CRIMINAL CODE ACT 1983
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
CRIMINAL CODE ACT 1983
As in force at 3 November 2025
Table of provisions
1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1
2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1
3 Repeal ............................................................................................. 1
4 Interpretation ................................................................................... 1
5 Establishment of Code .................................................................... 1
6 Liability to trial .................................................................................. 2
7 Civil remedies .................................................................................. 2
8 Contempt of Court ........................................................................... 2
Schedule I Criminal Code of the Northern Territory of
Australia
Part I Introductory matters
Division 1 Definitions: Commission of offence: division
of offences: attempts
1 Definitions ........................................................................................ 3
1A Harm .............................................................................................. 13
1B Person against whom offence may be committed ......................... 14
1C Birth ............................................................................................... 14
2 Commission of offence .................................................................. 14
3 Classification of offence ................................................................. 14
4 Attempts to commit offences ......................................................... 15
Division 2 Presumptions
5 Innocence ...................................................................................... 15
7 Intoxication .................................................................................... 16
8 Offences committed in prosecution of common purpose ............... 16
9 Mode of execution different from that counselled .......................... 16
10 Death or serious harm caused in the course of violence of 2 or
more persons................................................................................. 17
11 Power to impose domestic discipline ............................................. 17
Division 3 Parties to offences
12 Abettors and accessories before the fact ...................................... 17
13 Accessories after the fact .............................................................. 18
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Division 4 Application of criminal law
14 Effect of changes in law ................................................................. 18
15 Application of criminal laws............................................................ 18
16 Offences counselled or procured in the Territory to be
committed out of the Territory ........................................................ 18
Division 5 Effect of previous finding of guilt or acquittal
17 Definitions ...................................................................................... 19
18 Defence of previous finding of guilt or acquittal ............................. 19
19 Limitation of defence in relation to certain offences ....................... 19
20 Finding of guilt or acquittal of regulatory offence no defence ........ 19
21 Stay of vexatious, &c., proceedings............................................... 19
Part II Criminal responsibility
Division 1 General matters
22 Exclusion of regulatory offences .................................................... 20
23 Effect of authorization, justification or excuse ................................ 20
24 Authorization, justification or excuse of event ................................ 20
25 Lawful act, &c., to be authorized or justified and authorized or
justified act to be lawful ................................................................. 20
Division 2 Authorization
26 Execution of law, &c. ..................................................................... 20
Division 3 Justification
27 Circumstances in which force not being such force as is likely
to cause death or serious harm is justified..................................... 21
28 Circumstances in which force causing death or serious harm
is justified ....................................................................................... 22
29 Defensive conduct justified ............................................................ 23
Division 4 Excuse
30 Ignorance of law: bona fide claim of right, &c. ............................... 24
31 Unwilled act etc. and accident ....................................................... 25
32 Mistake of fact ............................................................................... 25
33 Sudden and extraordinary emergency........................................... 25
38 Age of criminal responsibility ......................................................... 25
38A Child 10 years of age or older but under 14 years of age .............. 25
39 Judicial officers .............................................................................. 26
40 Duress ........................................................................................... 26
43 Damage to property ....................................................................... 26
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Criminal Code Act 1983 iii
Part IIAA Criminal responsibility for Schedule 1
offences and declared offences
Division 1 Preliminary matters
43AA Application of Part ......................................................................... 27
Division 2 Elements of offence
Subdivision 1 General matters
43AB Elements........................................................................................ 28
43AC Establishing guilt of offences ......................................................... 28
43ACA Law including separate statement about fault elements ................ 28
Subdivision 2 Physical elements
43AD Conduct and engaging in conduct ................................................. 29
43AE Physical elements.......................................................................... 29
43AF Voluntariness ................................................................................. 30
43AG Omissions ...................................................................................... 30
43AGA Dishonesty ..................................................................................... 31
Subdivision 3 Fault elements
43AH Fault elements ............................................................................... 31
43AI Intention ......................................................................................... 31
43AJ Knowledge ..................................................................................... 31
43AK Recklessness ................................................................................ 32
43AL Negligence..................................................................................... 32
43AM Offences that do not provide fault elements .................................. 32
Subdivision 4 Cases where fault elements are not required
43AN Strict liability................................................................................... 33
43AO Absolute liability ............................................................................. 33
Division 3 Circumstances in which there is no criminal
responsibility
Subdivision 1 Lack of capacity of children
43AP Age of criminal responsibility ......................................................... 34
43AQ Child 10 years of age or older but under 14 years of age .............. 34
Subdivision 2 Intoxication
43AR Self-induced intoxication ................................................................ 34
43AS Intoxication – offences involving basic intent ................................. 35
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43AT Intoxication – negligence as fault element ..................................... 35
43AU Intoxication – relevance to defences ............................................. 35
43AV Involuntary intoxication .................................................................. 36
Subdivision 3 Mistake or ignorance
43AW Mistake or ignorance of fact – fault elements other than
negligence ..................................................................................... 36
43AX Mistake of fact – strict liability ........................................................ 37
43AY Mistake or ignorance of law ........................................................... 37
43AZ Claim of right ................................................................................. 38
Subdivision 4 External factors
43BA Intervening conduct or event ......................................................... 38
43BB Duress ........................................................................................... 38
43BC Sudden or extraordinary emergency ............................................. 39
43BD Self-defence .................................................................................. 39
43BE Lawful authority ............................................................................. 40
Division 4 Extensions of criminal responsibility
43BF Attempt .......................................................................................... 40
43BG Complicity and common purpose .................................................. 41
43BGA Joint commission ........................................................................... 42
43BH Commission by proxy .................................................................... 44
43BI Incitement ...................................................................................... 44
43BJ Conspiracy..................................................................................... 45
43BJA References in Acts to offences ...................................................... 47
Division 5 Corporate criminal responsibility
43BK General principles.......................................................................... 47
43BL Physical elements.......................................................................... 47
43BM Fault elements other than negligence............................................ 48
43BN Negligence..................................................................................... 49
43BO Mistake of fact – strict liability ........................................................ 50
43BP Intervening conduct or event ......................................................... 50
Division 6 Proof of criminal responsibility
43BQ Legal burden of proof .................................................................... 50
43BR Legal burden of proof – prosecution .............................................. 50
43BS Standard of proof – prosecution .................................................... 51
43BT Evidential burden of proof .............................................................. 51
43BU Evidential burden of proof – defence ............................................. 51
43BV Legal burden of proof – defence .................................................... 51
43BW Standard of proof – defence .......................................................... 52
43BX Use of averments .......................................................................... 52
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Division 7 Geographical application
43BY Application and effect of Division ................................................... 52
43BZ Interpretation for Division ............................................................... 52
43CA Extension of offences if required geographical nexus exists ......... 53
43CB Geographical application – double criminality................................ 53
43CC Geographical application – procedure ........................................... 53
43CD Geographical application – suspicion etc. that offence
committed ...................................................................................... 54
Part IIA Mental impairment and unfitness to be
tried
Division 1 Preliminary
43A Definitions ...................................................................................... 55
43B Meaning of supervised person in Divisions 6 and 7....................... 56
Division 2 Mental impairment
43C Defence of mental impairment ....................................................... 57
43D Presumption of competence and burden of proof .......................... 57
43E Standard of proof ........................................................................... 57
43F Who may raise defence and when may defence be raised and
considered? ................................................................................... 57
43G Hearing of question of mental impairment by court etc. ................. 58
43H Plea of not guilty by reason of mental impairment may be
accepted ........................................................................................ 59
43I Effect of findings under this Division .............................................. 59
Division 3 Unfitness to stand trial
43J When is a person unfit to stand trial? ............................................ 60
43K Presumption of fitness to stand trial and burden of proof .............. 60
43L Standard of proof ........................................................................... 60
43M Committal proceedings .................................................................. 61
43N Institution of investigation of fitness of accused person ................. 61
43O Court may make interim orders ..................................................... 61
43P Procedure for conduct of investigation .......................................... 62
43Q Finding that accused person fit to stand trial ................................. 62
43R Procedure if accused person found unfit to stand trial after
conduct of investigation ................................................................. 63
43S Abridgement of adjournment under section 43R ........................... 64
43T Finding that accused person unfit to stand trial by agreement....... 64
43U Extension of period for holding special hearing ............................. 65
Division 4 Special hearings
43V Purpose of special hearings .......................................................... 65
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43W Procedure for conduct of special hearing ...................................... 65
43X Findings at special hearing ............................................................ 66
43XA Dispensing with special hearing .................................................... 67
43XB Effect of finding under section 43XA.............................................. 67
43Y Interim orders pending supervision................................................ 67
Division 5 Supervision orders
43Z When supervision orders are made ............................................... 68
43ZA Nature of supervision orders.......................................................... 68
43ZB Appeals against supervision orders ............................................... 69
43ZC Term of supervision order .............................................................. 70
43ZD Variation or revocation of supervision order .................................. 70
43ZE Urgent variation of non-custodial supervision order....................... 71
43ZF Emergency power of apprehension ............................................... 73
43ZG Major review of supervision orders ................................................ 74
43ZH Periodic review of supervision orders ............................................ 76
43ZI Right of persons to appear at hearings under this Division............ 76
Division 6 Reports
43ZJ Court to receive report on condition of accused persons
declared liable to supervision ........................................................ 77
43ZK Periodic reports on condition of supervised persons ..................... 78
43ZL Reports on views of victim or next of kin ....................................... 78
Division 7 Principles on which court is to act
43ZLA Definition........................................................................................ 79
43ZM Principle court to apply when making order ................................... 80
43ZN Matters court must take into account when making order ............. 80
Division 8 Miscellaneous
43ZO Legal counsel to have independent discretion ............................... 81
43ZP Counselling next of kin .................................................................. 81
43ZPA Protection from liability .................................................................. 82
43ZQ Regulations.................................................................................... 82
Part III Offences against public order
Division 1 Sedition
44 Definitions ...................................................................................... 82
45 Seditious enterprise ....................................................................... 83
46 Seditious words ............................................................................. 83
47 Procedure on prosecution for sedition ........................................... 83
48 Acts done in good faith .................................................................. 83
49 Unlawful oaths to commit offences, &c. ......................................... 84
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Division 2 Terrorism
50 Definitions ...................................................................................... 85
51 Membership of unlawful organization ............................................ 85
52 Evidence of knowledge of unlawfulness ........................................ 86
53 Display of support for unlawful organization .................................. 86
54 Terrorism ....................................................................................... 86
55 Contribution towards acts of terrorism ........................................... 86
Division 3 Offences against the Executive and
Legislative power
56 Interference with Administrator or Minister .................................... 87
57 Interference with Legislative Assembly.......................................... 87
58 Influencing Legislative Assembly member ..................................... 87
59 Bribery of Legislative Assembly member ....................................... 87
60 Legislative Assembly member receiving bribe ............................... 87
61 Disturbing the Legislative Assembly .............................................. 88
62 Going armed to Legislative Assembly ........................................... 88
Division 4 Unlawful assemblies: breaches of the peace
63 Interpretation ................................................................................. 88
64 Punishment of unlawful assembly ................................................. 88
65 Punishment of riot.......................................................................... 89
66 Offences relating to riots ................................................................ 89
69 Going armed in public .................................................................... 90
70 Challenge to a fight likely to cause death or serious harm ............ 90
Division 5 Offences against political liberty
71 Interfering with political liberty........................................................ 90
Division 6 Piracy
72 Definitions ...................................................................................... 91
72A Meaning of act of piracy ................................................................ 91
73 Punishment of piracy ..................................................................... 92
74 Trading with pirates ....................................................................... 92
75 Fitting out ship for piracy................................................................ 92
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Part IV Offences against the administration of law
and justice and against public authority
Division 1 Disclosure of confidential information and
corruption and abuse of office
Subdivision 1 Interpretation and preliminary matters
75A Definitions ...................................................................................... 93
75B Meaning of benefit ......................................................................... 93
75C Improper conduct........................................................................... 94
75D Dismissal of trivial case ................................................................. 95
Subdivision 2 Offences
76 Disclosure of confidential information ............................................ 95
77 Corruption ...................................................................................... 96
78 Other corrupting benefits ............................................................... 97
79 Advancing secret personal interests .............................................. 98
80 Abuse of office – improper conduct ............................................. 101
81 Abuse of office – arbitrary and prejudicial conduct ...................... 101
83 Corruption of surveyor or valuer .................................................. 102
85 False assumption of authority ...................................................... 103
86 Personating public officers........................................................... 103
86A Alternative verdicts ...................................................................... 103
Division 3 Corrupt and improper practices at elections
87 Undue influence........................................................................... 104
88 Bribery ......................................................................................... 104
89 Further penalty for corrupt practices ............................................ 105
90 Illegal practices ............................................................................ 105
91 Placing false ballot-papers in ballot-boxes................................... 106
Division 4 Selling and trafficking in offices
92 Bargaining for offices in public service ........................................ 106
Division 5 Offences relating to the administration of
justice
93 Judicial corruption........................................................................ 106
94 Official corruption not judicial but relating to offences.................. 107
95 Corrupting or threatening jurors ................................................... 107
96 Perjury ......................................................................................... 108
97 Punishment of perjury .................................................................. 108
98 Evidence on charge of perjury ..................................................... 109
99 Fabricating evidence ................................................................... 109
100 Corruption of witnesses ............................................................... 109
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101 Deceiving witnesses .................................................................... 109
102 Destroying evidence .................................................................... 110
103 Preventing witnesses from attending ........................................... 110
103A Threats or reprisals relating to persons involved in criminal
investigations or judicial proceedings or against public officers ... 110
104 Compounding indictable offences................................................ 113
105 Compounding penal actions ........................................................ 114
106 Delay in taking person arrested before court ............................... 114
107 Bringing fictitious action on penal statute .................................... 114
108 Inserting advertisement without authority of court ....................... 114
109 Attempting to pervert justice ........................................................ 114
Division 6 Escapes: rescues: obstructing officers of
courts
110 Forcibly rescuing certain offenders .............................................. 114
111 Aiding escape from lawful custody .............................................. 115
112 Escape from lawful custody ......................................................... 115
113 Permitting escape ........................................................................ 116
114 Harbouring escaped prisoners..................................................... 116
115 Rescuing mentally ill persons ...................................................... 116
116 Removing, &c., property under lawful seizure ............................. 116
117 Obstructing officers of courts of justice ........................................ 117
Division 7 Miscellaneous offences against public
authority
118 False statements in statements required to be under oath or
solemn declaration ...................................................................... 117
119 False declarations and statements .............................................. 117
120 Evidence ...................................................................................... 117
121 Resisting public officers ............................................................... 117
122 Refusal by public officer to perform duty ..................................... 118
123 Neglect to aid in suppressing riot................................................. 118
124 Neglect to aid in arresting offenders, &c. ..................................... 118
Part V Acts injurious to the public in general
Division 1 Offences relating to religious worship
125 Offering violence to officiating ministers of religion ...................... 118
Division 2 Child abuse material and other offensive
material and articles
125A Interpretation ............................................................................... 119
125AB Child abuse material, animal sexual abuse or animal crush
material and related articles may be destroyed ........................... 122
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125AC Article containing child abuse material or animal sexual abuse
or animal crush material may be returned ................................... 123
125B Production, possession etc. of child abuse material .................... 123
125C Publishing indecent articles ......................................................... 125
125D Using child for production of child abuse material or
pornographic or abusive performance ......................................... 125
125DA Animal sexual abuse or animal crush material ............................ 126
125E Criminal liability of executive officer of body corporate – legal
burden of proof on defence.......................................................... 127
125F Court proceedings ....................................................................... 129
Division 2A Offence relating to human remains
126 Interference with or indignity to human remains .......................... 129
Division 3 Offences against public health
148 Selling, &c., things unfit for food or drink ..................................... 129
Division 4 Contamination of goods
148A Definitions .................................................................................... 130
148B Contaminating goods with intent to cause public alarm or
economic loss .............................................................................. 130
148C Threatening to contaminate goods with intent to cause public
alarm or economic loss ................................................................ 130
148D Making false statements concerning contamination of goods
with intent to cause public alarm or economic loss ...................... 131
148E Territorial nexus for offences ....................................................... 131
Division 5 Recruitment of child
148F Recruiting child to engage in criminal activity .............................. 131
Part VI Offences against the person and related
matters
Division 1A Preliminary matters
Subdivision 1 Right of occupants etc. to safety from attack
by intruders
149A Right to safety from attack by intruders ....................................... 133
Subdivision 2 Interpretation
149B Definitions .................................................................................... 133
149C Causing death or harm ................................................................ 133
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Division 1 Duties relating to the preservation of human
life
149 Duty of person in charge of child or others .................................. 134
150 Duty of person engaging in dangerous conduct .......................... 134
151 Duty of person in charge of things applied to a dangerous
purpose........................................................................................ 134
152 Duty to do certain acts ................................................................. 134
153 Effect of breach of duty ................................................................ 134
Division 2 Provision of rescue, medical treatment and
other aid
155 Failure to rescue, provide help, &c. ............................................. 135
155A Assault, obstruction etc. of persons providing rescue, medical
treatment or other aid .................................................................. 135
Division 3 Homicide: suicide: concealment of birth
156 Murder ......................................................................................... 135
157 Punishment for murder and conspiracy to murder ....................... 136
158 Trial for murder – partial defence of provocation ......................... 136
159 Trial for murder – partial defence of diminished responsibility ..... 137
160 Manslaughter ............................................................................... 138
161 Punishment for manslaughter ...................................................... 138
161A Violent act causing death............................................................. 138
162 Assisting and encouraging suicide .............................................. 139
163 Concealment of birth ................................................................... 140
165 Attempt to murder ........................................................................ 140
166 Threats to kill ............................................................................... 140
170 Killing unborn child ...................................................................... 140
Division 3A Recklessly endangering life and serious harm,
negligently causing serious harm and related
offences involving vehicles and vessels
Subdivision 1 Interpretation
174B Danger of death or serious harm ................................................. 141
Subdivision 2 Offences
174C Recklessly endangering life ......................................................... 141
174D Recklessly endangering serious harm ......................................... 142
174E Negligently causing serious harm ................................................ 142
174F Driving motor vehicle causing death or serious harm .................. 142
174FA Hit and run ................................................................................... 143
174FB Dangerous driving during pursuit ................................................. 145
174FC Navigating vessel causing death or serious harm ....................... 146
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Subdivision 3 Aggravated offences
174G Increased penalty for aggravated offence ................................... 147
174H Procedure for proving aggravated offence................................... 148
Division 4 Miscellaneous offences against the person
175 Disabling in order to commit indictable offence ........................... 148
176 Stupefying in order to commit indictable offence ......................... 148
176A Drink or food spiking .................................................................... 148
177 Acts intended to cause serious harm or prevent apprehension ... 149
178 Preventing escape from wreck .................................................... 150
179 Intentionally endangering safety of persons travelling by
railway or roadway....................................................................... 150
180 Intentionally endangering safety of persons travelling by
aircraft or ship .............................................................................. 150
180A Endangering occupants of vehicles and vessels ......................... 151
181 Serious harm ............................................................................... 151
182 Attempting to injure by explosive substances .............................. 152
183 Failure to supply necessaries ...................................................... 152
184 Endangering life of child by exposure .......................................... 152
185 Setting man-traps ........................................................................ 152
186 Harm ............................................................................................ 152
186AA Choking, strangling or suffocating in a domestic relationship ...... 153
Division 4A Female genital mutilation
186A Definitions .................................................................................... 154
186B Female genital mutilation ............................................................. 154
186C Removal of person from Territory for female genital mutilation ... 155
186D Consent not relevant ................................................................... 155
Division 5 Assaults
187 Definitions .................................................................................... 155
188 Common assault.......................................................................... 156
188A Assaults on workers .................................................................... 157
189A Assaults on police or emergency workers ................................... 158
189 Unlawful stalking.......................................................................... 159
190 Assaults on the Administrator or judges ...................................... 160
191 Assaults on member of crew of aircraft ....................................... 160
193 Assaults with intent to commit an offence .................................... 160
Division 5A Assault with intent to steal
193A Interpretation ............................................................................... 161
193B Assault with intent to steal ........................................................... 162
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Division 6 Offences against liberty: kidnapping:
abduction
194 Kidnapping for ransom ................................................................ 162
195 Kidnapping................................................................................... 163
196 Deprivation of liberty .................................................................... 163
197 False certificates by officers charged with duties relating to
liberty ........................................................................................... 163
198 Concealment of matters affecting liberty ..................................... 164
199 Wrongful custody of mentally ill person ....................................... 164
200 Threats ........................................................................................ 164
201 Abduction, enticement or detention of child under 16 years for
immoral purpose .......................................................................... 164
202 Abduction of child under 16 years ............................................... 165
Division 6A Sexual servitude and deceptive recruiting for
sexual services
202A Interpretation ............................................................................... 165
202B Sexual servitude .......................................................................... 166
202C Conducting business involving sexual servitude.......................... 166
202D Deceptive recruiting for sexual services ...................................... 166
202E Knowledge of age immaterial ...................................................... 167
Division 7 Criminal defamation
203 Definitions .................................................................................... 167
204 Unlawful publication of defamatory matter ................................... 167
205 Publishing or threatening to publish defamatory matter with
intent to extort money .................................................................. 168
206 Further application of civil law...................................................... 168
207 Burden of proof ............................................................................ 168
208 Prosecutions to be sanctioned by Crown Law Officer ................. 168
Division 7A Recording and distributing intimate images
208AA Definitions .................................................................................... 168
208AAB Recording or capturing intimate image without consent .............. 169
208AB Distribution of intimate image without consent............................. 170
208AC Threaten to distribute intimate images......................................... 171
208AD Prosecution of child to be approved ............................................ 172
208AE Court may order rectification........................................................ 172
Division 8 Termination of pregnancy
208A Termination of pregnancy performed by unqualified person ........ 173
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Division 9 Defences
208D Activities involving serious harm or risk of death or serious
harm ............................................................................................ 174
208E Law enforcement officers............................................................. 175
208F Evidential burden of proof ............................................................ 175
Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 1 Interpretation
208G Definitions .................................................................................... 175
208GA Consent ....................................................................................... 177
208GB Indecent and grossly indecent ..................................................... 177
208GC Meaning of position of authority ................................................... 178
208GD Meaning of sexually involved with ............................................... 179
208GE Meaning of touches ..................................................................... 179
Division 2 Sexual acts committed without consent
208H Sexual intercourse – without consent .......................................... 179
208HA Compelling sexual intercourse or penetration – without
consent ........................................................................................ 180
208HB Gross indecency – without consent ............................................. 180
208HC Indecent touching or act – without consent ................................. 181
208HD Compelling indecent touching or act – without consent ............... 182
208HE Recklessness in sexual offences ................................................. 182
208HF Attempt to commit sexual offence and recklessness ................... 182
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under
16 years
208J Sexual intercourse – child under 16 years ................................... 183
208JA Causing sexual intercourse or penetration – child under
16 years ....................................................................................... 184
208JB Gross indecency – child under 16 years ...................................... 184
208JC Indecent touching or act – child under 16 years .......................... 185
208JD Causing indecent touching or act – child under 16 years ............ 186
208JE Exposure to indecent thing or act – child under 16 years ............ 187
208JF Recording or capturing indecent image – child under 16 years ... 187
208JG Engaging in conduct to procure sexual activity – child
under 16 years............................................................................. 188
208JH Grooming to engage in sexual activity – child under 16 years ..... 189
208JI Repeated sexual abuse – child under 16 years ........................... 192
208JJ Charge for offence of repeated sexual abuse .............................. 195
208JK No defence of consent ................................................................. 196
208JL No defence of belief in marriage or de facto relationship............. 196
208JM Proceeding against child ............................................................. 196
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Criminal Code Act 1983 xv
Division 4 Sexual acts committed against young persons
by persons in positions of authority
208K Sexual intercourse – young person ............................................. 197
208KA Causing sexual intercourse or penetration – young person ......... 197
208KB Gross indecency – young person ................................................ 197
208KC Indecent touching or act – young person ..................................... 198
208KD No defence of consent ................................................................. 198
208KE Defence – marriage or de facto relationship ................................ 199
Division 5 Sexual acts committed against cognitively
impaired persons by carers
208L Meaning of cognitive impairment ................................................. 199
208LA Person responsible for care of person with cognitive
impairment ................................................................................... 199
208LB Sexual intercourse – person with cognitive impairment ............... 200
208LC Causing sexual intercourse or penetration – person with
cognitive impairment .................................................................... 200
208LD Gross indecency – person with cognitive impairment .................. 201
208LE Indecent touching or act – person with cognitive impairment ...... 201
208LF Defence – consent....................................................................... 202
208LG Defence – marriage or de facto relationship ................................ 202
Division 6 Sexual acts committed against close family
members
208M Meaning of close family member ................................................. 202
208MA Incest ........................................................................................... 202
208MB No defence of consent ................................................................. 203
208MC Defence – compulsion ................................................................. 203
Division 7 Sexual acts committed against animal or in
public
208N Sexual involvement with animal................................................... 203
208NA Public masturbation ..................................................................... 203
Division 8 General matters
208P Increased penalty for aggravated offence ................................... 203
208PA Procedural and evidentiary provisions for aggravated offences .. 204
208PB Jury directions on consent ........................................................... 204
208PC Exception – medical, hygienic, veterinary or agricultural
procedures ................................................................................... 205
208PD Alternative verdicts ...................................................................... 205
208PE Indecent images and related articles may be destroyed.............. 205
208PF Article containing indecent images may be returned ................... 206
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Criminal Code Act 1983 xvi
Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 1 Theft and related offences
Subdivision 1 Interpretation
209 Definitions .................................................................................... 206
210 Meaning of property for this Division ........................................... 207
211 Person to whom property belongs for this Division ...................... 207
212 Appropriation of property ............................................................. 208
213 Intention of permanently depriving............................................... 209
214 Dishonesty ................................................................................... 209
215 Theft of land................................................................................. 210
216 General deficiency ....................................................................... 210
Subdivision 2 Theft and related offences
217 Theft ............................................................................................ 210
218 Robbery ....................................................................................... 211
219 Circumstances of aggravation for robbery ................................... 212
220 Entering building with intention to commit offence ....................... 212
221 Burglary ....................................................................................... 213
222 Circumstances of aggravation for burglary .................................. 213
223 Alternative verdict ........................................................................ 214
224 Damaging or interfering with property as trespasser ................... 214
225 Going equipped for theft and related offences ............................. 215
226 Receiving stolen property ............................................................ 216
227 Shoplifting .................................................................................... 216
228 Making off without payment ......................................................... 217
228AA Removal of item from places open to public ................................ 218
228AB Driving, using or riding motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft without
consent ........................................................................................ 218
Division 2 Deception, dishonesty and blackmail
Subdivision 1 Interpretation and general matters
228AC Definitions .................................................................................... 219
228AD Meaning of menace ..................................................................... 220
228AE Meaning of obtain ........................................................................ 220
228AF Meaning of demand with a menace ............................................. 221
228AG Intention of permanently depriving............................................... 221
Subdivision 2 Offences
228AH Obtaining property by deception .................................................. 222
228AI Transfers of money etc. ............................................................... 223
228AJ General deficiency ....................................................................... 223
228AK Obtaining financial advantage by deception ................................ 224
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Criminal Code Act 1983 xvii
228AL Dishonestly intending to obtain gain from Territory...................... 224
228AM Dishonestly intending to cause loss for Territory ......................... 224
228AN Dishonestly causing loss or risk of loss for Territory .................... 225
228AO Blackmail and extortion ............................................................... 225
Division 2A Identity crime
228A Definitions .................................................................................... 226
228B Attempt offences in section 43BF do not apply............................ 227
228C Dealing in identification information ............................................. 227
228D Possessing identification information........................................... 228
228E Possessing equipment used to deal in identification
information or identification documentation ................................. 228
228F Alternative verdicts ...................................................................... 229
Division 3 Money laundering
229 Definitions .................................................................................... 229
230 Money laundering with knowledge or belief ................................. 230
231 Money laundering with recklessness ........................................... 230
232 Dealing with suspicious property ................................................. 231
233 Proof of other offences not required ............................................ 233
234 Prosecution requires consent of Director of Public
Prosecutions ................................................................................ 233
235 Alternative verdict for offence against section 230 ...................... 233
236 Alternative verdict for offence against section 231 ...................... 234
236A Recklessness as to nature of money or property sufficient for
offence of attempt against section 231 ........................................ 234
Division 4 False accounting and false statements
236B False accounting ......................................................................... 234
236C False statements by officer of body corporate etc. ...................... 236
236D Falsification of registers ............................................................... 237
Division 5 Bribery and secret commissions
236E Interpretation ............................................................................... 237
236F Meaning of obtain ........................................................................ 238
236G Bribery – offence by person in relation to agent .......................... 238
236H Bribery – offence by agent ........................................................... 239
236J Other corrupting benefits – offence by person in relation to
agent ........................................................................................... 240
236K Other corrupting benefits – offence by agent ............................... 241
236L Alternative verdict for offence against section 236G.................... 242
236M Alternative verdict for offence against section 236H .................... 242
236N Independent advisor accepting secret commission ..................... 242
-- 17 of 398 --
Criminal Code Act 1983 xviii
Division 5A Wagering Offences
Subdivision 1 Preliminary matters
237A Definitions .................................................................................... 243
237B Corrupts wagering outcome of event or contingency................... 244
237C Events and contingencies ............................................................ 244
237D Obtaining financial advantage or causing financial
disadvantage ............................................................................... 244
237E Proof of intention to obtain financial advantage or cause
financial disadvantage ................................................................. 245
237F Encouraging ................................................................................ 245
Subdivision 2 Offences
237G Engaging in conduct that corrupts wagering outcome of event
or contingency ............................................................................. 246
237H Facilitating conduct that corrupts wagering outcome of event
or contingency ............................................................................. 246
237J Concealing conduct or agreement about conduct that corrupts
wagering outcome of event or contingency ................................. 247
237K Use of corrupt conduct information for wagering ......................... 247
237L Use of inside information for wagering ........................................ 248
237M Alternative verdict ........................................................................ 249
Division 6 Criminal damage
Subdivision 1 Interpretation
238 Definitions .................................................................................... 249
239 Person to whom property belongs ............................................... 250
240 Causing damage or other result .................................................. 251
Subdivision 2 Offences
241 Damage to property ..................................................................... 251
241A Ram-raid ...................................................................................... 252
242 Sabotage ..................................................................................... 253
243 Arson ........................................................................................... 255
244 Bushfires...................................................................................... 256
245 Leaving explosive substance at a place ...................................... 257
246 Endangering operation of aircraft ................................................ 258
247 Obstructing runways .................................................................... 258
Subdivision 3 Circumstances in which there is no criminal
responsibility
248 Consent ....................................................................................... 259
