Coercive Control Lawyer
Cairns & Far North Queensland
You have been charged with coercive control — one of the most serious domestic violence offences in Queensland. The charge carries a maximum of 14 years imprisonment and is tried in the District Court before a jury. It is a show cause offence, meaning the court starts from a position of custody and you must demonstrate why bail should be granted. This is a new offence. It commenced on 26 May 2025. There is no established sentencing pattern and no settled case law. The legal landscape is developing in real time. You need a lawyer who will read the legislation carefully, review the evidence in…
What Is Coercive Control?
Coercive control became a standalone criminal offence in Queensland on 26 May 2025 under Chapter 29A of the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld) . The offence is commonly known as Hannah's Law , named after Hannah Clarke. The offence is defined in section 334C . A person commits the offence if: The person is an adult (18 or over) and is in a domestic relationship with another person The person engages in…
The Elements — Where Cases Are Won and Lost
Coercive control is a complex offence. The prosecution must prove four elements beyond reasonable doubt, and each creates opportunities for defence. 1. Domestic relationship The person must be in a "domestic relationship" with the complainant. This is defined by reference to the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 and encompasses current or former intimate partners, family members,…
Bail — Show Cause
Coercive control is a show cause offence under the Bail Act 1980 (Qld). This reverses the normal presumption in favour of bail. Instead of the prosecution having to show why you should be detained, you must show cause why your detention is not justified . If you fail to show cause, the court must refuse bail. What this means in practice If you are arrested for coercive control, you may be remanded…
The Restraining Order Power
Section 334E of the Criminal Code gives the court a power to make a restraining order against a person charged with coercive control — regardless of whether the person is found guilty or not guilty . This is separate from a Domestic Violence Order under the DFVPA. It is a standalone power attached to the coercive control charge. The judge or magistrate can constitute the court to consider a…
The Evidence — What to Expect
The prosecution case in a coercive control matter is built from the entire relationship. This is fundamentally different from most criminal charges, where the evidence relates to a single event or a short period. Expect the prosecution brief to include: Text messages and call logs — often spanning months or years of the relationship Financial records — bank statements, account access, spending…
Interaction with Other Charges
Section 334C(6) expressly permits the prosecution to charge both coercive control and one or more individual domestic violence offences arising from the same course of conduct. This means you may be facing the coercive control charge alongside charges for: Common assault Assault occasioning bodily harm Choking, suffocation, or strangulation (s 315A) Wilful damage (s 469) Contravention of a DVO…
A New Offence — No Settled Case Law
Coercive control commenced on 26 May 2025. The offence only applies to conduct occurring on or after that date . It cannot be charged retrospectively. As at mid-2026, this offence is still in its earliest stages. There is: No established sentencing pattern in Queensland courts No appellate guidance on the interpretation of the elements No settled approach to what constitutes a sufficient "course…
What Changes the Outcome
The sentencing range for coercive control is wide — from non-custodial outcomes through to years of imprisonment. The factors that determine where a matter sits include: The nature and duration of the course of conduct. A pattern spanning years involving multiple forms of abuse is treated differently from a shorter period involving less serious conduct. The degree of control or isolation.…