Sexual Offence Lawyers Melbourne

Our experienced sexual offence lawyers can provide you with much needed advice and representation

  • In Victoria, sex related crimes are considered to be very serious and fall under the category of indictable offences
  • Legal representation is imperative in these cases as they can be complex and distressing
  • JDA lawyers are highly experienced in providing advice and representation for sexual offences heard in the Magistrates’ and County Court

Need immediate assistance in relation to a Sexual Assault or similar charges?

Call James Dowsley & Associates 24/7 on (03) 9781 4900

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The Process

Navigating a sexual offence charge can be difficult and upsetting. JDA lawyers can help you to best understand your options and rights as a defendant.

The Following May Occur in Relation to a Sexual Offence Charge:

  • The victim may report the alleged crime to police, or a person in a position of mandatory reporting may raise their suspicions to the Departments of Human Services
  • Police, doctors, teachers and nurses are all legally obliged to report suspected cases of child abuse to the DHS
  • The police may interview the suspect before or after laying a charge
  • In most cases the defendant will be required to stand trial and make a plea of guilty or not guilty
  • If the defendant is convicted of the crime a penalty will be imposed

Sexual crimes are taken very seriously and often have a maximum penalty of time in custody. The right legal advice will inform you of your rights and may be able to alter the outcome of your case.

Types of Sexual Offences

Sex related crimes are defined in the Crimes Act 1958, with considerable amendments recently made in The Crimes Amendment (Sexual Offences and Other Matters) Act 2014.

There are various crimes listed which relate to minors, physical acts, non-physical acts and distribution of material.

Note that consent in these cases is considered unable to be given if you are:

  • Drunk
  • Drug affected
  • Asleep or unconscious
  • Unable to understand the sexual nature of what is happening
  • Forced or fearful of force
  • Aged 12 and under

Other circumstances may also constitute a lack of consent.

Penalties

Penalties for Sexual Offences Include:

  • The charge being noted on your criminal record
  • A fine
  • Maximum jail sentences of between 1 and 25 years

Experienced criminal lawyers can help you understand a specific charge.

Read on for detailed information on some of the major sexual offences.

Sexual Assault

Formerly covered by Indecent Assault, Sexual Assault is listed in Section 40 of the Crimes Act 1958 as non-consensual sexual touching.

It does not include non-consensual penetration, which falls under the crime of Rape.

The maximum penalty for committing Sexual Assault is ten years in prison.

Read more

Rape

In Victoria, Rape is considered a very serious crime and is listed in the new Section 38 of the Crimes Act 1958. The Act defines Rape as the inentional sexual penetration of another person without their consent, or the reasonable belief that they consented.

Other subsections outline Rape by compelling sexual penetration, by which an individual intentionally causes another person to penetrate a third non-consenting individual.

Read more

Other Specific Sex Related Offences Include:

  • Indecent Acts
  • Production of Child Pornography
  • Posession of Child Abuse Material
  • Threat to Commit a Sexual Offence
  • Sexual Exposure
  • Incest

Need a Criminal Lawyer in Melbourne for
a Sexual Offence?

JDA’s criminal lawyers can provide you with 24/7 advice on sex related charges.
Call us any time on (03) 9781 4900