249 Claim of right ............................................................................... 259
-- 18 of 398 --
Criminal Code Act 1983 xix
Division 7 Forgery and other similar offences
250 Definitions .................................................................................... 260
251 Meaning of false document.......................................................... 260
252 Inducing acceptance that document genuine .............................. 261
253 Forgery ........................................................................................ 261
254 Using false document .................................................................. 261
255 Possess false document .............................................................. 262
Division 8 Preparation for forgery
256 Making or adapting instrument or material for forgery ................. 263
257 Possessing instrument or material for forgery ............................. 263
Part VIIA Miscellaneous offences
Division 1 Computer offences
276 Interpretation ............................................................................... 264
276A Meaning of access to data, modification of data and
impairment of electronic communication ..................................... 265
276B Unlawful access to data ............................................................... 266
276C Unlawful modification of data ....................................................... 267
276D Unlawful impairment of electronic communication ....................... 267
276E Unlawful use of access time ........................................................ 267
276F Territorial nexus for offences ....................................................... 267
Division 2 Unlawfully obtaining confidential information
276G Unlawfully obtaining confidential information ............................... 268
Division 3 Post and boast
276H Publishing material about offending conduct ............................... 268
Part VIII Attempts and preparation to commit
offences: conspiracy: accessories after the
fact
Division 1 Attempts and preparation to commit offences
277 Attempts to commit offences ....................................................... 270
278 Punishment of attempts to commit offences ................................ 270
280 Attempts to procure commission of criminal offences.................. 270
281 Preparation to commit indictable offence with explosives, &c...... 271
Division 2 Conspiracy: accessories after the fact
282 Conspiracy to commit indictable offence ..................................... 271
-- 19 of 398 --
Criminal Code Act 1983 xx
283 Conspiracy to commit summary offence ...................................... 271
284 Conspiracy to deceive or defraud ................................................ 272
285 Conspiracy to lay false charge..................................................... 272
286 Conspiracy to pervert justice ....................................................... 272
288 Conspiracy to carry out seditious enterprise ................................ 272
289 Other conspiracies....................................................................... 272
290 Industrial disputes........................................................................ 273
291 Conspiracy by husband and wife ................................................. 273
292 Position of other conspirators no defence ................................... 273
293 Conspiracy to commit more than one offence ............................. 273
294 Punishment of accessories after the fact ..................................... 274
Part IX Procedure
Division 1 Preliminary proceedings: change of place of
trial: no true bill
295 Jurisdiction................................................................................... 274
297 Change of place of trial ................................................................ 274
297A No true bill ................................................................................... 275
Division 2 Indictments
298 Nature of indictments................................................................... 275
299 Altering charges after committal .................................................. 275
300 Ex officio information ................................................................... 276
301 Arrest of person charged in ex officio information........................ 276
302 Nolle prosequi.............................................................................. 276
303 General rule as to indictments ..................................................... 276
304 Commencement of indictment ..................................................... 276
305 Form of indictment ....................................................................... 276
306 Description of property ................................................................ 277
307 Description of persons ................................................................. 277
308 Circumstances in which more than one person may be
charged in the same indictment ................................................... 277
309 Circumstances in which more than one charge may be joined
against the one person ................................................................ 278
310 Circumstances where more than one offence may be charged
as one offence ............................................................................. 278
311 Formal defect............................................................................... 278
312 Order for amendment of indictment ............................................. 279
313 Particulars .................................................................................... 279
314 Application to complaints if charge heard and determined
summarily .................................................................................... 279
Division 3 Effect of indictment: alternative verdicts
315 Offences involving circumstances of aggravation ........................ 279
316 Indictment containing count of murder or manslaughter .............. 280
-- 20 of 398 --
Criminal Code Act 1983 xxi
317 Charge of homicide of child ......................................................... 280
318 Charge of offence against the person where section 31 or
intoxication is a defence .............................................................. 280
320 Charge of causing event, &c........................................................ 280
321 Charge of property offence .......................................................... 281
322 Charge of theft and criminal deception ........................................ 281
323 Charge of theft or receiving ......................................................... 281
324 Charge of counselling or procuring commission of an offence .... 281
325 Finding of guilt for attempt to commit offence, &c. ....................... 281
326 When evidence shows offence of similar nature.......................... 282
327 Charge of corrupt practices at elections ...................................... 283
328 Charge of theft of animal ............................................................. 283
329 Charge of joint receiving .............................................................. 283
330 Court to determine availability of alternative charge .................... 283
Division 4 Alibi, expert evidence, trial adjournment, pleas
and practice
331 Notice of alibi ............................................................................... 283
331A Notice of expert evidence ............................................................ 284
331B Examination if expert psychiatric or medical evidence to be
adduced ....................................................................................... 286
332 Right to be tried ........................................................................... 286
333 Accelerating trial of persons not under committal ........................ 287
334 Adjournment of trial ..................................................................... 287
335 Enlargement of notices to witnesses ........................................... 288
336 Accused person to be called upon to plead to indictment ............ 288
337 Presence in court and plea where accused is a corporation ....... 288
338 Delivery of copy of indictment ...................................................... 289
339 Motion to quash indictment .......................................................... 290
340 Misnomer ..................................................................................... 290
341 Separate trials where 2 or more charges against the same
person ......................................................................................... 290
341A Presumption of joint trial of sexual offences ................................ 291
341B Presumption of joint trial of domestic violence offences .............. 291
342 Pleas ........................................................................................... 291
343 Defence of truth of defamatory matter to be specially pleaded .... 292
344 Persons committed for sentence ................................................. 292
345 Standing mute ............................................................................. 293
346 Plea of autrefois convict, &c. ....................................................... 293
347 Trial on plea of autrefois convict, &c., royal pardon or to the
jurisdiction.................................................................................... 293
348 Trial by jury .................................................................................. 293
348A Procedure where accused pleads not guilty and crown
adduces no evidence ................................................................... 293
349 Demurrer ..................................................................................... 294
350 Separate trials ............................................................................. 294
351 Juries ........................................................................................... 294
-- 21 of 398 --
Criminal Code Act 1983 xxii
351A Details of jury panel to be given to accused ................................ 295
352 Accused person to be informed of his right of challenge ............. 295
353 Challenge to array ....................................................................... 295
354 Challenges to individual jurors for cause ..................................... 295
355 Time for challenging .................................................................... 295
356 Ascertainment of facts as to challenge ........................................ 296
358 Jurors to take oath and be informed of charge ............................ 296
359 Discharge of juror by court........................................................... 296
360 Defence by accused person ........................................................ 296
361 Presence of accused ................................................................... 296
362 Evidence in defence .................................................................... 297
363 Speeches and their order ............................................................ 297
364 Summing up ................................................................................ 298
365 Jury not to separate ..................................................................... 298
366 Confinement of jury ..................................................................... 299
367 View ............................................................................................. 299
368 Majority verdict ............................................................................ 299
369 Special verdict ............................................................................. 300
370 General verdict on charge of defamation ..................................... 300
371 Discharge of jury.......................................................................... 300
372 Incapacity of Judge...................................................................... 300
373 Incapacity of juror ........................................................................ 301
374 Verdict on Sunday ....................................................................... 302
375 Further pleas ............................................................................... 302
Division 5 Evidence: admissions of fact
376 Evidence on trials for perjury ....................................................... 302
378 Evidence of authority ................................................................... 302
379 Admissions .................................................................................. 302
380 Failure to make admission may, in certain circumstances, be
taken into account when passing sentence ................................. 303
Division 6 Verdict: judgment
381 Discharge of persons acquitted ................................................... 303
383 Acquittal on ground of intoxication ............................................... 303
384 Finding of guilt of property offence with respect to some only
of property in indictment .............................................................. 304
385 Finding of guilt of theft or receiving .............................................. 304
387 Arrest of judgment ....................................................................... 304
Division 7 Hearing summarily-triable offence with
indictable offence
388 Definition...................................................................................... 304
389 Supreme Court may hear and determine summarily-triable
offence with indictable offence..................................................... 305
390 Transmission of charge of summarily-triable offence .................. 305
-- 22 of 398 --
Criminal Code Act 1983 xxiii
391 Remission of charge to Local Court............................................. 306
Part X Punishment: appeal: miscellaneous
matters
Division 2 Appeal: pardon
406 Interpretation ............................................................................... 307
407 Court of Criminal Appeal ............................................................. 308
408 Reservation of points of law......................................................... 308
409 Appeal from arrest of judgment ................................................... 309
410 Right of appeal ............................................................................ 309
411 Determination of appeal in ordinary cases .................................. 309
412 Powers of Court in special cases................................................. 310
412A Powers of Court in relation to mental impairment ........................ 310
413 Power to grant new trial ............................................................... 311
414 Appeal and reference by Crown Law Officer ............................... 311
415 Revesting and restitution of property on finding of guilt ............... 312
416 Suspension of order with respect to driver's licence .................... 313
417 Time for appealing ....................................................................... 313
418 Judge's report may be furnished on appeal ................................. 313
419 Supplemental powers .................................................................. 313
420 Presence of appellant .................................................................. 314
421 Presence of respondent who is in custody when appeal
brought by Crown Law Officer ..................................................... 314
422 Appellant or respondent may be sentenced in his absence ........ 315
423 Written argument ......................................................................... 315
424 Costs of appeal............................................................................ 315
425 Admission of appellant to bail and custody when attending
Court ............................................................................................ 315
426 Duties of Registrar ....................................................................... 316
427 Documents, exhibits, &c. ............................................................. 317
428 Record of trial .............................................................................. 317
429 Powers exercisable by a Judge ................................................... 317
430 Appeals from the decision of the Court ........................................ 318
431 Pardoning power preserved......................................................... 318
432 Conditional remission of sentence by Administrator .................... 319
433 Effect of pardon ........................................................................... 319
433A Reference by Attorney-General of certain findings of guilt .......... 319
Division 3 Miscellaneous provisions
435 Court may direct certain persons to be prosecuted for perjury .... 320
435A Offences not to attract legal disability except under an Act ......... 321
436 Saving of civil remedies ............................................................... 321
437 No court fees in criminal cases .................................................... 321
438 Copies of depositions to be allowed to persons committed for
trial ............................................................................................... 321
439 Inspection of depositions at trial .................................................. 321
-- 23 of 398 --
Criminal Code Act 1983 xxiv
440 Standard of proof ......................................................................... 322
441 Arrest without warrant .................................................................. 322
442 Arrest on reasonable grounds not to be taken to be unlawful ...... 323
443 Arrest on board aircraft ................................................................ 323
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 1 Criminal Code Amendment (Criminal
Responsibility Reform) Act 2005
444 Application of Code to pre-commencement offences .................. 324
Division 2 Criminal Code Amendment (Expert Evidence)
Act 2009
445 Application ................................................................................... 324
Division 3 Criminal Code Amendment (Mental
Impairment and Unfitness for Trial) Act 2010
446 Application to pending matters .................................................... 324
Division 4 Criminal Code Amendment (Female Genital
Mutilation) Act 2013
447 Application of section 186C ......................................................... 325
Division 5 Criminal Code Amendment (Psychiatric or
Medical Evidence) Act 2014
448 Application of section 331B ......................................................... 325
Division 6 Criminal Code Amendment (Hit and Run) Act
2014
449 Application of amendments ......................................................... 325
Division 7 Criminal Code Amendment (Child Abuse
Material) Act 2014
450 Application of section 125B ......................................................... 326
Division 8 Justice and Other Legislation Amendment
Act 2014
451 Application of section 389 ............................................................ 326
-- 24 of 398 --
Criminal Code Act 1983 xxv
Division 9 Criminal Code Amendment (Presumption of
Joint Trials) Act 2014
452 Application of presumption .......................................................... 326
Division 10 Criminal Code Amendment (Remission for
Resentencing) Act 2015
453 Application of section 411(4) ....................................................... 327
Division 11 Statute Law Amendment (Directors' Liability)
Act 2015
454 Offences – before and after commencement............................... 327
Division 12 Independent Commissioner Against
Corruption (Consequential and Related
Amendments) Act 2018
455 Definitions .................................................................................... 328
456 Application of sections 76 to 78, 80 and 81 as inserted by
amending Act............................................................................... 328
457 Application of section 79 as inserted by amending Act................ 328
Division 13 Criminal Code Amendment Act 2019
458 Definitions .................................................................................... 328
459 Application of section 189A ......................................................... 329
460 Application of section 316 ............................................................ 329
Division 14 Criminal Code Further Amendment Act 2019
461 Pre-Code offences....................................................................... 329
Division 15 Criminal Code Amendment Act 2021
462 Application of section 43BGA ...................................................... 330
Division 16 Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment Act
2022
463 Application of section 189A ......................................................... 330
Division 17 Criminal Code Amendment (Property
Offences) Act 2022
464 Application of repealed provisions ............................................... 331
-- 25 of 398 --
Criminal Code Act 1983 xxvi
Division 18 Criminal Code Amendment (Age of Criminal
Responsibility) Act 2022
465 Definitions .................................................................................... 331
466 Application of sections 38 and 43AP ........................................... 332
467 Cessation of proceedings ............................................................ 333
468 Release of child ........................................................................... 333
469 Expungement of charge or conviction ......................................... 333
470 No entitlement to compensation or damages .............................. 335
471 Prior lawful acts not affected........................................................ 336
472 Application of sections 38A and 43AQ ........................................ 336
474 Immunity from civil and criminal liability ....................................... 336
Division 19 Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment
(Sexual Offences) Act 2023
475 Offences – before and after commencement............................... 336
Division 20 Justice Legislation Amendment (Domestic
and Family Violence) Act 2023
476 Definitions .................................................................................... 337
477 Application of amendment to section 188 .................................... 337
478 Application of presumption .......................................................... 338
Division 21 Criminal Code Amendment Act 2024
479 Definition...................................................................................... 338
480 Application of sections 38 and 43AP ........................................... 338
481 Application of sections 38A and 43AQ ........................................ 338
Schedule 1 Provisions of Code to which Part IIAA
applies
Schedule II
ENDNOTES
-- 26 of 398 --
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
____________________
As in force at 3 November 2025
____________________
CRIMINAL CODE ACT 1983
An Act to establish a Code of criminal law
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Criminal Code Act 1983.
2 Commencement
(1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act shall come into operation on a
date to be fixed by the Administrator by notice in the Gazette.
(2) Sections 406 to and including 431 of the Code shall not come into
operation on the date fixed under subsection (1) unless the notice
fixing that date expressly provides that those sections shall so
come into operation, but the Administrator may, by a subsequent
notice in the Gazette, fix the date on which those sections should
come into operation and they shall come into operation accordingly.
3 Repeal
(1) Each Act of the State of South Australia specified in Part 1 of
Schedule II is, in its application to the Territory, repealed.
(2) The Acts specified in Part 2 of Schedule II are repealed.
4 Interpretation
(1) In this Act, the Code means the Code of criminal law contained in
Schedule I.
(2) For the purposes of the Interpretation Act 1978, the Code shall be
construed as if it were a separate Act.
5 Establishment of Code
On and from the commencement of the respective Parts of the
Code, those Parts shall be the law of the Territory in respect of the
various matters therein dealt with.
-- 27 of 398 --
Criminal Code Act 1983 2
6 Liability to trial
(1) Subject to section 12 of the Interpretation Act 1978, no person is
liable to be tried or punished in the Territory in respect of a matter
dealt with in the Code except in accordance with the Code or
another law of the Territory.
(2) Where an offender is punishable under the Code or another law of
the Territory, a person may be prosecuted and found guilty either
under the Code or that other law.
7 Civil remedies
(1) Where an act is declared by the Code to be lawful, no action shall
be brought in respect of that act.
(2) Subject to subsection (1):
(a) this Act does not affect a right of action that a person would
have had against another person if this Act had not been
passed; and
(b) no omission from the Code of a penal provision in respect of
an act or omission that before the commencement of this Act
constituted an actionable wrong affects a right of action in
respect of that act or omission.
8 Contempt of Court
(1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act or the Code does not affect the
authority of a court of record to punish a person summarily for the
offence commonly known as Contempt of Court.
(2) A person shall not be punished under subsection (1) and under the
Code for the same act or omission.
-- 28 of 398 --
Part I Introductory matters
Division 1 Definitions: Commission of offence: division of offences: attempts
Criminal Code Act 1983 3
Schedule I Criminal Code of the Northern Territory of
Australia
section 4
Part I Introductory matters
Division 1 Definitions: Commission of offence: division of
offences: attempts
1 Definitions
In this Code:
abnormality of mind means abnormality of mind arising from a
condition of arrested or retarded development of mind or inherent
causes or induced by disease, illness or injury.
act, in relation to an accused person, means the deed alleged to
have been done by him. it is not limited to bodily movement and it
includes the deed of another caused, induced or adopted by him or
done pursuant to a common intention.
act of piracy, for Part III, Division 6, see section 72A.
adult means a person of or over the age of 18 years.
agent, for Part VII, Division 5, see section 236E.
aggravated offence:
(a) for Part VI – see section 149B; or
(b) for Part VIA – see section 208G.
agreement about conduct that corrupts a wagering outcome of
an event or contingency, for Part VII, Division 5A, see
section 237A.
aircraft includes hovercraft.
alters includes adds to.
application of force and like terms include striking, touching,
moving and the application of heat, light, noise, electrical or other
energy, gas, odour or any other substance or thing if applied to
such a degree as to cause injury or personal discomfort.
-- 29 of 398 --
Part I Introductory matters
Division 1 Definitions: Commission of offence: division of offences: attempts
Criminal Code Act 1983 4
appropriates, for Part VI, Division 5A, see section 193A(1).
appropriation, for Part VII, Division 1, see section 212.
article, for Part VIA, see section 208G.
belongs:
(a) in relation to property:
(i) for Part VII, Division 1 – see section 211; or
(ii) for Part VII, Division 2 – see section 228AC; or
(b) for Part VII, Division 6 – see section 239.
benefit:
(a) for Part IV – see section 75B; or
(b) for Part VII, Division 5 – see section 236E.
birth, see section 1C.
building means any structure complete or otherwise, not being a
flimsy or insubstantial structure by the standards of the community
to which the owner or occupier of it belongs, that, except in the
3 cases hereinafter mentioned, is not readily moveable and that is
used or intended for the occupation of man or his animals or the
storage or shelter of his goods. it includes a caravan, ship and an
erected tent used or intended for any such purpose.
cause a financial disadvantage, for Part VII, Division 5A, see
section 237E(2).
causes, for Part VII, Division 6, see section 240.
causing a financial disadvantage, for Part VII, Division 5A, see
section 237D(2).
child means a person who is not an adult.
circumstance of aggravation means any circumstance by reason
of which an offender is liable to a greater punishment than that to
which he would be liable if the offence were committed without the
existence of that circumstance.
close family member, for Part VIA, Division 6, see section 208M.
coercion means physical or mental pressure forcing the person
said to be coerced to do what he would not otherwise do.
-- 30 of 398 --
Part I Introductory matters
Division 1 Definitions: Commission of offence: division of offences: attempts
Criminal Code Act 1983 5
cognitive impairment, for Part VIA, Division 5, see section 208L.
collection does not include a collection made or exhibited for the
purpose of effecting sales or other commercial dealings.
committal for trial includes committal for sentence.
conduct, for Part IIAA and Schedule 1 provisions, has the meaning
in section 43AD(1).
consent:
(a) for Part VI, Division 7A – see section 208AA; or
(b) for Part VIA – see section 208GA.
contingency, for Part VII, Division 5A, see section 237C(2).
correctional services officer, see section 16 of the Correctional
Services Act 2014.
corrupts a wagering outcome of an event or contingency, for
Part VII, Division 5A, see section 237B.
counterfeit token means a token that is not genuine and that is
intended to resemble or pass for a genuine token.
credit means credit in respect of the payment or repayment of
money and also credit in respect of the delivery of goods, the
obtaining of service, the doing of work or the performance of any
other obligation whether legally enforceable or not.
Crown Law Officer means the Attorney-General or the Director of
Public Prosecutions and includes a person authorized under a law
of the Territory to exercise a power or perform a function in the
name of or on behalf of a Crown Law Officer.
custodial correctional facility, see section 11(1)(a) of the
Correctional Services Act 2014.
damage, for Part VII, Division 6, see section 238.
damages includes destroys and, when used in relation to a
document or writing, includes obliterating and rendering it illegible
either in whole or in part.
deal in, for Part VII, Division 2A, see section 228A.
deals with, for Part VII, Division 3, see section 229.
-- 31 of 398 --
Part I Introductory matters
Division 1 Definitions: Commission of offence: division of offences: attempts
Criminal Code Act 1983 6
death means:
(a) the irreversible cessation of all function of a person's brain,
including the brain stem; or
(b) the irreversible cessation of circulation of blood in a person's
body.
deception:
(a) except for Part VII, Division 2:
(i) means intentional deception by word or conduct as to
fact or law and includes a deception as to the present
intention of the person using the deception or another
person; and
(ii) includes an act or thing done or omitted to be done with
the intention of causing the following to make a response
that the person doing or omitting to do the act or thing is
not authorised to cause the computer system or machine
to make:
(A) a computer system;
(B) a machine that is designed to operate by means of
payment or identification; or
(b) for Part VII, Division 2 – see section 228AC.
declared offence means an offence against a law of the Territory
that, under an Act, is declared to be an offence to which Part IIAA
applies.
demand with a menace, for Part VII, Division 2, see
section 228AF.
depriving, for Part VI, Division 5A, see section 193A(1).
dishonesty, for Part IIAA and Schedule 1 provisions, has the
meaning in section 43AGA(1).
distribute, for Part VI, Division 7A, see section 208AA.
duress means a threat to commit upon any person an offence
against the person for which an offender may be sentenced to
imprisonment for 7 years or longer.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 7
dwelling-house means any building or part of a building kept by
the owner or occupier for his residence or the residence of his
family, guests or servants; it is immaterial that from time to time it is
uninhabited.
election means any election held under the authority of any statute
providing for the choice of persons to fill any office or place of a
public character.
emergency worker, for Part VI, Division 5, see section 187(2).
employed in the public service includes employed in an Agency
under the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 1993,
as a police officer or to execute any process of a court of justice.
encouraging, for Part VII, Division 5A, see section 237F.
engage in conduct, for Part IIAA and Schedule 1 provisions, has
the meaning in section 43AD(2).
enters, in relation to a building, includes the entry into the building
of any part of the body of the person said to have entered that
building or any part of an instrument used by him.
event:
(a) except for Part VII, Division 5A, means the result of an act or
omission; or.
(b) for Part VII, Division 5A, see section 237C(1)
evidential burden, for Part IIAA and Schedule 1 provisions, has
the meaning in section 43BT.
explosive substance includes a gaseous substance in such a
state of compression as to be capable of explosion.
false document, for Part VII, Division 7, see section 251.
fault element, for Part IIAA and Schedule 1 provisions, has the
meaning in section 43AH.
fault element of basic intent, for Part IIAA and Schedule 1
provisions, means a fault element of intention for a physical
element that consists only of conduct.
gain:
(a) means:
(i) gain of property; or
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Part I Introductory matters
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Criminal Code Act 1983 8
(ii) gain of services provided free of cost or at less than the
usual cost; and
(b) includes temporary gain and a gain by keeping what one has.
genitals, for Part VIA, see section 208G.
harm has the meaning in section 1A.
have or has in possession includes having under control in any
place, whether for the use or benefit of the person of whom the
term is used or of another person, and although another person has
the actual possession or custody of the thing in question.
historical offence, for Part VIA, see section 208G.
identification documentation, for Part VII, Division 2A, see
section 228A.
identification information, for Part VII, Division 2A, see
section 228A.
image, for Part VI, Division 7A, see section 208AA.
improper, for Part IV, see section 75C.
indecent, for Part VIA, see section 208GB(1).
indictable offence:
(a) see section 3(2); or
(b) for Part VII, Division 3 – see section 229.
intention, for Part IIAA and Schedule 1 provisions, has the
meaning in section 43AI.
intimate image, for Part VI, Division 7A, see section 208AA.
intoxication, for Part IIAA and Schedule 1 provisions, means
intoxication because of the influence of alcohol, a drug or any other
substance.
involuntary intoxication means the person concerned is under the
influence of an intoxicating substance caused by the involuntary
ingestion of it, his honest and reasonable mistake as to the nature
of it, some physical idiosyncrasy of which he was unaware or the
coercion, mistake or deception of another.
Judge means a Supreme Court judge.
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Part I Introductory matters
Division 1 Definitions: Commission of offence: division of offences: attempts
Criminal Code Act 1983 9
judicial proceedings means any proceedings had or taken in or
before a court, tribunal or person in which evidence may be taken
on oath.
knowingly, used in connection with any term denoting doing,
uttering or using, implies knowledge of the character of the thing
done, uttered or used.
knowledge, for Part IIAA and Schedule 1 provisions, has the
meaning in section 43AJ.
law enforcement officer, for Part VI, see section 149B.
legal burden, for Part IIAA and Schedule 1 provisions, has the
meaning in section 43BQ.
local government election means any election held under any law
relating to local government.
loss means loss of property and includes a loss by not getting what
one might get as well as a loss by parting with what one has.
married, for Part VIA, see section 208G.
medical treatment includes dental treatment and all forms of
surgery.
menace:
(a) except for Part VII, Division 2, includes a threat of an injury,
accusation or detriment of any kind to be caused or to be
made against any person either by the offender or by any
other person if the demand is not complied with; or
(b) for Part VII, Division 2 – see section 228AD.
money includes an instrument for the payment of money that may
be negotiated by an ADI, coins, cheques and any other orders,
warrants or authorities for the payment of money.
mortgaged goods includes any goods and chattels and any live
animals and their progeny and any crops or produce of the earth,
whether growing or severed, that are subject for the time being to
the provisions of any written instrument by which a valid charge or
lien is created upon them by way of security for any debt or
obligation.
negligent, for Part IIAA and Schedule 1 provisions, has the
meaning in section 43AL.
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Division 1 Definitions: Commission of offence: division of offences: attempts
Criminal Code Act 1983 10
night or night-time means the interval between 9 o'clock in the
evening and 6 o'clock in the morning.
obtain:
(a) for Part IV – see section 75A; or
(b) for Part VII, except for sections 228AE and 228AH and
Division 5, includes:
(i) obtain for another person; and
(ii) induce a third person to do something that results in
another person obtaining; or
(c) for section 228AH – see section 228AE; or
(d) for Part VII, Division 5 – see section 236F.
obtaining a financial advantage, for Part VII, Division 5A, see
section 237D(1).
offensive weapon means any article made or adapted to cause
injury or fear of injury to the person or by which the person having it
intends to cause injury or fear of injury to the person.
owner includes any part owner and any person having possession
or control of, or any special property in, the property in question. it
also, as does the term person and other like terms when used with
reference to property, includes the Sovereign and any corporation,
local government council and public body constituted by or under
any statute and any other association of persons capable of owning
property.
part of the body, for Part VIA, see section 208G.
penis, for Part VIA, see section 208G.
person similarly circumstanced does not include a person who is
voluntarily intoxicated.
physical element, for Part IIAA and Schedule 1 provisions, has the
meaning in section 43AE.
pirate, for Part III, Division 6, see section 72.
position of authority, for Part VIA, see section 208GC.
principal, for Part VII, Division 5, see section 236E.
prisoner, see section 6 of the Correctional Services Act 2014.
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Division 1 Definitions: Commission of offence: division of offences: attempts
Criminal Code Act 1983 11
proceeds of crime, for Part VII, Division 3, see section 229.
property:
(a) except for Part VII, Divisions 1 and 6, means every thing,
animate or inanimate, capable of being the subject of
ownership including:
(i) things in action and other intangible property; and
(ii) wild creatures that have been tamed or are ordinarily
kept in captivity and other wild creatures or their
carcasses if they have been reduced into possession
that has not been lost or abandoned or are in the course
of being reduced into possession; or
(b) for Part VII, Division 1 – see section 210; or
(c) for Part VII, Division 6 – see section 238.
property damage offence, for Part VII, Division 6, see section 238.
public duty, for Part VII, Division 7, see section 250.
public officer, see section 4 of the Independent Commissioner
Against Corruption Act 2017.
Public Sector has the same meaning as in the Public Sector
Employment and Management Act 1993.
reckless, for Part IIAA and Schedule 1 provisions, has the meaning
in section 43AK.
riot, see section 63(4).
riotously assembled, see section 63(4).
Schedule 1 offence means an offence against a Schedule 1
provision.
Schedule 1 provision means a provision of this Code specified in
Schedule 1.
self-induced intoxication, for Part IIAA, has the meaning in
section 43AR.
senior rank, for Part VIA, see section 208G.
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Division 1 Definitions: Commission of offence: division of offences: attempts
Criminal Code Act 1983 12
serious harm means any harm (including the cumulative effect of
more than one harm):
(a) that endangers, or is likely to endanger, a person's life; or
(b) that is or is likely to be significant and longstanding.
services, for Part VII, Division 1, see section 209.
sexual intercourse, for Part VIA, see section 208G.
sexually involved with, in relation to an animal, see
section 208GD.
ship means every kind of vessel used in navigation not propelled
by oars.
special liability provision means a provision providing that:
(a) absolute liability applies to one or more (but not all) of the
physical elements of an offence; or
(b) in a prosecution for an offence, it is not necessary to prove
that the defendant knew something; or
(c) in a prosecution for an offence, it is not necessary to prove
that the defendant knew or believed something.
statutory instrument means subordinate legislation made
pursuant to an Act.
steals, for Part VI, Division 5A, see section 193A(1).
summary offence, see section 3.
supply, for Part VII, Division 1, see section 209.
theft, see section 217(3).
token means a counter, chip or other article that may be used, in
appropriate circumstances, in lieu of money.
touches, for Part VIA, see section 208GE.
trade secret means a secret and unique or distinctly different
formula, process or method, whether it has been perfected or not,
provided it has been recorded by some means and has commercial
value.
trial includes proceedings upon a plea of guilty.
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Division 1 Definitions: Commission of offence: division of offences: attempts
Criminal Code Act 1983 13
uncorroborated testimony means testimony that is not
corroborated in some material particular by other evidence
implicating the accused person.
unlawful or unlawfully means without authorization, justification or
excuse.
unnecessary force means force that the user of such force knows
is unnecessary for and disproportionate to the occasion or that an
ordinary person, similarly circumstanced to the person using such
force, would regard as unnecessary for and disproportionate to the
occasion.
utter means using or dealing with, attempting to use or deal with or
attempting to induce any person to use, deal with or act upon, the
thing in question.
valuable security means a document that is the property of any
person and that is evidence of the ownership of property or of the
right to recover or receive property.
vessel means every kind of vessel used in navigation.
victim, for Part VII, Division 2A, see section 228A.
wagering, for Part VII, Division 5, see section 9 of the Racing and
Wagering Act 2024.
writing includes:
(a) a seal, mark and sign that is capable of conveying meaning;
and
(b) data held in electronic form that is capable of being
transformed into a document.
wrongful act and like terms mean an act that is wrong by the
ordinary standards of the community. a lawful act may be a
wrongful act, but any act expressly declared to be lawful cannot be
a wrongful act.
Note for section 1
The Interpretation Act 1978 contains definitions and other provisions that may be
relevant to this Act.
1A Harm
(1) Harm is physical harm or harm to a person's mental health, whether
temporary or permanent.
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Division 1 Definitions: Commission of offence: division of offences: attempts
Criminal Code Act 1983 14
(2) Physical harm includes unconsciousness, pain, disfigurement,
infection with a disease and any physical contact with a person that
a person might reasonably object to in the circumstances, whether
or not the person was aware of it at the time.
(3) Harm to a person's mental health includes significant psychological
harm, but does not include mere ordinary emotional reactions such
as those of only distress, grief, fear or anger.
(4) Harm does not include being subjected to any force or impact that
is within the limits of what is acceptable as incidental to social
interaction or to life in the community.
1B Person against whom offence may be committed
A person against whom an offence may be committed under this
Code is a person who has been born and who has not already died.
1C Birth
(1) A person's birth occurs at the time the person is fully removed from
the mother's body and has an independent existence from the
mother.
(2) The following are relevant, but not determinative, as to whether a
person has been born:
(a) the person is breathing;
(b) the person's organs are functioning of their own accord;
(c) the person has an independent circulation of blood.
2 Commission of offence
For the purposes of this Part, an offence is committed when a
person who possesses any mental element that may be prescribed
with respect to that offence does, makes or causes the act,
omission or event, or the series or combination of the same,
constituting the offence in circumstances where the act, omission or
event, or each of them, if there is more than one, is not authorized
or justified.
3 Classification of offence
(1) Every offence is either an indictable offence or a summary offence.
(2) An offence is an indictable offence if:
(a) an Act states that the offence is an indictable offence; or
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Part I Introductory matters
Division 2 Presumptions
Criminal Code Act 1983 15
(b) subject to subsection (3)(a), the penalty that may be imposed
on an individual for the offence includes imprisonment for a
period of more than 2 years.
(3) An offence is a summary offence if:
(a) an Act states that:
(i) the offence is a summary offence; or
(ii) the offence is not an indictable offence; or
(iii) a charge of the offence must be heard and determined
summarily; or
(b) the offence is not an indictable offence.
4 Attempts to commit offences
(1) When a person, intending to commit an offence, begins to put his
intention into execution by means adapted to its fulfilment and
manifests his intention by some overt act, but does not fulfil his
intention to such an extent as to commit the offence, he is said to
attempt to commit the offence.
(2) It is immaterial, except so far as regards punishment, whether the
offender does all that is necessary on his part for completing the
commission of the offence, or whether the complete fulfilment of his
intention is prevented by circumstances independent of his will, or
whether he desists of his own motion from the further prosecution
of his intention.
(3) It is immaterial that, by reason of circumstances not known to the
offender, it is impossible in fact to commit the offence.
(4) The same facts may constitute one offence and an attempt to
commit another offence.
Division 2 Presumptions
5 Innocence
Every accused person is presumed to be innocent until the contrary
is proved.
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Part I Introductory matters
Division 2 Presumptions
Criminal Code Act 1983 16
7 Intoxication
(1) In all cases where intoxication may be regarded for the purposes of
determining whether a person is guilty or not guilty of an offence:
(a) it shall be presumed that, until the contrary is proved, the
intoxication was voluntary; and
(b) unless the intoxication was involuntary, it shall be presumed
evidentially that the accused person foresaw the natural and
probable consequences of his conduct.
(2) It is hereby declared that the amendment effected by subsection (1)
applies to and in relation to all proceedings before a court in respect
of an offence committed on or after 1 January 1984, in which the
question of guilt has not been determined before that court before
the commencement of this Act, as if the amendment came into
operation on 1 January 1984.
8 Offences committed in prosecution of common purpose
(1) When 2 or more persons form a common intention to prosecute an
unlawful purpose in conjunction with one another and in the
prosecution of such purpose an offence is committed by one or
some of them, the other or each of the others is presumed to have
aided or procured the perpetrator or perpetrators of the offence to
commit the offence unless he proves he did not foresee the
commission of that offence was a possible consequence of
prosecuting that unlawful purpose.
(2) Two or more persons form a common intention to prosecute an
unlawful purpose in conjunction with one another when they agree
to engage in or concur in engaging in any conduct that, if engaged
in, would involve them or some or one of them in the commission of
an offence or a tort.
9 Mode of execution different from that counselled
When a person counsels another to commit an offence and an
offence is committed by the person to whom the counsel is given
and because of it, but the offence committed is different from the
one counselled or is committed in a different way from the way
counselled, the person giving such counsel is presumed to have
counselled the offence committed unless he proves the conduct
giving rise to the offence committed was not foreseen by him as a
possible consequence of giving such counsel.
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Part I Introductory matters
Division 3 Parties to offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 17
10 Death or serious harm caused in the course of violence of 2 or
more persons
When a person dies or is found to be dead or to have suffered
serious harm after 2 or more persons have used violence against
him or his person and it is proved that the death or serious harm
was caused as the result or in the course of that violence, but the
evidence of the prosecution does not establish by whom it was
caused, each of them is presumed either to have caused or aided
the other or others to cause the death or serious harm until the
contrary is proved if the violence used by him was of such a nature
that it was likely to have caused, in the case of death, death or
serious harm or, in the case of serious harm, serious harm.
11 Power to impose domestic discipline
A person who may justifiably apply force to a child for the purposes
of discipline, management or control may delegate that power
either expressly or by implication to another person who has the
custody or control of the child either temporarily or permanently
and, where that other person is a school teacher of the child, it shall
be presumed that the power has been delegated unless it is
expressly withheld.
Division 3 Parties to offences
12 Abettors and accessories before the fact
(1) When an offence is committed, the following persons also are
deemed to have taken part in committing the offence and may be
charged with actually committing it:
(a) every person who aids another in committing the offence;
(b) every person who does or omits to do any act for the purpose
of enabling or aiding another to commit the offence; and
(c) every person who counsels or procures another to commit the
offence.
(2) A person who counsels or procures another to commit an offence
may be charged with committing the offence or counselling or
procuring its commission.
(3) A finding of guilt of counselling or procuring the commission of an
offence entails the same consequences in all respects as a finding
of guilt of committing the offence.
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Part I Introductory matters
Division 4 Application of criminal law
Criminal Code Act 1983 18
13 Accessories after the fact
(1) A person who receives or assists another who, to his knowledge,
has committed an offence in order to enable him to escape
prosecution becomes an accessory after the fact to the offence.
(2) The rule of law under which a wife cannot be an accessory after the
fact to an offence committed by her husband is abolished.
Division 4 Application of criminal law
14 Effect of changes in law
(1) A person cannot be found guilty of an offence unless the conduct
impugned would have constituted an offence under the law in force
when it occurred; nor unless that conduct also constitutes an
offence under the law in force when he is proceeded against for
that conduct.
(2) If the law in force when the conduct impugned occurred differs from
that in force at the time of the finding of guilt, the offender cannot be
punished to any greater extent than was authorized by the former
law or to any greater extent than is authorized by the latter law.
15 Application of criminal laws
If a person is guilty of the conduct proscribed by any offence it is
immaterial that that conduct or some part of it did not occur in the
Territory if that conduct affected or was intended to affect the
peace, order or good government of the Territory.
