Offences Flashcards
Carrying an imitation firearm
Elements & Definition
Arms Act 1983, S46(1)
-
Except for some lawful, proper and sufficient purpose
without legal right or justification, or genuine reasonable excuse in the circumstances -
Carries
actually has the weapon on or about them -
An imitation firearm
anything that has the appearance of being a firearm
Presenting anything
Element & Definition
Arms Act 1983, S52(2)
-
Except for some lawful and sufficient purpose
without legal right or justification, or genuine reasonable excuse in the circumstances -
Presents
brandishing, deploying or displaying in a threatening way -
At any other person
must be another person -
Anything
anything at all -
In the circumstances, is likely to lead that person to believe that it is a
the suspect’s actions and the article presented, makes it likely that the other person believes it is a -
Firearm (other than a prohibited firearm)
anything from which a shot, bullet, or other projectile can be discharged by force of explosive
OR -
Air gun
anything that is capable of discharging projectiles by the use of gas or compressed air
OR -
Pistol
any firearm designed or adapted to be held and fired with one hand, including any firearm under 762mm long
OR -
Restricted weapon
any weapon declared as a restricted weapon by the Governor-General (for eg. Molotov cocktails)
Firearms & Licences
Define a Firearm:
anything from which any shot, bullet, missile, or other projectile can be discharged by force of explosive and includes:
- anything that has been adapted so that it can be used to discharge a shot, bullet, missile, or other projectile by force of explosive, OR
- anything which isnot at that time capable of discharging any shot, bullet, missile or projectile but which by its completion or the replacement of any component or the correction or repair of any defects would be a firearm; OR
- any firearm which is for the time being dismantled or partially dismantled; OR
- any especially dangerous air gun
Possession of offensive weapons or disabling substances (any place)
Elements & Definitions
-
Has in his or her possession
has in their possession -
In any place
any place; includes public and private places -
Any offensive weapon
any article capable of being used for causing bodily injury
OR -
Any disabling substance
anaesthetising or other substance produced or intended for the purpose of disabling people -
In circumstances that prima facie shows an intention to use it to commit an offence involving bodily injury or the threat or fear of violence
actions by the suspect show on the “face of it” that the person is intentionally going to use it to commit an offence involving some form of bodily injury, or the threat or fear of violence
Arms Act 1983
Section 66B
Power to demand means:
If a person is in possession of a:
* firearm
* air gun
* pistol
* prohibited magazine
* prohibited part
They shall on demand by any Police Officer in uniform or with ID give their full name, address and DOB
If they refuse or give false details, they must be warned and if they persist, they may be arrested
Assault
Three factors when deciding which charge is the most appropriate?
- Intent (when the suspect applied the force, what was their intent; scare/injure/kill)
- Weapons or degree of force used (slap on the face or knife or other weapon used?)
- Injury received (was the victim injured, wounded or killed)
Being found on property without reasonable excuse (building/transport)
elements & definition
-
Found
to be seen
to be discovered
to come upon -
Without reasonable excuse
without reasonable excuse -
In
physically inside of
OR -
On
physically on -
Any building
a structure with a roof and walls such as a house or factory
OR -
Any aircraft
any aeroplane, helicopter or other machine capable of flight
OR -
Any hovercraft
a vehicle or craft that travels over land or water on a cushion of air provided by a downward blast
OR -
Any ship, ferry or other vessel
any boat or ship for transporting people or goods by sea
OR -
Any train
a series of connected railway carriages or wagons moved by a locomotive or by integral motors
OR -
Any vehicle
a thing used for transporting people or goods, especially on land, such as a car lorry or cart
Being found on property without reasonable excuse (enclosed yard or area)
elements & definition
Summary Offences Act 1981, Section 29(1)(b)
-
Found
to be seen
to be discovered
to come upon -
Without reasonable excuse
without reasonable excuse -
In
physically inside of -
Any enclosed yard or other such area
an enclosed yard, garden or area, appurtenant to a building
Excreting in a public place
elements & definition
Summary Offences Act 1981, Section 32(1)
- Urinates or defecates in any public place
Excreting in a public place
Power of arrest
You can arrest under s39(2) of the Summary Offences Act 1981
You cannot arrest unless the act is seen by a Police Officer and the suspect fails to give their name and address on demand
Excreting in a public place
statutory defence for this?
