And remember, if you have a family law matter, you can always book a family law strategy session with Coastal Lawyers.
Our Family Law Strategy Sessions are an hour-long session with a Family Lawyer to discuss all things parenting, property and divorce.
We have you complete a detailed questionnaire prior to our meeting so that we can spend our hour together answering your questions. These sessions are great for those thinking about separating or who have recently separated and who want more information and clarification around the separation process.
Coastal Lawyers are experienced criminal lawyers, traffic lawyers and family lawyers located on the Central Coast.
Coastal Lawyers offer legal representation at all Central Coast court’s including Gosford Local Court, Gosford District Court, Wyong Local Court, Woy Woy Local Court, Raymond Terrace, Toronto and Belmont.
Coastal Lawyers offer representation in all Family Court’s and Federal Courts. Including divorce, parenting, property, child support and maintenance.
WHO ARE COASTAL LAWYERS?
Coastal Lawyers are central coast family lawyers. We offer representation in all areas of family law including divorce, parenting property and maintenance.
Written by Kristal
Principal Lawyer & Founder of Coastal Lawyers
Kristal was admitted as a lawyer in 2011. A former prosecutor, she has a Diploma in Law. A Graduate Certificate in Criminal Practice and is currently completing her Masters in Family Law (2022).
Kristal is a member of the Legal Aid Panels for criminal law and family law and domestic violence.
Fun Fact: Kristal loves all things mindfulness, meditation and "wu wu".
For separated or divorced parents, creating a parenting plan is a great way to establish clear, agreed-upon arrangements for raising your children. A parenting plan covers everything from living arrangements and visitation schedules to decision-making...
At Coastal Lawyers, we understand that separation is one of the most challenging transitions a person can face. That’s why we’ve created this practical, trauma-informed checklist to guide you through the early steps. Our team is here to provide legal advice and...
What is Coercive Control? Coercive control is a pattern of abusive behaviors used to dominate, manipulate, and control a partner. Unlike physical violence, coercive control can include subtle and persistent behaviors that isolate, intimidate, and degrade the victim,...
When parents separate, one of the most complex and sensitive issues involves determining parenting arrangements. A common question arises: how much say do children have in deciding where they live or how they spend time with each parent? In family law matters, the...
Collaborative Co-Parenting: Parenting Plans vs. Consent Orders Explained A parenting plan is a written agreement between separated or divorced parents outlining the arrangements for the care, living arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities for their...
In family law, parenting orders provide structure and stability for children after separation. But what happens when circumstances change and one parent wants to revisit those orders? That’s where the Rice & Asplund principle comes into play. Stemming from an...
In family law matters, particularly those involving child custody or parenting disputes, the court’s primary focus is the safety and well-being of the child. A Notice of Risk is a critical legal document that alerts the court to potential dangers, such as abuse,...
Navigating a separation or dealing with criminal matters can be challenging, but you don't have to face it alone. At Coastal Lawyers, we've curated a list of support resources across New South Wales to assist you during this time. Here are some recommended programs...
Traveling overseas with your child after separation can become a legal minefield, particularly if the other parent doesn’t agree to the trip. In Australia, laws are in place to prevent child abduction and ensure that both parents’ rights, along with the child’s best...
The Family Law Amendment Act 2023 introduces significant updates to family law in Australia, aiming to modernize the system and enhance its focus on child safety, cultural recognition, and fairness. Here’s an overview of the most important changes and how they might...
Here are our top 6 frequently asked questions (FAQs) at Coastal Lawyers. Well the first is ‘where do you find all our memes?” but that’s another post. 😉 ⠀ But the ones related to the work we do as lawyers are by far the following:
What areas of law do you do? ⠀
We represent clients in all aspects of criminal law, traffic law and family law. ⠀
Do you do Legal Aid work?
Yes. We are all on legal aid criminal law panels and also on the family law panel so we can represent eligible Legal Aid clients. ⠀
⠀ Do you offer a free appointment? ⠀
Yes. we offer a free 15-minute discovery call. Confirm how we can help and give you an idea of our fees.
Yes. We offer fixed fees for all criminal law matters. We also offer valued pricing in family law matters.
Where are you located and what courts do you attend? ⠀
We have offices in Gosford but embrace technology and do most of our calls over zoom and telephone. We attend all Central Coast courts including Wyong, Gosford, Belmont, Toronto and Newcastle. ⠀ ⠀ Talking to a lawyer about a criminal law or family law matter doesn’t have to be scary. We offer a completely confidential and judgment-free zone. So book in a chat with a lawyer today⠀ ⠀
There is a (new) fine line for those doing it tough
On 1 July 2020, NSW rolled out a new policy enabling persons supported by social security and experiencing financial hardship to have their fines halved.
Am I eligible?
Anyone who receives a Centrelink payment is eligible to be assessed and in case you’re wondering, yep – this includes the Covid-19 JobKeeper payment.
It’s important to note that fine reduction isn’t automatically applied to your fine.
Revenue NSW will conduct an assessment and determine whether your fine could be paid in full via a payment plan arrangement or resolved through a work development order (which essentially is completing either unpaid work or participating in a course or program). Following this, Revenue NSW will make a decision.
