprisonment | County Court |
| Affray | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 195H | 5 years' imprisonment, or 7 years if face covering | Magistrates' Court or County Court |
| Violent Disorder | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 195I | 10 years' imprisonment, or 15 years if face covering | Magistrates' Court or County Court |
| Threatening Injury to Prevent Arrest | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 30 | 5 years' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court or County Court |
| Firearms, Weapons & Related Offences | |||
| Using Firearm to Resist Arrest | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 29 | 10 years' imprisonment | County Court |
| Use of Firearms in Commission of Offences | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 31A | 5 years' imprisonment (cumulative, cannot be suspended) | County Court |
| Being Armed with Criminal Intent | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 31B | 5 years' imprisonment | County Court |
| Setting Traps to Kill | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 25 | 15 years' imprisonment | County Court |
| Setting Traps to Cause Serious Injury | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 26 | 10 years' imprisonment | County Court |
Our client was refused bail by police following a series of property charges and remanded overnight. Lauren Tye prepared the bail application within hours, including surety material from a family member, confirmation of stable accommodation, and a treatment plan to address the underlying issues.
The application was contested by the prosecution on risk grounds. Lauren made detailed submissions on the proposed conditions and how each addressed the identified risks. The Magistrate granted bail on the conditions proposed.
Our client had been refused bail in the Magistrates’ Court on serious charges that engaged a show compelling reason test. With several months until the next contested hearing, Lauren Tye prepared a Supreme Court bail application supported by detailed affidavits, fresh surety material, and a structured residential and reporting plan.
The Supreme Court accepted that the proposed conditions adequately addressed the risks identified by the prosecution and granted bail.
Every case depends on its own facts and circumstances. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results.
Maximum penalties under Victorian law. Lauren Tye regularly achieves outcomes well below these maximums through careful preparation and strategic advocacy. Contact Lauren for advice specific to your charge.
Road Safety Act 1986, s 65(1)
12 penalty units (first); 25 penalty units (subsequent)
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 49(1)(bc)
30 PU (first); up to 270 PU or 18 months imprisonment (subsequent, BAC ≥0.15)
Magistrates' Court
Crimes Act 1958, s 318
20 years imprisonment
County Court or Supreme Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 64(2)
240 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment; minimum 6-month licence disqualification (12 months if 45km/h+ over limit)
Magistrates' Court
Crimes Act 1958, s 319(1)
10 years imprisonment
County Court
Crimes Act 1958, s 319(1A)
5 years imprisonment
County Court
Crimes Act 1958, s 319AA
3 years imprisonment
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 49(1)(f)
20 PU (first); up to 180 PU or 18 months imprisonment (subsequent, BAC ≥0.15)
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 49(1)(b)
20 PU (first); up to 120 PU or 12 months imprisonment (subsequent, BAC ≥0.15)
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 64A
60 PU or 6 months (first); 120 PU or 12 months (subsequent); mandatory minimum 6-month licence loss
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 30AA
10 penalty units
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 30
240 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 49(1)(ba)
12 PU (first); up to 180 PU or 18 months imprisonment (subsequent)
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 49(1)(g)
20 PU (first); up to 180 PU or 18 months imprisonment (subsequent, BAC ≥0.15)
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 61
10 years imprisonment where death/serious injury (indictable)
Magistrates' Court or higher
Road Safety Act 1986, s 61
80 PU or 8 months (first); 240 PU or 2 years (subsequent)
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 61
5 PU or 14 days (first); 10 PU or 1 month (subsequent)
Magistrates' Court (or higher if indictable)
Road Safety Act 1986, s 61
10 years imprisonment where death/serious injury (indictable); 80 PU or 8 months (first, person injured); 5 PU or 14 days (first, property only)
Magistrates' Court (or higher if indictable)
Road Safety Act 1986, s 60
20 PU or 4 months (death/serious injury); 20 PU or 2 months (other)
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 72
10 PU or 2 months (documents); 60 PU or 6 months (vehicle identifiers)
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 59
Varies: 5 PU (fail to produce licence); 60 PU or 6 months (fail to stop, first offence)
Magistrates' Court
Safety
5 penalty units
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 73
10 penalty units or 2 months imprisonment
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 73A
60 penalty units
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 69
10 penalty units or 2 months imprisonment
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 64A
60 PU or 6 months (first); 120 PU or 12 months (subsequent)
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 49(1)(c), (d), (e)
Varies — up to 180 PU or 18 months imprisonment (subsequent)
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 61
Road Safety Act 1986, s 70(1)
Magistrates' Court
Road Safety Act 1986, s 18(1A)
60 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment
Magistrates' Court
Victoria has a multi-tiered court system with over 51 Magistrates’ Court locations across the state. Most traffic and driving charges — including drink driving, drug driving, careless driving, and unlicensed driving — are heard in the Magistrates’ Court closest to where the offence occurred or where the accused lives.