the suspect had reasonable grounds for believing they would not be observed
Fighting in a public place
If a fight disperses on your arrival and only one of the fighters is apprehended can you still take action against that one person?
Yes, you can still arrest, warn or summons the remaining person for fighting
Fighting in a public place
why is time, place and circumstance important with these offences?
changes the nature of the offence and ability to offend others (early morning vs afternoon, deserted park vs mall full of people)
Firearms & Licences
Duties of licence holders:
- keep licence legible and undamaged
-
produce to the Police on demand
if they do not have their licence on them, must produce it at a Police station within 7 days of the demand - Report to Police in writing, the circumstances of any theft, loss or destruction of the firearm
- if death or injury results from the use of the firearm, report the circumstances to the Police as soon as practicable
- Licences need to be renewed every 10 years unless revoked, surrendered or previously have not held a firearms licence in these cases they must be renewed every 5 years
Firearms & Licences
How to obtain a licence:
- person over 16 or over decides they want a firearms licence
- application for FA licence lodged with Police
- persons aged between 16-18 parental permission required
- applicant sits and passes firearms test
- Police conduct inquiries into the applicant’s suitability
- licence issued
Obstructing Police
elements & definitions
Summary Offences Act 1981, section 23(a)
-
Intentionally obstructs
deliberately making it more difficult for a person to carry out their duties
OR -
Incites or encourages any other person to obstruct
urge or persuade any other person to make it more difficult for the person to carry out their duties -
Any constable or authorised officer or prison officer or traffic officer acting in the execution of their duty
the person must have been lawfully exercising their powers
Offensive OR Disorderly behaviour
elements & definition
Summary Offences Act 1981, Section 4(1)(a)
-
In a public place
a place that, at any material time, is open to or is being used by the public, whether free of charge or on payment of a charge, and whether any owner or occupier of the place is lawfully entitled to exclude or eject any person from that place; and includes any aircraft, hovercraft, ship or ferry or other vessel, train, or vehicle carrying or available to carry passengers for reward. Also includes the interior of any vehicle which is in a public place.
OR -
Within view of a public place
within view of a place that, at any material time, is open to or is being used by the public, whether free of charge or on payment of a charge, and whether any owner or occupier of the place is lawfully entitled to exclude or eject any person from that place; and includes any aircraft, hovercraft, ship or ferry or other vessel, train, or vehicle carrying or available to carry passengers for reward. Also includes the interior of any vehicle which is in a public place. -
Behaves in an offensive manner
behaves in a manner arousing feelings of anger, resentment or disgust that causes a disturbance to public order
OR -
Behaves in a disorderly manner
behaves in a seriously disruptive manner that causes a disturbance to public order
Parties to offences
Act & Section
Crimes Act 1961
Section 66
Parties to offences
‘aids and abets’
definitions
Helps or assists in the commission of the offence
the lookout at a burglary
Parties to offences
‘counsels’
definitions
gives advice, instigates or plans
teaching someone how to hotwire a car
Parties to offences
everyone is a party to, and guilty of, an offence who:
- actually commits the offence, or
- does or omits an act to aid any person to commit the offence, or
- abets any person in the commission of the offence, or
- incites, or counsels or procures a person to commit the offence
Parties to offences
‘incites’
definitions
urges on or stirs up
‘A’ yells at ‘B’: “give ‘em one for me, mate!”
