Association Flashcards
Caselaw
Mulcahy v R
A conspiracy is not just an intention but an agreement by two or more to do an unlawful act.
Caselaw
R v Sanders
A conspiracy does not end with the making of the agreement. It conitnues until it is ended by completion or discharged.
Caselaw
R v White
When you can prove that a suspect conspired with others, he can still be convicted even if they are not identified.
Elements of Conspiracy?
S310 Crimes Act 1961
- Conspires
- With any person
- To commit any offence OR
- To do or omit in any part of the world
- Anything of which the doing or omission in New Zealand would be an offence.
Penalty for Conspiracy
7 years for an offence greater than 7 years.
Same penalty for offences less than 7 years
What needs to be covered when interviewing conspiracy suspects?
Establish:
1. The existance of agreement to do an act OR
2. The existance of an agreement to omit something
3. The intent behind the agreement
4. The identity of all involved.
5. Whether there was anything written, said or done
DOIIW
Is it an offence to form a conspiracy in NZ to commit a crime in another country?
Yes, provided that it is an offence in that country.
Can you charge a conspirator based solely on the statement of a co-conspirator?
No, there must be independent evidence in order to admit their statement.
Can you charge someone with conspiracy after they have completed the substantial offence (and you have evidence of this)?
Yes you can but it should be avoided unless the substantial offence does not capture the total criminality of the offence.
Caselaw
R v Ring
You can be charged with an attempt even if it was physically impossible to complete the offence.
Caselaw
R v Harpur
The court may have regard to the conduct viewed culmatively until it stops. What remains to be done is always relevant.
Caselaw
Higgins v Police
Where plants being cultivated as cannabis are not cannabis, it is physically but not legally impossible to cultivate a prohibited plant. This is attempting to cultivate cannabis.
Physical impossibility
Caselaw
Police v Jay
A man bought hedge clippings believing they were cannabis.
Physical impossibility
Caselaw
R v Donnelly
Where stolen propertyhas been returned to the owner, it is not an offence to subsequently receive it.
Legal impossibility
What three things must you demonstrate to prove an attempt?
- Identity of suspect
- Intent to commit offence
- That they did an act or omission to achieve the objective.