16 Offences counselled or procured in the Territory to be
committed out of the Territory
(1) Any person who, in the Territory, counsels or procures another to
commit, at a place not in the Territory, an offence of such a nature
that the conduct giving rise to it is also an offence in the Territory
and that offence is in fact committed, is guilty of an offence of the
same kind and, subject to subsection (2), is liable to the same
punishment as if he had counselled or procured that other person to
engage in that conduct in the Territory and he had done so.
(2) A person found guilty under subsection (1) is not liable to greater
punishment than that to which the person who actually committed
the offence was liable under the law in force in the place where the
offence was committed.
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Division 5 Effect of previous finding of guilt or acquittal
Criminal Code Act 1983 19
(3) A prosecution cannot be instituted under subsection (1) except at
the request of the government of the state having jurisdiction in the
place where the offence so counselled or procured was committed.
Division 5 Effect of previous finding of guilt or acquittal
17 Definitions
In this Division:
similar offence means an offence in which the conduct therein
impugned is substantially the same as or includes the conduct
impugned in the offence to which it is said to be similar.
18 Defence of previous finding of guilt or acquittal
Subject to sections 19 and 20, it is a defence to a charge of any
offence to show that the accused person has already been found
guilty or acquitted of:
(a) the same offence;
(b) a similar offence;
(c) an offence of which he might be found guilty upon the trial of
the offence charged; or
(d) an offence upon the trial of which he could have been found
guilty of the offence charged.
19 Limitation of defence in relation to certain offences
Where the act or omission is such that it causes death or serious
harm to another, the accused person may be found guilty of the
offence of which he is guilty by reason of such death or serious
harm notwithstanding that he has already been found guilty of some
other offence constituted by the act or omission.
20 Finding of guilt or acquittal of regulatory offence no defence
Subject to section 21, a finding of guilt for or an acquittal of a
regulatory offence shall not be a defence to a charge another
offence that is not a regulatory offence.
21 Stay of vexatious, &c., proceedings
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Division, a court, in any
proper case, may order that proceedings brought before the court
be stayed on the ground that they are vexatious or harassing and
thereupon they shall be stayed.
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Part II Criminal responsibility
Division 2 Authorization
Criminal Code Act 1983 20
Part II Criminal responsibility
Division 1 General matters
22 Exclusion of regulatory offences
Except for sections 26(1)(c) and (d) (and sections 23 and 24 to the
extent necessary to give effect to section 26(1)(c) and (d)),
30(3) and 38, this Part does not apply to regulatory offences.
23 Effect of authorization, justification or excuse
A person is not guilty of an offence if any act, omission or event
constituting that offence done, made or caused by him was
authorized, justified or excused.
24 Authorization, justification or excuse of event
Any event resulting from an act or omission that was authorized,
justified or excused is, accordingly, authorized, justified or excused.
25 Lawful act, &c., to be authorized or justified and authorized or
justified act to be lawful
An act, omission or event expressly declared to be lawful is either
authorized or justified and an act, omission or event expressly
declared to be authorized or justified is lawful.
Division 2 Authorization
26 Execution of law, &c.
(1) An act, omission or event is authorized if it is done, made or
caused:
(a) in the exercise of a right granted or recognized by law;
(b) in execution of the law or in obedience to, or in conformity
with, the law;
(c) in obedience to the order of a competent authority whom the
person doing, making or causing it is bound by law to obey,
unless the order is manifestly unlawful; or
(d) subject to subsection (3), pursuant to authority, permission or
licence lawfully granted.
(2) Whether an order is or is not manifestly unlawful is a question of
law.
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Part II Criminal responsibility
Division 3 Justification
Criminal Code Act 1983 21
(3) A person cannot authorize or permit another to kill him or, except in
the case of medical treatment, to cause him serious harm.
Division 3 Justification
27 Circumstances in which force not being such force as is likely
to cause death or serious harm is justified
In the circumstances following, the application of force is justified
provided it is not unnecessary force and it is not intended and is not
such as is likely to cause death or serious harm:
(a) to lawfully execute any sentence, process or warrant or make
any arrest;
(b) to prevent a person who is being or who has been lawfully
arrested from escaping or from being rescued;
(c) to prevent the continuance of a breach of the peace or a
renewal of it and to detain any person who is committing or
about to join in or to renew the breach of the peace for such
time as may be reasonably necessary in order to give him into
the custody of a police officer;
(d) to suppress a riot;
(e) to prevent the commission of an offence;
(k) in the case of a person who is entitled by law to the
possession of moveable property, or a person acting by his
authority, and who attempts to take possession of it from a
person who neither claims right to it nor acts by the authority
of a person who claims right to it and the person in possession
resists him, to obtain possession of the property, provided he
does not intentionally do him harm;
(p) in the case of a parent or guardian of a child, or a person in
the place of such parent or guardian, to discipline, manage or
control such child;
(pa) to prevent a person reasonably believed to be attempting to,
or about to, kill himself, from killing himself;
(q) in the case of the person in command of a ship on a voyage or
an aircraft on a flight, or a person acting by his authority, to
maintain good order and discipline on board the ship or
aircraft;
(r) to assist a person to do any of the things aforesaid.
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Part II Criminal responsibility
Division 3 Justification
Criminal Code Act 1983 22
28 Circumstances in which force causing death or serious harm
is justified
In the circumstances following, the application of force that will or is
likely to kill or cause serious harm is justified provided it is not
unnecessary force:
(a) in the case of a police officer when lawfully attempting to
arrest or to assist with the arrest of a person whom he
reasonably believes to be a person who:
(i) unless arrested, may commit an offence punishable with
imprisonment for life;
(ii) has taken flight to avoid arrest; and
(iv) the person has been called upon by the police officer or
another police officer to surrender and has been allowed
a reasonable opportunity to do so;
(b) in the case of a police officer when attempting to prevent the
escape or the rescue of a person from lawful custody whom
he reasonably believes to be a person who, unless kept in
lawful custody, may commit an offence punishable with
imprisonment for life and provided the police officer first calls
upon the person attempting to escape or to rescue to
surrender or to desist and allows him a reasonable opportunity
to do so;
(c) in the case of a correctional officer (as defined in section 4 of
the Correctional Services Act 2014) when attempting to
prevent the escape or the rescue of a person from lawful
custody and provided the officer first calls upon the person
attempting to escape or to rescue to surrender or to desist and
allows him a reasonable opportunity to do so;
(d) in the case of a police officer when attempting to suppress a
riot if all of the following apply:
(i) the officer has orally ordered the immediate dispersal of
persons who are riotously assembled (the rioters) or
has attempted to give that order;
(ii) the officer believes on reasonable grounds that, because
of the rioters' conduct:
(A) someone other than a rioter is in danger of death or
serious harm; or
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Part II Criminal responsibility
Division 3 Justification
Criminal Code Act 1983 23
(B) an offence in relation to property punishable with
imprisonment for life is being committed;
(iii) if it is practicable to do so – the officer attempts to stop
the conduct and gives the rioters a reasonable
opportunity to stop the conduct;
(e) in the case of a police officer, or a person acting by his
authority, when attempting to prevent a person committing or
continuing the commission of an offence of such a nature as
to cause the person using the force reasonable apprehension
that death or serious harm to another will result;
(g) in the case of a person in command of a ship or an aircraft, or
a person acting by his authority or any person on board such
ship or aircraft, when attempting to prevent a person
committing or continuing the commission of an offence of such
a nature as to cause the person using the force reasonable
apprehension that death or serious harm will result.
29 Defensive conduct justified
(1) Defensive conduct is justified and a person who does, makes or
causes an act, omission or event by engaging in defensive conduct
is not criminally responsible for the act, omission or event.
(2) A person engages in defensive conduct only if:
(a) the person believes that the conduct is necessary:
(i) to defend himself or herself or another person;
(ii) to prevent or terminate the unlawful deprivation of his or
her or another person's personal liberty;
(iii) to protect property in the person's possession or control
from unlawful appropriation, destruction, damage or
interference;
(iv) to prevent trespass to land or premises occupied by or in
the control of the person;
(v) to remove a trespasser from land or premises occupied
by or in the control of the person; or
(vi) to assist a person in possession or control of property to
protect that property or to assist a person occupying or
in control of land or premises to prevent trespass to or
remove a trespasser from that land or premises; and
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Part II Criminal responsibility
Division 4 Excuse
Criminal Code Act 1983 24
(b) the conduct is a reasonable response in the circumstances as
the person reasonably perceives them.
(3) A person does not engage in defensive conduct if the conduct
involves the use of force intended to cause death or serious harm:
(a) to protect property; or
(b) to prevent trespass or remove a trespasser.
(4) For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3), a person trespasses if
he or she enters or remains on land or premises:
(a) with intent to commit an offence; or
(b) in circumstances where the entry on to or remaining on the
land or premises constitutes an offence.
(5) A person does not engage in defensive conduct if:
(a) he or she is responding to the lawful conduct of another
person; and
(b) he or she knows that the other person's conduct is lawful.
(6) Nothing in subsection (5) is to be taken to prevent a person from
engaging in defensive conduct in circumstances where the other
person's conduct is lawful merely because he or she would be
excused from criminal responsibility for that conduct.
(7) Sections 31 and 32 do not apply in relation to defensive conduct.
Division 4 Excuse
30 Ignorance of law: bona fide claim of right, &c.
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), ignorance of the law does not
afford an excuse unless knowledge of the law by the offender is
expressly declared to be an element of the offence.
(2) A person is excused from criminal responsibility for an act or
omission done or made with respect to, or for an event caused to,
property in the exercise of an honest claim of right and without
intention to defraud.
(3) A person is excused from criminal responsibility for an act, omission
or event done, made or caused in contravention of a statutory
instrument if, at the time of doing, making or causing it, the statutory
instrument was not known to him and had not been published or
otherwise reasonably made available or known to the public or
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Part II Criminal responsibility
Division 4 Excuse
Criminal Code Act 1983 25
those persons likely to be affected by it.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), published means published in
the Gazette or notified in the Gazette as having been made.
31 Unwilled act etc. and accident
(1) A person is excused from criminal responsibility for an act, omission
or event unless it was intended or foreseen by him as a possible
consequence of his conduct.
(2) A person who does not intend a particular act, omission or event,
but foresees it as a possible consequence of his conduct, and that
particular act, omission or event occurs, is excused from criminal
responsibility for it if, in all the circumstances, including the chance
of it occurring and its nature, an ordinary person similarly
circumstanced and having such foresight would have proceeded
with that conduct.
(3) This section does not apply to an offence against section 155.
32 Mistake of fact
A person who does, makes or causes an act, omission or event
under an honest and reasonable, but mistaken, belief in the
existence of any state of things is not criminally responsible for it to
any greater extent than if the real state of things had been such as
he believed to exist.
33 Sudden and extraordinary emergency
Subject to the express provisions of this Code relating to self-
defence and duress, a person is excused from criminal
responsibility for an act or omission done or made under such
circumstances of sudden and extraordinary emergency that an
ordinary person similarly circumstanced would have acted in the
same or a similar way; and he is excused from criminal
responsibility for an event resulting from such act or omission.
38 Age of criminal responsibility
A child under 10 years of age is not criminally responsible for an
offence.
38A Child 10 years of age or older but under 14 years of age
(1) A child 10 years of age or older but under 14 years of age can only
be criminally responsible for an offence if the child knows that the
child's conduct is wrong.
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Part II Criminal responsibility
Division 4 Excuse
Criminal Code Act 1983 26
(2) The question whether a child knows that the child's conduct is
wrong is one of fact.
(3) The burden of proving that a child knows that the child's conduct is
wrong is on the prosecution.
Note for section 38A
This section and section 43AQ are the same and intended to cover both acts and
omissions.
39 Judicial officers
Except as expressly provided by this Code, a judicial officer is
excused from criminal responsibility for anything done or omitted to
be done by him in the exercise of his judicial functions although the
act done is in excess of his judicial authority or although he is
bound to do the act omitted to be done.
40 Duress
(1) A person is excused from criminal responsibility for an act, omission
or event if it was done, made or caused because of duress
provided:
(a) he believed the person making the threat was in a position to
execute the threat;
(b) he believed there was no other way he could ensure the threat
was not executed;
(c) an ordinary person similarly circumstanced would have acted
in the same or a similar way; and
(d) he reported the threat to a police officer as soon as was
reasonably practicable, unless the nature of the threat was
such that an ordinary person similarly circumstanced would
not have reported that threat.
(2) The excuse referred to in subsection (1) does not extend to an act,
omission or event that would constitute an offence of which serious
harm or an intention to cause such harm is an element; nor to a
person who has rendered himself liable to have such a threat made
to him by having entered into an association or conspiracy that has
as any of its objects the doing of a wrongful act.
43 Damage to property
A person is excused from criminal responsibility for damage caused
to property by the use of such force as was reasonably necessary
for the purpose of defending or protecting himself, or any other
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Division 1 Preliminary matters
Criminal Code Act 1983 27
person, or any property, from injury that he believed, on reasonable
grounds, was imminent, provided an ordinary person similarly
circumstanced would have acted in the same or a similar way.
Part IIAA Criminal responsibility for Schedule 1 offences
and declared offences
Division 1 Preliminary matters
43AA Application of Part
(1) This Part applies only in relation to Schedule 1 offences, and
declared offences, committed on or after the commencement of
the Part.
(2) The following provisions of Part I do not apply in relation to
Schedule 1 offences, or declared offences, committed on or after
the commencement of this Part:
(a) section 1 (Definitions), definitions of act, duress, knowingly
and involuntary intoxication;
(b) section 2 (Commission of offence);
(d) section 4 (Attempts to commit offences);
(e) section 7 (Intoxication);
(f) section 8 (Offences committed in prosecution of common
purpose);
(g) section 9 (Mode of execution different from that counselled);
(ga) section 10 (Death or serious harm caused in the course of
violence of 2 or more persons);
(h) section 12 (Abettors and accessories before the fact);
(i) section 15 (Application of criminal laws);
(j) section 16 (Offences counselled or procured in the Territory to
be committed out of the Territory).
(3) The following provisions of this Code do not apply in relation to
Schedule 1 offences, or declared offences, committed on or after
the commencement of this Part:
(a) Part II (Criminal Responsibility);
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Division 2 Elements of offence
Subdivision 1 General matters
Criminal Code Act 1983 28
(b) section 277 (Attempts to commit offences);
(c) section 278 (Punishment of attempts to commit offences);
(d) section 280 (Attempts to procure commission of criminal
offences);
(e) section 282 (Conspiracy to commit indictable offence).
Note for section 43AA
A term defined in this Part has the meaning given to it for the purposes of this
Part and the Schedule 1 provisions. For example, the meaning given to the term
conduct in section 43AD(1) applies for the purposes of the partial defence of
provocation to a charge of murder (a Schedule 1 offence) – see the signpost
definition of the term in section 1.
Division 2 Elements of offence
Subdivision 1 General matters
43AB Elements
(1) An offence consists of physical elements and fault elements.
(2) However, the law that creates the offence may provide that there is
no fault element for one or more physical elements.
(3) The law that creates the offence may provide different fault
elements for different physical elements.
43AC Establishing guilt of offences
A person must not be found guilty of committing an offence unless
the following is proved:
(a) the existence of the physical elements of the offence that are,
under the law creating the offence, relevant to establishing
guilt;
(b) for each of the physical elements for which a fault element is
required, one of the fault elements for the physical element.
43ACA Law including separate statement about fault elements
(1) This section applies to a provision of a law that:
(a) creates an offence; and
(b) includes a separate statement:
(i) specifying the fault elements of the offence; or
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Division 2 Elements of offence
Subdivision 2 Physical elements
Criminal Code Act 1983 29
(ii) classifying the offence as one of strict liability or absolute
liability (and thus excluding fault elements).
Example
See the statement under the heading "Fault elements" in section 174FA(1).
(2) Part IIAA applies to the offence.
Note
Part IIAA states the general principles of criminal responsibility, establishes
general defences, and deals with burden of proof. It also defines, or elaborates
on, certain concepts commonly used in the creation of offences (for example, see
the extended meaning given to the concept of recklessness in section 43AK(4)).
(3) If the statement identifies certain elements as the fault elements of
the offence:
(a) the fault elements so identified are the only fault elements of
the offence; and
(b) the statement operates to the exclusion of fault elements that
might otherwise be implied under provisions of this Code.
Note
Accordingly fault elements that might otherwise be implied under section 43AM
are excluded by the statement.
(4) If the statement classifies the offence as one of strict liability,
section 43AN(1) applies to the offence.
(5) If the statement classifies the offence as one of absolute liability,
section 43AO(1) applies to the offence.
Subdivision 2 Physical elements
43AD Conduct and engaging in conduct
(1) Conduct is an act, an omission to perform an act or a state of
affairs.
(2) Engage in conduct is to:
(a) perform an act; or
(b) omit to perform an act.
43AE Physical elements
A physical element of an offence may be:
(a) conduct; or
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Division 2 Elements of offence
Subdivision 2 Physical elements
Criminal Code Act 1983 30
(b) a result of conduct; or
(c) a circumstance in which conduct, or a result of conduct,
happens.
43AF Voluntariness
(1) Conduct can only be a physical element if it is voluntary.
(2) Conduct is only voluntary if it is a product of the will of the person
whose conduct it is.
Examples of conduct that is not voluntary
1 A spasm, convulsion or other unwilled bodily movement.
2 An act performed during sleep or unconsciousness.
3 An act performed during impaired consciousness depriving the person of the
will to act.
(3) An omission to perform an act is only voluntary if the act omitted is
an act the person can perform.
(4) If the conduct constituting an offence consists only of a state of
affairs, the state of affairs is only voluntary if it is one over which the
person is capable of exercising control.
(5) Evidence of self-induced intoxication cannot be considered in
determining whether conduct is voluntary.
43AG Omissions
(1) An omission to perform an act can only be a physical element if the
law creating the offence:
(a) makes it a physical element; or
(b) impliedly provides that the offence is committed by an
omission to perform an act that, by law, there is a duty to
perform.
(2) However, an omission to perform an act can be a physical element
of an offence against a Schedule 1 provision if it is a person's
omission to perform any of the duties referred to in Part VI,
Division 1.
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Division 2 Elements of offence
Subdivision 3 Fault elements
Criminal Code Act 1983 31
(3) The fault element for an omission to perform an act referred to in
subsection (2) that causes, or that gives rise to danger of, death or
harm is, if not otherwise specified in the Schedule 1 provision, the
same as the fault element for the result of the omission.
Note for section 43AG(3)
In the absence of subsection (3), the fault element for the conduct consisting of
an omission to perform an act would be intention under the default provision in
section 43AM(1). Generally in relation to Schedule 1 offences, the fault element
for acts that cause etc. death or harm is not specified but the fault element for the
result concerned is specified as either intention, recklessness or negligence.
43AGA Dishonesty
(1) Dishonesty, in relation to conduct, means dishonest according to
the standards of ordinary people.
(2) Absolute liability applies to the physical element of conduct in
subsection (1).
(3) In a prosecution for an offence to which this Part applies,
dishonesty is a matter for the trier of fact.
Subdivision 3 Fault elements
43AH Fault elements
(1) A fault element for a particular physical element may be intention,
knowledge, recklessness or negligence.
(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent the law that creates an offence
from specifying other fault elements for a physical element of the
offence.
43AI Intention
(1) A person has intention in relation to conduct if the person means to
engage in that conduct.
(2) A person has intention in relation to a result if the person means to
bring it about or is aware that it will happen in the ordinary course of
events.
(3) A person has intention in relation to a circumstance if the person
believes that it exists or will exist.
43AJ Knowledge
A person has knowledge of a result or circumstance if the person is
aware that it exists or will exist in the ordinary course of events.
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Division 2 Elements of offence
Subdivision 3 Fault elements
Criminal Code Act 1983 32
43AK Recklessness
(1) A person is reckless in relation to a result if:
(a) the person is aware of a substantial risk that the result will
happen; and
(b) having regard to the circumstances known to the person, it is
unjustifiable to take the risk.
(2) A person is reckless in relation to a circumstance if:
(a) the person is aware of a substantial risk that the circumstance
exists or will exist; and
(b) having regard to the circumstances known to the person, it is
unjustifiable to take the risk.
(3) The question whether taking a risk is unjustifiable is one of fact.
(4) If recklessness is a fault element for a physical element of an
offence, proof of intention, knowledge or recklessness satisfies the
fault element.
43AL Negligence
A person is negligent in relation to a physical element of an offence
if the person's conduct involves:
(a) such a great falling short of the standard of care that a
reasonable person would exercise in the circumstances; and
(b) such a high risk that the physical element exists or will exist,
that the conduct merits criminal punishment for the offence.
43AM Offences that do not provide fault elements
(1) If a law that creates an offence does not provide a fault element for
a physical element that consists only of conduct, intention is the
fault element for the physical element.
(2) If a law that creates an offence does not provide a fault element for
a physical element that consists of a result or circumstance,
recklessness is the fault element for the physical element.
Note for subsection (2)
Under section 43AK(4), recklessness can be established by proving intention,
knowledge or recklessness.
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Division 2 Elements of offence
Subdivision 4 Cases where fault elements are not required
Criminal Code Act 1983 33
Subdivision 4 Cases where fault elements are not required
43AN Strict liability
(1) If a law that creates an offence provides that an offence is an
offence of strict liability:
(a) there are no fault elements for any of the physical elements of
the offence; and
(b) the defence of mistake of fact under section 43AX is available.
(2) If a law that creates an offence provides that strict liability applies to
a particular physical element of an offence:
(a) there are no fault elements for that physical element; and
(b) the defence of mistake of fact under section 43AX is available
in relation to that physical element.
(3) The existence of strict liability does not make any other defence
unavailable.
43AO Absolute liability
(1) If a law that creates an offence provides that an offence is an
offence of absolute liability:
(a) there are no fault elements for any of the physical elements of
the offence; and
(b) the defence of mistake of fact under section 43AX is
unavailable.
(2) If a law that creates an offence provides that absolute liability
applies to a particular physical element of an offence:
(a) there are no fault elements for that physical element; and
(b) the defence of mistake of fact under section 43AX is
unavailable in relation to that physical element.
(3) The existence of absolute liability does not make any other defence
unavailable.
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Division 3 Circumstances in which there is no criminal responsibility
Subdivision 2 Intoxication
Criminal Code Act 1983 34
Division 3 Circumstances in which there is no criminal
responsibility
Subdivision 1 Lack of capacity of children
43AP Age of criminal responsibility
A child under 10 years of age is not criminally responsible for an
offence.
43AQ Child 10 years of age or older but under 14 years of age
(1) A child 10 years of age or older but under 14 years of age can only
be criminally responsible for an offence if the child knows that the
child's conduct is wrong.
(2) The question whether a child knows that the child's conduct is
wrong is one of fact.
(3) The burden of proving that a child knows that the child's conduct is
wrong is on the prosecution.
Subdivision 2 Intoxication
43AR Self-induced intoxication
(1) Intoxication is self-induced unless it came about:
(a) involuntarily; or
(b) as a result of fraud, sudden or extraordinary emergency,
accident, reasonable mistake, duress or force; or
(c) from the use of a drug for which a prescription is required and
that was used in accordance with the directions of the medical
practitioner or dentist who prescribed it; or
(d) from the use of a drug for which no prescription is required
and that was used for a purpose, and in accordance with the
dosage level, recommended by the manufacturer.
(2) However, intoxication is self-induced if a person using a drug as
referred to in subsection (1)(c) or (d) knew, or had reason to
believe, when the person took the drug that the drug would
significantly impair the person's judgment or control.
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Division 3 Circumstances in which there is no criminal responsibility
Subdivision 2 Intoxication
Criminal Code Act 1983 35
43AS Intoxication – offences involving basic intent
(1) Evidence of self-induced intoxication cannot be considered in
determining whether a fault element of basic intent existed.
Note for subsection (1)
A fault element of intention in relation to a result or circumstance is not a fault
element of basic intent.
(2) This section does not prevent evidence of self-induced intoxication
being taken into consideration in determining whether conduct was
accidental.
(3) This section does not prevent evidence of self-induced intoxication
being taken into consideration in determining whether a person had
a mistaken belief about facts if the person had considered whether
or not the facts existed.
(4) A person may be regarded as having considered whether or not
facts existed if:
(a) he or she had considered, on a previous occasion, whether
those facts existed in circumstances surrounding that
occasion; and
(b) he or she honestly and reasonably believed that the
circumstances surrounding the present occasion were the
same, or substantially the same, as those surrounding the
previous occasion.
43AT Intoxication – negligence as fault element
(1) If negligence is a fault element for a particular physical element of
an offence, in determining whether that fault element existed in
relation to a person who is intoxicated, regard must be had to the
standard of a reasonable person who is not intoxicated.
(2) However, if intoxication is not self-induced, regard must be had to
the standard of a reasonable person intoxicated to the same extent
as the person concerned.
43AU Intoxication – relevance to defences
(1) If any part of a defence is based on actual knowledge or belief,
evidence of intoxication may be considered in determining whether
that knowledge or belief existed.
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Division 3 Circumstances in which there is no criminal responsibility
Subdivision 3 Mistake or ignorance
Criminal Code Act 1983 36
(2) However, if:
(a) each physical element of an offence has a fault element of
basic intent; and
(b) any part of a defence is based on actual knowledge or belief,
evidence of self-induced intoxication cannot be considered in
determining whether that knowledge or belief existed.
(3) If any part of a defence is based on reasonable belief, in
determining whether that reasonable belief existed, regard must be
had to the standard of a reasonable person who is not intoxicated.
(4) If a person's intoxication is not self-induced, in determining whether
any part of a defence based on reasonable belief exists, regard
must be had to the standard of a reasonable person intoxicated to
the same extent as the person concerned.
43AV Involuntary intoxication
A person is not criminally responsible for an offence if the person's
conduct constituting the offence was as a result of intoxication that
was not self-induced.
Subdivision 3 Mistake or ignorance
43AW Mistake or ignorance of fact – fault elements other than
negligence
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence that has a
physical element for which there is a fault element other than
negligence if:
(a) at the time of the conduct constituting the physical element,
the person is under a mistaken belief about, or is ignorant of,
facts; and
(b) the existence of that mistaken belief or ignorance negates any
fault element applying to that physical element.
(2) In determining whether a person was under a mistaken belief
about, or was ignorant of, facts, the tribunal of fact may consider
whether the mistaken belief or ignorance was reasonable in the
circumstances.
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Division 3 Circumstances in which there is no criminal responsibility
Subdivision 3 Mistake or ignorance
Criminal Code Act 1983 37
43AX Mistake of fact – strict liability
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence that has a
physical element for which there is no fault element if:
(a) at or before the time of the conduct constituting the physical
element, the person considered whether or not facts existed
and was under a mistaken but reasonable belief about those
facts; and
(b) had those facts existed, the conduct would not have
constituted an offence.
(2) A person may be regarded as having considered whether or not
facts existed if:
(a) he or she had considered, on a previous occasion, whether
those facts existed in the circumstances surrounding that
occasion; and
(b) he or she honestly and reasonably believed that the
circumstances surrounding the present occasion were the
same, or substantially the same, as those surrounding the
previous occasion.
Note for section 43AX
Section 43AO(2) prevents this section applying in situations of absolute liability.
43AY Mistake or ignorance of law
(1) A person can be criminally responsible for an offence even if, at the
time of the conduct constituting the offence, the person is mistaken
about, or ignorant of, the existence or content of a law that creates
the offence.
(2) However, the person is not criminally responsible for the offence if:
(a) the law creating the offence expressly or impliedly provides
that a person is not criminally responsible for the offence in
those circumstances; or
(b) the person's ignorance or mistake negates a fault element
applying to a physical element of the offence.
(3) In addition, if the law creating the offence is a statutory instrument,
the person is not criminally responsible for the offence if, at the time
of the conduct constituting the offence, the statutory instrument:
(a) was not known to the person; and
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Division 3 Circumstances in which there is no criminal responsibility
Subdivision 4 External factors
Criminal Code Act 1983 38
(b) had not been published in the Gazette or otherwise been
made available to persons likely to be affected by it in such a
way that the person would have become aware of its contents
by exercising due diligence.
43AZ Claim of right
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence that has a
physical element relating to property if:
(a) at the time of the conduct constituting the offence, the person
is under a mistaken belief about a proprietary or possessory
right; and
(b) the existence of that right would negate a fault element for any
physical element of the offence.
(2) A person is not criminally responsible for any other offence arising
necessarily out of the exercise of the proprietary or possessory right
that the person mistakenly believes to exist.
(3) This section does not negate criminal responsibility for an offence
relating to the use of force against a person.
Subdivision 4 External factors
43BA Intervening conduct or event
A person is not criminally responsible for an offence that has a
physical element to which absolute liability or strict liability applies
if:
(a) the physical element is brought about by another person over
whom the person has no control or by a non-human act or
event over which the person has no control; and
(b) the person could not reasonably be expected to guard against
the bringing about of that physical element.
43BB Duress
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence if the person
carries out the conduct constituting the offence under duress.
(2) A person carries out conduct under duress only if the person
reasonably believes that:
(a) a threat has been made that will be carried out unless an
offence is committed; and
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Division 3 Circumstances in which there is no criminal responsibility
Subdivision 4 External factors
Criminal Code Act 1983 39
(b) there is no reasonable way that the threat can be rendered
ineffective; and
(c) the conduct is a reasonable response to the threat.
(3) However, the person does not carry out conduct under duress if the
threat is made by or on behalf of a person with whom the person is
voluntarily associating to carry out conduct of the kind actually
carried out.
43BC Sudden or extraordinary emergency
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence if the person
carries out the conduct constituting the offence in response to
circumstances of sudden or extraordinary emergency.
(2) This section applies only if the person carrying out the conduct
reasonably believes that:
(a) circumstances of sudden or extraordinary emergency exist;
and
(b) committing the offence is the only reasonable way to deal with
the emergency; and
(c) the conduct is a reasonable response to the emergency.
43BD Self-defence
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence if the person
carries out the conduct constituting the offence in self-defence.
(2) A person carries out conduct in self-defence only if:
(a) the person believes the conduct is necessary:
(i) to defend himself or herself or another person; or
(ii) to prevent or terminate the unlawful imprisonment of
himself or herself or another person; or
(iii) to protect property from unlawful appropriation,
destruction, damage or interference; or
(iv) to prevent criminal trespass to any land or premises; or
(v) to remove from any land or premises a person who is
committing criminal trespass; and
(b) the conduct is a reasonable response in the circumstances as
he or she perceives them.
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Division 4 Extensions of criminal responsibility
Criminal Code Act 1983 40
(3) However, the person does not carry out conduct in self-defence if:
(a) the person uses force that involves the intentional infliction of
death or serious harm:
(i) to protect property; or
(ii) to prevent criminal trespass; or
(iii) to remove a person who is committing criminal trespass;
or
(b) the person is responding to lawful conduct that the person
knew was lawful.
(4) Conduct is not lawful for subsection (3)(b) merely because the
person carrying it out is not criminally responsible for it.
43BE Lawful authority
A person is not criminally responsible for an offence if the conduct
constituting the offence is justified or excused by or under a law.
Division 4 Extensions of criminal responsibility
43BF Attempt
(1) A person who attempts to commit an offence is guilty of the offence
of attempting to commit that offence and, unless otherwise
provided, is punishable as if the offence attempted had been
committed.
(2) For the person to be guilty, the person's conduct must be more than
merely preparatory to the commission of the offence.
(3) The question whether conduct is more than merely preparatory to
the commission of the offence is one of fact.
(4) For the offence of attempting to commit an offence, intention and
knowledge are fault elements in relation to each physical element of
the offence attempted.
Note for subsection (4)
Under section 43AC, only one of the fault elements of intention or knowledge
would need to be established in relation to each physical element of the offence
attempted.
(5) Subsection (4) has effect subject to subsection (9).
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Division 4 Extensions of criminal responsibility
Criminal Code Act 1983 41
(6) A person may be found guilty even if:
(a) committing the offence attempted is impossible; or
(b) the person actually committed the offence attempted.
(7) A person who is found guilty of attempting to commit an offence
cannot be subsequently charged with the completed offence.
(8) Any defences, procedures, limitations or qualifying provisions that
apply to an offence apply also to the offence of attempting to
commit that offence.
(9) Any special liability provisions that apply to an offence apply also to
the offence of attempting to commit that offence.
(10) It is not an offence to attempt to commit an offence against
section 43BG, 43BGA, 43BH or 43BJ.
43BG Complicity and common purpose
(1) A person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of
an offence by another person is taken to have committed that
offence and is punishable accordingly.
(2) For the person to be guilty:
(a) the person's conduct must have in fact aided, abetted,
counselled or procured the commission of the offence by the
other person; and
(b) the offence must have been committed by the other person.
(3) For the person to be guilty, the person must have intended that:
(a) the person's conduct would aid, abet, counsel or procure the
commission of any offence (including its fault elements) of the
type the other person committed; or
(b) the person's conduct would aid, abet, counsel or procure the
commission of an offence and have been reckless about the
commission of the offence (including its fault elements) that
the other person in fact committed.
(4) Subsection (3) has effect subject to subsection (7).
(5) A person cannot be found guilty of aiding, abetting, counselling or
procuring the commission of an offence if, before the offence was
committed, the person:
(a) terminated the person's involvement; and
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Division 4 Extensions of criminal responsibility
Criminal Code Act 1983 42
(b) took all reasonable steps to prevent the commission of the
offence.
(6) A person may be found guilty of aiding, abetting, counselling or
procuring the commission of an offence even if the other offender
has not been prosecuted or has not been found guilty.
(7) Any defences, procedures, limitations or qualifying provisions that
apply to an offence apply also for the purpose of determining
whether a person commits the offence because of the operation of
this section.
(8) Any special liability provisions that apply to an offence apply also
for the purpose of determining whether a person commits the
offence because of the operation of this section.
(9) If the trier of fact is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that a person
committed an offence because of the operation of this section or
otherwise than because of the operation of this section, but is
unable to determine which, the trier of fact may nevertheless find
the person guilty of the offence.
43BGA Joint commission
(1) A person is taken to have committed an offence if:
(a) the person and at least one other person enter into an
agreement to commit an offence; and
(b) an offence is committed either:
(i) in accordance with the agreement; or
(ii) in the course of carrying out the agreement.
