About Historical Sex Offences
Learn more about this charge in WA.
When you're ready make a quick enquiry.
- Our Process
- The Law
- Possible Defences
- Possible Outcomes
FreePhone case assessment
Lets talk about your situation confidentially. We will discuss the alleged indecent assault in detail to understand what happened and be able to tell you if we can help or not. Get the process started now, by requesting a free call back.
Appointment with our sex offence lawyers
If it's clear consulting a solicitor you will help your situation, we can identify the right one for your case and arrange a convenient appointment for you. We will review any documents you send us, and brief the solicitor before you arrive to maximise your time with them.
In depth consultation
At your meeting the solicitor will be able to indicate the outcome they expect to achieve and the legal pathway they would take with you to ensure the best possible result based off past cases and experience. Possible defences will be explored and all of your questions answered.
Sound legal advice & pathway forward
Armed with sound legal advice and a fixed fee quote for respresentation throughout the process you can then decide if you would like them to act on your behalf to drop charges or represent you in court.
The sooner you act the better.
Leaving things to the last minute makes it more difficult for your legal team to obtain the best possible result.
Lawyers with sex offence experience
Meet with lawyers who have successfully defended many clients charged with indecent assault.
- Past Cases
- Good Results
- Happy Clients
Historical Sex Offences
A victim or complainant will sometimes come forward years after an event to report a matter to Police, particularly sex offences.
Over time the legislation regarding sex offences has changed. Despite this, the legislation in force at the time of the alleged offence will be applied when considering charges against a person. This means that usually there are lesser penalties but the current view towards this offending is used in the sentencing process.
Obtaining proper legal advice is therefore a matter of being able to identify when the alleged offence took place and applying the relevant legislation at the time.
What the Police & Prosecution must prove in court to secure a indecent assault criminal conviction
- The onus is always on the Prosecution to prove the elements of the offence.
- The Prosecution for this offence will be the Office of the Director for Public Prosecutions (ODPP). They are State lawyers, not Police Officers.
- This type of offence is called an indictable offence. This means that it is a serious offence that must be dealt with by a Judge and not a Magistrate.
- The State lawyers must prove the elements of the offence beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the highest standard of proof known to the law, although it is not unreachable.
- Often these charges are difficult to prove unless there is further substantiating evidence.
- The victim or complainant will often contact the accused person from a Police station with the aim to obtain a recorded confession that can be used against the accused.
How they might prove this
- For historical crimes there may be little or no physical or forensic evidence available.
- The Prosecution may rely upon witness statements. This may be from the alleged victim, witnesses to the alleged offence, or witnesses with information about the alleged offender and victim.
- The victim or complainant will often contact the accused person from a Police station with the aim to obtain a recorded confession that can be used against the accused.
The sooner you act the better.
Leaving things to the last minute makes it more difficult for your legal team to obtain the best possible result.
Lawyers with sex offence experience
Meet with lawyers who have successfully defended many clients charged with indecent assault.
- Past Cases
- Good Results
- Happy Clients
If we can prove one of these defences together...
- There could be no criminal conviction recorded.
- You could have charges dropped before your court date.
- You could have the case thrown out of court.
- You could be found innocent in court.
It depends...
The defences available will depend on what legislation was applicable at the time of the alleged offence.
Ordinarily, denial of the offending conduct is the most common defence.
Mistaken identity or psychological conditions of the complainant may result in charges being pursued where the offending is denied.
The sooner you act the better.
Leaving things to the last minute makes it more difficult for your legal team to obtain the best possible result.
Lawyers with sex offence experience
Meet with lawyers who have successfully defended many clients charged with indecent assault.
- Past Cases
- Good Results
- Happy Clients
What’s taken into account if you’re found guilty...
- The circumstances of the offence
- Your criminal history
- If you are a person of good character
- Your personal life and mental health
- If you show remorse
It depends...
The penalties available will depend on what legislation was on foot at the time of the alleged offence.
The penalties available will depend on each person’s personal circumstances which could be used in mitigation of the penalties under the legislation.
Immediate Imprisonment is the sentence of last resort and will only be imposed when the seriousness and circumstances of the offence require it.
This type of offence is seen as highly serious in nature and is usually dealt with by a term of immediate imprisonment.
The sooner you act the better.
Leaving things to the last minute makes it more difficult for your legal team to obtain the best possible result.
Lawyers with sex offence experience
Meet with lawyers who have successfully defended many clients charged with indecent assault.