Parties to offences
‘procures’
definitions
obtains, acquires or brings about
‘A’ wants a stereo from Kmart. He asks ‘B’ to steal it for him
Parties to offences
Section 66(2)
common intention, offences, probable consequence
Two or more form a common intention to commit an offence
* two or more persons formulate a plan; all agree to carry out the plan
Each party is a party to every offence committed by any one of them
* all are criminally responsible for all offences committed by any of the group, even if they don’t do the physical act themselves
If the commission of that offence was known to be a probable consequence
* if all agree that they will do whatever is necessary to achieve their goal, then if ‘A’ kills someone while committing the actual offence, that can be labelled as being a probably consequence, as they all agreed to do anything to achieve their purpose
Possession of a knife
Elements
Summary Offences Act 1981, Section 13A
- In a public place
- Without reasonable excuse
- Has any knife
- In his or her possession
The summary offence of possession of a knife may be useful for first time youth suspects or where discretion to prosectute for the lesser offence is appropriate
Possession of offensive weapon or disabling substances (public place)
Elements & Definitions
-
Without lawful authority or reasonable excuse
without a legal right or justification, authority or permission. No lawful, genuine or reasonable excuse -
Has with him or her
has in their possession -
In any public place
a place that, at any material time, is open to or is being used by the public, whether free or on payment of a charge, and whether any owner or occupier of the place is lawfully entitled to exclude or eject any person from that place; and includes any aircraft, hovercraft, ship or ferry or other vessel, train, or vehicle carrying or available to carry passengers for reward: includes the interior of any vehicle which is in a public place -
Any knife
any cutting blade
OR -
Any offensive weapon
any article made for use for causing bodily injury
OR
any article altered for use for causing bodily injury
OR
any article intended for use for causing bodily injury
OR -
Any disabling substance
anaesthetising or other substance produced or intended for the purpose of disabling people
Possession of offensive weapons or disabling substances (any place)
It is a defence to a charge under Section 202A(4)(b) if the person charged proves…
that they did not intend to use the offensive weapon or disabling substance to commit an offence involving bodily injury or the threat or fear of violence
Preparing to commit an imprisonable offence
elements & definitions
Summary Offences Act 1981, Section 28
-
Found
discovered -
In any public place
means a place that, at any material time, is open to or is being used by the public, whether free or on payment of a charge, and whether any owner or occupier of the place is lawfully entitled to exclude or eject any person from that place; and includes any aircraft, hovercraft, ship or ferry or other vessel, train, or vehicle carrying or available to carry passengers for reward -
Behaving in a manner from which it can be reasonably inferred that the person is
carrying out actions from which the court may infer the intentions of the offender -
Preparing to commit an imprisonable offence
preparing to commit an imprisonable offence
Presenting a firearm
Elements & Definition
Arms Act 1983, S52(1)
-
Except for some lawful and sufficient purpose
without legal right or justification, or genuine reasonable excuse in the circumstances -
Presents
brandishes, deploys or displays in a threatening way -
Firearm
anything from which a shot, bullet, or other projectile can be discharged by force of explosive (whether or not the firearm, air gun, pistol, or restricted weapon is loaded or capable at the time of the offence of discharging any shot, bullet, missile, or other projectile
OR -
Air gun
anything that is capable of discharging projectiles by the use of gas or compressed air
OR -
Pistol
any firearm designed or adapted to be held and fired with one hand, including any firearm under 762mm long
OR -
Restricted weapon
any weapon declared as a restricted weapon by the Governor-General (for eg. Molotov cocktails) -
At any other person
Must be another person
Public place
definition
- a place that at any material time
- is open to, or being used by the public
- whether free or on payment of a charge
- and whether any owner or occupier of the place is lawfully entitled to exclude or eject that person from that place
- this includes any:
-aircraft
-hovercraft
-ship/ferry/other vessel
-train
-vehicle - that is carrying or available to carry passengers for reward
- and includes the interior of any vehicle which is in a public place
Receiving
Doctrine of Recent Possession
If a person is found in possession of property that has recently been stolen, this is sufficient evidence to justify a finding that the possessor is either the thief or a dishonest receiver.
