Public Nuisance & Obstruct Police — Fixed Fee
$950 — Fixed Fee
Fixed Fees: Public nuisance — Magistrates Court plea — $950 fixed Assault or obstruct police (s 790) — Magistrates Court plea — $2,100 fixed Serious assault of a police officer (indictable) — $4,800 fixed Contested hearing — $5,500 Covers : review of the charge and QP9, advice on whether a conviction is likely to be recorded, sentencing submissions, character reference guidance, and full court appearance. No hidden fees. One invoice. All fees +10% GST.
What Is Included
Review of the charge and facts. Reading the QP9 and police account in full — what conduct is alleged, where it occurred, and whether the licensed premises higher penalty applies. Honest advice on the likely outcome. Whether a fine, bond, or no conviction recorded is realistic in your specific circumstances, including your prior history. Advice on whether the charge should be contested. Where the…
Most People Do Not Expect to End Up Before a Court
Public nuisance and assault or obstruct police charges come out of a single incident — typically a night out, an argument in a public place, or a confrontation that escalated. By the time the charge notice arrives, the night is long over. The question is what happens next. For many people, this is their first contact with the criminal justice system. The charges are at the less serious end of the…
What Each Charge Actually Means
Public nuisance — Summary Offences Act 2005 (Qld), s 6 Public nuisance is a simple offence — the lowest category in Queensland law, dealt with entirely in the Magistrates Court. The prosecution must prove that the person behaved in a disorderly, offensive, threatening, or violent way, and that the behaviour interfered or was likely to interfere with a member of the public's enjoyment of a public…
The Cairns CBD Changes the Penalty Tier
Cairns CBD is a designated Queensland Safe Night Precinct. For offences occurring within or in the vicinity of licensed premises — which in practice means anywhere in the CBD entertainment precinct — both the public nuisance and assault or obstruct police charges attract the higher penalty maximum. Under s 6 of the Summary Offences Act 2005 (Qld), a charge that would otherwise carry a $1,727…
What Changes the Outcome
Whether this is a first offence. Courts deal with these charges regularly. A person with no prior criminal history, a genuine explanation for the circumstances, and proper preparation has a realistic prospect of no conviction recorded — particularly for public nuisance. Whether the licensed premises tier applies. The higher penalty tier requires proof the offence occurred within or in the vicinity…
What Sacha Focuses On
The first step is reading the QP9 in full. These charges are often laid in circumstances where the police version is compressed or the context is missing. Before any advice is given about an outcome, the facts alleged are reviewed against what the client actually experienced and against what the prosecution needs to prove. For assault or obstruct police charges, the elements matter. Obstruction…
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will I get a criminal record for public nuisance? Not necessarily. Courts have discretion not to record a conviction under s 12 of the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld), particularly for first offenders. Police can also resolve the matter with an infringement notice — if paid, there is no court appearance and no conviction. The realistic outcome depends on your history and the circumstances…