- Past Cases
- Good Results
- Happy Clients
Our Process
FreePhone case assessment
Lets talk about your situation confidentially. We will discuss the alleged indecent assault in detail to understand what happened and be able to tell you if we can help or not. Get the process started now, by requesting a free call back.
Appointment with our sex offence lawyers
If it's clear consulting a solicitor you will help your situation, we can identify the right one for your case and arrange a convenient appointment for you. We will review any documents you send us, and brief the solicitor before you arrive to maximise your time with them.
In depth consultation
At your meeting the solicitor will be able to indicate the outcome they expect to achieve and the legal pathway they would take with you to ensure the best possible result based off past cases and experience. Possible defences will be explored and all of your questions answered.
Sound legal advice & pathway forward
Armed with sound legal advice and a fixed fee quote for respresentation throughout the process you can then decide if you would like them to act on your behalf to drop charges or represent you in court.
The sooner you act the better.
Leaving things to the last minute makes it more difficult for your legal team to obtain the best possible result.
Lawyers with sex offence experience
Meet with lawyers who have successfully defended many clients charged with indecent assault.
- Past Cases
- Good Results
- Happy Clients
The Law
Historical Sex Offences
A victim or complainant will sometimes come forward years after an event to report a matter to Police, particularly sex offences. Over time the legislation regarding sex offences has changed. Despite this, the legislation in force at the time of the alleged offence will be applied when considering charges against a person. This means that usually there are lesser penalties but the current view towards this offending is used in the sentencing process. Obtaining proper legal advice is therefore a matter of being able to identify when the alleged offence took place and applying the relevant legislation at the time.
What the Police & Prosecution must prove in court to secure a indecent assault criminal conviction
- The onus is always on the Prosecution to prove the elements of the offence.
- The Prosecution for this offence will be the Office of the Director for Public Prosecutions (ODPP). They are State lawyers, not Police Officers.
- This type of offence is called an indictable offence. This means that it is a serious offence that must be dealt with by a Judge and not a Magistrate.
- The State lawyers must prove the elements of the offence beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the highest standard of proof known to the law, although it is not unreachable.
- Often these charges are difficult to prove unless there is further substantiating evidence.
- The victim or complainant will often contact the accused person from a Police station with the aim to obtain a recorded confession that can be used against the accused.
How they might prove this
- For historical crimes there may be little or no physical or forensic evidence available.
- The Prosecution may rely upon witness statements. This may be from the alleged victim, witnesses to the alleged offence, or witnesses with information about the alleged offender and victim.
- The victim or complainant will often contact the accused person from a Police station with the aim to obtain a recorded confession that can be used against the accused.
The sooner you act the better.
Leaving things to the last minute makes it more difficult for your legal team to obtain the best possible result.
Lawyers with sex offence experience
Meet with lawyers who have successfully defended many clients charged with indecent assault.
- Past Cases
- Good Results
- Happy Clients
Possible Defences
If we can prove one of these defences together
- There could be no criminal conviction recorded.
- You could have charges dropped before your court date.
- You could have the case thrown out of court.
- You could be found innocent in court.
It depends...
The defences available will depend on what legislation was applicable at the time of the alleged offence.
Ordinarily, denial of the offending conduct is the most common defence.
Mistaken identity or psychological conditions of the complainant may result in charges being pursued where the offending is denied.
The sooner you act the better.
Leaving things to the last minute makes it more difficult for your legal team to obtain the best possible result.
Lawyers with sex offence experience
Meet with lawyers who have successfully defended many clients charged with indecent assault.
- Past Cases
- Good Results
- Happy Clients
Possible Outcomes
What’s taken into account if you’re found guilty
- The circumstances of the offence
- Your criminal history
- If you are a person of good character
- Your personal life and mental health
- If you show remorse
It depends...
The penalties available will depend on what legislation was on foot at the time of the alleged offence.
The penalties available will depend on each person’s personal circumstances which could be used in mitigation of the penalties under the legislation.
Immediate Imprisonment is the sentence of last resort and will only be imposed when the seriousness and circumstances of the offence require it.
This type of offence is seen as highly serious in nature and is usually dealt with by a term of immediate imprisonment.
The sooner you act the better.
Leaving things to the last minute makes it more difficult for your legal team to obtain the best possible result.
Lawyers with sex offence experience
Meet with lawyers who have successfully defended many clients charged with indecent assault.
- Past Cases
- Good Results
- Happy Clients