Do you need payment flexibility?
In situations where Revenue NSW has determined a fine could be paid in full, you’ll be glad to know that the policy has introduced greater payment flexibility.
You are now able to set up a payment plan at any time, which previously was only considered when a fine was overdue.
Have you checked out our blog on court-imposed fines? Click here to view it.
Does this apply to my fine?
The new policy applies to fines collected by Revenue NSW. These include:
traffic / speeding fines;
parking fines;
police infringement notices for stealing
police infringement notices for offensive behaviour; and
police infringement notices for intoxicated and disorderly conduct.
Some fines are exempt
Voting-related fines, jury duty fines and fines issued to body corporates are not included.
Have you been charged with a traffic offence on the Central Coast?
If you are going to Court on the Central Coast for a traffic offence then you should get advice from a Central Coast criminal lawyer, like Coastal Lawyers.
We are Central Coast lawyers who have experience representing Central Coast locals in all types of traffic matters across all courts including Gosford Local Court, Wyong Local Court, Belmont Local Court and Toronto Local Court.
We offer a free 15 minute discovery call for all clients and are also on legal aid panels for all criminal law matters.
Common types of traffic offences
Drink Driving
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Drink driving is considered to be a very serious offence by the courts. Offences of mid-range and high range drink driving can attract jail terms and also attract mandatory interlock orders. If you have been charged with drink driving then you should speak to an experienced lawyer from Coastal Lawyers.
Drug Driving
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Certain drugs can stay in your system weeks or months after they have been consumed. Drug driving and the loss of your licence can have serious consequences on your ability to earn an income and support your family. If you have been charged with drug driving on the central coast, then Coastal Lawyers can provide you with legal representation at court.
Speeding
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Speeding offences can lead to the loss of your licence due to demerit points of immediate licence suspension for certain speeding offences. If your licence is at risk then you speak to Coastal Lawyers about your options.
Unlicenced driving
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Dangerous Driving
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Dangerous driving occasioning death or grievous bodily harm are extremely serious matters and can result in jail terms.
As a former prosecutor for very serious traffic offences including dangerous driving, Kristal from Coastal Lawyers can give you solid legal advice and representation if you find yourself charged with serious traffic offences.
Heavy Vehicles
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About Coastal Lawyers
People generally don’t come to lawyers for criminal law and family law advice in celebration (that’s okay we get it!).
But talking to a lawyer also doesn’t need to be overwhelming or scary.
At Coastal Lawyers, we give our client’s frank and practical legal advice. We are human’s, parents and spouses too. We bring our life experience to our role as legal advisers and advocates.
We offer a judgement free and confidential space where you can discuss your legal problems, have your legal questions answered and make informed decisions about your unique situation.
Our clients are busy people who are often juggling work and families. This is why we use technology to make the process of getting legal advice simple and convenient.
We use phone and video calls to regularly keep our clients updated. As well as face to face appointments at our Erina offices when required.
We also use the latest legal technology including online bookings and payment options. Email and text messages to remind clients about their upcoming appointments and court dates. As well as a secure client portal so clients can conveniently view court documents and correspondence.
Early legal advice is often crucial to the success of your matter.
Getting Legal Help is easy
Book Appointment
Book an appointment online that suits you either by phone or video call.
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Free 15 Min Chat
During your call you will speak to a lawyer completely obligation free.
Fee Certainty
Find out exactly how much your fees are (including fixed fees for most matters)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you do Legal Aid?
Yes Coastal Lawyers are on all of the criminal law Legal Aid panels and also on the Family Law Legal Aid panels. So we can do legal aid work for eligible clients.
What courts do you appear at?
Coastal Lawyers are central coast locals too, so we appear at all Central Coast and Newcastle Courts including Gosford Local Court, Wyong Local Court, Belmont Local Court, Toronto Local Court and the Newcastle Federal Circuit Court.
What areas of law do you do?
At Coastal Lawyers, focus on our three main focus areas, criminal law, traffic law and family law.
Do I really need a lawyer?
If you aren’t sure if your matter really needs a lawyer, then why not book in a free 15 minute discovery call with Coastal Lawyers. You will get to speak to a lawyer who can give you some guidance as to whether your matter needs a lawyer or not.
Ask a question or book an appointment below. If you have an urgent after hours criminal law matter, youc an call us on 0410 929 018 and leave a message and someone will get back to you.
Whatever your views on swearing, and lets face it society has come a long way. The law still considers that swearing in certain circumstances is a criminal offence.
What is the Offence?
Offensive language is prohibited in or near a public place or school under Section 4A of the Summary Offences Act NSW 1988.
What is the Penalty?
The maximum penalty for offensive language is a $660 fine (6 penalty units) or a community correction order that is subject to a community work condition of up to 100 hours. (A bond with up to 100 community service).
So, what does ‘offensive’ mean?
We all have different views on what offends us personally. But when it comes to the law, in order for swearing to be offensive, it “must be likely to provoke reactions such as anger, disgust, resentment or outrage”.
It “must arouse a significant emotional reaction” in a (hypothetical) reasonable person.