(2) For subsection (1)(b)(i), an offence is committed in accordance
with the agreement if:
(a) the conduct of one or more parties in accordance with the
agreement makes up the physical elements consisting of
conduct of an offence (the joint offence) of the same type as
the offence agreed to; and
(b) to the extent that a physical element of the joint offence
consists of a result of conduct – the result arises from the
conduct engaged in; and
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Division 4 Extensions of criminal responsibility
Criminal Code Act 1983 43
(c) to the extent that a physical element of the joint offence
consists of a circumstance – the conduct engaged in, or a
result of the conduct engaged in, happens in the
circumstance.
(3) For subsection (1)(b)(ii), an offence is committed in the course of
carrying out the agreement if the person is reckless about the
commission of an offence (the joint offence) that another person in
fact commits in the course of carrying out the agreement.
(4) A person commits an offence because of the operation of this
section only if the person and at least one other party to the
agreement intend that an offence will be committed under the
agreement.
(5) An agreement:
(a) may consist of a non-verbal understanding; and
(b) may be entered into before, or at the same time as, the
conduct making up any of the physical elements of the joint
offence was engaged in.
(6) A person cannot be found guilty of an offence because of the
operation of this section if, before the conduct making up any of the
physical elements of the joint offence was engaged in, the person:
(a) terminated the person's involvement; and
(b) took all reasonable steps to prevent the conduct from being
engaged in.
(7) A person may be found guilty of an offence because of the
operation of this section even if:
(a) another party to the agreement is not prosecuted or found
guilty; or
(b) the person was not present when any of the conduct making
up the physical elements of the joint offence was engaged in.
(8) Any defences, procedures, limitations or qualifying provisions that
apply to the joint offence apply also for the purposes of determining
whether a person commits the offence because of the operation of
this section.
(9) Any special liability provisions that apply to the joint offence apply
also for the purposes of determining whether a person commits the
offence because of the operation of this section.
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Part IIAA Criminal responsibility for Schedule 1 offences and declared offences
Division 4 Extensions of criminal responsibility
Criminal Code Act 1983 44
(10) If the trier of fact is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that a person
committed an offence because of the operation of this section or
otherwise than because of the operation of this section, but is
unable to determine which, the trier of fact may nevertheless find
the person guilty of the offence.
43BH Commission by proxy
(1) A person is taken to have committed an offence if:
(a) the person procures someone else to engage in conduct that
(whether or not together with conduct engaged in by the
person) makes up the physical elements of the offence
consisting of conduct; and
(b) any physical element of the offence consisting of a
circumstance exists; and
(c) any physical element of the offence consisting of a result of
the conduct happens; and
(d) when the person procured the other person to engage in the
conduct, the person had the fault element applying to each
physical element of the offence.
(1A) Any defences, procedures, limitations or qualifying provisions that
apply to an offence apply also for the purposes of determining
whether a person commits the offence because of the operation of
this section.
(2) To remove any doubt, if a person is taken to have committed an
offence because of this section, the offence is punishable as if,
apart from the operation of this section, the person had committed
the offence.
43BI Incitement
(1) A person who urges the commission of an offence is guilty of the
offence of incitement.
(2) For the person to be guilty, the person must intend that the offence
incited be committed.
(3) Subsection (2) has effect subject to subsection (6).
(4) A person may be found guilty even if committing the offence incited
is impossible.
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Part IIAA Criminal responsibility for Schedule 1 offences and declared offences
Division 4 Extensions of criminal responsibility
Criminal Code Act 1983 45
(5) Any defences, procedures, limitations or qualifying provisions that
apply to an offence apply also to the offence of incitement in
relation to that offence.
(6) Any special liability provisions that apply to an offence apply also to
the offence of incitement in relation to that offence.
(7) It is not an offence to incite the commission of an offence against
section 43BF, this section or section 43BJ.
Maximum penalty:
(a) if the offence incited is punishable by life imprisonment –
imprisonment for 10 years; or
(b) if the offence incited is punishable by imprisonment for
14 years or more, but is not punishable by life imprisonment –
imprisonment for 7 years; or
(c) if the offence incited is punishable by imprisonment for
10 years or more, but is not punishable by imprisonment for
14 years or more – imprisonment for 5 years; or
(d) if the offence is otherwise punishable by imprisonment –
imprisonment for 3 years or for the maximum term of
imprisonment for the offence incited, whichever is the lesser;
or
(e) if the offence incited is not punishable by imprisonment – the
number of penalty units equal to the maximum number of
penalty units applicable to the offence incited.
43BJ Conspiracy
(1) A person who conspires with another person to commit an offence
punishable by imprisonment for more than 12 months, or by a fine
of 200 penalty units or more, is guilty of the offence of conspiracy to
commit that offence and, unless otherwise provided, is punishable
as if the offence to which the conspiracy relates had been
committed.
(2) For the person to be guilty:
(a) the person must have entered into an agreement with one or
more other persons; and
(b) the person and at least one other party to the agreement must
have intended that an offence would be committed pursuant to
the agreement; and
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Part IIAA Criminal responsibility for Schedule 1 offences and declared offences
Division 4 Extensions of criminal responsibility
Criminal Code Act 1983 46
(c) the person or at least one other party to the agreement must
have committed an overt act pursuant to the agreement.
(3) Subsection (2) has effect subject to subsection (9).
(4) A person may be found guilty of conspiracy to commit an offence
even if:
(a) committing the offence is impossible; or
(b) the only other party to the agreement is a body corporate; or
(c) each other party to the agreement is at least one of the
following:
(i) a person who is not criminally responsible;
(ii) a person for whose benefit or protection the offence
exists; or
(d) subject to subsection (5)(a), all other parties to the agreement
have been acquitted of the conspiracy.
(5) A person cannot be found guilty of conspiracy to commit an offence
if:
(a) all other parties to the agreement have been acquitted of the
conspiracy and a finding of guilt would be inconsistent with
their acquittal; or
(b) he or she is a person for whose benefit or protection the
offence exists.
(6) A person cannot be found guilty of conspiracy to commit an offence
if, before the commission of an overt act pursuant to the agreement,
the person:
(a) withdrew from the agreement; and
(b) took all reasonable steps to prevent the commission of the
offence.
(7) A court may dismiss a charge of conspiracy if it thinks that the
interests of justice require it to do so.
(8) Any defences, procedures, limitations or qualifying provisions that
apply to an offence apply also to the offence of conspiracy to
commit that offence.
(9) Any special liability provisions that apply to an offence apply also to
the offence of conspiracy to commit that offence.
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Part IIAA Criminal responsibility for Schedule 1 offences and declared offences
Division 5 Corporate criminal responsibility
Criminal Code Act 1983 47
(10) Proceedings for an offence of conspiracy must not be commenced
without the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
(11) However, a person may be arrested for, charged with, or remanded
in custody or on bail in connection with, an offence of conspiracy
before the necessary consent has been given.
43BJA References in Acts to offences
(1) A reference in an Act to an offence against an Act (including this
Code) includes a reference to an offence against section 43BF,
43BI or 43BJ that relates to such an offence.
(2) A reference in an Act (including this Code) to a particular offence
includes a reference to an offence against section 43BF, 43BI
or 43BJ that relates to that offence.
(3) Subsection (1) or (2) does not apply if an Act is expressly or
impliedly to the contrary effect.
Note for section 43BJA
Sections 43BG, 43BGA and 43BH operate as extensions of principal offences
and accordingly are not mentioned in this section.
Division 5 Corporate criminal responsibility
43BK General principles
(1) This Code applies to bodies corporate as well as individuals.
(2) This Code applies to bodies corporate in the same way as it applies
to individuals, but subject to the changes made by this Part and any
other changes necessary because criminal liability is being imposed
on a body corporate rather than an individual.
(3) A body corporate may be found guilty of any offence, including one
punishable by imprisonment.
43BL Physical elements
If a physical element of an offence is committed by an employee,
agent or officer of a body corporate acting within the actual or
apparent scope of his or her employment, or within his or her actual
or apparent authority, the physical element must also be attributed
to the body corporate.
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Part IIAA Criminal responsibility for Schedule 1 offences and declared offences
Division 5 Corporate criminal responsibility
Criminal Code Act 1983 48
43BM Fault elements other than negligence
(1) If intention, knowledge or recklessness is a fault element in relation
to a physical element of an offence, that fault element must be
attributed to a body corporate that expressly, tacitly or impliedly
authorised or permitted the commission of the offence.
(2) The ways in which authorisation or permission may be established
include:
(a) proving that the body corporate's board of directors
intentionally, knowingly or recklessly engaged in the relevant
conduct, or expressly, tacitly or impliedly authorised or
permitted the commission of the offence; and
(b) proving that a high managerial agent of the body corporate
intentionally, knowingly or recklessly engaged in the relevant
conduct, or expressly, tacitly or impliedly authorised or
permitted the commission of the offence; and
(c) proving that a corporate culture existed within the body
corporate that directed, encouraged, tolerated or led to
non-compliance with the relevant provision; and
(d) proving that the body corporate failed to create and maintain a
corporate culture that required compliance with the relevant
provision.
(3) Subsection (2)(b) does not apply if the body corporate proves that it
exercised due diligence to prevent the conduct or the authorisation
or permission.
(4) Factors relevant to the application of subsection (2)(c) and (d)
include:
(a) whether authority to commit an offence of the same or a
similar character had been given by a high managerial agent
of the body corporate; and
(b) whether the employee, agent or officer of the body corporate
who committed the offence believed on reasonable grounds,
or entertained a reasonable expectation, that a high
managerial agent of the body corporate would have
authorised or permitted the commission of the offence.
(5) If recklessness is not a fault element in relation to a physical
element of an offence, subsection (2) does not enable the fault
element to be proved by proving that the board of directors, or a
high managerial agent, of the body corporate recklessly engaged in
the conduct or recklessly authorised or permitted the commission of
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Part IIAA Criminal responsibility for Schedule 1 offences and declared offences
Division 5 Corporate criminal responsibility
Criminal Code Act 1983 49
the offence.
(6) In this section:
board of directors means the body (by whatever name called)
exercising the executive authority of the body corporate.
corporate culture, for a body corporate, means an attitude, policy,
rule, course of conduct or practice existing within the body
corporate generally or in the part of the body corporate in which the
relevant conduct happens.
high managerial agent, of a body corporate, means an employee,
agent or officer of the body corporate with duties of such
responsibility that his or her conduct may fairly be assumed to
represent the body corporate's policy.
43BN Negligence
(1) The test of negligence for a body corporate is that set out in
section 43AL.
(2) Subsection (3) applies if:
(a) negligence is a fault element in relation to a physical element
of an offence; and
(b) no individual employee, agent or officer of the body corporate
has that fault element.
(3) The fault element of negligence may exist on the part of the body
corporate if its conduct is negligent when viewed as a whole (that
is, by aggregating the conduct of any number of its employees,
agents or officers).
(4) Negligence may be evidenced by the fact that the prohibited
conduct was substantially attributable to:
(a) inadequate corporate management, control or supervision of
the conduct of one or more of its employees, agents or
officers; or
(b) failure to provide adequate systems for conveying relevant
information to relevant persons in the body corporate.
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Part IIAA Criminal responsibility for Schedule 1 offences and declared offences
Division 6 Proof of criminal responsibility
Criminal Code Act 1983 50
43BO Mistake of fact – strict liability
(1) A body corporate can only rely on section 43AX in relation to
conduct that would, apart from this section, constitute an offence on
its part if:
(a) the employee, agent or officer of the body corporate who
engaged in the conduct was under a mistaken but reasonable
belief about facts that, had they existed, would have meant
that the conduct would not have constituted an offence; and
(b) the body corporate proves that it exercised due diligence to
prevent the conduct.
(2) A failure to exercise due diligence may be evidenced by the fact
that the prohibited conduct was substantially attributable to:
(a) inadequate corporate management, control or supervision of
the conduct of one or more of its employees, agents or
officers; or
(b) failure to provide adequate systems for conveying relevant
information to relevant persons in the body corporate.
43BP Intervening conduct or event
A body corporate cannot rely on section 43BA in relation to a
physical element of an offence brought about by another person if
the other person is an employee, agent or officer of the body
corporate.
Division 6 Proof of criminal responsibility
43BQ Legal burden of proof
The legal burden, in relation to a matter, is the burden of proving
the existence of the matter.
43BR Legal burden of proof – prosecution
(1) The prosecution bears a legal burden of proving every element of
an offence relevant to the guilt of the person charged.
(2) The prosecution also bears a legal burden of disproving any matter
in relation to which the defendant has discharged an evidential
burden of proof.
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Part IIAA Criminal responsibility for Schedule 1 offences and declared offences
Division 6 Proof of criminal responsibility
Criminal Code Act 1983 51
43BS Standard of proof – prosecution
(1) A legal burden of proof on the prosecution must be discharged
beyond reasonable doubt.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if a law specifies a different standard
of proof.
43BT Evidential burden of proof
The evidential burden, in relation to a matter, means the burden of
adducing or pointing to evidence that suggests a reasonable
possibility that the matter exists or does not exist.
43BU Evidential burden of proof – defence
(1) Subject to section 43BV, a burden of proof that a law imposes on a
defendant is an evidential burden only.
(2) A defendant who wishes to deny criminal responsibility by relying
on a provision of Division 3 or Part IIA bears an evidential burden in
relation to that matter.
(3) A defendant who wishes to rely on any exception, exemption,
excuse, qualification or justification provided by the law creating an
offence (whether or not it accompanies the description of the
offence) bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter.
(4) The defendant no longer bears the evidential burden in relation to a
matter if evidence sufficient to discharge the burden is adduced by
the prosecution or by the court.
(5) The question whether an evidential burden has been discharged is
a question of law.
43BV Legal burden of proof – defence
A burden of proof that a law imposes on the defendant is a legal
burden only if the law expressly:
(a) specifies that the burden of proof in relation to the matter in
question is a legal burden; or
(b) requires the defendant to prove the matter; or
(c) creates a presumption that the matter exists unless the
contrary is proved.
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Part IIAA Criminal responsibility for Schedule 1 offences and declared offences
Division 7 Geographical application
Criminal Code Act 1983 52
43BW Standard of proof – defence
A legal burden of proof on the defendant must be discharged on the
balance of probabilities.
43BX Use of averments
A law that allows the prosecution to make an averment does not
allow the prosecution to aver any fault element of an offence.
Division 7 Geographical application
43BY Application and effect of Division
(1) This Division extends the application of a law of the Territory that
creates an offence beyond the territorial limits of the Territory (and
Australia) if the required geographical nexus exists for the offence.
(2) If a law that creates an offence provides for any geographical
consideration for an offence, the provision prevails over any
inconsistent provision of this Division.
Examples for subsection (2)
1 A law creating an offence may provide that the place of commission of the
offence is (explicitly or by necessary implication) an element of the offence.
2 A law creating an offence may provide for its application outside the Territory
and exclude (explicitly or by necessary implication) the requirement for a
geographical nexus between the Territory and an element of the offence.
43BZ Interpretation for Division
(1) For this Division, the required geographical nexus is the
geographical nexus referred to in section 43CA(2).
(2) For this Division, the place where an offence is committed is the
place where any of the physical elements of the offence happen.
(3) For this Division, the place where an offence has an effect includes:
(a) any place whose peace, welfare or good government is
threatened by the offence; and
(b) any place where the offence would have an effect (or would
cause such a threat) if the offence were committed.
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Part IIAA Criminal responsibility for Schedule 1 offences and declared offences
Division 7 Geographical application
Criminal Code Act 1983 53
43CA Extension of offences if required geographical nexus exists
(1) An offence against a law is committed if:
(a) disregarding any geographical considerations, all elements of
the offence exist; and
(b) a geographical nexus exists between the Territory and the
offence.
(2) A geographical nexus exists between the Territory and an offence
if:
(a) the offence is committed completely or partly in the Territory,
whether or not the offence has any effect in the Territory; or
(b) the offence is committed completely outside the Territory
(whether or not outside Australia) but has an effect in the
Territory.
43CB Geographical application – double criminality
(1) This Division applies to an offence committed partly in the Territory
and partly in a place outside the Territory (whether or not outside
Australia), even if it is not also an offence in that place.
(2) This Division applies to an offence committed completely outside
the Territory (whether or not outside Australia) only if:
(a) it is also an offence in the place where it is committed; or
(b) it is not also an offence in that place, but the tribunal of fact is
satisfied the offence is such a threat to the peace, welfare or
good government of the Territory that it justifies criminal
punishment in the Territory.
43CC Geographical application – procedure
(1) The required geographical nexus is conclusively presumed for an
offence unless rebutted under subsection (2) or (4).
(2) If a person charged with an offence disputes the existence of the
required geographical nexus for the offence, the following
provisions apply:
(a) the court must proceed with the trial of the offence in the usual
way;
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Part IIAA Criminal responsibility for Schedule 1 offences and declared offences
Division 7 Geographical application
Criminal Code Act 1983 54
(b) if, at the end of the trial, the tribunal of fact is satisfied on the
balance of probabilities that the required geographical nexus
does not exist, it must make or return a finding to that effect,
and the court must dismiss the charge;
(c) however, if, disregarding any geographical considerations, the
tribunal of fact would find the person not guilty of the offence
(other than because of mental impairment), it must make or
return a verdict of not guilty;
(d) also, if, disregarding any geographical considerations, the
tribunal of fact would find the person not guilty of the offence
only because of mental impairment, it must make or return a
verdict that the person is not guilty of the offence because of
mental impairment.
(3) This section applies to any alternative verdict available by law to the
tribunal of fact in relation to another offence with which the person
was not charged.
(4) The tribunal of fact may make or return a finding of guilty in relation
to the other offence (referred to in subsection (3)) unless satisfied
on the balance of probabilities the required geographical nexus
does not exist for the other offence.
(5) If the issue of whether the required geographical nexus exists for an
offence is raised before the trial, the issue must be reserved for
consideration at the trial.
43CD Geographical application – suspicion etc. that offence
committed
(1) This section applies if a person may exercise a power or perform a
function under a law on reasonable suspicion or belief that an
offence has been committed.
(2) The person may exercise the power or perform the function if the
person suspects or believes, as the case requires, on reasonable
grounds that all the elements required for the offence exist.
(3) Subsection (2) applies whether or not the person suspects or
believes, or has any ground to suspect or believe, that the required
geographical nexus exists for the offence.
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Part IIA Mental impairment and unfitness to be tried
Division 1 Preliminary
Criminal Code Act 1983 55
Part IIA Mental impairment and unfitness to be tried
Division 1 Preliminary
43A Definitions
In this Part:
appropriate person means:
(a) in relation to an accused person or supervised person who is
detained or in custody in, or receives treatment, services or
assistance in, at or from, an approved treatment facility or an
approved temporary treatment facility within the meaning of
the Mental Health and Related Services Act 1998 – the CEO
(Health);
(b) in relation to an accused person or supervised person who is
detained or in custody in, or receives treatment, services or
assistance in, at or from, a prescribed person, organisation or
facility or a person, organisation or facility who or which is a
member of a class of prescribed persons, organisations or
facilities – the CEO (Health);
(c) in relation to a person who is a represented adult as defined in
section 3 of the Guardianship of Adults Act 2016 – the CEO
(Health); or
(d) in relation to a person who is held in custody in a custodial
correctional facility or is under the supervision of a probation
and parole officer under the Parole Act 1971 – the chief
executive officer of the Agency administering that Act.
CEO (Health) means the chief executive officer of the Agency
administering the Medical Services Act 1982.
chief executive officer has the same meaning as in the Public
Sector Employment and Management Act 1993.
committal proceedings means proceedings to determine whether
or not to commit a person to trial under Part V of the Local Court
(Criminal Procedure) Act 1928.
court means the Supreme Court.
custodial supervision order means a supervision order referred
to in section 43ZA(1)(a).
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Part IIA Mental impairment and unfitness to be tried
Division 1 Preliminary
Criminal Code Act 1983 56
expert means a person who holds a qualification or has experience
or expertise that is relevant to the mental impairment, condition or
disability of an accused person or a supervised person.
investigation means an investigation into the fitness of an accused
person to stand trial conducted under Division 3.
mental illness means an underlying pathological infirmity of the
mind, whether of long or short duration and whether permanent or
temporary, but does not include a condition that results from the
reaction of a healthy mind to extraordinary stimuli (although such a
condition may be evidence of a mental illness if it involves some
abnormality and is prone to recur).
mental impairment includes senility, intellectual disability, mental
illness, brain damage and involuntary intoxication.
next of kin, in relation to a person, means the person's parent,
spouse or de facto partner, sibling or child or any other person who
is the person's primary carer.
non-custodial supervision order means a supervision order
referred to in section 43ZA(1)(b).
special hearing means a hearing conducted under Division 4.
supervised person means a person who is the subject of a
supervision order.
supervision order means a custodial supervision order or a
non-custodial supervision order made by a court under Division 5.
victim means a person who suffered injury, loss or damage as a
direct result of an offence or conduct that would, but for the mental
impairment or unfitness to be tried of the person who carried out the
conduct, have constituted an offence.
43B Meaning of supervised person in Divisions 6 and 7
In Divisions 6 and 7:
supervised person means the person the supervision of whom is
the subject of a hearing referred to in those Divisions.
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Part IIA Mental impairment and unfitness to be tried
Division 2 Mental impairment
Criminal Code Act 1983 57
Division 2 Mental impairment
43C Defence of mental impairment
(1) The defence of mental impairment is established if the court finds
that a person charged with an offence was, at the time of carrying
out the conduct constituting the offence, suffering from a mental
impairment and as a consequence of that impairment:
(a) he or she did not know the nature and quality of the conduct;
(b) he or she did not know that the conduct was wrong (that is he
or she could not reason with a moderate degree of sense and
composure about whether the conduct, as perceived by
reasonable people, was wrong); or
(c) he or she was not able to control his or her actions.
(2) If the defence of mental impairment is established, the person must
be found not guilty because of mental impairment.
43D Presumption of competence and burden of proof
(1) A person is presumed not to have been suffering a mental
impairment unless the contrary is proved.
(2) The party raising the defence of mental impairment bears the onus
of rebutting the presumption specified in subsection (1).
43E Standard of proof
The question of whether a person was suffering from a mental
impairment having the effect specified in section 43C(1)(a), (b)
or (c):
(a) is a question of fact; and
(b) subject to sections 43H and 43XA, is to be determined by a
jury on the balance of probabilities.
43F Who may raise defence and when may defence be raised and
considered?
(1) The defence of mental impairment may be raised:
(a) by the defence at any time during the trial;
(b) by the court on application by the prosecution; or
(c) by the court on its own initiative.
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Part IIA Mental impairment and unfitness to be tried
Division 2 Mental impairment
Criminal Code Act 1983 58
(2) If the defence of mental impairment is raised during the trial, the
issues relating to establishing the defence are to be separately
tried.
(3) If the defence of mental impairment arises during a committal
proceeding, the question is to be reserved for consideration by the
court during the trial of the accused person.
(4) A committal proceeding is not to be discontinued and the accused
person discharged only because the defence of mental impairment
has been raised during the committal proceeding.
43G Hearing of question of mental impairment by court etc.
(1) If the defence of mental impairment is raised during the trial, the
court:
(a) must hear the evidence and representations as to the accused
person's mental competence produced by the parties; and
(b) on application by the defence or the prosecution or on its own
initiative – may require the accused person to be examined by
a psychiatrist or other appropriate expert and the results of the
examination to be reported to the court.
(2) After the evidence has concluded and the parties have addressed
the jury, the Judge must direct the jury to consider:
(a) the question of mental impairment and determine whether on
the balance of probabilities the defence of mental impairment
is established; and
(b) whether the evidence establishes the elements of the offence
the accused person is charged with, or an offence that the
accused person may be found alternatively guilty of, beyond
reasonable doubt,
and to determine whether the accused person:
(c) is not guilty of the offence charged;
(d) is not guilty of the offence charged because of his or her
mental impairment; or
(e) committed the offence charged or an offence that he or she
may be found alternatively guilty of.
(3) In directing the jury, the Judge must explain to the jury the findings
that it may make and the consequences of the findings in law and
otherwise.
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Part IIA Mental impairment and unfitness to be tried
Division 2 Mental impairment
Criminal Code Act 1983 59
43H Plea of not guilty by reason of mental impairment may be
accepted
If the parties to a prosecution of an offence agree, the court may, at
any time during the trial of the offence, accept a plea and record a
finding of not guilty of the offence because of mental impairment.
43I Effect of findings under this Division
(1) If an accused person is found not guilty of the offence charged, the
court must discharge the accused person.
(2) If an accused person is found not guilty because of mental
impairment, the court must:
(a) declare that the accused person is liable to supervision under
Division 5; or
(b) order that the accused person be released unconditionally.
(3) If the court makes a declaration under subsection (2)(a), the court
may also make the interim orders it considers just, including one or
more of the following orders:
(a) an order for the bail of the accused person;
(b) an order that the accused person be remanded in custody
(whether in a custodial correctional facility or another place the
court considers appropriate);
(c) an order for the examination of the accused person by a
psychiatrist or other appropriate expert;
(d) if the court makes an order referred to in paragraph (c) – an
order that a report of the results of the examination be
produced before the court.
(3A) The court must not make an interim order under subsection (3)(b)
remanding the accused person in custody in a custodial
correctional facility unless the court is satisfied there is no practical
alternative given the circumstances of the accused person.
(4) If an accused person is found guilty of the offence charged or an
offence that he or she may be found guilty alternatively of, the court
must record the jury's verdict and proceed to deal with the
conviction and sentencing of the accused person in the normal way.
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Part IIA Mental impairment and unfitness to be tried
Division 3 Unfitness to stand trial
Criminal Code Act 1983 60
Division 3 Unfitness to stand trial
43J When is a person unfit to stand trial?
(1) A person charged with an offence is unfit to stand trial if the person
is:
(a) unable to understand the nature of the charge against him or
her;
(b) unable to plead to the charge and to exercise the right of
challenge;
(c) unable to understand the nature of the trial (that is that a trial
is an inquiry as to whether the person committed the offence);
(d) unable to follow the course of the proceedings;
(e) unable to understand the substantial effect of any evidence
that may be given in support of the prosecution; or
(f) unable to give instructions to his or her legal counsel.
(2) A person is not unfit to stand trial only because he or she suffers
from memory loss.
43K Presumption of fitness to stand trial and burden of proof
(1) A person is presumed to be fit to stand trial.
(2) The presumption of fitness to stand trial is rebutted only if it is
established by an investigation under this Division that the person is
unfit to stand trial.
(3) If the question of a person's fitness to stand trial is raised by the
prosecution or the defence, the party raising the question bears the
onus of rebutting the presumption of fitness.
(4) If the question of a person's fitness to stand trial is raised by the
court, the prosecution has carriage of the matter and no party bears
the onus of rebutting the presumption of fitness.
43L Standard of proof
The question of whether a person is fit to stand trial is a question of
fact to be determined by a jury on the balance of probabilities.
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43M Committal proceedings
(1) If the question of an accused person's fitness to stand trial arises at
committal proceedings:
(a) the accused person is not to be discharged only because the
question has been raised during the committal proceedings;
(b) the committal proceedings are to be completed in accordance
with the Local Court (Criminal Procedure) Act 1928 (whether
or not section 110 of that Act is complied with); and
(c) if the accused person is committed for trial – the question is to
be reserved for consideration by the court during the trial of
the accused person.
(2) In the event of an inconsistency between Part V of the Local Court
(Criminal Procedure) Act 1928 and this section, this section prevails
to the extent of the inconsistency.
43N Institution of investigation of fitness of accused person
(1) The question of whether an accused person is fit to stand trial may
be raised in the court by the prosecution or the defence, or by the
court, at any time after the presentation of the indictment.
(2) The court must order an investigation into the fitness of the accused
person to stand trial if:
(a) the question of fitness was reserved during the committal
proceedings; or
(b) the Judge is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds on
which to question the accused person's fitness to stand trial.
(3) If the court makes an order for an investigation into the fitness of
the accused person after the trial has commenced, the court may
adjourn or discontinue the trial and conduct an investigation.
(4) The question of the fitness of an accused person to stand trial may
be raised more than once in the same proceeding.
43O Court may make interim orders
Before or at the time the court makes an order under
section 43N(2) for an investigation, the court may also make the
interim orders it considers just, including one or more of the
following orders:
(a) an order for the bail of the accused person;
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(b) an order that the accused person be remanded in custody
(whether in a custodial correctional facility or another place the
court considers appropriate);
(c) an order that any reports relating to the fitness of the accused
person to stand trial held by the prosecution or defence be
produced before the court;
(d) an order that the accused person undergo an examination by
a psychiatrist or other appropriate expert and that a report of
the results of the examination be given to the court.
43P Procedure for conduct of investigation
(1) At the commencement of the investigation, the Judge must explain
to the jury:
(a) the reason for the investigation;
(b) the findings that may be made and the consequences of those
findings in law and otherwise; and
(c) the standard of proof required to establish whether the
accused person is fit for trial.
(2) The court must hear the relevant evidence and submissions relating
to the question of fitness of the accused person put to the court by
the prosecution and the defence.
(3) If the Judge considers that it is in the interests of justice to do so,
the court may:
(a) call evidence on its own initiative;
(b) require the accused person to undergo an examination by a
psychiatrist or other appropriate expert; and
(c) require the results of an examination referred to in
paragraph (b) to be produced before the court.
43Q Finding that accused person fit to stand trial
If the jury finds that the accused is fit to stand trial, the trial of the
accused person for committing the offence he or she is charged
with is to proceed in the normal way.
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43R Procedure if accused person found unfit to stand trial after
conduct of investigation
(1) If the jury finds that the accused person is unfit to stand trial, the
Judge must determine whether there is a reasonable prospect that
the accused person might, within 12 months, regain the necessary
capacity to stand trial.
(2) In making his or her determination under subsection (1), the Judge:
(a) may call evidence on his or her own initiative; and
(b) must refer to all relevant evidence and make the determination
on the balance of probabilities.
(3) If the Judge determines that it is not likely that the accused will
become fit to stand trial within 12 months, subject to section 43XA,
the court must hold a special hearing within 3 months after the date
of the Judge's determination.
(4) If the Judge determines that there is a reasonable prospect that the
accused person might become fit for trial within 12 months, the
Judge must adjourn the matter of the fitness of the accused person
to be tried for the period, not exceeding 12 months, within which the
Judge considers that the accused person might become fit.
(5) If the matter is adjourned under subsection (4), the Judge may
make the interim orders he or she considers just, including one or
more of the following orders:
(a) an order for the bail of the accused person;
(b) an order that the accused person is remanded in custody
(whether in a custodial correctional facility or another place the
Judge considers appropriate) during the adjournment.
(6) The Judge must not make an order under subsection (5) remanding
the accused person in custody in a custodial correctional facility
unless the Judge is satisfied that there is no practicable alternative
given the circumstances of the accused person.
(7) On the expiry of the adjournment, the accused person is presumed
to be fit to stand trial unless a party or the court raises a real and
substantive question as to the accused person's fitness to stand
trial.
(8) Where the accused person is presumed to be fit, the trial of the
accused person for committing the offence he or she is charged
with is to proceed in the normal way.
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(9) Where a real and substantial question as to the accused person's
fitness has been raised in accordance with subsection (7), the court
must:
(a) if the adjournment was for less than 12 months – adjourn the
matter for a further period that, when added together with the
first period of adjournment, does not exceed 12 months; or
(b) subject to section 43XA, hold a special hearing within 3
months after the date the adjournment expires.
(10) If the Judge further adjourns the matter under subsection (9)(a), he
or she may vary an order made under subsection (5) in respect of
the accused person or make any other orders referred to in
subsection (5) as he considers just (and, in doing so, must comply
with subsection (6)).
(11) On the expiry of an adjournment under subsection (9)(a),
subsections (7), (8), (9) and (10) apply with the necessary changes
as if a reference to an adjournment in those subsections were a
reference to a further adjournment under subsection (9)(a).
(12) A matter may be adjourned more than once under subsection (9)(a)
but the total period of adjournment of a matter under this section is
not to exceed 12 months.
43S Abridgement of adjournment under section 43R
Where the court has made an order under section 43R(4) or (9)(a)
adjourning the matter of the fitness of an accused person to be
tried, the accused person or the Director of Public Prosecutions
may at any time during the adjournment apply to the court for either
of the following orders:
(a) if the accused person or the Director of Public Prosecutions
considers that the accused person has become fit to stand
trial – an order that the trial of the accused person for
committing the offence he or she is charged with is to proceed
in the normal way;
(b) if the accused person or the Director of Public Prosecutions
considers that the accused person will not become fit to stand
trial by the end of the 12 month period referred to in
section 43R – an order to hold a special hearing within
3 months after the date the order is made.
43T Finding that accused person unfit to stand trial by agreement
(1) If, at any time before or during the trial of an offence, the parties to
the prosecution of the offence agree that the accused person is
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unfit to stand trial, the court may dispense with an investigation into
the fitness of the accused person to stand trial and record a finding
that the accused person is unfit to stand trial.
(2) If the court records a finding under subsection (1), section 43R
applies in relation to the accused person the subject of the finding
as if a reference to an accused person in section 43R were a
reference to an accused person referred to in subsection (1).
43U Extension of period for holding special hearing
(1) The Court may, on application or on its own initiative, extend, by not
more than 3 months, the period within which a special hearing is to
be held under section 43R (including as applied by section 43T)
or 43S.
(2) There is no limit to the number of extensions that the court may
make under subsection (1).
Division 4 Special hearings
43V Purpose of special hearings
(1) A special hearing is to determine, on the evidence available,
whether an accused person who is found not fit to stand trial:
(a) is not guilty of the offence he or she is charged with;
(b) is not guilty of the offence he or she is charged with because
of his or her mental impairment; or
(c) committed the offence he or she is charged with or an offence
available as an alternative to the offence charged.
(2) To make a finding under subsection (1)(c), the jury must be
satisfied beyond reasonable doubt, on the evidence available, that
the accused person committed the offence charged or an offence
available as an alternative to the offence.
43W Procedure for conduct of special hearing
(1) A special hearing is to be conducted as nearly as possible as if it
were a criminal trial.
(2) At a special hearing:
(a) the accused person is taken to plead not guilty;
(b) the accused person's legal representative (if any) may
exercise the accused person's right of challenge;
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(c) the accused person may raise any defence (including the
defence of mental impairment) that he or she could raise at a
criminal trial;
(d) the rules of evidence apply;
(e) the accused person may give evidence; and
(f) any alternative finding of guilt that would be available for a jury
at a criminal trial is available to the jury at the special hearing.
