Offensive Language Or Conduct Lawyers Sydney

Charged with offensive language or offensive conduct in NSW? These offences often arise from tense or rapidly evolving interactions and can result in arrest, fines or a criminal record if not handled properly. Our criminal defence lawyers provide immediate, strategic and practical representation to protect your rights and minimise consequences.

We defend you with precision, urgency and calm guidance – available 24/7 when you need us most.

Lawyers Available 24/7

1st Legal Strategy Session
FREE

Clients Defended

0 +

Years of Prison Reduced

0 +

Years of Experience

0 +

Expert Representation for Offensive Language or Conduct Charges

If you’ve been charged with offensive language NSW, offensive conduct NSW, or alleged grossly offensive public conduct, Daoud Legal: Sydney Criminal Defence & Traffic Lawyers can help.

These matters are often subjective. What police consider offensive does not always meet the legal threshold under NSW law. From the outset, we closely analyse police evidence, body-worn camera footage, witness accounts and the surrounding circumstances to determine whether the offence is properly made out.

We regularly defend clients facing allegations involving:

What Is Offensive Language or Conduct Under NSW Law?

Under NSW law, offensive language and offensive conduct are public order offences that relate to behaviour in or near a public place.

Offensive language generally refers to words spoken that are alleged to be seriously insulting, obscene or grossly offensive to an ordinary person.
Offensive conduct refers to behaviour (not just words) that is alleged to offend, insult or outrage public decency.

Importantly, the test is objective. The prosecution must prove that the language or conduct would offend a reasonable person in the circumstances, not simply that someone was annoyed or upset.

So is offensive language a crime in Australia? It depends. In NSW, it can be an offence, but only where the legal threshold is met. Police cannot lawfully arrest or convict someone simply for swearing or speaking rudely.

Offensive Language or Conduct vs Other Public Order Offences

Offensive language and offensive conduct are often charged alongside other public order offences in NSW, but they involve different legal thresholds. These offences focus on whether words or behaviour cross the line into objective offensiveness, rather than whether they are merely disruptive, emotional or unpopular.

In practice, such charges commonly arise during heated disputes or interactions with police. Whether the alleged conduct has been overstated or incorrectly classified is often central to the defence.

98% Success Rate

Call a Lawyer Now

ONLINE ENQUIRY

Talk to a Lawyer Now

Arrested or Charged?

Lawyers Available 24/7

What Our Clients Say

How We Defend Offensive Language or Conduct Charges

Offensive language and offensive conduct matters often progress quickly and are frequently based on subjective assessments made in heated situations. At Daoud Legal, we act immediately to protect your position, challenge overreach and pursue the most favourable outcome available.

1. Immediate Legal Support – We assess the offensive language or conduct charge, explain your rights and options, and prevent you from making statements that could weaken your defence.

2. Evidence Review & Defence Strategy – We analyse police body-worn camera footage, event narratives, witness accounts and surrounding circumstances to assess whether the legal threshold for offensiveness is actually met.

3. Negotiation & Charge Review – Where appropriate, we engage early with police and prosecutors to seek withdrawals, dismissals, cautions or non-conviction outcomes.

4. Court Representation – If the matter proceeds, we rigorously challenge whether the conduct was objectively offensive and whether the charge has been overstated or misclassified.

5. Ongoing Support & Guidance – Public order charges can be confronting and frustrating. We guide you at every stage so you are never left uncertain.

When to Seek Legal Help for Offensive Language or Conduct Charges

If you’ve been charged with offensive language or offensive conduct, issued a penalty notice, arrested following a verbal dispute, or contacted by police about a public order incident, seek legal advice immediately.

Early representation allows you to:

Understand whether the charge is properly made out under NSW law
Avoid unnecessary admissions or escalation
Assess whether a conviction can be avoided
Seek dismissal, withdrawal or a Section 10 outcome
Protect your employment, reputation and future

Whether this is a first offence or part of a broader police interaction, timing matters.

Call Daoud Legal on (02) 9188 0999 for urgent advice. Our Sydney criminal defence lawyers are available 24/7 to protect your rights.

Robert Daoud

Principal Lawyer

We build a powerful & proactive defence from the very beginning. We prepare & identify every weakness in the prosecution’s case to secure your defence.

