Home
/
Services
/
Melbourne Criminal Defence Lawyers
Lauren Tye defends complex organised crime, conspiracy, money laundering, asset confiscation and anti-association matters across Victoria and the Commonwealth.
Free initial consultation. Confidential advice. Available 24/7.
Google Reviews
Years Criminal Defence Experience
Lauren Tye personally advises persons of interest, suspects and accused persons facing organised crime, conspiracy, money laundering and anti-association allegations in Victoria and the Commonwealth, from first contact through coercive examinations, bail, committal and trial. She is admitted in Victoria and South Australia and trained with a leading London criminal defence firm.
Lauren Tye defends complex multi-accused investigations targeting alleged criminal networks, their finances and their associations across Victorian and Commonwealth courts.
Defence for directing, participating in or recruiting for declared and alleged criminal organisations.
Defence for inchoate and complicity offences across Victorian and Commonwealth law.
Defence for dealing with, possessing or concealing alleged proceeds of crime under state and federal regimes.
Defence and challenge to restraining orders, forfeiture and unexplained wealth proceedings.
Defence for unlawful association, declared organisation control orders and serious crime prevention orders.
Representation at IBAC and ACIC examinations and defence for firearms prohibition order breaches.
Maximum penalties under Victorian and Commonwealth law. Organised crime, money laundering and commercial drug offences attract the highest penalties in Australian criminal law, including life imprisonment.
| Charge | Legislation | Max Penalty | Typical Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organised Crime & Anti-Association — Victoria | |||
| Contravene serious crime prevention order | Criminal Organisations Control Act 2012 (Vic), s 31 | 5 years / 600 penalty units / both | Magistrates' / County Court |
| Association with individuals convicted of serious criminal offences prohibited | Criminal Organisations Control Act 2012 (Vic), s 124A | 3 years / 360 penalty units / both | Magistrates' / County Court |
| Public display of insignia of Part 5B organisation | Criminal Organisations Control Act 2012 (Vic), s 124ZN | 60 penalty units (individual) / 300 penalty units (body corporate) | Magistrates' Court |
| Fail to comply with direction to cease public display of organisation insignia | Criminal Organisations Control Act 2012 (Vic), ss 124ZS, 124ZU | 10 penalty units (individual) / 50 penalty units (body corporate) | Magistrates' Court |
| Member of Part 5C organisation enters restricted Victorian Government worksite area | Criminal Organisations Control Act 2012 (Vic), s 124ZZD | 3 years / 360 penalty units / both | Magistrates' / County Court |
Criminal Organisations Control Act 2012 (Vic), s 31
5 years / 600 penalty units / both
Magistrates' / County Court
Criminal Organisations Control Act 2012 (Vic), s 124A
3 years / 360 penalty units / both
Magistrates' / County Court
Criminal Organisations Control Act 2012 (Vic), s 124ZN
60 penalty units (individual) / 300 penalty units (body corporate)
Magistrates' Court
Criminal Organisations Control Act 2012 (Vic), ss 124ZS, 124ZU
10 penalty units (individual) / 50 penalty units (body corporate)
Magistrates' Court
Criminal Organisations Control Act 2012 (Vic), s 124ZZD
3 years / 360 penalty units / both
Magistrates' / County Court
| Charge | Legislation | Max Penalty | Typical Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organised Crime & Anti-Association — Commonwealth | |||
| Associating in support of serious organised criminal activity | Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 390.3 | 3 years' imprisonment | State court exercising federal jurisdiction |
| Supporting a criminal organisation | Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 390.4 | 5 years' imprisonment | State court exercising federal jurisdiction |
| Committing an offence for the benefit of a criminal organisation | Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 390.5(1) | 7 years' imprisonment | State court exercising federal jurisdiction |
| Committing an offence at the direction of a criminal organisation | Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 390.5(2) | 7 years' imprisonment | State court exercising federal jurisdiction |
| Directing activities of a criminal organisation — activity aids or risks aiding offending | Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 390.6(1) | 10 years' imprisonment | County / Supreme Court (federal jurisdiction) |
| Directing activities of a criminal organisation — directed activity constitutes an offence | Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 390.6(2) | 15 years' imprisonment | County / Supreme Court (federal jurisdiction) |
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 390.3
3 years' imprisonment
State court exercising federal jurisdiction
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 390.4
5 years' imprisonment
State court exercising federal jurisdiction
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 390.5(1)
7 years' imprisonment
State court exercising federal jurisdiction
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 390.5(2)
7 years' imprisonment
State court exercising federal jurisdiction
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 390.6(1)
10 years' imprisonment
County / Supreme Court (federal jurisdiction)
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), s 390.6(2)
15 years' imprisonment
County / Supreme Court (federal jurisdiction)
Penalties shown are maximums only and based on authorised Victorian and Commonwealth legislation. Asset confiscation and unexplained wealth proceedings are civil in nature but carry severe consequences. 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 conspiracy and commercial drug trafficking after a long-running covert investigation. Lauren Tye reviewed the brief in detail, identified weaknesses in the alleged agreement, and negotiated with the OPP. The conspiracy charge was withdrawn and the matter resolved on a substantially reduced basis.
