Types of criminal charges

Assault

An assault is an intentional or reckless action that causes another person to fear or apprehend immediate violence. You don’t have to physically touch someone to commit an assault, even raising your fist towards another person, or spitting at them can be an assault. 

There are different types of assault charges depending on whether the assault caused the victim any injuries and how serious those injuries are.

For more information, see Assault.

Coercive control

Coercive control is an ongoing and repeated pattern of behaviour used to control or dominate another person. This can include threatening, hurting, humiliating or stalking someone.

Coercive control can happen in any type of relationship. It can happen with an intimate partner, including after a relationship ends. It can also happen between family members, people residing together or in a carer relationship.

For more information, see Coercive control.

Destroying or damaging property

It is illegal to intentionally or recklessly destroy or damage someone else's property. This can include someone's car, homes, personal belongings, or public property.

Most cases are heard in the local court. If the damage caused cost less than $2,000, the maximum penalty in the Local Court is 2 years imprisonment, a fine or both.

For more information, see Destroying or damaging property.

Driving offences

A driving offences is when someone driving, or sitting in, a vehicle breaks the law. A driver includes a rider, for example a person riding a motorbike or bicycle.

Common driving offences include drink driving, drug driving, driving while suspended or disqualified, dangerous driving and negligent driving.

There are different punishments for difference driving offences, including in licence disqualification, fines or imprisonment.

For more information, see Driving offences.

Drug offences

Drug offences can include possessing, using, supplying, manufacturing, or cultivating prohibited drugs.

There are different charges with different punishments depending on the circumstances, including the type and quantity of drugs involved.

For more information, see Drug offences.

Stealing

Stealing involves taking someone else's property without their consent and with the intention that you will not give it back. This includes offences like shoplifting, robbery, and stealing a car.

Sometimes the law calls stealing ‘larceny.’

For more information, see Stealing.

Other offences

There are many other types of criminal offences, including offensive behaviour, resisting police, trespass, knife offences, and receiving stolen goods.

If you have been charged with an offence, you should get legal advice about your options for responding to the charge.

Last updated: September 2026