Our lawyers are your fierce advocates, both in & out of the courtroom. We are committed to protecting your rights, your future, and your peace of mind with fearless representation.

Your Best Defence Starts Here

Have Sydney’s Leading Criminal Defence Lawyers On Your Side

When you’re facing an offensive language or conduct charge, experienced legal representation matters. At Daoud Legal: Sydney Criminal Defence & Traffic Lawyers, our reputation for relentless advocacy and strategic excellence is why we are consistently involved in significant, high-profile cases.

Our work, often highlighted by the media, demonstrates our commitment to every client. We apply the same level of tenacity and expert skill to your case, ensuring you feel protected and have a clear path forward.

Upfront, Fixed-Fee Representation

1st Legal Strategy Session
FREE

Talk to a Lawyer Now

Arrested or Charged?

Lawyers Available 24/7

Why Choose Daoud Legal: Sydney Criminal Defence & Traffic Lawyers

When you engage Daoud Legal, you gain a team committed to protecting your rights with professionalism, empathy and skill. We’re not general practitioners, we’re specialists in criminal law, focused solely on achieving the best possible outcome for every client. From your first call to the final result, you’ll have clarity, confidence, and experienced defence on your side.

97%

Penalty Reduction Achieved

98%

Client Satisfaction Rate

A WINNING RECORD

We act in a high volume of offensive language and offensive conduct matters, consistently achieving charge withdrawals, dismissals and non-conviction outcomes.

EXPERT CRIMINAL DEFENCE

Our senior defence lawyers have over 40 years of combined experience handling NSW public order and police-initiated prosecutions.

FREE STRATEGY SESSION & 24/7 HELP

Your first Strategy Session is free. We are available around the clock when early advice can change the direction of a case.

FIXED-FEE CERTAINTY

Even lower-level charges can carry long-term consequences. Our fixed-fee structure gives you certainty from day one.

STRATEGIC, PERSONALISED DEFENCE

No two incidents are the same. We build a defence that reflects the facts, context and pressures surrounding your charge.

CLEAR, HONEST COMMUNICATION

We explain your position, risks and options in plain English, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.

Talk to a Lawyer Now

Arrested or Charged?

Lawyers Available 24/7

FAQs

What must the prosecution prove for an offensive language or conduct offence in NSW?

The prosecution must establish that the alleged language or conduct occurred in or near a public place and that it crossed the legal threshold of being objectively offensive. It is not enough to show that someone was annoyed or upset. The court assesses the surrounding circumstances, including audience, location, tone and context.

What penalties apply for offensive language or conduct in NSW?

Penalties vary depending on the circumstances and the individual’s history. Outcomes may include fines or court orders, but many matters resolve without a conviction. Courts frequently consider dismissals or Section 10 non-conviction outcomes, particularly where the incident is minor or isolated.

Can police arrest you for offensive language?

Police can arrest for offensive language or offensive conduct, but arrest is not automatic and must be lawful and necessary. In many situations, police issue a penalty notice or court attendance notice instead. Whether an arrest was justified can be challenged.

What is considered “grossly offensive” public conduct?

Grossly offensive public conduct refers to behaviour alleged to seriously offend public decency, not merely behaviour that is awkward, rude or unconventional. This is a higher threshold and is often disputed, particularly where conduct is brief, provoked or misunderstood.

Is swearing in public always an offence in NSW?

No. Swearing or using coarse language in public does not automatically amount to an offence. The language must reach a level that would be considered seriously offensive by a reasonable person when assessed objectively and in context.

Are there defences to offensive language or conduct charges?

Yes. Defences often focus on whether the conduct was objectively offensive, whether it occurred in a public place, or whether it was brief, reactive or provoked. Charges are also commonly challenged where police have overstated the behaviour or applied the wrong offence.

Will an offensive language offence give me a criminal record?

Not necessarily. Courts regularly impose non-conviction outcomes, especially for first-time offenders or low-level incidents. Early legal advice significantly improves the prospects of avoiding a criminal record.

Do I need a lawyer for an offensive language or conduct charge?

Even low-level public order charges can carry lasting consequences. Daoud Legal’s experienced defence lawyers can assess whether the offence is legally sustainable and advise on options to minimise penalties or avoid a conviction.