The Legal Light Justin Stack New NSW laws make it tougher to get bail New laws in NSW make it tougher to get bail for serious domestic violence charges. Those charged with coercive control of an intimate partner also face tougher conditions to get bail. It applies to those on serious domestic violence charges that carry a maximum penalty of 14 or more years in jail. Those offences include sexual assault, kidnapping and violent acts with intent to commit another indictable offence. It follows the death of Molly Ticehurst in April 2024. Her former partner, charged with her murder, was on bail at the time. The new law requires that all bail decisions for alleged domestic violence offences, including coercive control, must be made by magistrates. The historic presumption of bail is reversed. Alleged domestic violence offenders will have to show cause why they should not be detained until their case is determined. The bail decision must consider the views of victims and their family about safety concerns. If granted bail, accused offenders will be subject to electronic monitoring, unless the magistrate is satisfied sufficient reasons exist not to impose monitoring. Further, children aged 14 to 18 charged with repeat car theft or serious break-and- enter while on bail for similar offences will face higher tests before being allowed bail. The new section 22C of the NSW Bail Act 2013 is aimed at repeat offending teens, who will only get bail if the bail authority has "a high degree of confidence" the young person will not commit a further serious indictable offence if released on bail. This new bail law for teen offenders was set last year to last 12 months, but in April 2025 was extended for 18 months. The NSW government said 22C was working, as the bail refusal rate for repeat offending teens was now more than double the rate for youth offences generally. It will be reviewed again before it ends on 1 October 2026. Solicitor Ashleigh Flanagan at Stacks Law Firm said the tougher bail laws are an understandable reaction to some horrific crimes committed by men while on bail for domestic violence. "Women certainly have a right to feel safe from violent partners, but it is important to remember people charged with domestic violence are not automatically guilty, and they can have to wait years to get to trial," Ms Flanagan said. "Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and reversing the presumption of bail stresses the importance of people charged with a crime having a lawyer to present their best case to obtain bail in a 'show cause' bail hearing before a magistrate." STACKS LAW FIRM Diane Branch Compensation Specialist No Win, No Fee Conditions apply 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life The Legal Light Justin Stack New NSW laws make it tougher to get bail New laws in NSW make it tougher to get bail for serious domestic violence charges . Those charged with coercive control of an intimate partner also face tougher conditions to get bail . It applies to those on serious domestic violence charges that carry a maximum penalty of 14 or more years in jail . Those offences include sexual assault , kidnapping and violent acts with intent to commit another indictable offence . It follows the death of Molly Ticehurst in April 2024. Her former partner , charged with her murder , was on bail at the time . The new law requires that all bail decisions for alleged domestic violence offences , including coercive control , must be made by magistrates . The historic presumption of bail is reversed . Alleged domestic violence offenders will have to show cause why they should not be detained until their case is determined . The bail decision must consider the views of victims and their family about safety concerns . If granted bail , accused offenders will be subject to electronic monitoring , unless the magistrate is satisfied sufficient reasons exist not to impose monitoring . Further , children aged 14 to 18 charged with repeat car theft or serious break - and- enter while on bail for similar offences will face higher tests before being allowed bail . The new section 22C of the NSW Bail Act 2013 is aimed at repeat offending teens , who will only get bail if the bail authority has " a high degree of confidence " the young person will not commit a further serious indictable offence if released on bail . This new bail law for teen offenders was set last year to last 12 months , but in April 2025 was extended for 18 months . The NSW government said 22C was working , as the bail refusal rate for repeat offending teens was now more than double the rate for youth offences generally . It will be reviewed again before it ends on 1 October 2026 . Solicitor Ashleigh Flanagan at Stacks Law Firm said the tougher bail laws are an understandable reaction to some horrific crimes committed by men while on bail for domestic violence . " Women certainly have a right to feel safe from violent partners , but it is important to remember people charged with domestic violence are not automatically guilty , and they can have to wait years to get to trial , " Ms Flanagan said . " Everyone is innocent until proven guilty , and reversing the presumption of bail stresses the importance of people charged with a crime having a lawyer to present their best case to obtain bail in a ' show cause ' bail hearing before a magistrate . " STACKS LAW FIRM Diane Branch Compensation Specialist No Win , No Fee Conditions apply 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life