Charged With Assault in Tasmania - What Happens Now?

By James Stevens, Director and Solicitor, Go To Court Lawyers. Last reviewed 10 April 2026.

If you've been charged with assault in Tasmania, you're facing serious criminal charges that can result in imprisonment, heavy fines, and a permanent criminal record. Tasmania's assault laws are strict, with penalties ranging from fines for common assault to up to 21 years imprisonment for grievous bodily harm. You need immediate legal advice to protect your rights and understand your options - call 1300 636 846 now or the consequences could follow you for life.

Do You Need a Lawyer?

Yes, you absolutely need a lawyer if you're charged with assault in Tasmania. Assault charges are criminal matters that require expert legal representation - this isn't a traffic fine you can handle yourself. Without a lawyer, you risk pleading guilty when you have valid defences, receiving harsher penalties than necessary, or making statements to police that destroy your case.

A skilled criminal lawyer can challenge the prosecution's evidence, negotiate reduced charges, present mitigating factors for sentencing, and potentially get charges withdrawn entirely. They understand Tasmania's Criminal Code, know the local magistrates and judges, and have relationships with prosecutors that can make a real difference to your outcome.

The stakes are too high to represent yourself. Assault convictions affect employment, travel, professional licenses, and family court matters. Even a 'minor' common assault conviction stays on your criminal record and appears on police checks. Don't risk your future - get legal help immediately by calling 1300 636 846.

What Happens Next - The Process

Here's exactly what happens after you're charged with assault in Tasmania:

1. Police charge and bail: You'll either be released on bail at the police station or held for a bail hearing within 24 hours at the Magistrates Court.
2. First court appearance: You must appear at the Magistrates Court of Tasmania on the date shown on your charge sheet, usually within 2-4 weeks of being charged.
3. Mention hearing: Your first appearance is a 'mention' where charges are read and you indicate if you'll plead guilty or not guilty. Your lawyer can appear for you in most cases.
4. Case management: If pleading not guilty, the court sets dates for disclosure of prosecution evidence and case management conferences.
5. Contest mention or hearing: For Magistrates Court matters, a contest mention attempts to resolve issues before trial. Supreme Court matters have case management hearings.
6. Trial or sentencing: If not guilty plea, matter proceeds to hearing or trial. If guilty plea, proceeds directly to sentencing.
7. Sentencing: Judge or magistrate considers submissions and imposes penalty, which can include imprisonment, fines, community service, or good behaviour bonds.

The entire process typically takes 3-12 months depending on complexity and whether you plead guilty. Serious assault charges heard in the Supreme Court can take 12-18 months to resolve. Time is critical for building your defence - call 1300 636 846 today.

The Law in Tasmania

Tasmania's assault offences are defined in the Criminal Code Act 1924 (Tas). The main assault charges and penalties are:

Common Assault (Section 184): Intentionally or recklessly applying force to another person without consent, or threatening immediate violence. Maximum penalty is imprisonment for 12 months or a fine of 12 penalty units ($2,184 as of 2024).

Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm (Section 172): Assault that causes bodily harm such as bruising, cuts, or minor fractures. This is an indictable offence with maximum penalty of imprisonment for 2 years.

Causing Grievous Bodily Harm (Section 172A): Intentionally or recklessly causing serious injury such as broken bones, permanent disfigurement, or organ damage. Maximum penalty is imprisonment for 21 years.

Assault with Intent to Cause Grievous Bodily Harm (Section 172B): Assault intended to cause serious harm, even if serious harm doesn't occur. Maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years.

Aggravated Assault (Section 184A): Common assault in circumstances of aggravation, such as against elderly persons, children, or involving weapons. Maximum penalty is imprisonment for 2 years.

The Criminal Code also covers specific assault offences including assault on police officers (Section 184B) with maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment, and sexual assault offences under separate provisions. Repeat offenders face mandatory minimum sentences under Tasmania's sentencing laws. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for your defence strategy - get expert legal advice on 1300 636 846.

Mistakes to Avoid

Talking to police without a lawyer present: We've seen countless clients destroy their cases by giving police interviews thinking they can 'explain their side'. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Police are trained interrogators - you're not trained to be interviewed. Exercise your right to silence and call 1300 636 846 immediately.

