Summary Offences Flashcards
What legislation applies to summary Offences?
Criminal procedure act definition of a summary Offence as one that is only triable summarily and carries less then 2 years imprisonment.
Most summary Offences are legislated in the summary Offences act 1988 (NSW)
Define public place
Section 3 summary Offences act 1988(NSW) a public place is
A) a public place (whether or not covered by water) or
B) a part of premises that is open to or used by the public whether or not on payment of money or other consideration whether or not the place is ordinarily so open or used and whether or not the public to whom it is open consists of only a limited class of persons but does not include a school.
Define public place
Section 3 summary Offences act 1988(NSW) a public place is
A) a public place (whether or not covered by water) or
B) a part of premises that is open to or used by the public whether or not on payment of money or other consideration whether or not the place is ordinarily so open or used and whether or not the public to whom it is open consists of only a limited class of persons but does not include a school.
Define vehicle
Section 3 Summary Offences act
Vehicle includes:
A) motor vehicle (whether or not still capable of being driven) and
B) the train or other vehicle used on a railway or monorail; and
C) a caravan or anything else constructed to be drawn by a vehicle or animal
Is a person in a vehicle in a public place?
If the vehicle is in a public place yes. Section 3(2) summary Offences act “for the purposes of this act A person who is in a vehicle in any place shall be taken to be in that place.”
Is an object in a vehicle in a public place?
No
Define wilful:
R v Senior held that “wilfully means that the act is done deliberately and intentionally not by accident or inadvertent but so that the mind of the person who does the act goes with it”
Must intend a particular outcome.
Fitzgerald v Montaya: held that the act complained of must not have been done deliberately but with knowledge and intention that it will have the effect of preventing the free passage of someone else without any lawful excuse for doing all.
What are two cases for wilful:
R v Senior
Fitzgerald v Montoya
What is a reasonable excuse?
A reasonable excuse is not a lawful excuse
Minkley v Monroe “The concept of reasonable excuse has not been introcontrovertible defined because each excuse put forward in answer to a charge is unique to the facts surrounding the case. It’s proper evaluation requires both a subjective and an objective examination of the circumstances
Connors v Craigie “ reasonably excuse involves subjective and objective considerations but must be related to the immediate prevailing circumstances in which the words used, just as in self defence or provocation the response of the accused must be related in some way to the actions of the victim and the particular circumstances.
What is a reasonable excuse?
A reasonable excuse is not a lawful excuse
Minkley v Monroe “The concept of reasonable excuse has not been introcontrovertible defined because each excuse put forward in answer to a charge is unique to the facts surrounding the case. It’s proper evaluation requires both a subjective and an objective examination of the circumstances
What is Connors v craigie authority for?
A reasonable excuse. It involves both subjective and objective considerations but these considerations must be related to the immediate prevailing circumstances in which the offensive words etc are used. Just as in self defence or provocation the response of the accused must be related in some way to the actions of the victim and the particular circumstances.
What two cases are reasonable excuse?
Minkley v Monroe
Connors v Craigie
What is a lawful purpose?
It is a statutory defence. It is prescribed by section 12 summary offences act for any offence in part 2 of the act.
The defendant needs to satisfy the court that the act complained of was done with lawful authority.
Taikato v the queen “ high court authority a lawful purpose should be read as a purpose that is authorised as opposed to not forbidden by law.
What is section 12 summary offences act?
Statutory defence of lawful purpose
What is Taikato v the Queen authority for
a lawful purpose should be read as a purpose that is authorised as opposed to not forbidden by law.
What is offensive?
Worcester v Smith “for behaviour and language to be offensive it Must be such as is calculated to wound the feelings arouse anger or resentment or disgust or outrage in the mind of a reasonable person.
What is offensive conduct?
It is an offence under section 4 summary Offences act 1988 (NSW)
Language alone does not constitute offensive conduct. In a matter under section 4(1) the magistrate must ask whether the behaviour in question is such, that would, on an objective test give offence to a reasonable person.
Who is a reasonable person?
Ball v McIntyre “The reasonable person contemplated by the rest is envisaged as being reasonably tolerant and understanding and reasonably contemporary in his reactions.”
Do we need to prove intent for an offence of offensive language or conduct?
Jeff v Graham prosecution must at least prove beyond reasonable doubt that the conduct engaged in was voluntary. Infer it’s calculated through actions
What is the offence of offensive language?
S4A summary Offences act. A person must not use offensive language in or near or within hearing from a public place or a school. (Max 6 penalty units)