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Lauren Tye regularly acts for those persons charged with perjury, perverting the course of justice, interfering with witness and tampering with evidence offences, suppression order breaches and contempt of court.
Lauren Tye legal has proven results defending charges of perverting the course of justice and perjury in Victoria and interstate.
Free initial consultation. Confidential advice. Available 24/7.
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Years Criminal Defence Experience
Lauren Tye personally advises witnesses, suspects and accused persons facing offences against the administration of justice in Victoria and the Commonwealth. These charges are taken very seriously and attract significant terms of imprisonment.
Contact Lauren Tye Legal as soon as you become aware of an investigation to best protect your interests.
Lauren Tye defends offences targeting witnesses, evidence, court orders and the integrity of proceedings across Victorian and Commonwealth courts.
We provide advice and defence for those charged with knowingly providing false evidence to the Court whilst under oath.
Defence for attempts, conspiracies and acts said to interfere with investigations or proceedings.
Defence for alleged threats, bribery or tampering involving witnesses, jurors or evidence.
Defence for accessory after the fact, harbouring and concealing offence for benefit allegations.
Defence for escape from custody, fail to answer bail and offending while on bail.
Defence for breaches of suppression and non-publication orders and contempt of court.
Lauren Tye defends offences targeting witnesses, evidence, court orders and the integrity of proceedings across Victorian and Commonwealth courts.
| Charge | Legislation | Max Penalty | Typical Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perjury & False Statements — Victoria | |||
| Perjury, including subornation of perjury | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 314 | 15 years' imprisonment | County / Supreme Court |
| False statutory declaration | Oaths and Affirmations Act 2018 (Vic), s 36 | 5 years' imprisonment or 600 penalty units, or both | Magistrates' / County Court |
| Witnesses & Evidence — Victoria | |||
| Destruction, concealment or rendering illegible evidence | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 254 | 5 years' imprisonment or 600 penalty units, or both | Magistrates' / County Court |
| Intimidation or reprisals relating to involvement in criminal investigation or criminal proceeding | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 257 | 10 years' imprisonment | County Court; sometimes Magistrates' if heard summarily |
| Perverting the Course of Justice — Victoria | |||
| Perverting the course of justice | Common law offence; maximum fixed by Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 320 | 25 years' imprisonment | County / Supreme Court |
| Attempting to pervert the course of justice | Common law offence; maximum fixed by Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 320 | 25 years' imprisonment | County / Supreme Court |
| Conspiracy to commit perverting the course of justice / conspiracy to commit relevant justice offence | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), ss 321, 321C; common-law conspiracy mostly abolished by s 321F | Generally up to the maximum for the principal offence; for perverting justice, up to 25 years | Usually County / Supreme Court |
| Assisting Offenders — Victoria | |||
| Accessory | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 325 | Up to 20 years if the principal offence is life-liable; otherwise generally no more than 5 years and no more than half the principal maximum | Court depends on principal offence |
| Concealing offences for benefit | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 326 | 1 year's imprisonment | Magistrates' Court |
| Custody Offences — Victoria | |||
| Rescuing prisoner from lawful custody | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 479A | 10 years' imprisonment | County Court; sometimes Magistrates' if heard summarily |
| Aiding prisoner in escaping | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 479B | 5 years' imprisonment | Magistrates' / County Court |
| Escape or attempted escape from prison, police gaol, or specified custody | Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 479C | 5 years' imprisonment | Magistrates' / County Court |
| Escaping from lawful custody | Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic), s 49E | 2 years' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court |
| Bail Offences — Victoria | |||
| Failure to answer bail | Bail Act 1977 (Vic), s 30 | 2 years' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court |
| Contravening certain conduct conditions of bail undertaking | Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic), s 49F | 30 penalty units or 3 months' imprisonment | Magistrates' Court; does not apply to children |
| Commit indictable offence while on bail | Bail Act 1977 (Vic), s 30B | 30 penalty units or 3 months' imprisonment, in addition to the principal offence | Magistrates' Court / court hearing principal offence |
| Court Orders, Suppression & Contempt — Victoria | |||
| Contravene proceeding suppression order or interim order | Open Courts Act 2013 (Vic), s 23 | Individual: 5 years' imprisonment or 600 penalty units, or both; body corporate: 3000 penalty units | Magistrates' / County Court |
| Contempt of court | Inherent jurisdiction / court-specific powers | Fine, imprisonment, or both, at court's discretion | Court hearing the contempt |
Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 314
15 years' imprisonment
County / Supreme Court
Oaths and Affirmations Act 2018 (Vic), s 36
5 years' imprisonment or 600 penalty units, or both
Magistrates' / County Court
Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 254
5 years' imprisonment or 600 penalty units, or both
Magistrates' / County Court
Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 257
10 years' imprisonment
County Court; sometimes Magistrates' if heard summarily