The possession is accepted by the courts as circumstantial evidence that the person either stole the property or received it from the thief.
It puts the onus on the person found in possession of the property to provide an explanation for having it or be charged with theft or receiving
Receiving
Gross under value
The evidence must show that it is more than just a ‘bargain’
Receiving
Guilty knowledge on the part of the receiver is…
an essential element for the offence of receiving.
This guilty knowledge may be proved by:
* direct evidence:
admissions or evidence given by the actual thief
* circumstantial evidence:
-the receiver purchased the property at gross undervalue
-nature or amount of property causes suspicion
-the receiver falsely denies having possession of the property
-the receiver concealed the property so that it could not be found
-the receivers general conduct in relation to the property
Receiving
Helps in concealing or disposing
A person who assists a thief by hiding stolen property for the thief is also guilty of receiving.
To help conceal or dispose of property, a person does not have to handle it manually. Nor does the person need to deal with it, physically obtain possession, or control of it.
Receiving
Possession and Control includes
- awareness that the item is where it is
- awareness that the item has been stolen
- actual or potential control of the item; and
- an intention to exercise that control over the item
Receiving
When receiving is complete
as soon as the suspect has (either exclusively or jointly with the thief or any other person) possession of, or control over, the property or helps in concealing or disposing of the property.
Resisting & Obstructing Police
delaying the Police is?
delaying the entry of police so that suspects may escape
e.g. a licensee delaying entry of police and thus enabling persons unlawfully on the licenced premises to hide or escape by the rear door
Resisting & Obstructing Police
Physical obstruction is?
physically using their body to deliberately make the police officer’s task more difficult or impossible to carry out
e.g. standing between the police officer and the suspect
Resisting & Obstructing Police
Refusing to obey lawful instruction is?
refusing to carry out lawful instructions given to them by a police officer
e.g. a Constable is acting as a scene guard looking after a crime scene, when a member of the public attempts to enter the scene. On being refused entry, the suspect continues to try and gain entry and will not leave
Resisting & Obstructing Police
Telling untruths is?
telling untruths to an enquiring police officer so that the suspect who is sought may evade the officer
e.g. the occupier of a house falsely telling a police officer that a wanted person is not in their house, when in fact, they were there, and the occupier knew it
Resisting & Obstructing Police
Warning persons of police approach is?
warning persons, who are offending, that the police are approaching or endeavouring to detect a particular offence
e.g. a non-participant who sees illegal activity and then warns the suspects when the police are approaching
Resisting Police
elements & definitions
Summary Offences Act 1981, section 23(a)
-
Resists
requires some degree of force by the suspect
OR -
Incites or encourages any other person to resist
urge to persuade any other person to use some degree of force -
Any constable or authorised officer or traffic officer acting in the execution of their duty
the person must have been lawfully exercising their powers
Resisting Police
Sections 23(a), (b) and (c) make it an offence for everyone who:
Summary Offences Act 1981, section 23(a), (b) or (c)
resists or intentionally obstructs, or incites or encourages any other person to resist or obstruct:
s23(a):
* any constable
* any authorised officer
* any prison officer
* or any traffic officer
acting in the execution of their duty
OR
s23(b):
any other person acting in aid of such:
* constable
* authorised officer
* prison officer
* traffic officer
OR
s23(c):
* any police dog working under the control of a Police dog handler
Trespass Act 1980
Section 9
Demanding details of identity
it is important to use this section to obtain the identity of the suspect
Even if the trespasser agrees to leave the premises
- Where any person is found trespassing on any private land; the occupier or any member of Police may require that person to give their name and address, and if they are in possession of a firearm, give their firearms licence number.