Our client faced Commonwealth money laundering charges with extensive asset restraint. Lauren coordinated the criminal defence and confiscation response, challenged the basis of restraint and negotiated with the CDPP. Key assets were released and the criminal matter resolved without an immediate custodial sentence.
Every case depends on its own facts and circumstances. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results.
Get legal advice before you respond. Organised crime investigations often involve covert evidence, compulsory examinations, financial records, asset restraint, encrypted devices and multiple accused. Early decisions can affect the entire case.
Say: “I want to speak to my lawyer before answering any questions.” Provide only information you are legally required to provide.
Do not voluntarily unlock devices, provide passwords, hand over property or sign documents without legal advice. Do not obstruct police acting under lawful authority.
If you receive an IBAC, ACIC or Major Crime examination notice, get legal advice immediately. Attendance, confidentiality, document production and self-incrimination rules can be complex.
Do not delete messages, files, call logs, financial records or encrypted communications. Do not move, transfer, sell or dissipate assets that may be subject to restraint.
Contact may be alleged to involve witness interference, perverting the course of justice, or breach of a bail, non-association or court order.
Organised crime investigations can quickly expand into money laundering, conspiracy, drug, firearms and proceeds-of-crime allegations.
Call Lauren Tye on 0451 877 714.
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 organised crime, anti-association, conspiracy, money laundering, proceeds of crime and asset-confiscation allegations in Victorian and Commonwealth matters.
Organised crime investigations are often complex and evidence-heavy. They may involve covert surveillance, telephone intercepts, encrypted communications, financial analysis, compulsory examinations, asset restraint and multiple accused.
Lauren works with senior counsel, forensic accountants and digital evidence experts to test the evidence early, identify weaknesses in the prosecution case and protect her client’s position 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.
Organised crime matters involve allegations that a person was connected to, assisted, directed or acted for the benefit of a criminal organisation or organised criminal activity.
The core charge category includes anti-association offences, serious crime prevention order breaches, criminal organisation support offences, and offences involving the direction or benefit of a criminal organisation. These charges often overlap with related allegations such as conspiracy, commercial drug trafficking, drug importation, money laundering, proceeds of crime and firearms offences.
Organised crime allegations are treated seriously because they often involve claims of planning, coordination, repeated conduct, profit and multiple participants.
The maximum penalty depends on the charge. Direct organised-crime and anti-association offences can carry terms of imprisonment. Related offences, including commercial drug importation and high-value money laundering, can carry maximum penalties up to life imprisonment.
Financial consequences can also arise early. Asset restraint, forfeiture and unexplained wealth proceedings may affect homes, bank accounts, vehicles, businesses and family assets before the criminal case has been finalised.
The applicable law depends on the alleged conduct, the investigating agency and the prosecuting authority.
Victorian matters are usually investigated by Victoria Police or specialist crime units and prosecuted by the OPP. Commonwealth matters may involve the AFP, ACIC, Australian Border Force or AUSTRAC, and are usually prosecuted by the CDPP. Federal charges are common in importation, interstate offending, large-scale money laundering and Commonwealth proceeds-of-crime matters.