(3) The Judge must explain to the jury:
(a) that a real and substantial question has been raised as to the
accused person's fitness to be tried;
(b) the meaning of being unfit to stand trial;
(c) the purpose of the special hearing, the findings that are
available to the jury and the consequences of the findings at
law and otherwise; and
(d) the standard of proof required for the findings.
43X Findings at special hearing
(1) If the jury at a special hearing finds the accused person is not guilty
of the offence, the finding is taken to be a finding of not guilty at a
criminal trial and the court must discharge the accused person.
(2) If the jury at a special hearing finds the accused person is not guilty
because of mental impairment, the finding is taken to be a finding of
not guilty because of mental impairment at a criminal trial and the
court must:
(a) declare that the accused person is liable to supervision under
Division 5; or
(b) order that the accused person be released unconditionally.
(3) If the jury at a special hearing finds, on the evidence available, that
the accused person committed the offence charged or an offence
available as an alternative to the offence charged, the finding:
(a) is taken to be a qualified finding of guilt and does not
constitute a basis in law for a finding of guilt of the offence to
which the finding relates;
(b) constitutes a bar to further prosecution in respect to the same
conduct and circumstances; and
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(c) is subject to appeal in the same manner as if it were a finding
of guilt at a criminal trial,
and the court must declare that the accused person is liable to
supervision under Division 5 or discharge the accused person
unconditionally.
43XA Dispensing with special hearing
If, at any time before or during a special hearing, the parties to the
prosecution of the offence agree that the evidence establishes the
defence of mental impairment, the court may accept a plea and
record a finding of not guilty of the offence because of mental
impairment.
43XB Effect of finding under section 43XA
If the court records a finding under section 43XA, the court must:
(a) declare that the accused person is liable to supervision under
Division 5; or
(b) order that the accused person be released unconditionally.
43Y Interim orders pending supervision
(1) If the court makes a declaration under section 43X(2)(a) or (3)
or 43XB(a), the court may make the interim orders pending the
supervision order it considers just, including one or more of the
following orders:
(a) an order for the bail of the accused person;
(b) an order that the accused person is to be remanded in
custody (whether in a custodial correctional facility or another
place the court considers appropriate) until the supervision
order is made;
(c) an order that the accused person undergo an examination by
a psychiatrist or other appropriate expert;
(d) if the court makes an order referred to in paragraph (c) – an
order that a report of the results of the examination be
produced before the court.
(2) The court must not make an interim order under subsection (1)(b)
remanding the accused person in custody in a custodial
correctional facility unless the court is satisfied there is no practical
alternative given the circumstances of the accused person.
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Division 5 Supervision orders
43Z When supervision orders are made
The court must make a supervision order under this Division in
respect of a person if:
(a) the court declares under section 43I(2)(a), 43X(2)(a) or (3)
or 43XB(a) that the person is liable to supervision; or
(b) the Court of Criminal Appeal remits a matter to the court under
section 412A(3) for the making of a supervision order in
respect of the person.
43ZA Nature of supervision orders
(1) A supervision order may, subject to the conditions the court
considers appropriate and specifies in the order:
(a) if it is a custodial supervision order – commit the accused
person to custody:
(i) subject to subsection (2) – in a custodial correctional
facility; or
(ii) subject to subsection (3) – in another place (an
appropriate place) the court considers appropriate; or
(b) if it is a non-custodial supervision order – release the accused
person.
(2) The court must not make a custodial supervision order committing
the accused person to custody in a custodial correctional facility
unless it is satisfied that there is no practicable alternative given the
circumstances of the person.
(2A) Without limiting subsection (1), the court may decide a supervision
order is subject to the condition that a person (an authorised
person) authorised by the CEO (Health) may use any reasonable
force and assistance:
(a) to enforce the order; and
(b) without limiting paragraph (a) – to take the accused person
into custody, or to restrain the accused person, in order to
prevent the accused person harming himself or herself or
someone else.
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(2B) The CEO (Health):
(a) must, by Gazette notice, make supervision directions about:
(i) the qualifications of an authorised person; and
(ii) the reporting by an authorised person of any use of force
or assistance for subsection (2A); and
(b) may, in the supervision directions, provide for any other
matters about the use of such force and assistance as
decided by the CEO (Health).
(2C) An authorised person may use reasonable force or assistance as
provided in subsection (2A) only in accordance with the supervision
directions.
(3) Unless the court receives a certificate from the CEO (Health)
mentioned in subsection (4), the court must not make a supervision
order:
(a) committing the accused person to custody in an appropriate
place; or
(b) providing for the accused person to receive treatment or other
services in, at or from an appropriate place.
(4) The certificate of the CEO (Health) must state:
(a) facilities or services are available in the appropriate place for
the custody, care or treatment of the accused person; and
(b) if the appropriate place is a secure care facility – the accused
person fulfils the criteria for involuntary treatment and care
under the Disability Services Act 1993.
43ZB Appeals against supervision orders
(1) A supervision order (including a supervision order varied under
section 43ZD or 43ZE) is subject to the same rights of appeal as a
sentence.
(2) In addition to appeals referred to in subsection (1), the CEO
(Health) may appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal against a
supervision order if he or she considers that:
(a) a different supervision order should have been made; and
(b) an appeal should be brought in the public interest.
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(3) On an appeal under subsection (2), the Court of Criminal Appeal
may confirm the supervision order or quash the supervision order
and make another supervision order in substitution for it.
43ZC Term of supervision order
Subject to sections 43ZD, 43ZE and 43ZG, a supervision order is
for an indefinite term.
43ZD Variation or revocation of supervision order
(1) Any of the following persons may apply to the court for an order
varying or revoking a supervision order:
(a) the Director of Public Prosecutions;
(b) the supervised person;
(c) a person having the custody, care, control or supervision of
the supervised person;
(d) any other person who has an interest that the court recognises
as proper for the purposes of making the application.
(2) A person who makes an application under subsection (1) must give
notice of the application at least 14 days before the hearing of the
application to:
(a) the Director of Public Prosecutions; and
(b) the supervised person; and
(c) the next of kin (if any) of the supervised person; and
(d) a person having the custody, care, control or supervision of
the supervised person.
(3) If, on an application to vary or revoke a supervision order by the
supervised person, the court refuses the application, the supervised
person must not make another application within 12 months after
the date of the court's refusal or any other period (which may be
lesser or greater) the court fixes.
(3A) The court may adjourn the hearing for the application if the court
considers it appropriate to do so.
(3B) If the court adjourns the hearing under subsection (3A), the court
may make interim orders for the supervised person (including, for
example, an order that the supervised person be remanded in
custody in a custodial correctional facility or another place the court
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considers appropriate).
(3C) The court must not make an interim order under subsection (3B)
remanding the supervised person in custody in a custodial
correctional facility unless the court is satisfied there is no practical
alternative given the circumstances of the supervised person.
(3D) To avoid doubt:
(a) the making of an interim order under subsection (3B) does not
revoke the supervision order; and
(b) subject to a direction by the court – the supervision order
continues to have effect while an interim order under
subsection (3B) is in force.
(4) On hearing the application, the court may:
(a) confirm the supervision order the subject of the application; or
(b) if the application is for an order revoking the supervision order:
(i) revoke the supervision order and release the supervised
person unconditionally; or
(ii) vary the conditions of the supervision order; or
(c) if the application is for an order varying the supervision order:
(i) vary the conditions of the supervision order;
(ii) where the supervision order is a non-custodial
supervision order – vary the supervision order to a
custodial supervision order; or
(iii) where the supervision order is a custodial supervision
order – vary the supervision order to a non-custodial
supervision order.
43ZE Urgent variation of non-custodial supervision order
(1) If it appears to the Director of Public Prosecutions that a supervised
person who is subject to a non-custodial supervision order is not
complying or is not likely to comply with the supervision order and,
because of that, the supervision order should be varied urgently,
the Director of Public Prosecutions may make an urgent application
to the court for an order varying the supervision order.
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(2) In making an application under subsection (1):
(a) the Director of Public Prosecutions may give notice of the
application to one or more of the persons specified in
section 43ZD(2) and the notice he or she gives may be less
than the 14 days required under that subsection; and
(b) the Director of Public Prosecutions may make the application
orally by telephone or in writing by facsimile or any other
available electronic means of communication.
(3) If the supervised person fails to appear at the hearing of the
application, the court must issue a warrant for the apprehension
and arrest of the supervised person.
(3A) The court may adjourn the hearing for the application if the court
considers it appropriate to do so.
(3B) If the court adjourns the hearing under subsection (3A), the court
may make interim orders for the supervised person (including, for
example an order that the supervised person be remanded in
custody in a custodial correctional facility or another place the court
considers appropriate).
(3C) The court must not make an interim order under subsection (3B)
remanding the supervised person in custody in a custodial
correctional facility unless the court is satisfied there is no practical
alternative given the circumstances of the supervised person.
(3D) To avoid doubt:
(a) the making of an interim order under subsection (3B) does not
revoke the supervision order; and
(b) subject to a direction by the court – the supervision order
continues to have effect while an interim order under
subsection (3B) is in force.
(4) On hearing the application, the court may:
(a) confirm the non-custodial supervision order; or
(b) vary the conditions of the non-custodial supervision order; or
(c) vary the non-custodial supervision order to a custodial
supervision order and impose the conditions on the custodial
supervision order that the court considers appropriate.
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(5) If the court makes an order under subsection (4)(c) varying the
supervision order to a custodial supervision order:
(a) unless the term fixed under section 43ZG in respect of the
supervision order has expired, that period continues to apply
in respect of the custodial supervision order; or
(b) if the term referred to in paragraph (a) has expired – the court
must fix the term it considers appropriate during which the
supervision order as varied is to be in force and specify the
term in the supervision order (and section 43ZG applies to and
in relation to the supervision order as varied as if that term
were a term fixed under section 43ZG(1)).
43ZF Emergency power of apprehension
(1) If a member of the Police Force suspects on reasonable grounds
that:
(a) a supervised person is failing or has failed to comply with the
supervision order to which he or she is subject (including a
supervision order that has just been varied);
(b) the safety of a supervised person is at risk unless the
supervised person is apprehended; or
(c) the safety of the public is at risk if a supervised person is not
apprehended,
the member may apprehend the supervised person.
(2) A supervised person who is apprehended under subsection (1)
must be detained:
(a) if the supervised person is subject to a custodial supervision
order – in the place where he or she is committed to custody
under the supervision order; or
(b) if the supervised person is subject to a non-custodial
supervision order – in an appropriate place (which would, if
there is no practicable alternative in the circumstances, be a
custodial correctional facility or a police station).
(3) If a supervised person who is apprehended under subsection (1) is
subject to a non-custodial supervision order, an application for an
order varying the non-custodial supervision order is to be made to
the court under section 43ZD or 43ZE.
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43ZG Major review of supervision orders
(1) When the court makes a supervision order, the court must fix a
term in accordance with subsection (2), (3) or (4) that is appropriate
for the offence concerned and specify the term in the order.
(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), the term fixed under
subsection (1) is to be equivalent to the period of imprisonment or
supervision (or aggregate period of imprisonment and supervision)
that would, in the court's opinion, have been the appropriate
sentence to impose on the supervised person if he or she had been
found guilty of the offence charged.
(3) If:
(a) the offence charged carries a mandatory penalty of life
imprisonment; or
(b) the court is of the view that life imprisonment would have been
an appropriate penalty for the offence charged;
the court must fix the period it would have set as the non-parole
period for the offence under the Sentencing Act 1995 if the
supervised person had been found guilty of the offence charged as
the term under subsection (1).
(4) If the supervised person was charged with the commission of
multiple offences, the court must fix the term under subsection (1)
by reference to the offence carrying the longest maximum period of
imprisonment.
(4A) A reference in subsection (2) to a period of supervision is a
reference to a period of custody or any other form of supervision of
a person under a court order (including, for example, a home
detention order) on the court finding the person guilty of an offence.
(4B) The court may decide the term fixed under subsection (1) is taken
to have commenced from a specified time that was:
(a) before the making of the supervision order; and
(b) at or after the time the supervised person was first taken into
custody for an offence because of which the court may make
the supervision order.
(5) At least 3 months (but not more than 6 months) before the expiry of
the term fixed under subsection (1) in respect of a supervision
order, the court must conduct a review to determine whether to
release the supervised person the subject of the supervision order
from it.
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(5A) The court may adjourn the proceedings for the review to a time that
is after the expiry of the term fixed under subsection (1) if the court
considers it appropriate to do so.
(5B) If the court adjourns the proceedings under subsection (5A):
(a) the court may make interim orders for the supervised person
(including, for example, an order that the supervised person
be remanded in custody in a custodial correctional facility or
another place the court considers appropriate); and
(b) subject to a direction by the court – the supervision order
continues to have effect until the completion of the review.
(5C) The court must not make an interim order under subsection (5B)(a)
remanding the supervised person in custody in a custodial
correctional facility unless the court is satisfied there is no practical
alternative given the circumstances of the supervised person.
(6) On completing the review under subsection (5), unless the court
considers that the safety of the supervised person or the public will
or is likely to be seriously at risk if the supervised person is
released, the court must release the supervised person
unconditionally.
(7) If the court considers that the safety of the supervised person or the
public will or is likely to be seriously at risk if the supervised person
is released unconditionally, the court must:
(a) confirm the supervision order; or
(b) vary the conditions of the supervision order (including, if the
supervision order is a custodial supervision order, the place of
custody where the supervised person is detained); or
(c) if the supervision order is a non-custodial order – vary the
supervision order to a custodial supervision order and impose
the conditions on the order that the court considers
appropriate; or
(d) if the supervision order is a custodial order – vary the
supervision order to a non-custodial order and impose the
conditions on the order that the court considers appropriate.
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43ZH Periodic review of supervision orders
(1) After considering a report submitted by an appropriate person
under section 43ZK, if the court considers it is appropriate, the court
may conduct a review to determine whether the supervised person
the subject of the report may be released from the supervision
order.
(2) On completing the review of a custodial supervision order, the court
must:
(a) vary the supervision order to a non-custodial supervision order
unless satisfied on the evidence available that the safety of
the supervised person or the public will be seriously at risk if
the person is released on a non-custodial supervision order; or
(b) if the court is satisfied on the evidence available that the
safety of the supervised person or the public will be seriously
at risk if the person is released on a non-custodial supervision
order:
(i) confirm the order; or
(ii) vary the conditions of the order, including the place of
custody where the supervised person is detained.
(3) On completing the review of a non-custodial supervision order, the
court may:
(a) confirm the order;
(b) vary the conditions of the order;
(c) vary the supervision order to a custodial supervision order and
impose the conditions on the order the court considers
appropriate; or
(d) revoke the order and release the supervised person
unconditionally.
43ZI Right of persons to appear at hearings under this Division
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who is or is likely to be the
subject of a supervision order has a right to appear before the court
at a hearing of an application for an order making, varying or
revoking the supervision order or of a review of the supervision
order under this Division.
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Part IIA Mental impairment and unfitness to be tried
Division 6 Reports
Criminal Code Act 1983 77
(2) If the person who is or is likely to be the subject of the supervision
order does not appear before the court, the court must satisfy itself
that:
(a) the person has been informed of his or her right to appear but
has elected not to appear; or
(b) appearing before the court would be detrimental to the
person's health.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to the hearing of an urgent
application for an order varying a non-custodial supervision order
under section 43ZE.
(4) The Director of Public Prosecutions may appear before the court at
a hearing referred to in subsection (1).
(4A) In addition, the CEO (Health) is entitled to appear at a hearing of an
application for an order varying or revoking the supervision order, or
of a review of the supervision order, for a person who is in custody
in an appropriate place mentioned in section 43ZA(1)(a)(ii),
including, for example, a resident of a secure care facility under the
Disability Services Act 1993.
(5) Also, the court may give leave to a person who it considers has a
proper interest in the matter the subject of a hearing mentioned in
subsection (1) to appear before the court at the hearing.
(6) A person who is entitled to appear before the court under this
section is a party to the matter in which he or she appears and is
entitled to be legally represented.
Division 6 Reports
43ZJ Court to receive report on condition of accused persons
declared liable to supervision
(1) If the court declares under Division 2 or 4 that an accused person is
liable to supervision, the appropriate person must, within 30 days
after the date of the declaration or the longer period (if any) agreed
to by the court, prepare and submit a report to the court on the
mental impairment, condition or disability of the accused person
that is the reason he or she was found to be not guilty of the
offence charged because of mental impairment or to be unfit to
stand trial.
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Part IIA Mental impairment and unfitness to be tried
Division 6 Reports
Criminal Code Act 1983 78
(2) A report referred to in subsection (1) is to contain:
(a) a diagnosis and prognosis of the accused person's mental
impairment, condition or disability;
(b) details of the accused person's response to any treatment,
therapy or counselling he or she is receiving or has received
and any services that are being or have been provided to him
or her; and
(c) a suggested treatment plan for managing the accused
person's mental impairment, condition or disability.
43ZK Periodic reports on condition of supervised persons
(1) If the court makes a supervision order, the appropriate person
must, at intervals of not more than 12 months, until the supervision
order is revoked, prepare and submit a report to the court on the
treatment and management of the supervised person's mental
impairment, condition or disability.
(2) A report referred to in subsection (1) is to contain:
(a) details of the treatment, therapy or counselling that the
supervised person has received, and the services that have
been provided to the supervised person, since the supervision
order was made or the last report was prepared (as the case
may require); and
(b) details of any changes to the prognosis of the supervised
person's mental impairment, condition or disability and to the
plan for managing the mental impairment, condition or
disability.
43ZL Reports on views of victim or next of kin
(1) At the time the court is considering whether to make, vary or revoke
a supervision order in respect of an accused person or a
supervised person, or whether to determine to release a supervised
person from a supervision order, the victim of the offence
concerned or the next of kin of the victim (who may be a deceased
victim) may prepare and submit a report to the court setting out the
views of the victim or next of kin concerning one or more of the
following:
(a) the conduct of the accused person or supervised person;
(b) the impact of the accused person's or supervised person's
conduct on the victim or the next of kin or any other member
of the victim's family;
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Part IIA Mental impairment and unfitness to be tried
Division 7 Principles on which court is to act
Criminal Code Act 1983 79
(c) if the court is considering whether to release a supervised
person from a supervision order – the impact the supervised
person's conduct could have on the victim or next of kin or any
other members of the victim's family if the supervised person
is released.
(2) The court must receive all reports made to it under subsection (1).
(3) The court may, on its own initiative if it considers it will assist in
determining whether to make, vary or revoke a supervision order in
respect of an accused person or a supervised person, or whether to
release a supervised person from a supervision order, request one
or more of the following reports:
(a) a report setting out the views of the next of kin of the accused
person or supervised person and the impact of the accused
person's or supervised person's conduct on the next of kin or
other members of the accused person's or supervised
person's family;
(b) if the accused person or supervised person is a member of an
Aboriginal community – a report setting out the views of the
members of the Aboriginal community.
(4) The court must consider all reports made to it under this section.
Division 7 Principles on which court is to act
43ZLA Definition
In this Division:
order means:
(a) a declaration that an accused person is liable to supervision;
or
(b) an order releasing an accused person unconditionally; or
(c) an interim order for the bail of an accused person; or
(d) an interim order providing for the custody of an accused
person or supervised person; or
(e) an order making, varying or revoking a supervision order; or
(f) an order releasing a supervised person.
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Part IIA Mental impairment and unfitness to be tried
Division 7 Principles on which court is to act
Criminal Code Act 1983 80
43ZM Principle court to apply when making order
In determining whether to make an order under this Part, the court
must apply the principle that restrictions on a supervised person's
freedom and personal autonomy are to be kept to the minimum that
is consistent with maintaining and protecting the safety of the
community.
43ZN Matters court must take into account when making order
(1) In determining whether to make an order under this Part, the court
must have regard to the following matters:
(a) whether the accused person or supervised person concerned
is likely to, or would if released be likely to, endanger himself
or herself or another person because of his or her mental
impairment, condition or disability;
(b) the need to protect people from danger;
(c) the nature of the mental impairment, condition or disability;
(d) the relationship between the mental impairment, condition or
disability and the offending conduct;
(e) whether there are adequate resources available for the
treatment and support of the supervised person in the
community;
(f) whether the accused person or supervised person is
complying or is likely to comply with the conditions of the
supervision order;
(g) any other matters the court considers relevant.
(2) The court must not make an order under this Part releasing a
supervised person from custody (whether conditionally or
otherwise) or significantly reducing the supervision to which a
supervised person is subject unless:
(a) the court has:
(i) obtained and considered 2 reports, each report being
prepared by a person who is a psychiatrist or other
expert (but the same person must not prepare both
reports); and
(ii) considered the reports submitted to the court under
sections 43ZJ and 43ZK and received by the court under
section 43ZL, if any; and
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Part IIA Mental impairment and unfitness to be tried
Division 8 Miscellaneous
Criminal Code Act 1983 81
(b) subject to subsections (3) and (4), the court is satisfied that
each of the following persons was given reasonable notice of
the proceedings concerned:
(i) the victim of the offence concerned;
(ii) if the victim concerned is deceased – the victim's next of
kin;
(iia) the next of kin of the supervised person concerned;
(iii) if the supervised person concerned is a member of an
Aboriginal community – the Aboriginal community.
(3) Notice is not required to be given to a person referred to in
subsection (2)(b) if the person cannot be found after reasonable
inquiry.
(4) Notice is not to be given to a person referred to in
subsection (2)(b)(i) or (ii) who has given notice to the court that he
or she does not wish to be notified of any hearings in relation to the
supervised person concerned and has not withdrawn that notice.
Division 8 Miscellaneous
43ZO Legal counsel to have independent discretion
If an accused person or supervised person is unable to instruct his
or her legal counsel on questions relevant to an investigation or
proceedings under this Part, the legal counsel may exercise an
independent discretion and act as he or she reasonably believes to
be the in the person's best interests.
43ZP Counselling next of kin
(1) If an application is made to the court under this Part that might
result in an order for the release from custody of a supervised
person, the Minister must ensure that counselling services are
available to the victim, next of kin of a deceased victim and next of
kin of the supervised person.
(2) A person who, in the course of the provision of counselling services
to a person referred to in subsection (1), discloses information
about the supervised person concerned to another person does
not, in doing so, contravene the law of the Territory or any code or
rule of conduct or professional ethics and is taken not to have
committed an offence against the law in force in the Territory
because of the disclosure.
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Part III Offences against public order
Division 1 Sedition
Criminal Code Act 1983 82
43ZPA Protection from liability
(1) A person is not civilly or criminally liable for an act done or omitted
to be done by the person in good faith in the exercise of a power or
performance of a function under this Act as a person authorised for
section 43ZA(2A).
(2) Subsection (1) does not affect any liability the Territory would, apart
from that subsection, have for the act or omission.
(3) In this section:
exercise, of a power, includes the purported exercise of the power.
performance, of a function, includes the purported performance of
the function.
43ZQ Regulations
The Administrator may make regulations, not inconsistent with this
Act, prescribing matters:
(a) required or permitted by this Part to be prescribed; or
(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or
giving effect to this Part.
Part III Offences against public order
Division 1 Sedition
44 Definitions
In this Division:
seditious enterprise means an enterprise undertaken in order to
carry out a seditious intention.
seditious intention means an intention:
(a) to excite disaffection against the government or the Legislative
Assembly or the administration of justice of or in the Territory;
(b) to excite any person to attempt to procure the alteration,
otherwise than by lawful means, of any matter in the Territory
established by a law in force in the Territory; or
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Part III Offences against public order
Division 1 Sedition
Criminal Code Act 1983 83
(c) to promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different
classes of persons so as to endanger the peace, order or
good government of the Territory.
seditious words means words expressing a seditious intention.
45 Seditious enterprise
Subject to section 48, any person who engages in or agrees or
undertakes to engage in a seditious enterprise is guilty of a crime
and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years or, upon being found guilty
summarily, to imprisonment for one year.
46 Seditious words
Subject to section 48, any person who writes, prints, utters or
publishes seditious words is guilty of a crime and is liable to
imprisonment for 3 years or, upon being found guilty summarily, to
imprisonment for one year.
47 Procedure on prosecution for sedition
(1) A crime defined by section 45 or 46 may be prosecuted either on
indictment or, with the consent of the Director of Public
Prosecutions and the accused person, summarily.
(2) A person cannot be found guilty of committing or of counselling or
procuring the commission of a crime defined by section 45 or 46
upon the uncorroborated testimony of one witness.
48 Acts done in good faith
A person shall not be guilty of a crime defined by section 45 or 46:
(a) for endeavouring in good faith to show that the Administrator
is, or his advisors are, mistaken in any of his or their counsels,
policies or actions;
(b) for pointing out in good faith errors or defects in the
government, the legislation or the administration of justice of
or in the Territory with a view to the reformation of those errors
or defects;
(c) for exciting in good faith another person to attempt to procure
by lawful means the alteration of any matter established by
law in the Territory;
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Part III Offences against public order
Division 1 Sedition
Criminal Code Act 1983 84
(d) for pointing out in good faith, in order to bring about its
removal, a matter that is producing, or has a tendency to
produce, feelings of ill-will or hostility between different
classes of persons; or
(e) for doing anything in good faith in connection with an industrial
dispute or an industrial matter.
49 Unlawful oaths to commit offences, &c.
Any person who:
(a) administers, or is present at and consents to the administering
of, an oath or engagement in the nature of an oath purporting
to bind the person who takes it:
(i) to commit an offence;
(ii) to be a member of an association, society or
confederacy formed or maintained for the purpose of
committing an offence;
(iii) to obey the orders or commands of a committee or body
not lawfully constituted, or of a person not having
authority by law, to give such orders or commands;
(iv) not to inform or give evidence against a person; or
(v) not to reveal or discover an association, society or
confederacy formed or maintained for the purpose of
committing an offence, or an offence that has been or is
to be committed, or an unlawful oath or engagement that
may have been administered or tendered to or taken by
himself or any other person, or the import of any such
oath or engagement; or
(b) takes such an oath or engagement, not being compelled to do
so,
is guilty of a crime and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
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Part III Offences against public order
Division 2 Terrorism
Criminal Code Act 1983 85
Division 2 Terrorism
50 Definitions
In this Division:
act of terrorism means the use or threatened use of violence:
(a) to procure or attempt to procure:
(i) the alteration of;
(ii) the cessation of; or
(iii) the doing of,
any matter or thing established by a law of, or within the
competence or power of, a legally constituted government or
other political body (whether or not legally constituted) in the
Territory, the Commonwealth or any other place;
(b) for the purpose of putting the public or a section of the public
in fear; or
(c) for the purpose of preventing or dissuading the public or a
section of the public from carrying out, either generally or at a
particular place, an activity it is entitled to carry out.
organization means an association, society or confederacy.
unlawful organization means an organization that uses, threatens
to use or advocates the use of unlawful violence in the Territory to
achieve its ends.
violence means violence of a kind that causes, or is likely to cause,
the death of, or serious harm to, a person.
51 Membership of unlawful organization
(1) Any person who, knowing an organization to be an unlawful
organization:
(a) belongs or professes to belong to it;
(b) solicits or invites financial or other support for it or knowingly
makes or receives a contribution of money or other property to
or for its resources; or
(c) arranges or assists in the arrangement or management of or
addresses a meeting of 3 or more persons knowing that the
meeting is to support or further the activities of that unlawful
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Part III Offences against public order
Division 2 Terrorism
Criminal Code Act 1983 86
organization or is to be addressed by a person belonging or
professing to belong to that unlawful organization,
is guilty of a crime and is liable to imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) The court by or before which a person is found guilty of a crime
defined by this section may order the forfeiture to the Crown of any
money or other property that, at the time of the offence, he had in
his possession or under his control for the use or benefit of the
unlawful organization.
52 Evidence of knowledge of unlawfulness
Proof of the fact that a person has belonged to an unlawful
organization for 28 days or was a member of any committee of it is
evidence that he knew it to be an unlawful organization.
53 Display of support for unlawful organization
Any person who, knowing an organization to be an unlawful
organization, in a public place, or in any other place with the
intention that it can be seen by persons in a public place:
(a) wears an item of dress; or
(b) wears, carries or displays a sign or article,
in such a way or in such circumstances that it can reasonably be
inferred he is a member or supporter of an unlawful organization, is
guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 6 months.
54 Terrorism
Any person who commits an act of terrorism is guilty of a crime and
is liable to imprisonment for life.
55 Contribution towards acts of terrorism
(1) Any person who obtains for himself or another or supplies anything
with the intention that it be used, or knowing that it is intended to be
used, for or in connection with the preparation or commission of an
act of terrorism is guilty of a crime and is liable to imprisonment for
10 years.
(2) Any court by or before which a person is found guilty of a crime
defined by this section may order the forfeiture to the Crown of any
property that, at the time of the crime:
(a) he had in his possession or under his control; and
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Part III Offences against public order
Division 3 Offences against the Executive and Legislative power
Criminal Code Act 1983 87
(b) he intended should be used for or in connection with the
preparation or commission of an act of terrorism.
Division 3 Offences against the Executive and Legislative
power
56 Interference with Administrator or Minister
Any person who does an act with the intention of interfering with the
free exercise by the Administrator or a Minister of the Crown of a
duty or an authority of his office is guilty of a crime and is liable to
imprisonment for 7 years.
57 Interference with Legislative Assembly
Any person who, by force or deception, or by threat or intimidation
of any kind, interferes with the free exercise by the Legislative
Assembly of its authority is guilty of a crime and is liable to
imprisonment for 7 years.
58 Influencing Legislative Assembly member
Any person who, directly or indirectly, by force, deception, threat or
intimidation of any kind, influences a member of the Legislative
Assembly in the exercise of his duty or authority as a member of, or
induces him to absent himself from, the Legislative Assembly or a
committee of the Legislative Assembly, is guilty of a crime and is
liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
59 Bribery of Legislative Assembly member
Any person who, in order to influence a member of the Legislative
Assembly in the exercise of his duty or authority as a member, or in
order to induce him to absent himself from the Legislative Assembly
or a committee of the Legislative Assembly, gives, confers or
procures, or promises or offers to give, confer or procure, property
or a benefit of any kind to, upon or for the member or another, is
guilty of a crime and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
60 Legislative Assembly member receiving bribe
Any person who, being a member of the Legislative Assembly,
solicits, receives or obtains, or agrees to receive or obtain, property
or a benefit of any kind for himself or another, upon the
understanding that the exercise by the member of his duty or
authority as a member shall be in any way influenced or affected, is
guilty of a crime and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
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Part III Offences against public order
Division 4 Unlawful assemblies: breaches of the peace
Criminal Code Act 1983 88
61 Disturbing the Legislative Assembly
Any person who intentionally:
(a) disturbs the Legislative Assembly while it is in session; or
(b) engages in conduct in the immediate view and presence of the
Legislative Assembly while it is in session with the intention of
interrupting its proceedings or impairing the respect due to its
authority,
is guilty of a crime and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
62 Going armed to Legislative Assembly
Any person who, without lawful excuse, being armed with a firearm
or other dangerous or offensive weapon, enters or is found within
the precincts of the Legislative Assembly is guilty of a crime and is
liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
Division 4 Unlawful assemblies: breaches of the peace
63 Interpretation
(1) When 3 or more persons, with intent to carry out some common
purpose, assemble in such a manner or, being assembled, conduct
themselves in such a manner as to cause persons in the
neighbourhood to fear on reasonable grounds that the persons so
assembled will tumultuously disturb the peace, or will by such
assembly needlessly and without any reasonable occasion provoke
other persons tumultuously to disturb the peace, they are an
unlawful assembly.
(2) It is immaterial that the original assembling was lawful if, being
assembled, they conduct themselves with a common purpose in
such a manner as aforesaid.
(3) An assembly of 3 or more persons who assemble for the purpose of
protecting the dwelling-house of any one of them against persons
threatening to enter it in order to commit an offence therein is not
an unlawful assembly.
(4) When an unlawful assembly has begun to act in so tumultuous a
manner as to disturb the peace, the assembly is called a riot and
the persons assembled are said to be riotously assembled.
64 Punishment of unlawful assembly
Any person who takes part in an unlawful assembly is guilty of a
crime and is liable to imprisonment for one year.
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Part III Offences against public order
Division 4 Unlawful assemblies: breaches of the peace
Criminal Code Act 1983 89
65 Punishment of riot
Any person who takes part in a riot is guilty of an offence and is
liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
66 Offences relating to riots
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person is one of 12 or more people who are riotously
assembled; and
(b) a police officer orally orders those people to disperse
immediately; and
(c) the person:
(i) fails to comply with the order as soon as the
circumstances permit; and
(ii) continues to assemble with people riotously.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct that involves a violent act; and
(b) the conduct results in the prevention of a police officer from
orally ordering the immediate dispersal of 12 or more people
who are riotously assembled; and
(c) one of the following subparagraphs applies:
(i) the person engages in the conduct intending or knowing
that it involves a violent act and has the result mentioned
in paragraph (b);
(ii) the person is reckless as to whether the conduct
involves a violent act and has that result.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 14 years.
(3) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person is one of 12 or more people who are riotously
assembled; and
(b) a police officer is prevented from orally ordering the immediate
dispersal of those people; and
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Part III Offences against public order
Division 5 Offences against political liberty
Criminal Code Act 1983 90
(c) the person, knowing about the prevention of the making of the
oral order, continues to assemble with people riotously.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 14 years.
(4) A person is guilty of an offence if the person:
(a) is one of 12 or more people who are riotously assembled; and
(b) unlawfully damages property while the people are so
assembled.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 14 years.
(5) To avoid doubt, an offence against subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4),
may be committed in private or public places.
(6) In this section:
conduct that involves a violent act includes:
(a) conduct capable of causing injury to a person or damage to
property (whether or not it actually causes such injury or
damage); and
(b) a threat to engage in such conduct.
69 Going armed in public
Any person who goes armed in public without lawful occasion in
such a manner as to cause fear to a person of reasonable firmness
and courage is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.
70 Challenge to a fight likely to cause death or serious harm
Any person who challenges another to a fight of such a nature that,
if it should occur, death or serious harm is likely to result or
attempts to provoke another to such a fight or attempts to provoke
any person to challenge another to such a fight, is guilty of an
offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
Division 5 Offences against political liberty
71 Interfering with political liberty
(1) Any person who by violence, or by threats or intimidation of any
kind, hinders or interferes with the free exercise of any political right
by another person is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for 2 years.