Common law offence; maximum fixed by Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 320
25 years' imprisonment
County / Supreme Court
Common law offence; maximum fixed by Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 320
25 years' imprisonment
County / Supreme Court
Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), ss 321, 321C; common-law conspiracy mostly abolished by s 321F
Generally up to the maximum for the principal offence; for perverting justice, up to 25 years
Usually County / Supreme Court
Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 325
Up to 20 years if the principal offence is life-liable; otherwise generally no more than 5 years and no more than half the principal maximum
Court depends on principal offence
Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 326
1 year's imprisonment
Magistrates' Court
Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 479A
10 years' imprisonment
County Court; sometimes Magistrates' if heard summarily
Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 479B
5 years' imprisonment
Magistrates' / County Court
Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s 479C
5 years' imprisonment
Magistrates' / County Court
Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic), s 49E
2 years' imprisonment
Magistrates' Court
Bail Act 1977 (Vic), s 30
2 years' imprisonment
Magistrates' Court
Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic), s 49F
30 penalty units or 3 months' imprisonment
Magistrates' Court; does not apply to children
Bail Act 1977 (Vic), s 30B
30 penalty units or 3 months' imprisonment, in addition to the principal offence
Magistrates' Court / court hearing principal offence
Open Courts Act 2013 (Vic), s 23
Individual: 5 years' imprisonment or 600 penalty units, or both; body corporate: 3000 penalty units
Magistrates' / County Court
Inherent jurisdiction / court-specific powers
Fine, imprisonment, or both, at court's discretion
Court hearing the contempt
| Charge | Legislation | Max Penalty | Typical Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judicial Conduct & False Evidence — Commonwealth | |||
| Judge or magistrate acting oppressively or when interested | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 34 | 2 years' imprisonment | Rare; federal jurisdiction |
| Giving false testimony in a federal judicial proceeding | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 35 | 5 years' imprisonment | State/Territory court exercising federal jurisdiction, or relevant federal court |
| Fabricating evidence | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 36 | 5 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Destroying evidence | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 39 | 5 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Witness Offences — Commonwealth | |||
| Intimidation of witnesses etc. | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 36A | 5 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Corruption of witnesses | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 37 | 5 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Deceiving witnesses | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 38 | 2 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Preventing witnesses from attending court | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 40 | 1 year's imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Perverting Justice & Conspiracy — Commonwealth | |||
| Conspiracy to bring false accusation | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 41 | 10 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Conspiracy to defeat justice | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 42 | 10 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Attempting to pervert justice | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 43 | 10 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Compounding offences | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 44 | 3 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Custody & Escape — Commonwealth | |||
| Aiding prisoner to escape | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 46 | 5 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Aiding prisoner to escape by conveying thing into prison etc. | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 46A | 5 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Escaping from federal criminal detention | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 47 | 5 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Rescuing prisoner from federal criminal detention | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 47A | 14 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Being unlawfully at large after escaping federal criminal detention | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 47B | 5 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Permitting escape from federal criminal detention | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 47C | 5 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Harbouring etc. an escapee | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 48 | 5 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| Removing property under seizure | Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 49 | 2 years' imprisonment | State/Territory or federal court depending on matter |
| False or Misleading Information — Commonwealth | |||
| False or misleading information in Commonwealth matters | Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 137.1 | 12 months' imprisonment | Magistrates' / federal criminal jurisdiction |
| Aggravated false or misleading information relating to Australian Government security-clearance matters | Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 137.1A | 5 years' imprisonment | Federal criminal jurisdiction |
| False or misleading documents in Commonwealth matters | Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 137.2 | 12 months' imprisonment | Magistrates' / federal criminal jurisdiction |
| Specialist & Contempt — Commonwealth | |||
