Offences Flashcards
Actus reus
Is the act, conduct, omission, or state of affairs required for the particular offence. Must be voluntary.
Mens rea
Is the fault element or “guilty mind” required for the offence. Refers to a person’s guilty knowledge or what was in their mind when they carried out actus reus. Can include intention, recklessness or criminal negligence.
Mens rea can be proven by?
Inferences from the person’s behaviour, act or omissions at the time of actus reus. Statements made before or at the time. Any admission made after the alleged offence
Assault elements
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.
Conditional assault
Where there is a threat of an assault accompanied by a condition
Doctrine of Transferred Malice
A defendant will be liable for an offence if he or she has the necessary Mens Rea and commits the actus reus even if the victim is not the intended person
What are the two Acts used for Assault
Crimes Act 1961
Summary of Offences Act 1981
What three factors must we consider when deciding which charge is most appropriate for assault
Intent
- when the suspect applied the force, what was their intent
- did the suspect want to scare, injure or kill the victim
Weapons or degree of force used
- was the assault a mere slap on the face or was a knife or other weapon used
Injury received
- did the victim sustain any injury? Was the victim injured, wounded or killed
Wilful Damage Elements
Intentionally - a deliberate act, without lawful justification, excuse or claim of right.
OR
A reckless act, without lawful justification excuse or claim of right.
Damages - temporary or permanent reduction in the value and/or usefulness of the property
Property - something that belongs to another person and is capable of being damaged.
What Act and section applies to Wilful Damage
Summary of Offences ACT 1981 Section 11(1)(a)
What other examples of wilful damage related offences
Intentionally setting fire to any tree or vegetation
Graffiti vandalism, tagging, defacing
Possession of Graffiti implements
Burglary Act and Section
Crimes Act 1961 Section 231(1)(a)
Burglary Elements
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 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 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 part of any 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.
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.
Burglary; what does artifice mean?
Involves being cunning, skilled or artful to obtain entry under false pretence
What other Burglary Offence is there?
Possession of burglary tools
Summary of offences act 1981 section 14
Of the suspect is located on the way to commit a burglary or near the scene of an intended burglary.
- without reasonable excuse,
- has in his or her possession
- any instrument capable of being used for burglary
- in circumstances that prime facie shows an intention to use it for burglary
What is Prima Facie?
On the face of it or based on first impressions