Organised crime investigations may involve covert surveillance, telephone intercepts, controlled operations, encrypted communications, financial analysis and compulsory examinations under IBAC, Major Crime or ACIC regimes.
Serious matters may proceed by committal to the County Court or Supreme Court. Bail is often contested and may require detailed preparation of proposed conditions, sureties, accommodation, treatment, employment and support material.
Get legal advice before answering questions. You may be required to provide basic details, but you should not answer questions about the allegations without advice. You can say: “I want to speak to my lawyer before answering any questions.”
Get urgent legal advice. Coercive examination notices can require you to attend, answer questions, produce documents and comply with confidentiality obligations. These examinations are not ordinary police interviews, and the rules about silence, self-incrimination and disclosure can be complex.
Organised crime matters usually involve allegations that a person was connected to, assisted, supported, directed or acted for the benefit of a criminal organisation or organised criminal activity. Anti-association matters usually involve alleged contact with a prohibited person, group or organisation.
Unlawful association involves an allegation that a person associated with another person in breach of Victorian organised crime laws. The issues may include whether the contact occurred, whether the accused knew the relevant facts, the purpose of the contact, and whether any lawful exception applies.
Commonwealth criminal organisation offences include associating in support of serious organised criminal activity, supporting a criminal organisation, committing offences for the benefit of or at the direction of a criminal organisation, and directing the activities of a criminal organisation.
Conspiracy is an allegation that two or more people agreed to commit an offence. In organised crime cases, prosecutors may rely on messages, meetings, movements, financial records, surveillance or alleged shared planning. Association with another person is not, by itself, conspiracy.
Money laundering and proceeds of crime charges involve allegations that money or property was connected to criminal offending. These cases may involve cash, bank transfers, companies, real estate, vehicles, cryptocurrency, business assets or family property.
These proceedings can freeze, restrict or confiscate property suspected of being connected to offending or unexplained wealth. They can affect homes, bank accounts, vehicles, businesses, cash and family assets, sometimes before the criminal case has been finalised.
A firearms prohibition order restricts a person from acquiring, possessing, carrying or using firearms or firearm-related items. Breaching an order, possessing prohibited items or failing to comply with related police powers can lead to serious consequences.
Bail depends on the charge, alleged role, criminal history, strength of the case, risk factors and available supports. Serious matters may require detailed preparation, including accommodation, sureties, treatment, employment, reporting conditions and non-association conditions.
Yes. Charges may be withdrawn, downgraded or resolved by negotiation if the evidence does not support the allegation, the accused person’s role is overstated, or a lesser charge properly reflects the conduct. This usually requires careful review of the brief and early case strategy.
Yes. One investigation can involve both Victorian and Commonwealth charges. The strategy will depend on the conduct alleged, the agencies involved, the prosecuting authority, the court, and how the charges interact.
The timeframe depends on the number of accused, the volume of evidence, covert material, telephone intercepts, financial records, disclosure issues, negotiations and whether the case resolves or proceeds to trial. Serious organised crime cases can take many months or longer.
This information is general only and not legal advice. If you need advice about your situation, contact Lauren directly.
Organised crime matters often involve several courts, agencies and jurisdictions. Many cases first appear in the Magistrates’ Court. Serious indictable charges that do not resolve early may proceed by committal to the County Court or Supreme Court.
The court depends on the charge, prosecution authority, seriousness of the allegations and complexity of the evidence. Matters involving trafficking, importation, money laundering, conspiracy, multiple accused, telephone intercepts, surveillance or financial analysis may be heard in the County Court or Supreme Court.
Commonwealth offences are usually prosecuted by the CDPP in Victorian courts exercising federal jurisdiction. Asset restraint, forfeiture and unexplained wealth proceedings are separate civil proceedings that may run alongside, before or after the criminal case.
Lauren Tye appears from first contact through coercive examinations, bail, committal, trial, plea, sentence and appeal.
Lauren Tye appears in the Supreme Court, County Court, Magistrates’ Courts of Victoria and the Federal Court for organised crime and anti-association matters across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Other practice areas: Drug Offences · Firearms & Weapons Offences · Commonwealth & Federal Offences · Bail & Police Interviews