Pleading guilty at first appearance to 'get it over with': Many people plead guilty thinking it shows remorse and will result in a lighter penalty. This is often wrong. We regularly have charges withdrawn or reduced for clients who initially thought they had no defence. Once you plead guilty, you can't change your mind. Get legal advice before making any plea.

Assuming you can't defend assault charges because you 'hit someone': Valid defences exist even when you admit physical contact occurred. Self-defence, defence of others, provocation, duress, and lack of intent are all potential defences. We've had serious assault charges dismissed where clients thought they had no chance because the prosecution couldn't prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.

Not taking common assault seriously because it's 'only' Magistrates Court: A common assault conviction is still a criminal conviction that appears on police checks forever. It can affect employment in healthcare, education, security, and many other fields. It impacts visa applications, professional registrations, and family court proceedings. There's no such thing as a 'minor' criminal conviction.

Representing yourself in Supreme Court: We've watched unrepresented defendants receive sentences years longer than necessary because they didn't understand evidence rules, sentencing submissions, or how to present mitigating factors. Supreme Court assault charges carry potential imprisonment measured in years, not months. The cost of a lawyer is insignificant compared to the cost of additional years in prison.

These mistakes can't be undone once made. Protect your future by getting expert legal representation immediately on 1300 636 846.

Likely Outcomes and Costs

With experienced legal representation, many assault charges can be resolved more favourably than you might expect. We regularly achieve:

Charge withdrawals: When prosecution evidence is weak or obtained improperly, charges can be withdrawn entirely. This requires skilled legal analysis of police procedures and evidence gathering.

Charge reductions: Grievous bodily harm charges reduced to assault occasioning bodily harm, or bodily harm charges reduced to common assault through expert negotiation with prosecutors.

Non-conviction orders: Even with a guilty plea, magistrates can impose good behaviour bonds without recording a conviction, meaning no criminal record.

Suspended sentences: For serious charges, imprisonment sentences can be suspended, meaning you don't go to jail if you comply with conditions.

Without a lawyer, you're likely to plead guilty to the charges as laid and receive the penalties prosecutors recommend. Self-represented defendants typically receive harsher sentences because they can't properly present mitigating factors or challenge prosecution evidence.

Legal costs: Go To Court Lawyers offers fixed-price consultations at $295 where we'll assess your case and provide clear cost estimates. Simple common assault matters typically cost $2,500-$5,000 to defend. Complex Supreme Court matters range from $15,000-$50,000 depending on trial length. These costs are insignificant compared to the lifelong consequences of unrepresented criminal convictions.

Timeframes: Guilty pleas can often be resolved within 2-3 months. Defended matters take 6-12 months in Magistrates Court, 12-18 months in Supreme Court. The investment in proper legal representation pays dividends for life - call 1300 636 846 for immediate advice.

How Go To Court Lawyers Can Help

Go To Court Lawyers is Australia's largest legal practice with over 800 lawyers nationwide, and we have extensive experience defending assault charges in Tasmania's courts. Our criminal lawyers appear regularly in the Hobart, Launceston, and Devonport Magistrates Courts, as well as the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

We understand that being charged with assault is terrifying and overwhelming. You're probably worried about going to jail, losing your job, or how this will affect your family. Our lawyers have defended thousands of assault charges and know exactly what you're going through. We'll explain everything in plain English, fight hard for the best possible outcome, and support you through every step of the process.

Why choose Go To Court Lawyers:

• Over 800 lawyers across Australia with local Tasmania expertise
• Available in every state and territory
• Fixed $295 initial consultation with clear pricing
• 24/7 legal hotline on 1300 636 846 for urgent enquiries
• Rated 4.5/5 stars from 780+ verified reviews on Product Review
• Over 14 years defending criminal charges since 2010
• Proven track record of charge withdrawals, reductions, and non-conviction orders

Don't face assault charges alone. Your freedom, career, and future are at stake. Our experienced criminal lawyers will fight for you and give you the best chance of a positive outcome.

Get help now: Call our 24/7 hotline on 1300 636 846 or book your consultation online at gotocourt.com.au/book. For urgent enquiries outside business hours, call 1300 636 846 and press 1 for our emergency legal service. Time is critical in criminal matters - call now.