- If the person fails or refuses to comply with these requirements, any member of Police may:
* CAUTION the person, and
* if the person persists in their failure or refusal, arrest without warrant - Offences are created of:
* failing or refusing to comply with the requirements or
* giving a false name and address, or
* wilfully giving particulars that are insufficiently precise to enable the address to be readily identified
Trespass after previous warnings
elements & definition
Trespass Act 1980, section 4(4) & 11(2)(a)
-
Being a person who has been warned under Section 4 to stay off any place
a person who has been issued with a warning, either verbally or in writing, to stay off a property -
Willfully trespasses on that place
the suspect intentionally, deliberately, without mistake, returns to the premises -
Within two years
within two years after the giving of the warning
Trespass after warning to leave
elements & definition
Trespass Act 1980, section 3(1) & 11(2)(a)
-
Trespasses
is on another person’s property without authority or permission -
On any place
at any physical address -
After being warned to leave that place by an occupier of that place
must be told to leave the address by the lawful occupier -
Neglects or refuses to do so
after the warning, neglects or refuses to leave. The person must be given a reasonable time to leave
Trespass after warning to leave
It is a defence to this section if the defendant proves it was necessary to remain on the place or property for:
Trespass Act 1980, section 3(1) & 11(2)(a)
- Their own protection
a man runs onto property to hide after being pursued by gang members who are going to beat him up - The protection of somebody else
a house is on fire and a person runs in after hearing screams from inside - An emergency involving their property or the property of some other person
a woman runs to a house to call the fire brigade because of a fire on her property or someone else’s
Trespass after previous warnings
It is a defence to this section if the defendant proves it was necessary to remain on the place or property for:
Trespass Act 1980, section 4(4) & 11(2)(a)
- Their own protection
a man runs onto property to hide after being pursued by gang members who are going to beat him up - The protection of somebody else
a house is on fire and a person runs in after hearing screams from inside - An emergency involving their property or the property of some other person
a woman runs to a house to call the fire brigade because of a fire on her property or someone else’s
AND/OR - The occupier who gave the warning no longer occupies the place concerned
Mr Jones sells his dairy. Any trespass notice issued by Jone in respect of the dairy no longer applies
Trespass Notices
a trespass notice can be given to a person when they:
- Are likely to trespass
- Are trespassing
- Have trespassed
- Have been convicted of trespass
Unlawful carriage OR possession of a Firearm OR Airgun OR Pistol OR Prohibited Magazine OR Restricted Weapon OR Explosive
elements & definition
Arms Act 1983, Section 45(1)(a) OR 45(1)(b)
-
Except for some lawful, proper and sufficient purpose
without legal right or justification, or genuine reasonable excuse in the circumstances -
Carries
actually has the weapon on or about him or her
OR -
Is in possession of
in their possession or under their control -
Firearm
anything from which a shot, bullet, or other projectile can be discharged by force of explosive
OR -
Airgun
anything which is capable of discharging projectiles by the use of gas or compressed air
OR -
Pistol
any firearm designed or adapted to be held and fired with one hand and includes any firearm under 762mm long
OR -
Prohibited magazine
as defined in s2B of the Arms Act 1983
OR -
Restricted weapon
any weapon declared as a restricted weapon by the Governor General (e.g. Molotov cocktails)
OR -
Explosives
any substance capable of exploding or producing a pyrotechnic effect
Unlawful interferes with vehicle
elements & definition
Crimes Act 1961, section 226(2)
-
Dishonestly
without belief that there was consent or authority from the owner -
Without claim of right
no belief in a right to own or possess the property -
Interferes with
touches or deals with in any way -
Any vehicle
any type of vehicle
OR -
Any ship
any vessel used in navigation, however propelled
OR -
Any aircraft
any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reaction of the air
Unlawful takes vehicle
elements & definition
Crimes Act 1961, section 226(1)(a), (b) or (c)
-
Dishonestly
without a belief that there was consent or authority from the owner -
Without claim of right
