sanctions Flashcards
The victorian police
+ goverened by the Victoria Police Act 2012 [vic]
+ is the main institution that enforces criminal law relating to indictable offences and most summary offences
role of Victoria police
the role of Victoria police is to serve the victorian community and uphold law so as to promote a safe, secure, and orderly society.
crime prevention
patrol areas and maintain a sense of presence to protect local citizens
engage in community education to deter future criminal behaviour
crime investigation
talk to victims and witnesses about incidents
question possible suspects
examine crime scenes and collect evidence for analysis
conduct searches of people and or property
crime prosecution
arrest accused persons
charge people with offences that most fit the crime
prosecuting summary offences in the magistrates court
sending information to the office of public prosecutions for indictable offences
Australian federal police
investigate and enforce criminal laws which have a federal aspect
focuses on crimes such as
transnational
serious complex and organise crime
cybercrime and cyber safety
child protection
countering terrorism
delegated bodies
+ specific agencies that due to their expertise in a particular area have been granted the authority from parliament to both create and enforce certain laws. This authority is assigned by an act of parliament.
role of delegated bodies
the overarching role of delegated bodies is to investigate, prosecute and enforce the law
as the result the burden of work on police is lessened
WorkSafe Victoria
+ esthablished under the occupational health and safety act 2004 [vic] which aims to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees
+ monitors and enforces compliance with the act
powers and rights
+ institutional powers must be balanced against the rights of individuals
+ individual rights overlap between numerous victorian acts including the Crimes Act 1859 [vic] and the victorian charter of human rights
arrest rights
+ the police have no power to detain an individual unless they are under arrest [therefore indv. can refuse to go to station if not arrested]
+ must be informed of the reason for the arrest at the time of the arrest
+ after arrest indv. must be released [unconditionally or on bail] or brought before a bail justice or magistrate within reasonable time
police can arrest without a warrant any person they find commiting a summary or indictable offence if the police believe it is necessary to……….
+ ensure the offender appears in court
+ preserve public order
+ prevent the continuation or repetition of an offence or commision of a further offence
+ ensure safety or welfare of public
arrest powers
Without a warrant =
+ any person they find committing a summary or indictable offence or if police believe necessary to….
+ if they have reasonable grounds to belive that a person has committeed an indictable offence or an offence elsewhere that would be indictable in victoria
police can use reasonable force when making an arrest [ depends on circumstances]
what is a warrant
a court document allowing a person eg police to undertake a certain action eg arrest
questioning powers
police can request name and address if
+ commited or about to commit summary or indictable offence
+ may be able to assist in investigation
questioning rights
before interviewing an arrested person police must formally caution that
- right to remain silent
- they can communicate with a relative or friend to inform of whereabouts
- police must defer or interpreter if bad english
- parent or guardian must be present if under 18 or intellectual dissabiliy
sources of institutional powers
police powers or arrest and questioning = crimes act 1858 vic
prosecution powers = criminal procedure act 2009 vic
imprisonment powers = corrections act 1986 vic
court proceeding powers for prosecutors
prosecutors = prepare crowns case by working with police, examine witnesses in trial, negociate with accussed about early guilty plea
court proceeding powers for courts
+ mag determines guilt and sanctions for summary and sanction for indictable
+ mag determines whether enough evidence to support convic for indic during commital proceedings
+ which evidence=admissable
+ whether bail should be granted
court proceeding rights
accused has certain rights during trial eg
+ presumed inno until guilty
+ have proceding by competent and impartial court
+ obtain legal aid if necessary
+ adequate time and facilities for case
+ opp to challenge and rebut evidence
+ tried without unreasonable delay
imprisonment powers
under corrections act 1986 [vic] prison officers can
+ search and examine any person
+ seize unauthorised goods
+ arrange med test for drugs+alcohol
+ require prisoners to be electronically monitored
imprisonment rights
under corrections act 1986 [vic] prisoners have rights to
+ open air for atleast 1hr
+ adequate food
+ sutible clothing
+ access to reasonable medical and dental care
+ practice religions
+ access special care
+ recieve one half hour visit pe
the role of courts in criminal cases
- manage, hear and determine a criminal case if the accused pleads not guilty
manage = courts provide managment by giving orders and directions to ensure no delay
determine = mag determines guilt in mag court, jury decided in county and supreme - impose a sanction if the accused pleads or is found guilty
+ plea hearing takes place where both sides make submissions about relevent sentencing factors
+ magistrate/judge gives sanction
commital proceedings
if accused is charged with an indictable offence, the case will go through commital proceedings for indictable
1. commital mention = accused pleads guilty [goes straight to sentencing] or not guilty [ goes to hearing] case may be sent to be heard summarily if requirments met
- commital hearing = if accused pleads not guilty, the magistrate determines whether there is sufficient evidence to support a conviction in higher court
commital proceeding benefits and negatives
ben - filter out weak cases and ensure judicial resources in higher courts are used efficiently 2- inform the accused of case against them and allow to test evidence
neg - recent inquiries suggest most are commited to stand trial and very few are discontinued - inflate costs and delays
magistrates court jurisdiction
original = + summary offences eg minor assualt
+ indictable heard summarily
+ commital proceedings for indictable offences
+ bail and warrant applications
appellate = no jurisdiction because lowest court
county court jurisdiction
original = + most indictable offences eg culpable driving causing death, theft, armed robbery [ cant hear indictable offence in extremely serious situatios eg murder, manslaughter, treason
appellate
+ appeals from magistrates court on questions of fact
[ unless from chief magistrate]
: convictions and sentences