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Part III Offences against public order
Division 6 Piracy
Criminal Code Act 1983 91
(2) If the offender is a public officer and commits the offence in abuse
of his authority as such an officer he is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.
Division 6 Piracy
72 Definitions
In this Division:
act of piracy, see section 72A.
pirate means a person who commits an act of piracy.
72A Meaning of act of piracy
(1) Subject to subsection (2), an act of piracy is any of the following
acts on the high seas:
(a) an act that, if committed in the Territory, would constitute an
offence against section 218(1);
(b) the boarding of a ship against the wishes or without the
knowledge of the master for the purpose of committing on the
ship an act that, if committed in the Territory, would constitute
an offence against section 156, 181, 194, 195, 202, 208H,
208HA, 208HB, 241, 243 or 245;
(c) an act committed on a ship that, if committed in the Territory,
would constitute an offence against section 156, 181, 194,
195, 202, 208H, 208HA, 208HB, 241, 243 or 245;
(d) the stealing of a ship;
(e) directly or indirectly taking control of a ship against the wishes
of the master;
(f) the confining of the master of a ship against the master's will;
(g) an act of a person on board a ship intentionally disobeying a
lawful direction of the master given for the purpose of ensuring
the safety of the ship, the crew or the passengers.
(2) Neither of the following is an act of piracy:
(a) an act of war committed under the authority of the
Commonwealth or the lawful government of a foreign state;
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Part III Offences against public order
Division 6 Piracy
Criminal Code Act 1983 92
(b) the taking of control of a ship by a person against the wishes
of the master if:
(i) the person is a member of the armed forces of, or is
acting with the authority of, the Commonwealth or the
lawful government of a foreign state; and
(ii) the master had control of the ship as a result of an act
mentioned in subsection (1).
(3) In this section:
master, of a ship, means the person for the time being in control of
the ship, whether or not that control was lawfully obtained.
73 Punishment of piracy
Any person who commits an act of piracy is guilty of an offence and
is liable to imprisonment for 20 years; and a person who has
committed an act of piracy out of the Territory and who comes into
the Territory is, by so coming into the Territory, guilty of an offence
and is liable to imprisonment for 20 years.
74 Trading with pirates
Any person who trades with or supplies ammunition, provisions or
stores to a pirate knowing him to be a pirate is guilty of an offence
and is liable to imprisonment for 5 years.
75 Fitting out ship for piracy
Any person who builds or fits out a ship with the intention that it
shall be used or with the knowledge that it is intended to be used
for or in connection with an act of piracy is guilty of an offence and
is liable to imprisonment for 5 years.
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Part IV Offences against the administration of law and justice and against public
authority
Division 1 Disclosure of confidential information and corruption and abuse of office
Subdivision 1 Interpretation and preliminary matters
Criminal Code Act 1983 93
Part IV Offences against the administration of law and
justice and against public authority
Division 1 Disclosure of confidential information and
corruption and abuse of office
Subdivision 1 Interpretation and preliminary matters
75A Definitions
In this Part:
benefit, see section 75B.
improper, see section 75C.
obtain includes to get or receive.
75B Meaning of benefit
(1) Benefit means a benefit of any kind, including a non-pecuniary
benefit.
(2) For this Part:
(a) a benefit is taken to be requested by a person:
(i) whether the benefit is a current benefit or a promise of a
future benefit; and
(ii) whether the benefit is to be received by the person or
another person; and
(b) a benefit is taken to be obtained by a person:
(i) whether the benefit is a current benefit or a promise of a
future benefit; and
(ii) whether the benefit is received by the person or another
person; and
(c) a benefit is taken to be offered by a person to a public officer:
(i) whether the benefit is a current benefit or the promise of
a future benefit; and
(ii) whether the benefit is to be received by the public officer
or another person; and
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Part IV Offences against the administration of law and justice and against public
authority
Division 1 Disclosure of confidential information and corruption and abuse of office
Subdivision 1 Interpretation and preliminary matters
Criminal Code Act 1983 94
(d) a benefit is taken to be given by a person to a public officer:
(i) whether the benefit is a current benefit or the promise of
a future benefit; and
(ii) whether the benefit is received by the public officer or
another person.
75C Improper conduct
(1) A person's conduct is improper if the conduct, in the
circumstances, warrants criminal sanction.
(2) The finder of fact must find the conduct improper unless:
(a) the finder of fact is satisfied that:
(i) the conduct is trivial; or
(ii) the conduct has caused only minimal damage to the
public interest; and
(b) the finder of fact is satisfied that the conduct, in the
circumstances, does not warrant criminal sanction.
(3) In deciding whether a person's conduct, in the circumstances,
warrants criminal sanction, the finder of fact must have regard to
the following matters:
(a) if the person is a public officer – whether the person behaved
in a way reasonably expected of a public officer;
(b) if the person is not a public officer – whether the person
behaved in a way reasonably expected of the person;
(c) whether the person acted in an honest and reasonable belief
that the person was lawfully entitled to act in the manner the
person acted in the conduct being considered;
(d) the seriousness of the conduct and any result of the conduct;
(e) whether the conduct occurred:
(i) as an isolated incident; or
(ii) as part of repeated similar conduct; or
(iii) as part of a course of conduct.
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Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 95
75D Dismissal of trivial case
If, in any proceedings for an offence under this Part, the court
considers that the offence is of a trivial or merely technical nature,
the court may in its discretion dismiss the case.
Subdivision 2 Offences
76 Disclosure of confidential information
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) is a public officer who obtains information because of the
officer's position; or
(ii) was a public officer who obtained information because of
the person's position as a public officer; and
(b) the information is confidential information and the person has
knowledge of that circumstance; and
(c) the person intentionally engages in conduct; and
(d) the conduct is improper; and
(e) the conduct results in the disclosure of the information and the
person is reckless in relation to the result.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(a).
(3) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(d).
(4) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) is a public officer who obtains information because of the
officer's position; or
(ii) was a public officer who obtained information because of
the person's position as a public officer; and
(b) the information is confidential information and the person has
knowledge of that circumstance; and
(c) the person intentionally engages in conduct; and
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(d) the conduct is improper; and
(e) the conduct results in the disclosure of the information and the
person is reckless in relation to the result; and
(f) the improper conduct is engaged in with the intention of
gaining a benefit.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
(5) Strict liability applies to subsection (4)(a).
(6) Absolute liability applies to subsection (4)(d).
77 Corruption
(1) A public officer commits an offence if:
(a) the officer intentionally requests or knowingly obtains a
benefit; and
(b) the officer knows the benefit is:
(i) an inducement to influence the officer's performance of
the officer's powers or functions; or
(ii) a reward for the officer having performed the officer's
powers or functions in a particular way or for a particular
result; and
(c) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is improper.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(c).
(3) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally offers or gives a benefit to another
person; and
(b) the person offered or given the benefit is a public officer and
the person offering or giving the benefit is reckless in relation
to that circumstance; and
(c) the person offering or giving the benefit does so with the
intention that the benefit is:
(i) an inducement to influence the officer's performance of
the officer's powers or functions; or
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(ii) a reward for the person; and
(d) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is improper.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(4) Absolute liability applies to subsection (3)(d).
78 Other corrupting benefits
(1) A public officer commits an offence if:
(a) the officer intentionally requests or knowingly obtains a
benefit; and
(b) the officer knows the benefit would tend to:
(i) be an inducement to influence the officer's performance
of the officer's powers or functions; or
(ii) be a reward for the officer; and
(c) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is improper.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(c).
(3) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally offers or gives a benefit to another
person; and
(b) the person offered or given the benefit is a public officer and
the person offering or giving the benefit is reckless in relation
to that circumstance; and
(c) the person offering or giving the benefit knows the benefit
would tend to:
(i) be an inducement to influence the officer's performance
of the officer's powers or functions; or
(ii) be a reward for the officer.
(d) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is improper.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
(4) Absolute liability applies to subsection (3)(d).
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Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 98
79 Advancing secret personal interests
(1) A public officer who is a public sector employee commits an offence
if:
(a) the officer knowingly holds a private interest; and
(b) the officer would be able to exercise the officer's duties or
functions as an officer in a manner that substantially affects
the private interest and the officer is reckless in relation to that
circumstance; and
(c) the officer had a reasonable opportunity to disclose the private
interest to an appropriate person; and
(d) the officer fails to disclose the private interest to an
appropriate person and is reckless in relation to that failure;
and
(e) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (d) is improper.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(c).
(3) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(e).
(4) A public officer commits an offence if:
(a) the officer knowingly holds a private interest; and
(b) the officer:
(i) intentionally exercises the officer's duties or functions as
a public officer in a manner that materially affects the
private interest; and
(ii) obtains a benefit as a result of the conduct mentioned in
subparagraph (i); and
(iii) is reckless in relation to that result; and
(c) the officer fails to disclose the private interest to an
appropriate person and is reckless in relation to that failure;
and
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(d) the conduct mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (c) is improper.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
Examples for subsection (4)(b)
(a) the officer influences the performance or management of, or influences the
decision whether to enter into or terminate, a contract or agreement made
on account of the public sector that affects the value of a business in which
the officer is a partner; or
(b) the officer influences a decision to refuse a licence to a business that is a
competitor with a business which owes the officer money.
(5) Absolute liability applies to subsection (4)(d).
(6) This section does not apply to a person who is a public officer by
the sole reason of being a member, officer or employee of a public
body mentioned in section 16(1)(l) of the Independent
Commissioner Against Corruption Act 2017.
(7) In this section:
appropriate person means one of the following:
(a) for a public officer who is a public sector employee – the Chief
Executive Officer of the Agency in, or in relation to, which the
public officer is employed or engaged;
(b) for a public officer who is not a public sector employee or a
Chief Executive Officer – the Chief Executive Officer of the
Agency in, or in relation to, which the public officer is
employed or engaged;
(c) for a public officer who holds an office established under an
Act and is not a public sector employee – the minister
administering that Act;
(d) for a public officer mentioned in section 16(2)(f) of the
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Act 2017 – the
person mentioned in section 16(2)(a) to (e) of that Act by
whom, or on behalf of whom, the public officer is engaged;
(e) for a public officer who is a Chief Executive Officer of an
Agency – the minister responsible for that Agency;
(f) for a minister other than the Chief Minister – the Chief
Minister;
(g) for the Chief Minister – the Administrator;
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(h) for a member of the Legislative Assembly other than the
Speaker – the Speaker;
(i) for the Speaker – the Deputy Speaker;
(j) for a police officer other than the Commissioner of Police – the
Commissioner of Police;
(k) for the Chief Justice – the next most senior Supreme Court
Judge;
(l) for the Chief Judge – the Chief Justice;
(m) for any other Local Court Judge – the Chief Judge;
(n) for the President of the Civil and Administrative Tribunal (the
Tribunal) – the Chief Judge;
(o) for any member of the Tribunal who is a judicial officer – the
Chief Judge;
(p) for any other member of the Tribunal – the President of the
Tribunal;
(q) for the Territory Coroner – the Chief Judge;
(r) for the Deputy Coroner – the Territory Coroner;
(s) for a public officer who is an employee of a local government
council other than the CEO (as defined in section 7 of the
Local Government Act 2019) of that council – the CEO of that
council;
(t) for the CEO of a local government council – the principal
member (as defined in section 7 of the Local Government
Act 2019) of that council;
(u) for a member of a local government council other than the
principal member – the principal member;
(v) for the principal member of a local government council – the
CEO of that council.
private interest means a legal or financial interest that is held
directly or indirectly.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 101
80 Abuse of office – improper conduct
(1) A public officer commits an offence if:
(a) the officer:
(i) intentionally provides, certifies or approves a document
that is false in a material particular; or
(ii) intentionally modifies a document so that it is false in a
material particular; and
(b) the material particular mentioned in paragraph (a) relates to
either of the following circumstances and the officer has
knowledge of that circumstance:
(i) the expenditure of public money;
(ii) the rights of a person; and
(c) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is improper.
(2) For subsection (1)(b), a material particular relates to the
expenditure of public money if it relates to one or more of the
following:
(a) remuneration payable, or claimed to be payable, to any
person;
(b) payment of money;
(c) delivery of goods or services;
(d) records or documents made for any accounting purposes,
financial purpose or other similar purpose.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
(3) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(c).
Note for section 80
If false information is provided for the purpose of gain to the public officer, the
offence of false accounting under section 233 may be applicable.
81 Abuse of office – arbitrary and prejudicial conduct
(1) A public officer commits an offence if:
(a) the officer intentionally engages in conduct; and
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(b) the conduct is intentionally arbitrary or an abuse of process;
and
(c) the conduct is prejudicial to the rights of another person and
the officer is reckless in relation to that circumstance; and
(d) the conduct is improper.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(d).
(3) A public officer commits an offence if:
(a) the officer intentionally engages in conduct; and
(b) the conduct is intentionally arbitrary or an abuse of process;
and
(c) the conduct is prejudicial to the rights of another person and
the officer is reckless in relation to that circumstance; and
(d) the conduct is improper; and
(e) the conduct is engaged in with the intention of obtaining a
benefit.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
(4) Absolute liability applies to subsection (3)(d).
83 Corruption of surveyor or valuer
Any person who, being duly appointed under any statute to be a
surveyor or valuer for determining the compensation to be paid to
any person for land compulsorily taken from him under the authority
of any statute, or for injury done to any land under the authority of
any statute:
(a) acts as such surveyor or valuer while he has, to his
knowledge, an interest in the land in question; or
(b) executes unfaithfully, dishonestly or with partiality the duty of
surveying the land or making a valuation of the land or of the
extent of the injury,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 103
85 False assumption of authority
Any person who:
(a) not being a justice of the peace, assumes to act as a justice of
the peace; or
(b) without authority, assumes to act as a person having authority
by law to administer an oath, witness an affidavit or
declaration or to do any other act of a public nature that can
only be done by persons authorized by law to do so; or
(c) represents himself to be a person authorized by law to sign a
document testifying to the contents of any register or record
kept by lawful authority, or testifying to any fact or event, and
signs such document as being so authorized when he is not
and knows he is not, in fact, so authorized,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
86 Personating public officers
Any person who:
(a) personates any person employed in the public service on an
occasion when the latter is required to do any act or attend in
any place by virtue of his employment; or
(b) falsely represents himself to be a person employed in the
public service and assumes to do any act or to attend in any
place for the purpose of doing any act by virtue of such
employment,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
86A Alternative verdicts
(1) This section applies if, in a proceeding against a person charged
with an offence against section 77(1) (the prosecuted offence),
the trier of fact:
(a) is not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed an offence against section 77(1); but
(b) is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed any offence in this Division (an alternative
offence).
(2) The trier of fact may find the person not guilty of the prosecuted
offence but guilty of the alternative offence.
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Division 3 Corrupt and improper practices at elections
87 Undue influence
Any person who:
(a) uses or threatens to use any force or restraint, or does or
threatens to do any temporal or spiritual injury, or causes or
threatens to cause any detriment of any kind, to an elector in
order to induce him to vote in a particular manner or to refrain
from voting at an election or on account of his having voted at
an election; or
(b) by force or fraud prevents or obstructs the free exercise of the
franchise of an elector, or by any such means compels or
induces an elector to vote in a particular manner or to refrain
from voting at an election,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
88 Bribery
Any person who:
(a) gives, confers or procures, or promises or offers to give or
confer or to procure or attempt to procure, to, upon or for any
person any property or benefit of any kind on account of
anything already done or omitted to be done, or to be
afterwards done or omitted to be done, by an elector at an
election in the capacity of an elector or in order to induce any
person to endeavour to procure the return of any person at an
election, or the vote of any elector at an election;
(b) being an elector, asks, receives or obtains, or agrees or
attempts to receive or obtain, any property or benefit of any
kind for himself or any other person on account of anything
already done or omitted to be done, or to be afterwards done
or omitted to be done, by him at an election in the capacity of
an elector;
(c) asks, receives or obtains, or agrees or attempts to receive or
obtain, any property or benefit of any kind for himself or any
other person on account of a promise made by him or any
other person to endeavour to procure the return of any person
at an election, or the vote of any person at an election; or
(d) advances or pays any money to or for the benefit of any other
person with the intent that such money shall be applied for any
of the purposes mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c), or in
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discharge or repayment of money wholly or in part applied for
any such purpose,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
89 Further penalty for corrupt practices
(1) Any person found guilty of an offence against section 87 or 88 with
respect to an election of the Legislative Assembly becomes
incapable for 3 years from the date of the finding of guilt of voting at
any such election or of holding any judicial office and, if he holds
any such office, the office is vacated.
(2) He also becomes incapable for the like period of being elected to or
of sitting in the Legislative Assembly; and, if at the time of the
finding of guilt he is a member of it, his seat is vacated.
(3) Any person found guilty of such an offence committed with respect
to a local government election becomes incapable, for 2 years from
the date of the finding of guilt, of holding any local government
office and, if he holds any such office, the office is vacated.
90 Illegal practices
Any person who:
(a) being prohibited by law from voting at an election and knowing
that he is so prohibited votes at the election;
(b) procures any person who is, and whom he knows to be,
prohibited from voting at an election to vote at the election;
(c) before or during an election, and for the purpose of promoting
or procuring the choice of any candidate at the election,
knowingly publishes a false statement of the withdrawal of
another candidate at the election;
(d) before or during an election, and for the purpose of affecting
the return of a candidate at the election, knowingly publishes a
false statement of fact respecting the personal character or
conduct of the candidate;
(e) being a candidate at an election withdraws from being a
candidate in consideration of a payment or promise of
payment; or
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(f) being a candidate or the agent of a candidate at an election
corruptly procures any other person to withdraw from being a
candidate at the election in consideration of any payment or
promise of payment,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
91 Placing false ballot-papers in ballot-boxes
Any person who places in a ballot-box a ballot-paper that has not
been lawfully handed to and marked by an elector is guilty of an
offence and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
Division 4 Selling and trafficking in offices
92 Bargaining for offices in public service
Any person who:
(a) corruptly asks, receives or obtains, or agrees or attempts to
receive or obtain, any property or benefit of any kind for
himself or any other person on account of anything already
done or omitted to be done, or to be afterwards done or
omitted to be done, by him or any other person with regard to
the appointment or contemplated appointment of any person
to any office or employment in the Public Sector, or with
regard to any application by any person for employment in the
Public Sector; or
(b) corruptly gives, confers or procures, or promises or offers to
give or confer or to procure or attempt to procure, to, upon or
for any person, any property or benefit of any kind on account
of any such act or omission,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
Division 5 Offences relating to the administration of justice
93 Judicial corruption
(1) Any person who:
(a) being the holder of a judicial office, corruptly asks, receives or
obtains, or agrees or attempts to receive or obtain, any
property or benefit of any kind for himself or any other person
on account of anything already done or omitted to be done, or
to be afterwards done or omitted to be done, by him in his
judicial capacity; or
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(b) corruptly gives, confers or procures, or promises or offers to
give or confer or to procure or attempt to procure, to, upon or
for any person holding a judicial office, or to, upon or for any
other person, any property or benefit of any kind on account of
any such act or omission on the part of the person holding the
judicial office,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) In subsection (1), holder of a judicial office means a person who
by himself or with another or others conducts judicial proceedings.
(3) A prosecution of an offence against subsection (1) cannot be begun
except by the direction of a Crown Law Officer.
94 Official corruption not judicial but relating to offences
Any person who:
(a) being a justice of the peace not acting judicially, or being a
person employed in the public service in any capacity not
judicial for the prosecution, detention or punishment of
offenders, corruptly asks, receives or obtains, or agrees or
attempts to receive or obtain, any property or benefit of any
kind for himself or any other person on account of anything
already done or omitted to be done, or to be afterwards done
or omitted to be done, by him with a view to corrupt or
improper interference with the due administration of justice, or
the procurement or facilitation of the commission of any
offence, or the protection of any offender or intending offender
from detection or punishment; or
(b) corruptly gives, confers or procures, or promises or offers to
give or confer or to procure or attempt to procure, to, upon or
for any such person, or to, upon or for any other person, any
property or benefit of any kind on account of any such act or
omission on the part of the justice of the peace or other
person so employed,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
95 Corrupting or threatening jurors
Any person who:
(a) attempts by menaces of any kind, or benefits or promises of
benefit of any kind, or by other corrupt means, to influence any
person, whether a particular person or not, in his conduct as a
juror in any judicial proceedings, whether he has taken the
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oath as a juror or not; or
(b) threatens to do any injury or cause any detriment of any kind
to any person on account of anything done by him as a juror in
any judicial proceedings; or
(c) accepts any benefit or promise of benefit on account of
anything to be done by him as a juror in any judicial
proceedings, whether he has taken the oath as a juror or not,
or on account of anything already done by him as a juror in
any judicial proceedings,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
96 Perjury
(1) Any person who in any judicial proceedings, or for the purpose of
instituting any judicial proceedings, knowingly gives false testimony
touching any matter that is material to any question then depending
in the proceedings, or intended to be raised in the proceedings, is
guilty of an offence that is called perjury.
(2) It is immaterial whether the testimony is given on oath or under any
other sanction authorized by law.
(3) The forms and ceremonies used in administering the oath or in
otherwise binding the person giving the testimony to speak the truth
are immaterial if he assents to the forms and ceremonies actually
used.
(4) It is immaterial whether the false testimony is given orally or in
writing.
(5) It is immaterial whether the court or tribunal is properly constituted,
or is held in the proper place or not, if it actually acts as a court or
tribunal in the proceedings in which the testimony is given.
(6) It is immaterial whether the person who gives the testimony is a
competent witness or not, or whether the testimony is admissible in
the proceedings or not.
97 Punishment of perjury
(1) Any person who commits perjury is guilty of an offence and is liable
to imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) If the offender commits the offence in order to procure the finding of
guilt of another person for an offence punishable with imprisonment
for life, he is liable to imprisonment for life.
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98 Evidence on charge of perjury
A person cannot be found guilty of committing perjury or of
counselling or procuring the commission of perjury upon the
uncorroborated testimony of one witness.
99 Fabricating evidence
Any person who, with intent to mislead in any judicial proceedings:
(a) fabricates evidence by any means other than perjury or
counselling or procuring the commission of perjury; or
(b) knowingly makes use of such fabricated evidence,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
100 Corruption of witnesses
Any person who:
(a) gives, confers or procures, or promises or offers to give or
confer or to procure or attempt to procure, any property or
benefit of any kind to, upon or for any person upon any
agreement or understanding that any person called or to be
called as a witness in any judicial proceedings shall give false
testimony or withhold true testimony;
(b) attempts by any other means to induce a person called or to
be called as a witness in any judicial proceedings to give false
testimony or to withhold true testimony; or
(c) asks, receives or obtains, or agrees or attempts to receive or
obtain, any property or benefit of any kind for himself or any
other person upon any agreement or understanding that any
person shall, as a witness in any judicial proceedings, give
false testimony or withhold true testimony,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
101 Deceiving witnesses
Any person who practises any fraud or deceit on, or knowingly
makes or exhibits any false statement, representation or writing to,
any person called or to be called as a witness in any judicial
proceedings with intent to affect the testimony of such person as a
witness, is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.
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102 Destroying evidence
Any person who, knowing that any book, document, tape recording,
photograph or other thing of any kind is or may be required in
evidence in judicial proceedings, destroys it or renders it illegible or
undecipherable or incapable of identification with intent thereby to
prevent it from being used in evidence, is guilty of an offence and is
liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
103 Preventing witnesses from attending
Any person who prevents or attempts to prevent any person whom
he knows has been duly summoned to attend as a witness before
any court or tribunal from attending as a witness, or from producing
anything in evidence pursuant to a subpoena or summons, is guilty
of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
103A Threats or reprisals relating to persons involved in criminal
investigations or judicial proceedings or against public
officers
(1) A person must not do any of the following with the intention of
inducing a person who is, or may be, involved in a criminal
investigation or judicial proceedings, to act or not to act in a way
that might influence the outcome of the investigation or
proceedings:
(a) stalk a person within the meaning of section 189;
(b) cause or procure any physical injury to a person or property;
(c) threaten or attempt to cause or procure any physical injury to
a person or property;
(d) cause detriment of any kind to a person.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) intentionally does an act mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c)
or (d); and
(b) intends to induce a person to act or not to act in a way that
might influence the outcome of a criminal investigation or
judicial proceedings; and
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(c) knows, or is reckless as to whether, the person is or may be
involved in the investigation or proceedings.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) A person must not do any of the following on account of anything
said or done by a person involved in a criminal investigation or
judicial proceedings in good faith in the conduct of the investigation
or proceedings:
(a) stalk a person within the meaning of section 189;
(b) cause or procure any physical injury to a person or property;
(c) threaten or attempt to cause or procure any physical injury to
a person or property;
(d) cause detriment of any kind to a person.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) intentionally does an act mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c)
or (d); and
(b) has knowledge of the thing said or done by a person involved
in a criminal investigation or judicial proceedings in the
conduct of the investigation or proceedings.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(3) A person must not do any of the following with the intention of
influencing the manner in which a public officer discharges or
performs his or her official duties or functions:
(a) stalk a person within the meaning of section 189;
(b) cause or procure any physical injury to a person or property;
(c) threaten or attempt to cause or procure any physical injury to
a person or property;
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Criminal Code Act 1983 112
(d) cause detriment of any kind to a person.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) intentionally does an act mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c)
or (d); and
(b) intends to influence the manner in which a public officer
discharges or performs his or her official duties or functions;
and
(c) knows, or is reckless as to whether, the person is a public
officer.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(4) A person must not do any of the following on account of anything
said or done by a public officer in good faith in the discharge or
performance, or purported discharge or performance, of his or her
official duties or functions:
(a) stalk a person within the meaning of section 189;
(b) cause or procure any physical injury to a person or property;
(c) threaten or attempt to cause or procure any physical injury to
a person or property;
(d) cause detriment of any kind to a person.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) intentionally does an act mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c)
or (d); and
(b) has knowledge of the thing said or done by a public officer in
good faith in the discharge or performance or purported
discharge or performance of his or her official duties or
functions.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
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authority
Division 5 Offences relating to the administration of justice
Criminal Code Act 1983 113
(5) For this section:
(a) a person is involved in a criminal investigation if the person
is involved in such an investigation as a witness, victim or
legal practitioner or is otherwise assisting police with their
inquiries; and
(b) a person is involved in judicial proceedings, whether the
proceedings are in progress or are proceedings that are to be,
or may be, instituted at a later time, if the person is:
(i) a judicial officer or other officer at the proceedings; or
(ii) involved in the proceedings as a witness, juror (whether
the person has taken the oath as a juror or not) or legal
practitioner.
(6) In this section:
Territory instrumentality means:
(a) an Agency or instrumentality of the Territory; or
(b) any body (whether or not incorporated) that is established by
or under an Act and:
(i) is comprised of persons, or has a governing body
comprised of persons, a majority of whom are appointed
by the Administrator, a minister or an Agency or
instrumentality of the Territory; or
(ii) is subject to control or direction by a minister.
104 Compounding indictable offences
(1) Any person who asks, receives or obtains, or agrees or attempts to
receive or obtain, any property or benefit of any kind for himself or
any other person upon any agreement or understanding that he will
compound or conceal an indictable offence, or will abstain from,
discontinue or delay a prosecution for an indictable offence, or will
withhold any evidence thereof, is guilty of an offence.
(2) If the indictable offence is such that a person found guilty of it is
liable to be sentenced to imprisonment for life, the offender is liable
to imprisonment for 7 years.
(3) In any other case, the offender is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
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authority
Division 6 Escapes: rescues: obstructing officers of courts
Criminal Code Act 1983 114
105 Compounding penal actions
Any person who, having brought, or under pretence of bringing, an
action against another person upon a penal statute in order to
obtain from him a penalty for any offence committed or alleged to
have been committed by him, compounds the action without the
order or consent of the court in which the action is brought or is to
be brought is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for
one year.
106 Delay in taking person arrested before court
Any person who, except as permitted by law, having arrested
another, deliberately delays bringing him before a court to be dealt
with according to law is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for 2 years.
107 Bringing fictitious action on penal statute
Any person who, in the name of a fictitious plaintiff, or in the name
of a real person, but without his authority, brings an action against
another person upon a penal statute for the recovery of a penalty
for any offence committed or alleged to have been committed by
him is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 2 years.
108 Inserting advertisement without authority of court
Any person who, without authority, or knowing the advertisement to
be false in any material particular, inserts or causes to be inserted
in the Gazette or in any newspaper an advertisement purporting to
be published under the authority of any court or tribunal is guilty of
an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 2 years.
109 Attempting to pervert justice
Any person who attempts, in any way not specially defined by this
Code, to obstruct, prevent, pervert or defeat the course of justice is
guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 15 years.
Division 6 Escapes: rescues: obstructing officers of courts
110 Forcibly rescuing certain offenders
Any person who by force rescues or attempts to rescue from lawful
custody an offender under sentence for the offence of murder or
terrorism, or a person committed into the custody of the
Commissioner of Correctional Services on such a charge, is guilty
of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.
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Division 6 Escapes: rescues: obstructing officers of courts
Criminal Code Act 1983 115
111 Aiding escape from lawful custody
Any person who:
(a) aids a person in escaping or attempting to escape from lawful
custody, confinement or detention; or
(b) conveys anything or causes anything to be conveyed into a
custodial correctional facility with intent to facilitate the escape
of a prisoner,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
112 Escape from lawful custody
(1) Any person who:
(a) is a prisoner in lawful custody following his arrest or conviction
for an offence; or
(aa) is in custody under a continuing detention order under the
Serious Sex Offenders Act 2013; or
(b) is lawfully confined or detained otherwise than as referred to in
paragraph (a);
and who escapes from such custody, confinement or detention, is
guilty of an offence.
(2) If the offence upon which a person referred to in subsection (1)(a)
has been arrested or convicted:
(a) is an indictable offence – the person is liable to imprisonment
for 3 years; or
(b) is a summary offence – the person is liable to imprisonment
for one year.
(2AA) A person who commits an offence against subsection (1)(aa) is
liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
(2A) A person who commits an offence against subsection (1)(b) is liable
to imprisonment for 12 months.
(3) The offender may be tried, found guilty and punished
notwithstanding that at the time of his apprehension or trial the term
of his original custody, confinement or detention has expired.
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authority
Division 6 Escapes: rescues: obstructing officers of courts
Criminal Code Act 1983 116
113 Permitting escape
Any person who, being a correctional services officer or a police
officer and being charged with the custody of a prisoner or a person
under arrest upon a charge of an offence, permits him to escape
from custody is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.
114 Harbouring escaped prisoners
Any person who harbours, maintains or employs a person who is,
to his knowledge, an offender under sentence by any court of the
Territory, the Commonwealth or a State or another Territory of the
Commonwealth involving deprivation of liberty and unlawfully at
large, is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for
2 years.
115 Rescuing mentally ill persons
Any person who:
(a) rescues any person during his conveyance as a mentally ill
person to a hospital or other institution for the mentally ill or to
a custodial correctional facility, or rescues any person during
his confinement as a mentally ill person in any such place;
(b) being in charge of a person during his conveyance as a
mentally ill person to any such place permits him to escape
from custody;
(c) being a superintendent of, or person employed in, any such
place permits a person confined therein as a mentally ill
person to escape therefrom; or
(d) conceals any such person as aforesaid who has, to his
knowledge, been rescued during such conveyance or
confinement or has, to his knowledge, escaped during such
conveyance or from such confinement,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
116 Removing, &c., property under lawful seizure
Any person who, when any property has been attached or taken
under the process or authority of any court of justice, knowingly and
with intent to hinder or defeat the attachment or process, receives,
removes, retains, conceals or disposes of such property is guilty of
an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
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authority
Division 7 Miscellaneous offences against public authority
Criminal Code Act 1983 117
117 Obstructing officers of courts of justice
Any person who obstructs or resists any person lawfully charged
with the execution of an order or warrant of any court of justice is
guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
Division 7 Miscellaneous offences against public authority
118 False statements in statements required to be under oath or
solemn declaration
Any person who, on any occasion on which a person making a
statement touching any matter is required by law to make it on oath
or under some sanction that may by law be substituted for an oath,
or is required to verify it by solemn declaration, makes a statement
touching such matter that, in any material particular, is to his
knowledge false and verifies it on oath or under such other sanction
or by solemn declaration, is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for 7 years.
119 False declarations and statements
Any person who, on any occasion on which he or she is permitted
or required by law:
(a) to make a statutory declaration or an unattested declaration as
provided for in the Oaths, Affidavits and Declarations
Act 2010; or
(b) to make a statement or declaration of any other kind before
any person authorised by law to permit it to be made before
him or her;
makes such a declaration or statement that, in any material
particular, is to his or her knowledge false, is guilty of an offence
and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
120 Evidence
A person cannot be found guilty of committing or counselling or
procuring the commission of an offence against sections 118
and 119 upon the uncorroborated testimony of one witness.
121 Resisting public officers
Any person who in any manner obstructs or resists any public
officer while engaged in the discharge or attempted discharge of
the duties of his office under any statute, or obstructs or resists any
person while engaged in the discharge or attempted discharge of
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Division 1 Offences relating to religious worship
Criminal Code Act 1983 118
any duty imposed on him by any statute, is guilty of an offence and
is liable to imprisonment for 2 years.
122 Refusal by public officer to perform duty
Any person who, being employed in the public service or as an
officer of any court or tribunal, perversely and without reasonable
excuse omits or refuses to do any act that it is his duty to do by
virtue of his employment is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for 2 years.
123 Neglect to aid in suppressing riot
Any person who, having reasonable notice that he is required to
assist any police officer in suppressing a riot, without reasonable
excuse omits to do so, is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for one year.
124 Neglect to aid in arresting offenders, &c.
Any person who, having reasonable notice that he is required to
assist any police officer in arresting any person, or in preserving the
peace, without reasonable excuse omits to do so, is guilty of an
offence and is liable to imprisonment for one year.