Request a Free Consultation

Key contacts

Speak to our criminal law specialists
Adrienna Kisvarda
Adrienna Kisvarda
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
(03) 9781 4900 - adriennak@jdalaw.com.au
Kymberley Skillen
Kymberley Skillen
Criminal Defence Lawyer Dandenong
03 8788 5600 - kyms@jdalaw.com.au
Melainie Vinton
Melainie Vinton
Criminal Defence Lawyer Dandenong
03 8788 5600 - melainiev@jdalaw.com.au
Scott Kaiser
Scott Kaiser
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
Scott was admitted into the Legal Profession in September 2019
03 9781 4900 - scottk@jdalaw.com.au
Stacey Stanley
Stacey Stanley
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
03 9781 4900 - staceys@jdalaw.com.au
Ben Hanley
Ben Hanley
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
03 9781 4900 - benh@jdalaw.com.au
Lorna Williamson
Lorna Williamson
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
03 9781 4900 - lornaw@jdalaw.com.au
Anthony Maselli
Anthony Maselli
Criminal Defence Lawyer Melbourne
03 8602 1400 - anthonym@jdalaw.com.au
James Dowsley
James Dowsley
Principal & Accredited Criminal Law Specialist
James has been involved in the Criminal Justice System as a Lawyer for over 25 years and gained his Specialist Accreditation from the Law Institute of Victoria in 2002. Being a dedicated advocate for clients human rights, James has a passion for defending his clients in the Australian Courts.
03 8602 1400 - jamesd@jdalaw.com.au
Shaana Wilk
Shaana Wilk
Criminal Defence Lawyer Moorabbin/Highett
Since completing her Articles of Clerkship in Criminal Law and Commercial Litigation at Birch Ross & Barlow Solicitors, Shaana has practiced solely within the Criminal Law jurisdiction. Joining the JDA family in 2010, Shanna began her at our Frankston office. Since 2012 Shanna has been the sole solicitor at our Moorabbin/Highett office.
03 9555 4442 - shaanaw@jdalaw.com.au
Domenic Care
Domenic Care
Accredited Criminal Law Specialist – Criminal Defence Lawyer - Melbourne
Domenic Care joined James Dowsley & Associates in 2013. He appears regularly in the Magistrates’ Court, County Court and Children’s Court of Victoria for matters including plea hearings, contested bail applications and appeal hearings.
03 8602 1400 - domenicc@jdalaw.com.au
Kieran Reynolds
Kieran Reynolds
Accredited Criminal Law Specialist – Criminal Defence Lawyer
Kieran joined the JDA family in 2015 having worked at several large Criminal Law firms since 2004. He regularly appears in both the Magistrates Court and County Court in a diverse range of matters. Kieran was admitted as an Accredited Criminal Law Speciality in 2009 and has maintained his Specialist Accreditation every year since. He is committed to ensuring that the rights of his clients are upheld in court.
03 8602 1400 - kieranr@jdalaw.com.au
Brett Barratt
Brett Barratt
Criminal Defence Lawyer - Melbourne
Brett joined the JDA family in 2013 as a law clerk. He has since then worked as a paralegal at our Dandenong office between September 2015 and March 2016. Commencing as a Lawyer at our Frankston office in March 2016. He appears regularly on behalf of clients facing a range of summary and indictable criminal matters in the Magistrates’ Court. Brett also instructs counsel and assists in the preparation and running of complex indictable criminal cases in the County Court.
03 8602 1400 - brettb@jdalaw.com.au
Jackson McLeod
Jackson McLeod
Criminal Defence Lawyer Frankston
Having previously interned at the Victorian Law Reform Commission, JobWatch Victoria and Refugee Legal and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Jackson has dedicated his career to providing access to justice to those who need it most. He regularly appears in the Magistrates’ Court and has instructed in the County Court. Jackson applies his keen attention to detail and broad knowledge of the law to all of his matters, and capably and professionally handles pleas, bail applications and case conferences at the Magistrates’’ Court.
03 9781 4900 - jacksonm@jdalaw.com.au
Bridie O’Malley
Bridie O’Malley
Criminal Defence Lawyer Dandenong
Bridie joined the JDA family in 2014 commencing as a volunteer law student, assisting in the formation of our Intervention Order section. Graduating to become a paralegal at our Dandenong office in 2016 and joining our team of lawyers in 2017.
03 8788 5600 - bridieo@jdalaw.com.au
Sally Abel
Sally Abel
Business Manager
03 8788 5600 - aghk@jdalaw.com.au
Lucy Mcphail
Lucy Mcphail
Office Manager
03 8788 5600 - lucym@jdalaw.com.au