| ICC-specific crimes against administration of justice | Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), Div 268, Subdiv J | Specialist Commonwealth offences; penalties vary | Rare / specialist federal jurisdiction |
| Contempt of the Federal Court | Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), s 31 | Court's contempt power; may include fine or imprisonment | Federal Court |
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 34
2 years' imprisonment
Rare; federal jurisdiction
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 35
5 years' imprisonment
State/Territory court exercising federal jurisdiction, or relevant federal court
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 36
5 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 39
5 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 36A
5 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 37
5 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 38
2 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 40
1 year's imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 41
10 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 42
10 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 43
10 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 44
3 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 46
5 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 46A
5 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 47
5 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 47A
14 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 47B
5 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 47C
5 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 48
5 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), s 49
2 years' imprisonment
State/Territory or federal court depending on matter
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 137.1
12 months' imprisonment
Magistrates' / federal criminal jurisdiction
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 137.1A
5 years' imprisonment
Federal criminal jurisdiction
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 137.2
12 months' imprisonment
Magistrates' / federal criminal jurisdiction
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), Div 268, Subdiv J
Specialist Commonwealth offences; penalties vary
Rare / specialist federal jurisdiction
Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), s 31
Court's contempt power; may include fine or imprisonment
Federal Court
Penalties shown are maximums only and are based on authorised Victorian and Commonwealth legislation. Standard sentences are not minimums. PU means Victorian penalty unit, currently $203.51 for 2025–26 and adjusted annually. This is general information only.
Real outcomes achieved through strategic defence, careful preparation, and experienced advocacy.
Our client was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice arising from communications with a complainant in an earlier matter. Lauren Tye reviewed the brief in detail and prepared submissions identifying significant gaps in proof of intent. The OPP withdrew the charge before committal.
Our client gave evidence in earlier civil proceedings that the prosecution alleged was false. Lauren prepared a detailed plea with character and context material. The Magistrate accepted the plea on a more limited basis and imposed a non-conviction outcome.
Every case depends on its own facts and circumstances. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results.
Get legal advice before you respond. What you say, hand over, consent to or post early can affect bail, charges and the direction of the case.
Say: “I want to speak to my lawyer before answering any questions.”
Do not unlock devices, give passwords or hand over property without advice. Do not obstruct police with lawful authority.
Record what happened and keep it for your lawyer only.
Do not delete messages, files or records. Do not contact witnesses, complainants or co-accused.
Justice administration charges can carry significant prison terms and require careful early strategy.
Call Lauren Tye on 0451 877 714.
Do not post online, speak to media or discuss the matter in chats or workplace channels.
Early legal advice can help you avoid unnecessary admissions, protect your licence, and prepare properly for court. For urgent traffic offence advice in Victoria, contact Lauren Tye on 0451 877 714.
Lauren Tye defends clients facing offences against the administration of justice in Victorian and Commonwealth courts, including perjury, perverting the course of justice, witness and evidence offences, suppression order breaches and contempt.
She works with counsel and forensic experts to test the prosecution case, identify the real issues and prepare a strategic defence from the outset.
Lauren provides representation for:
Available 24/7 including nights, weekends, and public holidays.
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.
Administration of justice offences involve conduct alleged to interfere with courts, investigations, witnesses, evidence, bail or court orders. Examples include perjury, perverting the course of justice, witness intimidation, destroying or concealing evidence, assisting an offender, escaping custody, failing to answer bail, breaching suppression orders and contempt of court.
These charges are serious because they can undermine investigations, court proceedings and the justice system. In Victoria, perjury carries up to 15 years’ imprisonment. Perverting, or attempting to pervert, the course of justice carries up to 25 years’ imprisonment.
The applicable law depends on the court, investigation or agency involved. Victorian matters usually involve state courts, Victoria Police or state proceedings. Commonwealth matters may involve federal courts, Commonwealth agencies, federal investigations or offences under the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) or Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
Many offences are indictable and may proceed through committal to the County Court or Supreme Court. Less serious matters may be heard in the Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions often require careful negotiation, especially where witnesses, evidence, co-accused or ongoing proceedings are involved.