More serious charges such as dangerous driving causing serious injury or culpable driving causing death may be heard in the County Court of Victoria or the Supreme Court of Victoria. Lauren Tye appears in all three court levels and regularly represents clients at Magistrates’ Courts across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
How Lauren Tye has defended real clients facing traffic charges in Victorian courts.
Our client, a professional with no prior criminal history, was charged with mid-range drink driving after returning a BAC of 0.102 at a random breath test in Melbourne’s inner suburbs. They faced a mandatory licence cancellation of at least 12 months, a potential criminal conviction, and the installation of an alcohol interlock device — consequences that would have severely impacted their career and family responsibilities.
Lauren Tye personally reviewed the police brief, identified mitigating circumstances, and prepared a comprehensive plea submission for Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. The submission included character references, evidence of our client’s immediate steps toward rehabilitation, and a detailed outline of the exceptional hardship a standard penalty would cause.
The Magistrate accepted Lauren’s submissions in full. Our client received a significantly reduced licence cancellation period, avoided a conviction being recorded, and was able to continue working without interruption. The outcome reflected the careful preparation and strategic advocacy that Lauren brings to every drink driving matter.
Our client was charged with serious traffic offences after an incident on a major Melbourne road. Police alleged dangerous driving and failing to stop, with the matter listed for a contested hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. If convicted, our client faced imprisonment, a lengthy licence disqualification, and a permanent criminal record.
Lauren Tye obtained the full police brief and conducted a detailed review of every piece of evidence — including CCTV footage, witness statements, and the police informant’s notes. Lauren identified critical inconsistencies between the CCTV evidence and the version of events outlined in the witness statements. She prepared written submissions to the prosecution highlighting these evidentiary issues and arguing that the charges could not be sustained.
Following Lauren’s representations, the prosecution agreed to withdraw all charges prior to the hearing date. Our client walked away with no conviction, no penalty, and no criminal record. This case demonstrates the value of thorough evidence review and early, strategic engagement with the prosecution.
Every case depends on its own facts and circumstances. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results.
Lauren Tye prepares urgent bail applications for clients in custody, including after-hours matters where immediate action is required. She can advise on the likely bail test, the material needed, and the most effective way to prepare the application. Lauren Tye is available 24/7 on 0451 877 714.
Police may charge you at the scene, at a police station, or later by summons. Drug charges range from possession and use matters to more serious allegations of trafficking, cultivation, manufacture, and importation.
If police want to speak with you, you have received a court date, or property such as drugs, cash, phones, or other material has been seized, obtain legal advice promptly. Early advice can help protect your position and avoid unnecessary mistakes.
Lauren reviews the police brief, search warrants, forensic material, phone evidence, and surrounding facts to assess the strength of the prosecution case, identify weaknesses, and determine the most appropriate strategy.
Lauren advises you at each stage of the proceeding and appears on your behalf in the Magistrates' Court, County Court, or other relevant court. You receive clear advice, careful preparation, and focused criminal defence representation throughout.
Depending on the circumstances, that may involve negotiating charges, contesting the allegations, preparing the strongest possible plea, or seeking the most favourable available resolution. Advice can also be provided on related issues such as bail, forfeiture, and appeal options where relevant. x
If you have been charged, contacted by police, or given a court date, contact Lauren Tye as soon as possible.
All enquiries are strictly confidential.
Direct access to your lawyer, not a call centre or junior associate.
Call Lauren directly on nights, weekends, and public holidays.
Melbourne Magistrates' Court, County Court, Supreme Court, and regional Victoria.
Your initial consultation is free. All enquiries are strictly confidential.
What law governs bail in Victoria?
What is the difference between compelling reason and exceptional circumstances?
What conditions can a court impose on bail?
When should you contact a bail lawyer?
This information is general only and not legal advice. If you need advice about your situation, contact Lauren directly.