Part V Acts injurious to the public in general
Division 1 Offences relating to religious worship
125 Offering violence to officiating ministers of religion
Any person who:
(a) by threats or force prevents or attempts to prevent any
minister of religion from lawfully officiating in any place of
religious worship, or from performing his duty in the lawful
burial or disposal of human remains under the Burial and
Cremation Act 2022;
(b) by threats or force obstructs or attempts to obstruct any
minister of religion while so officiating or performing his duty;
or
(c) assaults or, upon or under the pretence of executing any civil
process, arrests any minister of religion who is engaged in or
is, to the knowledge of the offender, about to engage in any of
the offices or duties referred to in paragraph (a) or who is, to
the knowledge of the offender, going to perform the same or
returning from the performance thereof,
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Criminal Code Act 1983 119
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 2 years.
Division 2 Child abuse material and other offensive material
and articles
125A Interpretation
(1) In this Division:
animal sexual abuse or animal crush material means material:
(a) that depicts, describes or represents:
(i) a person sexually involved with an animal; or
(ii) an animal being crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated,
impaled or otherwise killed or subjected to serious injury
or torture; and
(b) that a reasonable adult would regard in all the circumstances
as being intended or apparently intended to:
(i) excite or gratify a sexual interest; or
(ii) excite or gratify a sadistic or other perverted interest in
violence or cruelty.
article includes any thing:
(a) that contains or embodies matter to be read or looked at;
(b) that is to be looked at;
(c) that is a record; or
(d) that can be used, either alone or as one of a set, for the
production or manufacture of any thing referred to in
paragraphs (a), (b) or (c),
but does not include:
(e) a film that is classified (other than as RC) under the
Commonwealth Act;
(f) a publication that is classified Unrestricted, Category 1
restricted or Category 2 restricted under the Commonwealth
Act;
(g) a computer game that is classified (other than as RC) under
the Commonwealth Act; or
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(h) a film, publication or computer game that is the subject of an
exemption under Part 10 of the Classification of Publications,
Films and Computer Games Act 1985.
child abuse material means material that depicts, describes or
represents, in a manner that is likely to cause offence to a
reasonable adult, a person who is a child or who appears to be a
child:
(a) engaging in sexual activity;
(b) in a sexual, offensive or demeaning context; or
(c) being subjected to torture, cruelty or abuse,
but does not include:
(d) a film, publication or computer game that is classified (other
than as RC) under the Commonwealth Act; or
(e) a film, publication or computer game that is the subject of an
exemption under Part X of the Classification of Publications,
Films and Computer Games Act 1985.
Classification Board means the Classification Board established
under the Commonwealth Act.
classified means classified under the Commonwealth Act.
Commonwealth Act means the Classification (Publications, Films
and Computer Games) Act 1995 (Cth).
computer game, film and publication have the same meaning as
in the Commonwealth Act.
indecent article means an article that:
(a) promotes crime or violence, or incites or instructs in matters of
crime or violence; or
(b) depicts, describes or represents, in a manner that is likely to
cause offence to a reasonable adult:
(i) the use of violence or coercion to compel a person to
participate in, or submit to, sexual conduct; or
(ii) sexual conduct with or on the body of a dead person; or
(iii) the use of urine or excrement in association with
degrading or dehumanising conduct or sexual conduct;
or
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(iv) a person sexually involved with an animal; or
(v) acts of torture or the infliction of extreme violence or
extreme cruelty; or
(vi) a person (whether or not engaged in sexual activity) who
is a child who has not attained the age of 16 years or
who looks like a child who has not attained that age.
law enforcement agency has the same meaning as in the Criminal
Records (Spent Convictions) Act 1992.
person includes part of a person.
pornographic or abusive performance means any performance
by a person:
(a) engaging in sexual activity;
(b) in a sexual, offensive or demeaning context; or
(c) being subject to torture, cruelty or abuse,
that is likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult.
publish includes:
(a) distribute, disseminate, circulate, deliver, exhibit, lend for gain,
exchange, barter, sell, offer for sale, let on hire or offer to let
on hire;
(b) have in possession or custody, or under control, for the
purpose of doing an act referred to in paragraph (a); or
(c) print, photograph or make in any other manner (whether of the
same or of a different kind or nature): for the purpose of doing
such an act.
record means a gramophone record or a wire or tape, or a film,
and any other thing of the same or of a different kind or nature, on
which is recorded a sound or picture and from which, with the aid of
a suitable apparatus, the sound or picture can be produced
(whether or not it is in a distorted or altered form).
sell has the same meaning as in the Classification of Publications,
Films and Computer Games Act 1985.
senior rank means a rank of or above the rank of Commander.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 122
(2) A reference in this Division to a classification in relation to a film,
publication or computer game is a reference to its classification (or,
as the case may be, that it is unclassified) under the
Commonwealth Act.
(3) For this Division, the phrase material that depicts, describes or
represents includes material that contains data from which text,
visual images or sound can be generated.
125AB Child abuse material, animal sexual abuse or animal crush
material and related articles may be destroyed
(1) This section applies if any of the following things are seized by a
police officer:
(a) child abuse material or animal sexual abuse or animal crush
material;
(b) an article that contains child abuse material or animal sexual
abuse or animal crush material;
(c) an article that a police officer of a senior rank reasonably
believes contains child abuse material or animal sexual abuse
or animal crush material.
(2) A police officer of a senior rank may authorise the forfeiture and
destruction by a police officer of the thing.
(3) Subsection (2) applies whether or not a person has been charged,
or is to be charged with an offence in relation to the thing.
(4) The thing may be destroyed at the place at which it was forfeited or
at any other place that a police officer of a senior rank thinks fit.
(5) If the operation of this section would, apart from this subsection,
result in an acquisition of property from a person otherwise than on
just terms:
(a) the person is entitled to receive from the Territory the
compensation necessary to ensure the acquisition is on just
terms; and
(b) a court of competent jurisdiction may decide the amount of
compensation or make the orders it considers necessary to
ensure the acquisition is on just terms.
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125AC Article containing child abuse material or animal sexual abuse
or animal crush material may be returned
(1) If an article that contains, or is believed to contain, child abuse
material or animal sexual abuse or animal crush material is forfeited
by a police officer under section 125AB, a police officer of a senior
rank may authorise a police officer to return the article to the owner
of the article.
(2) The authorisation must not be given unless the police officer of a
senior rank is satisfied the child abuse material or animal sexual
abuse or animal crush material has been removed from the article.
125B Production, possession etc. of child abuse material
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally produces, sells, distributes or
possesses, or offers or advertises for sale or distribution,
material; and
(b) the material is child abuse material and the person is reckless
in relation to that circumstance.
Maximum penalty:
(a) for an individual – imprisonment for 10 years; or
(b) for a body corporate – 10 000 penalty units.
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (1) if the defendant:
(a) is a member or officer of a law enforcement agency or a court
who has child abuse material in the member's or officer's
possession in the exercise of a power or performance of a
function conferred or imposed on the member or officer by or
under an Act or law; or
(b) has child abuse material in the defendant's possession in the
exercise of a power, or performance of a function, relating to
the classification of the material that is conferred or imposed
on the defendant by or under an Act or law; or
(c) has child abuse material in the defendant's possession for
legitimate medical or health research purposes.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 124
(3) In a prosecution of a person for an offence against subsection (1),
each of the following is evidence that material was in the person's
possession:
(a) proof that the material was in or at a place of which the person
was the occupier;
(b) proof that the material was in or at a place, the management
or control of which the person was concerned in.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to a person if the person neither
knew nor had reason to suspect that the material was in or on that
place.
(5) In proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), a
Commonwealth evidentiary certificate is admissible in any court of
competent jurisdiction and is evidence that the film, publication or
computer game mentioned in the certificate is child abuse material.
(6) A court that finds a person guilty of an offence against
subsection (1):
(a) must order the forfeiture and destruction of any child abuse
material in respect of which the offence was committed; and
(b) may order the forfeiture and destruction of any other articles
seized at the same time as the child abuse material in respect
of which the offence was committed.
(7) In this section:
Commonwealth evidentiary certificate means a certificate issued
under section 87 of the Commonwealth Act that:
(a) purports to be signed by the Director of the Classification
Board or the Deputy Director of the Classification Board; and
(b) states that a film, publication or computer game is classified
RC on the basis that it describes or depicts, in a way that is
likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult, a person who is,
or appears to be, a child (whether the person is engaged in
sexual activity or not).
Note for section 125B
See also section 208JF.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 125
125C Publishing indecent articles
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally publishes an article; and
(b) the article is indecent and the person is reckless in relation to
that circumstance.
Maximum penalty:
(a) for an individual – imprisonment for 2 years; or
(b) for a body corporate – 175 penalty units.
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (1) if the defendant:
(a) published the indecent article for the purposes of an
application for classification under the Commonwealth Act; or
(b) is a member or officer of a law enforcement agency and
published the indecent article in the exercise of a power
conferred, or performance of a function imposed, on the
member or officer by or under an Act or law.
(3) For this section, an article may be indecent even if part of it is not
indecent.
125D Using child for production of child abuse material or
pornographic or abusive performance
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally uses, offers or procures another
person for the production of material or for a performance; and
(b) the other person is a child, or a person who appears to be a
child, and the person is reckless in relation to that
circumstance; and
(c) the material is child abuse material, or the performance is a
pornographic or abusive performance, and the person is
reckless in relation to that circumstance.
Maximum penalty:
(a) for an individual – imprisonment for 14 years; or
(b) for a body corporate – 15 000 penalty units.
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125DA Animal sexual abuse or animal crush material
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally produces, sells, distributes or
possesses, or offers or advertises for sale or distribution,
material; and
(b) the material is animal sexual abuse or animal crush material
and the person is reckless in relation to that circumstance.
Maximum penalty:
(a) for an individual – imprisonment for 5 years; or
(b) for a body corporate – 5 000 penalty units.
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (1) if the defendant:
(a) is a member or officer of a law enforcement agency or a court
who has animal sexual abuse or animal crush material in the
member's or officer's possession in the exercise of a power or
performance of a function conferred or imposed on the
member or officer by or under an Act or law; or
(b) has animal sexual abuse or animal crush material in the
defendant's possession in the exercise of a power, or
performance of a function, relating to the classification of the
material that is conferred or imposed on the defendant by or
under an Act or law; or
(c) has animal sexual abuse or animal crush material in the
defendant's possession for legitimate medical or health
research purposes.
(3) In a prosecution of a person for an offence against subsection (1),
each of the following is evidence that animal sexual abuse or
animal crush material was in the person's possession:
(a) proof that the material was in or at a place of which the person
was the occupier;
(b) proof that the material was in or at a place, the management
or control of which the person was concerned in.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to a person if the person neither
knew nor had reason to suspect that the animal sexual abuse or
animal crush material was in or on that place.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 127
(5) A court that finds a person guilty of an offence against
subsection (1):
(a) may order the forfeiture and destruction of any animal sexual
abuse or animal crush material in respect of which the offence
was committed; and
(b) may order the forfeiture and destruction of any other articles
seized at the same time as the animal sexual abuse or animal
crush material in respect of which the offence was committed.
125E Criminal liability of executive officer of body corporate – legal
burden of proof on defence
(1) An executive officer of a body corporate commits an offence if the
body corporate commits an offence against section 125B(1),
125C(1), 125D or 125DA(1) (a relevant offence).
Maximum penalty: The maximum penalty that may be imposed
on an individual for the commission of the
relevant offence.
(2) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of absolute liability.
(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (1) if the defendant:
(a) was not in a position to influence the conduct of the body
corporate in relation to the commission of the relevant offence;
or
(b) took reasonable steps to prevent the commission of the
relevant offence; or
(c) did not know, and could not reasonably have been expected
to know, that the relevant offence would be committed.
(4) The defendant has a legal burden of proof in relation to a matter
mentioned in subsection (3).
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(5) In deciding whether the defendant took (or failed to take)
reasonable steps to prevent the commission of the relevant offence,
a court must consider the following:
(a) any action the defendant took directed towards ensuring the
following (to the extent the action is relevant to the
commission of the relevant offence):
(i) the body corporate arranged regular professional
assessments of the body corporate's compliance with
the provision to which the relevant offence relates;
(ii) the body corporate implemented any appropriate
recommendation arising from an assessment under
subparagraph (i);
(iii) the body corporate's employees, agents and contractors
had a reasonable knowledge and understanding of the
requirement to comply with the provision to which the
relevant offence relates;
(b) any action the defendant took when the defendant became
aware that the relevant offence was, or could be, about to be
committed.
(6) Subsection (5) does not limit the matters the court may consider.
(7) This section does not affect the liability of the body corporate.
(8) This section applies to an executive officer whether or not the body
corporate is prosecuted for, or found guilty of, the relevant offence.
(9) Subsection (1) does not apply to an executive officer if the body
corporate would have a defence to a prosecution for the relevant
offence.
Note for subsection (9)
The defendant has an evidential burden in relation to the matters mentioned in
subsection (9) (see section 43BU of the Criminal Code).
(10) In this section:
executive officer, of a body corporate, means a director or other
person who is concerned with, or takes part in, the management of
the body corporate.
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Division 3 Offences against public health
Criminal Code Act 1983 129
125F Court proceedings
(1) This section applies to proceedings for:
(a) an offence against section 125B(1), 125D or 125DA(1); or
(b) an offence against section 125C involving an article that is
indecent by virtue of paragraph (b)(vi) of the definition of
indecent article.
(2) For proceedings specified in subsection (1), the Court must be
closed while the material that is the subject of the offence is on
display.
Division 2A Offence relating to human remains
126 Interference with or indignity to human remains
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally engages in conduct in relation to
human remains, whether or not the remains are buried; and
(b) the conduct is an improper or indecent interference with, or an
indignity to, the remains, according to the standards of
ordinary people.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(b).
(3) In a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1), the question
of what is improper, indecent or an indignity is a matter for the trier
of fact.
Division 3 Offences against public health
148 Selling, &c., things unfit for food or drink
Any person who sells or exposes for sale for the food or drink of
man, or has in his possession with intent to sell it for the food or
drink of man, anything that he knows to be unfit for the food or drink
of man is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.
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Part V Acts injurious to the public in general
Division 4 Contamination of goods
Criminal Code Act 1983 130
Division 4 Contamination of goods
148A Definitions
(1) In this Division:
contaminate, in relation to goods, includes:
(a) to interfere with the goods; and
(b) to make it appear that the goods have been contaminated or
interfered with.
goods includes any substance:
(a) whether or not for human consumption;
(b) whether natural or manufactured; and
(c) whether or not incorporated or mixed with other goods.
(2) In this Division, a reference to economic loss caused through public
awareness of the contamination of goods includes a reference to
economic loss caused through:
(a) members of the public not purchasing or using those goods or
similar goods; or
(b) steps taken to avoid public alarm or anxiety or to avoid harm
to members of the public.
148B Contaminating goods with intent to cause public alarm or
economic loss
A person who contaminates goods with the intention of:
(a) causing public alarm or anxiety; or
(b) causing economic loss through public awareness of the
contamination,
is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
148C Threatening to contaminate goods with intent to cause public
alarm or economic loss
(1) A person who makes a threat that goods will be contaminated with
the intention of:
(a) causing public alarm or anxiety; or
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Part V Acts injurious to the public in general
Division 5 Recruitment of child
Criminal Code Act 1983 131
(b) causing economic loss through public awareness of the
contamination,
is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) For the purposes of this section, a threat may be made by any
conduct, and may be explicit or implicit and conditional or
unconditional.
148D Making false statements concerning contamination of goods
with intent to cause public alarm or economic loss
(1) A person who makes a statement that the person believes to be
false:
(a) with the intention of inducing the person to whom the
statement is made or others to believe that goods have been
contaminated; and
(b) with the intention of thereby:
(i) causing public alarm or anxiety; or
(ii) causing economic loss through public awareness of the
contamination,
is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) For the purposes of this section, making a statement includes
conveying information by any means.
148E Territorial nexus for offences
It is immaterial that the conduct of a person constituting an offence
under this Division occurred outside the Territory, so long as the
person intended by the conduct:
(a) to cause public alarm or anxiety in the Territory; or
(b) to cause economic loss in the Territory through public
awareness of the contamination.
Division 5 Recruitment of child
148F Recruiting child to engage in criminal activity
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person is an adult; and
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Part V Acts injurious to the public in general
Division 5 Recruitment of child
Criminal Code Act 1983 132
(b) the person intentionally recruits another person to carry out or
assist in carrying out criminal activity; and
(c) the other person is a child and the person has knowledge of
that circumstance; and
(d) the person is reckless as to whether the child carries out or
assists in carrying out the criminal activity.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(a).
(3) A person may be found guilty of an offence against subsection (1)
even if:
(a) the criminal activity is not carried out; or
(b) the criminal activity is impossible to carry out; or
(c) the child is not prosecuted or found guilty of an offence.
(4) A person cannot be found guilty of more than one of the following
offences for the same conduct:
(a) an offence against subsection (1);
(b) an offence referred to in section 12(2);
(c) an offence against section 43BI.
Notes for subsection (4)
1 Section 12(2) refers to the offence of counselling or procuring.
2 Section 43BI is the offence of inciting the commission of an offence.
(5) In this section:
criminal activity means conduct that constitutes an offence
punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of 1 year or more.
recruit includes counsel, procure, solicit, incite and induce.
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 1A Preliminary matters
Subdivision 2 Interpretation
Criminal Code Act 1983 133
Part VI Offences against the person and related
matters
Division 1A Preliminary matters
Subdivision 1 Right of occupants etc. to safety from attack by
intruders
149A Right to safety from attack by intruders
It is expressly declared that it is the public policy of the Territory that
occupants of dwelling-houses and commercial premises, and
persons invited into those premises, have the right to enjoy
absolute safety in the premises from attack by intruders.
Subdivision 2 Interpretation
149B Definitions
In this Part:
aggravated offence means an offence against section 174C
or 174D that is an aggravated offence under section 174G.
distribute, for Division 7A, see section 208AA.
image, for Division 7A, see section 208AA.
intimate image, for Division 7A, see section 208AA.
law enforcement officer means:
(a) a police officer or a member of the police force or police
service of any State; or
(b) a member of the Australian Federal Police; or
(c) a member of staff of the Australian Crime Commission.
149C Causing death or harm
For this Part, a person's conduct causes death or harm if it
substantially contributes to the death or harm.
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 1 Duties relating to the preservation of human life
Criminal Code Act 1983 134
Division 1 Duties relating to the preservation of human life
149 Duty of person in charge of child or others
It is the duty of every person having charge of a child under the age
of 16 years or having charge of any person who is unable to
withdraw himself from such charge by reason of age, sickness,
unsoundness of mind, detention or other cause and who is unable
to provide himself with the necessaries of life:
(a) to provide the necessaries of life for that child or other person;
and
(b) to use reasonable care and take reasonable precautions to
avoid or prevent danger to the life, safety or health of the child
or other person and to take all reasonable action to rescue
such child or other person from such danger.
150 Duty of person engaging in dangerous conduct
It is the duty of every person who, except in the case of necessity,
undertakes to administer medical treatment to another or to engage
in any other conduct that is or may be dangerous to health and that
requires special knowledge, skill, attention or caution to have the
requisite knowledge or skill and to employ such knowledge, skill,
attention and caution as is reasonable in the circumstances.
151 Duty of person in charge of things applied to a dangerous
purpose
It is the duty of every person who manages, uses or has in his
possession anything that when so managed, used or had in
possession may, in the absence of reasonable care and reasonable
precautions, endanger the life, safety or health of another to use
reasonable care and take reasonable precautions to avoid such
danger.
152 Duty to do certain acts
When a person undertakes to do any act, the omission of which is
dangerous to human life or health, it is his duty to do that act.
153 Effect of breach of duty
A person who omits to perform any duty imposed upon him by this
Division is held to have caused any consequences to the life or
health of any person to whom he owes the duty by reason of such
omission, but whether or not he is criminally responsible therefor is
to be determined by the other provisions of this Code.
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Division 3 Homicide: suicide: concealment of birth
Criminal Code Act 1983 135
Division 2 Provision of rescue, medical treatment and other
aid
155 Failure to rescue, provide help, &c.
Any person who, being able to provide rescue, resuscitation,
medical treatment, first aid or succour of any kind to a person
urgently in need of it and whose life may be endangered if it is not
provided, callously fails to do so is guilty of an offence and is liable
to imprisonment for 7 years.
155A Assault, obstruction etc. of persons providing rescue, medical
treatment or other aid
(1) A person who unlawfully assaults, obstructs or hinders another
person:
(a) who is providing rescue, resuscitation, medical treatment, first
aid or succour of any kind to a third person;
(b) who is taking action to prevent injury or further injury to a third
person who is in immediate risk of injury or further injury; or
(c) who is taking action to prevent damage or further damage to
property that is in immediate risk of damage or further
damage,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 5 years.
(2) If the person thereby endangers the life of or causes harm to the
third person, the person is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
Division 3 Homicide: suicide: concealment of birth
156 Murder
(1) A person is guilty of the offence of murder if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) that conduct causes the death of another person; and
(c) the person intends to cause the death of, or serious harm to,
that or any other person by that conduct.
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 3 Homicide: suicide: concealment of birth
Criminal Code Act 1983 136
(2) Section 43BF does not apply to the offence of murder.
Note for section 156
Under sections 158 and 159, murder may be reduced to manslaughter if the
conduct causing the death concerned occurred under provocation or the
defendant proves that the defendant's mental capacity was substantially
impaired.
157 Punishment for murder and conspiracy to murder
(1) A person who is guilty of the offence of murder is liable to
imprisonment for life.
(2) The penalty mentioned in subsection (1) is mandatory.
(3) A person who is guilty of the offence of conspiracy to commit the
offence of murder is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
Notes for section 157
1. Under sections 53 and 53A of the Sentencing Act 1995, a sentencing court
must fix a non-parole period when sentencing an offender found guilty of
murder.
2. Under section 82(3) of the Youth Justice Act 2005, the Supreme Court may,
despite this section, sentence a youth found guilty of murder to life
imprisonment or a shorter period of detention or imprisonment as it considers
appropriate.
158 Trial for murder – partial defence of provocation
(1) A person (the defendant) who would, apart from this section, be
guilty of murder must not be convicted of murder if the defence of
provocation applies.
(2) The defence of provocation applies if:
(a) the conduct causing death was the result of the defendant's
loss of self-control induced by conduct of the deceased
towards or affecting the defendant; and
(b) the conduct of the deceased was such as could have induced
an ordinary person to have so far lost self-control as to have
formed an intent to kill or cause serious harm to the deceased.
(3) Grossly insulting words or gestures towards or affecting the
defendant can be conduct of a kind that induces the defendant's
loss of self-control.
(4) A defence of provocation may arise regardless of whether the
conduct of the deceased occurred immediately before the conduct
causing death or at an earlier time.
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 3 Homicide: suicide: concealment of birth
Criminal Code Act 1983 137
(5) However, conduct of the deceased consisting of a non-violent
sexual advance or advances towards the defendant:
(a) is not, by itself, a sufficient basis for a defence of provocation;
but
(b) may be taken into account together with other conduct of the
deceased in deciding whether the defence has been
established.
(6) For deciding whether the conduct causing death occurred under
provocation, there is no rule of law that provocation is negatived if:
(a) there was not a reasonable proportion between the conduct
causing death and the conduct of the deceased that induced
the conduct causing death; or
(b) the conduct causing death did not occur suddenly; or
(c) the conduct causing death occurred with an intent to take life
or cause serious harm.
(7) The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the defence
of provocation.
Note for subsection (7)
Under section 43BR(2), the prosecution bears a legal burden of disproving a
matter in relation to which the defendant has discharged an evidential burden of
proof. The legal burden of proof on the prosecution must be discharged beyond
reasonable doubt – see section 43BS(1).
(8) A defendant who would, apart from this section, be liable to be
convicted of murder must be convicted of manslaughter instead.
159 Trial for murder – partial defence of diminished responsibility
(1) A person (the defendant) who would, apart from this section, be
guilty of murder must not be convicted of murder if:
(a) the defendant's mental capacity was substantially impaired at
the time of the conduct causing death; and
(b) the impairment arose wholly or partly from an underlying
condition; and
(c) the defendant should not, given the extent of the impairment,
be convicted of murder.
(2) Expert and other evidence may be admissible to enable or assist
the tribunal of fact to determine the extent of the defendant's
impairment at the time of the conduct causing death.
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 3 Homicide: suicide: concealment of birth
Criminal Code Act 1983 138
(3) If the defendant's impairment is attributable in part to an underlying
condition and in part to self-induced intoxication, then, for deciding
whether a defence of diminished responsibility has been
established, the impairment must be ignored so far as it was
attributable to self-induced intoxication.
(4) The burden of establishing a defence of diminished responsibility is
a legal burden and lies on the defence.
(5) A defendant who would, apart from this section, be liable to be
convicted of murder must be convicted of manslaughter instead.
(6) In this section:
mental capacity, of a defendant, means the defendant's capacity
to:
(a) understand events; or
(b) judge whether his or her actions are right or wrong; or
(c) exercise self-control.
underlying condition means a pre-existing mental or physiological
condition other than of a transitory kind.
160 Manslaughter
A person is guilty of the offence of manslaughter if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) that conduct causes the death of another person; and
(c) the person is reckless or negligent as to causing the death of
that or any other person by the conduct.
161 Punishment for manslaughter
A person who is guilty of the offence of manslaughter is liable to
imprisonment for life.
161A Violent act causing death
(1) A person (the defendant) is guilty of the offence of a violent act
causing death if:
(a) the defendant engages in conduct involving a violent act to
another person (the other person); and
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Division 3 Homicide: suicide: concealment of birth
Criminal Code Act 1983 139
(b) that conduct causes the death of:
(i) the other person; or
(ii) any other person.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 16 years.
(2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(b).
(3) The defendant is criminally responsible for the offence even if the
other person consented to the conduct mentioned in
subsection (1)(a).
(4) However, the defendant is not criminally responsible for the offence
if:
(a) the conduct involving the violent act is engaged in by the
defendant:
(i) for the purpose of benefiting the other person; or
(ii) as part of a socially acceptable function or activity; and
(b) having regard to the purpose, function or activity mentioned in
paragraph (a), the conduct was reasonable.
(5) In this section:
conduct involving a violent act means conduct involving the
direct application of force of a violent nature to a person, whether or
not an offensive weapon is used in the application of the force.
Examples of the application of force of a violent nature
A blow, hit, kick, punch or strike.
162 Assisting and encouraging suicide
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the person:
(a) assists another person to kill or attempt to kill himself or
herself; or
(b) encourages another person to kill or attempt to kill himself or
herself.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for life.
(2) For a person to be guilty of an offence against subsection (1)(a):
(a) the person must have intended his or her conduct would assist
the other person to commit suicide; and
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 3 Homicide: suicide: concealment of birth
Criminal Code Act 1983 140
(b) the other person commits or attempts to commit suicide and
was assisted to do so by that conduct.
(3) For a person to be guilty of an offence against subsection (1)(b):
(a) the person must have intended his or her conduct would
encourage the other person to commit suicide; and
(b) the other person commits or attempts to commit suicide and
was encouraged to do so by that conduct.
(4) It is not an offence to attempt to commit an offence against this
section.
163 Concealment of birth
A person is guilty of an offence if the person disposes of the dead
body of a child (whether or not the child was born alive) with the
intention of concealing the child's birth.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
165 Attempt to murder
Any person who:
(a) attempts unlawfully to kill another; or
(b) with intent unlawfully to kill another, does any act, or omits to
do any act that it is his duty to do, such act or omission being
of such a nature as to be likely to endanger human life,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.
166 Threats to kill
(1) Any person who, with intent to cause fear, makes, or causes any
person to receive, a threat to kill any person which threat is of such
a nature as to cause fear to any person of reasonable firmness and
courage, is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for
7 years.
(2) It is a defence to a charge of an offence against this section to
prove that making such a threat or causing it to be received was
reasonable by the standards of an ordinary person similarly
circumstanced to the accused person.
170 Killing unborn child
Any person who, when a woman or girl is about to be delivered of a
child, prevents the child from being born alive by any act or
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 3A Recklessly endangering life and serious harm, negligently causing serious
harm and related offences involving vehicles and vessels
Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 141
omission of such a nature that, if the child had been born alive and
had then died, he would be deemed to have unlawfully killed the
child, is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.
Division 3A Recklessly endangering life and serious harm,
negligently causing serious harm and related
offences involving vehicles and vessels
Subdivision 1 Interpretation
174B Danger of death or serious harm
(1) For this Division, conduct that may give rise to a danger of death or
serious harm includes exposing a person to the risk of catching a
disease that may give rise to a danger of death or serious harm.
(2) For this Division, conduct gives rise to a danger of death or serious
harm if it is ordinarily capable of creating a real, and not merely a
theoretical, danger of death or serious harm.
(3) Conduct may give rise to a danger of death or serious harm
whatever the statistical or arithmetical calculation of the degree of
risk of death or serious harm involved.
(4) In the prosecution of an offence against Subdivision 2, it is not
necessary to prove that a person was actually placed in danger of
death or serious harm by the conduct concerned.
Subdivision 2 Offences
174C Recklessly endangering life
A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) that conduct gives rise to a danger of death to any person;
and
(c) the person is reckless as to the danger of death to any person
that arises from the conduct.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 14 years.
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 3A Recklessly endangering life and serious harm, negligently causing serious
harm and related offences involving vehicles and vessels
Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 142
174D Recklessly endangering serious harm
A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) that conduct gives rise to a danger of serious harm to any
person; and
(c) the person is reckless as to the danger of serious harm to any
person that arises from the conduct.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 10 years.
174E Negligently causing serious harm
A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) that conduct causes serious harm to another person; and
(c) the person is negligent as to causing serious harm to the other
person or any other person by the conduct.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
174F Driving motor vehicle causing death or serious harm
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person drives a motor vehicle dangerously; and
(b) that conduct causes the death of any person.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person drives a motor vehicle dangerously; and
(b) that conduct causes serious harm to any person.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 3A Recklessly endangering life and serious harm, negligently causing serious
harm and related offences involving vehicles and vessels
Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 143
(3) For subsections (1)(a) and (2)(a), a person drives a motor vehicle
dangerously if the person drives the vehicle:
(a) while under the influence of alcohol or a drug to such an
extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the
vehicle; or
(b) at a speed that is dangerous to another person; or
(c) in a manner that is dangerous to another person.
(4) An offence against subsection (1) or (2) is an offence of strict
liability.
(5) A person who is convicted or acquitted of an offence against
subsection (1) or (2) is not liable to be convicted of another offence
against this Code on the same facts or substantially the same facts.
(6) The trier of fact may find the person not guilty of an offence against
subsection (1) but guilty of an offence against section 30B(1) of the
Traffic Act 1987 if the trier of fact:
(a) is not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed the offence against subsection (1); and
(b) is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed an offence against section 30B(1) of the Traffic
Act 1987.
(7) The trier of fact may find the person not guilty of an offence against
subsection (2) but guilty of an offence against section 30B(2) of the
Traffic Act 1987 if the trier of fact:
(a) is not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed the offence against subsection (2); and
(b) is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed an offence against section 30B(2) of the Traffic
Act 1987.
174FA Hit and run
(1) The driver of a vehicle is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the vehicle is involved in an incident that results in the death
of, or serious harm to, a person; and
(b) the driver fails to do any of the following:
(i) stop the vehicle at the scene of the incident;
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 3A Recklessly endangering life and serious harm, negligently causing serious
harm and related offences involving vehicles and vessels
Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 144
(ii) give any assistance to the person that is reasonable in
the circumstances;
(iii) as soon as reasonably practicable after the incident or
after giving the assistance mentioned in
subparagraph (ii) – notify a representative of the Police
Force of the following:
(A) that the incident has occurred;
(B) the location of the incident;
(C) that the driver was the driver of the vehicle involved
in the incident;
(D) the driver's name;
(iv) comply with any reasonable direction given by a
representative of the Police Force in relation to the
incident.
Fault elements:
The driver knows, or is reckless as to whether or not:
(a) the vehicle is involved in an incident; and
(b) the incident results in the death of, or serious harm to, a
person.
Maximum penalty:
(a) Imprisonment for 10 years if the incident results in the death of
a person.
(b) Imprisonment for 7 years if the incident results in serious harm
of a person.
(2) In this section:
driver, of a vehicle, includes a person who controls the vehicle (for
example, the rider of a motorcycle).
representative of the Police Force means:
(a) a police officer; or
(b) a public sector employee working in a communications centre
operated by the Police Force of the Northern Territory.
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 3A Recklessly endangering life and serious harm, negligently causing serious
harm and related offences involving vehicles and vessels
Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 145
vehicle means any form of transport that can be used on a road or
track (for example, a car, trailer, bicycle, horse or horse drawn
carriage).
174FB Dangerous driving during pursuit
(1) The driver of a vehicle commits an offence if:
(a) a police officer gives the driver a direction to stop the vehicle
under a law in force in the Territory; and
(b) the driver fails to comply with the direction; and
(c) a police officer pursues the vehicle; and
(d) the driver drives the vehicle dangerously while it is being
pursued.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
Examples for subsection (1)(a) of laws under which a direction to stop may be
given
1 Section 119A of the Police Administration Act 1978.
2 Section 29AAB of the Traffic Act 1987.
(2) For subsection (1):
(a) a police officer may be pursuing a vehicle even if the officer is
not travelling at the same speed as the vehicle; and
(b) it is irrelevant that the officer's pursuit is suspended or ends
before the vehicle being pursued stops; and
(c) a driver drives a vehicle dangerously if the driver drives the
vehicle:
(i) while under the influence of alcohol or a drug to such an
extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the
vehicle; or
(ii) at a speed that is dangerous to another person; or
(iii) in a manner that is dangerous to another person.
(3) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.
(4) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (1) if the defendant believed, on reasonable grounds,
that he or she was not given a direction to stop the vehicle by a
police officer.
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Division 3A Recklessly endangering life and serious harm, negligently causing serious
harm and related offences involving vehicles and vessels
Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 146
(5) The defendant has a legal burden of proof in relation to the matter
mentioned in subsection (4).
(6) In this section:
direction to stop, in relation to a vehicle, means any action taken
by a police officer to indicate to the driver of the vehicle that the
driver must stop the vehicle including, for example:
(a) the giving of hand signals or the display of signs; and
(b) if the officer is driving a vehicle – any of the following:
(i) the flashing of the vehicle's headlights;
(ii) the use of a lamp on the vehicle displaying intermittent
red and blue flashes;
(iii) the sounding of an alarm, siren or other warning device
from the vehicle.
driver, see section 174FA(2).
vehicle, see section 174FA(2).