no belief in a right to own or posess the property -
But not so as to be guilty of theft
unable to prove an intention to permanently deprive the owner -
Takes
physically moves the property -
For his or her own purposes
for any person’s purposes
OR -
For another person’s purposes
for any person’s purposes -
Any vehicle
any type of vehicle
OR -
Any ship
any vessel used in navigation, however propelled
OR -
Any aircraft
any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reaction of the air
OR -
Any part of any vehicle, ship or aircraft
any part removed from (use relevant definitions as previously stated)
OR -
Any horse
any type of horse
Unlawfully getting into OR upon
elements & definitions
Crimes Act 1961, section 226(2)
-
Dishonestly
without belief that there was consent or authority from the owner -
Without claim of right
no belief in the right to own or possess the property -
Gets into
physically gets into
OR -
Gets upon
physically gets upon -
Any vehicle
any type of vehicle
OR -
Any ship
any vessel used in navigation, however propelled. Large or small
OR -
Any aircraft
any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reaction of the air
Actus reus
“a guilty act”
physical action
The Actus reus must be voluntary
Aggravated Robbery
Crimes Act 1961, Section 235
- a person robs any person and, at the time, before, or after the robbery, causes grievous bodily harm to any person
OR - being together with any other person or persons, robs any person
OR - a person armed with an offensive weapon or instrument (which includeds a firearm), robs any other person
Appurtenant means…
‘belonging to’
In the context of an enclosed yard or other such area, the yard must belong to a building.
If there is no building to belong to (e.g. park/paddock) then it can’t be an enclosed yard or other such place.
The yard must serve that building, a security guard hut for example would not be appurtenant.
Assault
elements & definition
Crimes Act 1961, Section 196
OR
Summary Offences Act 1981, Section 9
Assaults
* acts of intentionally applying or attempting to apply force to the person of another, directly or indirectly
OR
* threatening by any act or gesture to apply such force to the person of another, if the person making the threat has, or causes the other to believe on reasonable grounds that they have, the present ability to effect their purpose
Another Person
* it has to be another person other than the suspect
Assault with intent to rob
Crimes Act 1961, Section 236
Where any person assaults a person with the intention to rob them, but no theft takes place, so therefore robbery is not complete.
Attempting to commit an offence
3 requirements for an attempt
- Intent (mens rea) - there is an intention to commit an offence
- Act (actus reus) - the person has taken steps towards committing the offence, although they may not have completed it
- Proximate - how close the suspect was to completing the offence
Being found on property without reasonable excuse (building/transport)
elements
- Found
- Without reasonable excuse
- In
OR - On
- Any building
OR - Any aircraft
OR - Any hovercraft
OR - Any ship, ferry or other vessel
OR - Any train
OR - Any vehicle
Being found on property without reasonable excuse (building/transport)
Act & Section
Summary Offences Act 1981
Section 29(1)(a) or 29(1)(c)
Burglary
element & definition
Crimes Act 1961, Section 231(1)(a)
Enters
entry is complete as soon as any part of the body of the person or any part of any instrument used by that person, is within the building or ship
OR
when entry is gained by use of a threat or artifice
Any building/enclosed yard
any building or structure of any description, whether permanent or temporary; and includes a tent, caravan, or houseboat; and also includes any enclosed yard or any closed cave or closed tunnel
OR
Any ship
any vessel used in navigation, however propelled
OR
Any PART of a building
part of a building or structure of any description, whether permanent or temporary; and includes a tent, caravan, or houseboat; and also includes any enclosed yard or any closed cave or closed tunnel
OR
Any PART of a ship
part of any vessel used in navigation, however propelled
Without authority
an absence of authority, either expressed or implied, from a person the defendant believes is legally able to give consent
OR
when entry is gained by use of a threat or artifice
With intent to commit an imprisonable offence in the building
there must be an intention to commit an imprisonable offence in the building
OR
With intent to commit an imprisonable offence in a ship
there must be an intention to commit an imprisonable offence in the ship