The Court explained that the test must be viewed in a “contemporary” manner, limiting the scope of the offence to “the high end of the range that could be considered ‘offensive’”
(Ball v McIntyre (1966) FLR 237)
But it was an Accident!
It’s important to note that Section 4A (2) of the Act also provides a statutory defence to the crime of offensive language.
This defence mainly covers impulse or instinctive crude language.
So, if your offensive language is purely as a result of a stubbed toe in or near a public place or school….well you might just have a saving grace.
DO YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEED A CENTRAL COAST CRIMINAL LAWYER?
If you are going to Court on the Central Coast then you should get advice from a Central Coast criminal lawyer, like Coastal Lawyers.
Coastal Lawyers provide clear and easy to understand legal advice. We pride ourselves on being frank, honest and open with our clients. We set out all of your options in simple language so you can be confident to make decisions about your future.
DISCLAIMER (WOULD WE BE LAWYERS WITHOUT ONE?):
The information contained in this legal resource is information only. It is not a substitute for your own research and/or legal advice. If you need legal advice, then you can book an obligation free appointment with Coastal Lawyers online.
If you have pleaded guilty to a criminal or traffic offence or if you have been found guilty of an offence then a Magistrate (if you are in the Local Court) or a Judge (if you are in the District Court) will need to sentence you.
A number of sentence options are available to a court when dealing with a person before them (known as the offender at the time of sentencing).
The most common penalty imposed by NSW courts is a fine.
In this blog post, we discuss court-imposed fines. Fines can also be imposed by local councils and other government organisations as well.
THE LEGISLATION (LAW):
The two main pieces of legislation (the law) that you need to be aware of when it comes to fines are the:
Crimes (Sentencing) Procedure Act 1999; and
Fines Act 1996
HOW MUCH WILL MY FINE BE?
Each offence has a penalty unit attached to it. A penalty unit is equal to $110. For example, if you see an offence is 5 penalty units (pu), the maximum fine a court can sentence you too is $550.
A Coastal Tip: You can find out the penalty for most criminal offences on the Law Part Codes website.
WHAT IF I CAN’T PAY A FINE?
The court is required to take into account your ability to pay a fine when setting the amount (section 6 of the Fines Act). If you can’t pay a fine, the court may impose an alternative penalty such as a community service order.
HOW LONG WILL I BE GIVEN TO PAY A FINE?
The Court will order that you pay the fine within 28 days (section 5 of the Fines Act).
If you don’t pay your fine within 28 days, you will be charged an additional $65 fee by Revenue NSW.
A Coastal Tip: If you can’t pay the full amount of your fine within 28 days, it is important to seek an extension or ask to pay by instalments to avoid any additional charges. You can find the ‘Application for Time to Pay Court Fines’ in the local Court here.
HOW DO I PAY MY FINE?
You will usually be sent a penalty notice in the mail which you can pay online (or via credit card or EFTPOS at the court).
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DON’T PAY MY FINE?
Many people don’t fully appreciate the range of consequences which flow from failing to pay a fine. Some of the consequences include:
The fine can increase with additional charges for late payment
Your licence can be suspended
A sheriff can be sent to your house to take property in payment of the fine
Your bank account can be garnished (money is taken out to pay for the fine)
You may be ordered to undertake community service.
WORK AND DEVELOPMENT ORDERS
If you cannot pay your fine, you may be eligible to make an application for a Work and Development Order (WDO) through Revenue NSW. To be eligible for a Work and Development Order, you must meet one of the criteria:
Have a mental illness;
Be homeless
Have an intellectual or cognitive disability
Have a series addiction or
Be facing serious financial hardship.
If you are eligible for a Work and Development order, you will generally be entitled to undertake courses, counselling and/or community service to pay off your fine.
IS A FINE A CONVICTION?
Yes. If you go before the Court and receive a fine this is a criminal conviction. Criminal convictions can have an effect on your future and therefore it is crucial to obtain legal advice from an experienced criminal lawyer prior to going to Court.
DO YOU NEED A CRIMINAL LAWYER ON THE CENTRAL COAST?
If you are going to court (even if you think you will ‘only get a fine’) you need a Central Coast Criminal Lawyer to help you.
Coastal Lawyers will provide you with simple language legal advice and set out your options prior to going to Court so you an informed.
Coastal Lawyers are central coast family lawyers. We offer representation in all areas of family law including divorce, parenting property and maintenance.
Written by Kristal
Principal Lawyer & Founder of Coastal Lawyers
Kristal was admitted as a lawyer in 2011. A former prosecutor, she has a Diploma in Law. A Graduate Certificate in Criminal Practice and is currently completing her Masters in Family Law (2022).
Kristal is a member of the Legal Aid Panels for criminal law and family law and domestic violence.
Fun Fact: Kristal loves all things mindfulness, meditation and "wu wu".
DISLAIMER (BECAUSE WOULD WE EVEN BE LAWYERS WITHOUT ONE):
The information contained in this legal resource is information only. It is not a substitute for your own research and/or legal advice. If you need legal advice, then you can book an obligation free appointment with Coastal Lawyers online.
