Charges
Reckless grievous bodily harm
Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) s 35(2), and s 35(1) where committed in company
What is the maximum penalty for reckless grievous bodily harm in NSW?
Maximum penalty. s 35(2), reckless grievous bodily harm: imprisonment for 10 years, standard non-parole period 4 years. s 35(1), reckless grievous bodily harm in company: imprisonment for 14 years, standard non-parole period 5 years. The standard non-parole periods are set out in the Table to Division 1A of Part 4 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999. The Local Court maximum for s 35 is 100 penalty units or 2 years.
A maximum is the ceiling the law sets for the worst category of case. It is not what a court is likely to impose, and it is not a prediction about any particular matter.
What the charge covers
This offence is committed where a person causes really serious injury to someone and was reckless as to causing actual bodily harm, meaning they realised some physical harm might result and went ahead anyway. It does not require an intention to cause the serious injury that actually happened. The maximum rises from 10 to 14 years where the accused acted in the company of one or more other people.
Where these figures come from
Every figure on this page was taken from the legislation or the Judicial Commission of New South Wales, not from secondary summaries:
Legislation changes. Figures are general as at publication; confirm the current position with a lawyer.
This page is general information about NSW law, not legal advice about your matter. Whether a charge can be defended, and what a court is likely to do, depends on the evidence and the circumstances.
Related charges
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