Get legal advice before speaking to police or taking part in an interview. You may need to provide basic details in some situations, but you should understand your rights before answering questions about the allegation. Anything said in an interview may later be used as evidence.
Perjury is giving false evidence on oath, affirmation or affidavit. In Victoria, perjury and subornation of perjury carry a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment. The prosecution must prove more than a mistake or inconsistency. It must prove the evidence was false and that it was given wilfully and corruptly.
Perverting the course of justice involves conduct intended to interfere with the administration of justice. It may involve a court case, investigation, witness, evidence or legal process. In Victoria, it is a common law offence with a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment. The prosecution must prove both the conduct and the required intention.
Attempted perverting the course of justice applies where a person is alleged to have tried to interfere with justice, even if the attempt did not succeed. The issue is usually whether the conduct went beyond preparation and whether the required intention can be proved. In Victoria, the maximum penalty is 25 years’ imprisonment.
Yes. Helping someone after an offence may lead to serious charges, depending on what was done and when. Possible charges include being an accessory, concealing an offence for benefit, harbouring an escapee or assisting a person to avoid arrest. The prosecution must prove the required knowledge, conduct and connection to the principal offence.
Contempt of court involves conduct that interferes with the authority, process or proper operation of a court. It can include disobeying court orders, disrupting proceedings, interfering with witnesses or publishing material that risks affecting a fair trial. Penalties depend on the court, the conduct and whether the contempt is dealt with summarily or through separate proceedings.
A suppression order breach occurs when information is published or disclosed contrary to a court order restricting publication. In Victoria, breaching a proceeding suppression order or interim order can carry up to 5 years’ imprisonment or 600 penalty units for an individual, and 3000 penalty units for a body corporate.
Failing to answer bail means not attending court as required by a bail undertaking. In Victoria, it is a separate offence carrying a maximum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment. It may also affect future bail, because the court can consider whether there is a risk of further non-attendance.
Yes. A justice charge may be withdrawn, downgraded or resolved through negotiation if the evidence, charge selection or public interest supports that outcome. This often depends on the strength of the prosecution case, the available defences, witness issues, disclosure, and whether a more appropriate charge or resolution is available.
It depends on the charge and how the case progresses. Serious indictable offences may proceed through committal and, if contested, be heard before a jury in the County Court or Supreme Court. Less serious matters may be finalised in the Magistrates’ Court, particularly where the offence is summary or can be heard summarily.
Yes. The applicable law depends on the court, agency, investigation or proceeding involved. Victorian charges usually relate to state courts, Victoria Police investigations or Victorian proceedings. Commonwealth charges may arise where the conduct involves a federal court, Commonwealth agency, federal investigation, Commonwealth witness or offence under Commonwealth legislation.
Timing depends on the charge, evidence, court, disclosure, negotiations and whether the matter resolves early. Summary matters can move more quickly in the Magistrates’ Court. Serious indictable matters often take longer because they may involve a brief of evidence, committal, expert material, negotiations and, if unresolved, trial preparation.
This information is general only and not legal advice. If you need advice about your situation, contact Lauren directly.
Most administration of justice charges first appear in the Magistrates’ Court. Serious indictable charges may then proceed by committal to the County Court or Supreme Court.
Perjury and perverting the course of justice are commonly heard in the County Court, although serious or complex matters may be heard in the Supreme Court. Commonwealth offences are usually prosecuted in Victorian courts exercising federal jurisdiction, with the CDPP responsible for the prosecution.
Less serious matters, including failure to answer bail and some lower-level court order or publication offences, may be finalised in the Magistrates’ Court.
Lauren Tye appears in Victorian and Commonwealth criminal matters from police contact through to bail, committal, trial, sentence and appeal.
Lauren Tye appears in the Supreme Court, County Court, Magistrates’ Courts of Victoria and the Federal Court for justice administration matters across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Other practice areas: Traffic & Driving Offences · Drug Offences · Family Violence