174FC Navigating vessel causing death or serious harm
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person navigates a vessel dangerously; and
(b) that conduct causes the death of another person.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person navigates a vessel dangerously; and
(b) that conduct causes serious harm to another person.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(3) For subsections (1)(a) and (2)(a), a person navigates a vessel
dangerously if the person navigates the vessel:
(a) while under the influence of alcohol or a drug to such an
extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the
vessel; or
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 3A Recklessly endangering life and serious harm, negligently causing serious
harm and related offences involving vehicles and vessels
Subdivision 3 Aggravated offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 147
(b) at a speed that is dangerous to another person; or
(c) in a manner that is dangerous to another person.
(4) An offence against subsection (1) or (2) is an offence of strict
liability.
(5) A person who is convicted or acquitted of an offence against
subsection (1) or (2) is not liable to be convicted of another offence
against this Code on the same facts or substantially the same facts.
(6) In this section:
navigate, in relation to a vessel, includes any of the following:
(a) steer, direct or manage the vessel;
(b) direct or manage the course of the vessel;
(c) change the movement or direction of the vessel.
Subdivision 3 Aggravated offences
174G Increased penalty for aggravated offence
The following are circumstances of aggravation for an offence
committed against section 174C or 174D and a maximum penalty
specified in the section for an aggravated offence applies if any
such circumstance of aggravation applies to the offence:
(a) the offence was committed by the use or threatened use of an
offensive weapon;
(b) the offence was committed against a public officer who was, at
the time of the offence, acting in the course of his or her duty
as a police officer, correctional services officer or other law
enforcement officer;
(c) the offence was committed against a person who was involved
in any capacity in legal proceedings in connection with any
conduct or future conduct of the person in respect of those
proceedings;
(d) the offence was committed against a child under the age of
10 years;
(e) the offence was committed against a person in abuse of a
position of trust;
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Criminal Code Act 1983 148
(f) the offence was committed against a person in abuse of a
position of authority.
174H Procedure for proving aggravated offence
(1) If the prosecution intends to prove an aggravated offence, the
relevant circumstances of aggravation must be contained in the
charge.
(2) In order to prove an aggravated offence, the prosecution must
prove that the person who committed the offence intended or was
reckless as to the circumstances of aggravation.
Division 4 Miscellaneous offences against the person
175 Disabling in order to commit indictable offence
Any person who, by any means calculated to choke, suffocate or
strangle and with intent to commit or to facilitate the commission of
an indictable offence, or to facilitate the flight of an offender after
the commission or attempted commission of an indictable offence,
renders or attempts to render any person incapable of resistance is
guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.
176 Stupefying in order to commit indictable offence
Any person who, with intent to commit or to facilitate the
commission of an indictable offence, or to facilitate the flight of an
offender after the commission or attempted commission of an
indictable offence, administers, or attempts to administer, any
stupefying or overpowering drug or thing to any person is guilty of
an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.
176A Drink or food spiking
(1) A person's (the victim's) drink or food is spiked if:
(a) it contains an intoxicating substance that:
(i) the victim does not expect it to contain; and
(ii) a reasonable person in the victim's position would not
expect it to contain; or
(b) it contains more of an intoxicating substance than:
(i) the victim expects it to contain; and
(ii) a reasonable person in the victim's position would
expect it to contain.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 149
(2) A person is guilty of an offence if the person:
(a) spikes another's drink or food; or
(b) gives to another, or causes another to be given or to
consume, spiked drink or food.
Fault elements:
(a) knowledge that the victim does not know that the drink or food
is spiked or recklessness as to whether the victim knows.
(b) an intention to do one or more of the following:
(i) to impair the victim's mental acuity and thus obtain an
advantage from or over the victim;
(ii) to cause embarrassment or humiliation;
(iii) to cause harm (including unwanted intoxication).
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
177 Acts intended to cause serious harm or prevent apprehension
Any person who, with intent to disfigure or disable any person, or to
cause serious harm to any person, or to resist or prevent the lawful
arrest or detention of any person:
(a) causes any serious harm, or causes any other harm, by any
means; or
(b) attempts in any manner to strike any person with any kind of
projectile; or
(c) causes any explosive substance to explode; or
(d) sends or delivers any explosive substance or other dangerous
or noxious thing to any person; or
(e) causes any such substance or thing to be taken or received by
any person; or
(f) puts any corrosive fluid or any destructive or explosive
substance in any place; or
(g) casts or throws any such fluid or substance at or upon any
person or otherwise applies any such fluid or substance to the
person of any person,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.
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Division 4 Miscellaneous offences against the person
Criminal Code Act 1983 150
178 Preventing escape from wreck
Any person who:
(a) prevents or obstructs any person who is on board or is
escaping from a ship or aircraft that is in distress or wrecked in
his endeavours to save his life; or
(b) obstructs any person in his endeavours to save the life of any
person so situated,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.
179 Intentionally endangering safety of persons travelling by
railway or roadway
Any person who, with intent to injure or to endanger the safety of
any person travelling by railway or roadway, whether a particular
person or not:
(a) deals with the railway or roadway, any railway engine or
carriage or motor vehicle or with anything upon or near the
railway or roadway in such a manner as to affect or endanger
or be likely to affect or endanger the free and safe use of the
railway or roadway or the safety of any such person;
(b) shows any light or signal or sign, or in any way deals with any
existing light or signal or sign, upon or near the railway or
roadway; or
(c) by an omission to do any act that it is his duty to do causes
the safety of any such person to be endangered,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.
180 Intentionally endangering safety of persons travelling by
aircraft or ship
Any person who, with intent to injure or to endanger the safety of
any person whilst he is on board any aircraft or ship, whether a
particular person or not:
(a) deals with the aircraft or ship or with anything upon or near the
aircraft or ship or with anything either directly or indirectly
connected with the guidance, control or operation of the
aircraft or ship, in such a manner as to affect or endanger or
be likely to affect or endanger the free and safe use of the
aircraft or ship or the safety of any such person; or
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(b) by any omission to do any act that it is his duty to do causes
the safety of any such person to be endangered,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.
180A Endangering occupants of vehicles and vessels
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person throws a thing, or directs a laser pointer, at a
vehicle or vessel; and
(b) the act mentioned in paragraph (a) gives rise to a danger of
harm to someone in or on the vehicle or vessel.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) intentionally throws the thing or directs the pointer; and
(b) knows, or is reckless as to whether or not, the act gives rise to
a danger of harm to someone in or on the vehicle or vessel.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 4 years.
(2) Subsection (1) applies whether or not the vehicle or vessel is
stationary and whether or not the thing or laser beam reaches the
vehicle or vessel.
(3) In this section:
laser pointer means a hand-held battery-operated device that is:
(a) commonly known as a laser pointer; and
(b) designed or adapted to emit a laser beam with an accessible
emission limit of greater than 1 mW.
throwing a thing includes dropping or propelling the thing in any
way.
vehicle means any form of transport that can be used on a road or
track (for example, a car, trailer, bicycle, horse or horse drawn
carriage).
181 Serious harm
Any person who unlawfully causes serious harm to another is guilty
of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
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182 Attempting to injure by explosive substances
Any person who, with intent to cause any harm to another, puts any
explosive substance in any place is guilty of an offence and is liable
to imprisonment for 14 years.
183 Failure to supply necessaries
Any person who, being charged with the duty of providing for
another the necessaries of life, unlawfully fails to do so whereby the
life of that other person is or is likely to be endangered or his health
is or is likely to be permanently injured, is guilty of an offence and is
liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
184 Endangering life of child by exposure
Any person who abandons or exposes a child under the age of
2 years whereby the life of such child is or is likely to be
endangered, or his health is or is likely to be permanently injured, is
guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
185 Setting man-traps
(1) Any person who sets or places any spring-gun, man-trap or other
device calculated to destroy human life or to inflict serious harm, or
causes any such thing to be set or placed, in any place with the
intent that it may kill or inflict serious harm upon a trespasser or
other person coming in contact with it, or sets or places any such
thing in any such place and in any such manner that it is likely to
cause any such result, is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) Any person who knowingly permits any such spring-gun, man-trap
or other device that has been set or placed by another person in
any such place and in any such manner that it is likely to cause any
such result to continue so set or placed in any place that is then in,
or afterwards comes into, his possession or occupation, is deemed
to have set and placed the spring-gun, man-trap or device with the
intent aforesaid.
(3) This section does not make it an offence to set any trap such as is
usually set for the purpose of destroying vermin.
186 Harm
Any person who unlawfully causes harm to another is guilty of an
offence and is liable to imprisonment for 5 years.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 153
186AA Choking, strangling or suffocating in a domestic relationship
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person is in a domestic relationship with another person;
and
(b) the person intentionally chokes, strangles or suffocates the
other person; and
(c) the other person does not consent to the choking, strangling
or suffocating and the person is reckless in relation to that
circumstance.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
(2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(a).
(3) To avoid doubt, an offence against this section constitutes domestic
violence under section 5 of the Domestic and Family Violence
Act 2007.
(4) In this section:
chokes, strangles or suffocates, a person, includes the following:
(a) applies pressure, to any extent, to the person's neck;
(b) obstructs, to any extent, any part of the person's:
(i) respiratory system; or
(ii) accessory systems of respiration;
(c) interferes, to any extent, with the operation of the person's:
(i) respiratory system; or
(ii) accessory systems of respiration;
(d) impedes, to any extent, the person's respiration.
domestic relationship, see section 9 of the Domestic and Family
Violence Act 2007.
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Division 4A Female genital mutilation
Criminal Code Act 1983 154
Division 4A Female genital mutilation
186A Definitions
In this Division:
authorised professional means a person registered under the
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (other than as a
student) to practise in:
(a) the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice
profession; or
(b) the nursing profession; or
(c) the midwifery profession.
female genital mutilation means the excision, infibulation or any
other mutilation of the whole or any part of the labia majora or labia
minora or clitoris.
gender reassignment procedure means a surgical procedure to
give a female, or a person whose sex is ambivalent, the genital
appearance of a particular sex (whether male or female).
186B Female genital mutilation
(1) A person who performs female genital mutilation on another person
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) An offence is committed against this section even if one or more of
the acts constituting the offence occurred outside the Territory if the
person mutilated by or because of the acts is ordinarily resident in
the Territory.
(3) It is not an offence against this section to perform a surgical
operation if the operation:
(a) has a genuine therapeutic purpose and is performed by a
medical practitioner or authorised professional; or
(b) is a gender reassignment procedure and is performed by a
medical practitioner.
(4) A surgical operation does not have a genuine therapeutic purpose
by virtue of the fact that it is performed as, or as part of, a cultural,
religious or other social custom.
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186C Removal of person from Territory for female genital mutilation
(1) A person who takes another person from the Territory, or arranges
for another person to be taken from the Territory, with the intention
of having female genital mutilation performed on that person is
guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) In proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), if it is proved
that:
(a) the accused took another person, or arranged for another
person to be taken, from the Territory; and
(b) female genital mutilation was performed on the person while
outside the Territory,
it shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the accused
took the person, or arranged for the person to be taken, from the
Territory with the intention of having female genital mutilation
performed on the person.
186D Consent not relevant
It is not a defence to a charge of an offence against this Division
that the person mutilated by or because of the acts alleged to have
been committed:
(a) consented to the acts; and/or
(b) consented to being taken from the Territory,
or that a parent or guardian of the person so consented.
Division 5 Assaults
187 Definitions
(1) In this Code assault means:
(a) the direct or indirect application of force to a person without
his consent or with his consent if the consent is obtained by
force or by means of menaces of any kind or by fear of harm
or by means of false and fraudulent representations as to the
nature of the act or by personation; or
(b) the attempted or threatened application of such force where
the person attempting or threatening it has an actual or
apparent present ability to effect his purpose and the purpose
is evidenced by bodily movement or threatening words,
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other than the application of force:
(c) when rescuing or resuscitating a person or when giving any
medical treatment or first aid reasonably needed by the
person to whom it is given or when restraining a person who
needs to be restrained for his own protection or benefit or
when attempting to do any such act;
(d) in the course of a sporting activity where the force used is not
in contravention of the rules of the game; or
(e) that is used for and is reasonably needed for the common
intercourse of life.
(2) In this Division:
emergency worker means any of the following:
(a) a member of the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service
established under section 5(1) of the Fire and Emergency
Act 1996;
(b) a member of the Northern Territory Emergency Service as
defined in section 8 of the Emergency Management Act 2013;
(c) an ambulance officer or paramedic employed or engaged in
providing ambulance services;
(d) a medical practitioner or a health practitioner, as defined in the
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law:
(i) accompanying or assisting a person mentioned in
paragraph (c); or
(ii) attending a situation in the absence or unavailability of a
person mentioned in paragraph (c).
Note for definition emergency worker, paragraph (c)
Ambulance services are not limited to road services, and may (for example)
include helicopter or fixed-wing aero-medical services.
188 Common assault
(1) Any person who unlawfully assaults another is guilty of an offence
and, if no greater punishment is provided, is liable to imprisonment
for one year.
(2) If the person assaulted:
(a) suffers harm; or
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(b) is a female and the offender is a male; or
(c) is under the age of 16 years and the offender is an adult; or
(d) is unable because of infirmity, age, physique, situation or other
disability effectually to defend himself or to retaliate; or
(e) is a member of the Legislative Assembly, the House of
Representatives or the Senate and the assault is committed
because of such membership; or
(f) is assisting a public sector employee in carrying out the public
sector employee's duties; or
(fa) is assisting a justice of the peace in carrying out the justice's
functions; or
(g) is engaged in the lawful service of any court document or in
the lawful execution of any process against any property or in
making a lawful distress; or
(h) has done an act in the execution of any duty imposed on him
by law and the assault is committed because of such act; or
(j) is assaulted in pursuance of any unlawful conspiracy; or
(ja) is assaulted by choking, suffocation or strangulation, as
defined in section 186AA; or
(m) is threatened with a firearm or other dangerous or offensive
weapon;
the offender is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for
5 years.
188A Assaults on workers
(1) A person who unlawfully assaults a worker who is working in the
performance of his or her duties is guilty of an offence.
(2) The maximum penalty for the offence is as follows:
(a) if the victim suffers harm:
(i) if the person is found guilty on indictment –
imprisonment for 7 years; or
(ii) if the person is found guilty summarily – imprisonment
for 3 years;
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(b) if the victim does not suffer harm:
(i) if the person is found guilty on indictment –
imprisonment for 5 years; or
(ii) if the person is found guilty summarily – imprisonment
for 2 years.
(3) A person is a worker for this section if he or she carries out
employment related activities (work) in any lawful capacity,
including work as any of the following:
(a) an employee;
(b) a contractor or subcontractor;
(c) an apprentice or trainee;
(d) a student gaining work experience;
(e) a volunteer;
(f) a self-employed person;
(g) a person appointed under a law in force in the Territory to
carry out functions or to hold an office.
(4) However, the following are not workers for this section:
(a) a police officer;
(b) an emergency worker.
Note for subsection (4)
Section 189A applies in relation to assaults on police officers and emergency
workers.
189A Assaults on police or emergency workers
(1) Any person who unlawfully assaults a police officer or emergency
worker in the execution of the officer's or worker's duty is guilty of
an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 5 years.
(2) If the police officer or emergency worker assaulted:
(a) suffers harm, the offender is liable to imprisonment for
7 years; or
(ab) suffers harm and the assault includes spitting by the offender,
the offender is liable to imprisonment for 10 years; or
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Criminal Code Act 1983 159
(b) suffers serious harm, the offender is liable to imprisonment for
16 years.
189 Unlawful stalking
(1) A person (the offender) stalks another person (the victim) if the
offender engages in conduct that includes repeated instances of or
a combination of any of the following:
(a) following the victim or any other person;
(b) telephoning, sending electronic messages to, or otherwise
contacting, the victim or another person;
(c) entering or loitering outside or near the victim's or another
person's place of residence or of business or any other place
frequented by the victim or the other person;
(d) interfering with property in the victim's or another person's
possession (whether or not the offender has an interest in the
property);
(e) giving offensive material to the victim or another person or
leaving it where it will be found by, given to or brought to the
attention of, the victim or the other person;
(f) keeping the victim or another person under surveillance;
(g) acting in any other way that could reasonably be expected to
arouse apprehension or fear in the victim for his or her own
safety or that of another person,
with the intention of causing physical or mental harm to the victim or
of arousing apprehension or fear in the victim for his or her own
safety or that of another person and the course of conduct engaged
in actually did have that result.
(1A) For the purposes of this section, an offender has the intention to
cause physical or mental harm to the victim or to arouse
apprehension or fear in the victim for his or her own safety or that of
another person if the offender knows, or in the particular
circumstances a reasonable person would have been aware, that
engaging in a course of conduct of that kind would be likely to
cause such harm or arouse such apprehension or fear.
(2) A person who stalks another person is guilty of an offence and is
liable:
(a) to imprisonment for 2 years; or
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(b) where:
(i) the person's conduct contravened a condition of bail or
an injunction or order imposed by a court (either under a
law of the Commonwealth, the Territory, a State or
another Territory of the Commonwealth); or
(ii) the person was, on any occasion to which the charge
relates, in the possession of an offensive weapon,
to imprisonment for 5 years.
190 Assaults on the Administrator or judges
(1) Any person who unlawfully assaults the Administrator or a judge
whilst he is engaged in the discharge of his official functions or
because of anything done or omitted to be done by him in the
exercise of his official functions, is guilty of an offence and is liable
to imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) In this section:
judge means the following:
(a) a Judge or Associate Judge of the Supreme Court;
(b) a Local Court Judge.
191 Assaults on member of crew of aircraft
Any person who, while on board an aircraft, unlawfully assaults a
member of the crew of the aircraft or threatens such a member with
any violence, injury or detriment of any kind to be caused to him, or
any other person on the aircraft, by the offender or by any other
person with the intention of affecting the performance by the
member of his functions or duties in connection with the operation
of the aircraft or with the intention of lessening his ability to perform
those functions or duties, is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for 14 years.
193 Assaults with intent to commit an offence
Unless otherwise expressly provided, any person who unlawfully
assaults a person with intent to commit an offence is guilty of an
offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
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Division 5A Assault with intent to steal
Criminal Code Act 1983 161
Division 5A Assault with intent to steal
193A Interpretation
(1) In this Division:
appropriates means assumes the rights of the owner of the
property and includes, if the person has come by the property
without stealing it, any later assumption of a right to it by keeping or
dealing with it as owner.
depriving means permanently depriving and appropriating or
borrowing property without meaning the person to whom it belongs
permanently to lose the property if the intention of the person
appropriating or borrowing it is to treat the property as the person's
own to dispose of (including to dispose of by lending or under a
condition as to its return that the person may not be able to
perform) regardless of the rights of the person to whom it belongs.
steals means unlawfully appropriates property of another with the
intention of depriving that person of it whether or not at the time of
the appropriation the person appropriating the property was willing
to pay for it, but does not include the appropriation of property by a
person with the reasonable belief that the property has been lost
and the owner of the property cannot be discovered.
(2) A person cannot steal land or things forming part of the land and
severed from it by the person or at the person's directions, except:
(a) if the person has legal authority to sell or dispose of land
belonging to another person and the person appropriates the
land or anything forming part of it – by dealing with it in breach
of the confidence reposed in the person; or
(b) if the person is not in possession of the land and the person
appropriates anything forming part of the land – by severing it
or causing it to be severed, or after it has been severed; or
(c) if, being in possession of the land under a tenancy or holding
over after a tenancy – the person appropriates the whole or
part of any fixture or structure let to be used with the land.
(3) If property is subject to a trust, the persons to whom it belongs are
to be regarded as including any person having a right to enforce the
trust and an intention to defeat the trust is to be regarded as an
intention to deprive any person having that right of the property.
(4) If a person (person A) receives property from or on account of
another person (person B) and is under an obligation to person B
to retain or deal with it or its proceeds in a particular way, the
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Division 6 Offences against liberty: kidnapping: abduction
Criminal Code Act 1983 162
property or proceeds are to be regarded, as against person A, as
belonging to person B until the obligation is discharged.
(5) If a person obtains property by another person's mistake and is
under an obligation to make restoration, in whole or in part, of the
property or its proceeds or its value, then, to the extent of that
obligation, the property or proceeds are to be regarded, as against
the person who has so obtained it, as belonging to the person
entitled to restoration and an intention not to make restoration is to
be regarded as an intention to deprive that person of the property or
proceeds.
(6) Property of a corporation sole belongs to the corporation despite a
vacancy in the corporation.
193B Assault with intent to steal
(1) Any person who assaults another person with intent to steal
anything is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for
7 years.
(2) If the offender is armed with a firearm or any other dangerous or
offensive weapon or is in company with one or more person or
persons or if the assault causes harm, the offender is liable to
imprisonment for 14 years.
(3) If the offender is armed with a firearm and immediately before, at or
immediately after the assault the offender injures any person by
discharging it, the offender is liable to imprisonment for life.
Division 6 Offences against liberty: kidnapping: abduction
194 Kidnapping for ransom
(1) Any person who:
(a) with intent to extort or gain anything from or procure anything
to be done or omitted to be done by a person by a demand
containing threats of injury or detriment to be caused to a
person, either by the offender or another person, if the
demand is not complied with, takes or entices away or detains
the person in respect of whom the threats are made; or
(b) receives, confines or detains the person in respect of whom
the threats are made, knowing the person to have been so
taken or enticed away or detained,
is guilty of an offence that is called kidnapping for ransom.
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Division 6 Offences against liberty: kidnapping: abduction
Criminal Code Act 1983 163
(2) Any person who commits the offence of kidnapping for ransom is
liable to imprisonment for 20 years.
(3) If the person kidnapped has been set at liberty without having
suffered serious harm, the offender is liable to imprisonment for
10 years.
195 Kidnapping
Any person who takes or entices away or detains another with
intent to compel that other person to work for him against his will is
guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
196 Deprivation of liberty
(1) Any person who confines or detains another in any place against
his will, or otherwise deprives another of his personal liberty, is
guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) It is lawful for a parent or guardian, or a person in the place of a
parent or guardian, or for a school teacher, by way of correction, to
impose such confinement or detention, or to cause such deprivation
of personal liberty of a child, as is reasonable under the
circumstances.
(3) A person is excused from criminal responsibility for an offence
against this section if he believes, on reasonable grounds, that the
person confined, detained or deprived of his personal liberty needs
to be confined, detained or deprived of his personal liberty for his
own protection or benefit.
197 False certificates by officers charged with duties relating to
liberty
Any person who:
(a) being required by law to give any certificate touching any
matter by virtue whereof the liberty of any person may be
affected, gives a certificate that, in any material particular, is to
his knowledge false; or
(b) not being a person authorized by law to give such a certificate,
gives such a certificate and represents himself to be a person
authorized to give it,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
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Division 6 Offences against liberty: kidnapping: abduction
Criminal Code Act 1983 164
198 Concealment of matters affecting liberty
Any person who:
(a) being required by law to keep any record touching any matter
relating to any person in confinement, refuses or neglects to
keep such record, or makes in such record an entry that, in
any material particular, is to his knowledge false; or
(b) being required by law to give any information to any person
touching any person in confinement, or to show to any person
any person in confinement, or any place in which a person is
confined:
(i) refuses or neglects to give such information, or to show
such person or place, to any person to whom he is so
required to give the information or show the person or
place; or
(ii) gives to any person to whom he is so required to give it
information touching any such matter that, in any
material particular, is to his knowledge false,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
199 Wrongful custody of mentally ill person
Any person who detains or assumes the custody of a mentally ill
person contrary to the provisions of the laws relating to mentally ill
persons is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for
2 years.
200 Threats
Any person who threatens to do any injury, or cause any detriment,
of any kind to another with intent to prevent or hinder that other
person from doing any act that he is lawfully entitled to do, or with
intent to compel him to do any act that he is lawfully entitled to
abstain from doing, is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for 2 years.
201 Abduction, enticement or detention of child under 16 years for
immoral purpose
Any person who takes or entices away or detains a child who is
under the age of 16 years with the intention that he or another shall
have sexual intercourse with the child or that the child shall be
indecently dealt with or exposed to indecent behaviour, is guilty of
an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 6A Sexual servitude and deceptive recruiting for sexual services
Criminal Code Act 1983 165
202 Abduction of child under 16 years
(1) Any person who takes a child who is under the age of 16 years out
of the custody or protection of that child's parent or other person
having the lawful care or charge of the child and against the will of
the parent or other person is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) If the offender is an adult or if the child is under the age of 14 years,
he is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
(3) It is immaterial that the offender believes the child to be of or above
the age of 16 years or 14 years.
(4) It is immaterial that the child was taken with the child's consent or at
the child's suggestion.
Division 6A Sexual servitude and deceptive recruiting for
sexual services
202A Interpretation
(1) In this Division:
sexual services means the commercial use or display of the body
of the person providing the services for the sexual gratification of
others.
sexual servitude means the condition of a person who provides
sexual services and who, because of the use of force or threat, is
not free:
(a) to stop providing sexual services; or
(b) to leave the place or area where the person provides sexual
services.
threat means:
(a) a threat of force;
(b) a threat to cause a person's deportation; or
(c) a threat of other detrimental action.
(2) For the purposes of this Division, the question whether, because of
the use of force or a threat, a person is not free:
(a) to stop providing sexual services; or
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 6A Sexual servitude and deceptive recruiting for sexual services
Criminal Code Act 1983 166
(b) to leave the place or area where the person provides sexual
services,
is to be decided according to whether a reasonable adult would
consider, in the circumstances, that the person is not free to stop
providing the services or to leave the place or area.
202B Sexual servitude
(1) A person who causes an adult to enter into or continue in sexual
servitude is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for
15 years.
(2) A person who causes a child of or over the age of 12 years to enter
into or continue in sexual servitude is guilty of an offence and is
liable to imprisonment for 20 years.
(3) A person who causes a child under the age of 12 years to enter into
or continue in sexual servitude is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for life.
202C Conducting business involving sexual servitude
(1) A person who conducts a business that involves the sexual
servitude of adults is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for 15 years.
(2) A person who conducts a business that involves the sexual
servitude of a child of or over the age of 12 years is guilty of an
offence and is liable to imprisonment for 20 years.
(3) A person who conducts a business that involves the sexual
servitude of a child under the age of 12 years is guilty of an offence
and is liable to imprisonment for life.
(4) In this section, a reference to a person who conducts a business
includes a reference to:
(a) a person who takes part in the management of the business;
(b) a person who exercises control or direction over the business;
and
(c) a person who provides finance for the business.
202D Deceptive recruiting for sexual services
(1) A person who, with the intention of inducing another person to enter
into an engagement to provide sexual services, deceives that
person about the fact that the engagement will involve the provision
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 7 Criminal defamation
Criminal Code Act 1983 167
of sexual services is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) If the person deceived by the offender is a child, the offender is
liable to imprisonment for 15 years.
202E Knowledge of age immaterial
It is immaterial in relation to an offence against this Division
committed with respect to a person who was at the time of the
offence a child, or a child of a specified age, that the accused
person:
(a) did not know that the person was a child or a child of a
specified age; or
(b) believed that the person was an adult or a child of a different
age.
Division 7 Criminal defamation
203 Definitions
In this Division:
defamatory matter and publishes have the same meaning as in
the civil law of defamation at the time of the publication complained
of.
unlawfully means the publication would not be justified, privileged
or excused by the civil law of defamation at the time of the
publication complained of.
204 Unlawful publication of defamatory matter
Any person who unlawfully publishes any defamatory matter:
(a) with intent to cause or that causes or is likely to cause a
breach of the peace;
(b) with intent to cause loss;
(c) with intent to interfere with the free and informed exercise of a
political right;
(d) with intent to prevent or deter a person from performing any
duty imposed on him by law;
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 7A Recording and distributing intimate images
Criminal Code Act 1983 168
(e) with intent to prevent or deter any person from doing any act
that he is lawfully entitled to do or to compel him to do any act
that he is lawfully entitled to abstain from doing;
(f) with intent to prevent any lawful investigation or inquiry; or
(g) with intent to interfere with or to influence any judicial
proceedings;
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
205 Publishing or threatening to publish defamatory matter with
intent to extort money
Any person who publishes, or directly or indirectly threatens to
publish, or directly or indirectly proposes to abstain from publishing,
or directly or indirectly offers to prevent the publication of, any
defamatory matter concerning another with intent to extort any
property from such person or any other person, or with intent to
induce any person to give, confer or obtain, or to attempt to obtain,
to, upon or for any person any property or benefit of any kind, is
guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
206 Further application of civil law
In the prosecution of an offence against this Division, whether any
particular matter is a matter of law or fact shall be determined by
the civil law of defamation at the time of the publication complained
of.
207 Burden of proof
In the prosecution of an offence against this Division, the burden of
proving all issues shall be upon the prosecution.
208 Prosecutions to be sanctioned by Crown Law Officer
A prosecution of an offence against this Division cannot be begun
except by the direction of a Crown Law Officer.
Division 7A Recording and distributing intimate images
208AA Definitions
In this Division:
consent means free and voluntary agreement.
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 7A Recording and distributing intimate images
Criminal Code Act 1983 169
distribute, in relation to an image, includes engaging in the
following conduct, whether manually, electronically, digitally or in
any other manner:
(a) publish, exhibit, show, communicate, send, supply or transmit
the image to another person;
(b) make the image available for viewing or access by another
person.
image means a moving or still image in any form.
Examples for definition image
1 A file stored on a computer.
2 A photo stored on a phone.
intimate image means an image that depicts or has been altered
to appear to depict:
(a) a person engaged in a sexual act of a kind not ordinarily seen
in public; or
(b) a person in a manner or context that is sexual; or
(c) the genital or anal region of a person, whether bare or covered
by underwear; or
(d) a breast, whether bare or covered by underwear, of a female
person or of a transgender or intersex person who identifies
as female.
208AAB Recording or capturing intimate image without consent
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally records or captures an image of
another person; and
(b) the image is an intimate image and the person is reckless in
relation to that circumstance; and
(c) the other person did not consent to the recording or capturing
of the image at the time it was recorded or captured and the
person is reckless in relation to that circumstance.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 7A Recording and distributing intimate images
Criminal Code Act 1983 170
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (1) if the image:
(a) was recorded or captured by a law enforcement officer acting
reasonably in the performance of the officer's duty; or
(b) was recorded or captured for the purpose of reporting unlawful
conduct by the other person to a law enforcement officer; or
(c) is of a person incapable of giving consent and was recorded
or captured:
(i) for a scientific, medical or educational purpose; or
(ii) in other circumstances that a reasonable person would
regard as acceptable.
Example for subsection (2)(c)(ii)
Taking a photograph or video of a naked newborn relative.
(3) A person under 16 years of age is taken to be incapable of
consenting to the recording or capturing of an intimate image of the
person.
208AB Distribution of intimate image without consent
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally distributes an image of another
person; and
(b) the image is an intimate image and the person is reckless in
relation to that circumstance; and
(c) the other person did not consent to the distribution and the
person is reckless as to the lack of consent.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the distribution of an intimate
image in the following circumstances:
(a) to only the person depicted in the image;
(b) by a law enforcement officer acting reasonably in the
performance of the officer's duty;
(c) for the purpose of reporting unlawful conduct to a law
enforcement officer;
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 7A Recording and distributing intimate images
Criminal Code Act 1983 171
(d) when required by a court or reasonably required for the
purpose of a legal proceeding;
(e) for a scientific, medical or educational purpose;
(f) by a person solely in the person's capacity as an internet
service provider, internet content host or a carriage service
provider;
(g) of a child, or other person incapable of giving consent, in
circumstances that a reasonable person would regard as
acceptable.
Example for subsection (2)(e)
A doctor sends an image of a female patient's breast to another doctor for a
second opinion about the patient's medical condition.
Example for subsection (2)(g)
Sharing a photograph or movie of a naked newborn relative.
(3) A person under the age of 16 years is taken to be incapable of
consenting to the distribution of an intimate image of the person.
(4) A person who consents to the distribution of an intimate image on a
particular occasion is not, by reason only of that fact, to be
regarded as having consented to the distribution of that image or
any other image on another occasion.
(5) A person who consents to the distribution of an intimate image to a
particular person or in a particular way is not, by reason only of that
fact, to be regarded as having consented to the distribution of that
image or any other image to another person or in another way.
(6) A person who distributes an intimate image of the person is not, by
reason only of that fact, to be regarded as having consented to any
other distribution of the image.
(7) This section does not limit the grounds on which it may be
established that a person does not consent to the distribution of an
intimate image.
208AC Threaten to distribute intimate images
(1) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) intentionally threatens to distribute an intimate image of
another person; and
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 7A Recording and distributing intimate images
Criminal Code Act 1983 172
(b) intends the other person to fear that the threat would be
carried out.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) In a prosecution for an offence against this section:
(a) a threat may be made by any conduct, whether explicit,
implicit, conditional or unconditional; and
(b) it is not necessary to prove that the other person actually
feared that the threat would be carried out; and
(c) a person may be found guilty even if carrying out the threat is
impossible.
Examples for subsection (2)(c)
1 The image does not exist.
2 Technical limitations prevent the person from distributing the image.
208AD Prosecution of child to be approved
A prosecution of a child for an offence against this Division must not
be commenced without the consent of the Director of Public
Prosecutions.
208AE Court may order rectification
(1) A court may order a person found guilty by the court of an offence
under this Division to take reasonable action to remove, retract,
recover, delete or destroy any intimate images related to the
offence within a stated period.
(2) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) knows the person is subject to an order under subsection (1);
and
(b) intentionally engages in conduct; and
(c) the conduct results in non-compliance with the court order and
the person is reckless in relation to that result.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 8 Termination of pregnancy
Criminal Code Act 1983 173
Division 8 Termination of pregnancy
208A Termination of pregnancy performed by unqualified person
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally:
(i) administers a drug to a woman or causes a drug to be
taken by a woman; or
(ii) uses an instrument or other thing on a woman; and
(b) the person intends by that conduct to cause the termination of
the woman's pregnancy; and
(c) the person is not a qualified person.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally procures for, or supplies to, a woman
a drug, instrument or other thing; and
(b) the drug, instrument or other thing is intended to be used for
the purpose of causing the termination of the woman's
pregnancy and the person has knowledge of that
circumstance; and
(c) the person is not a qualified person.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(3) Strict liability applies to subsections (1)(c) and (2)(c).
(4) This section does not apply to a woman who consents to, or assists
in, the performance of a termination on herself.
(5) For this section, each of the following, when acting in accordance
with the Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017, is a
qualified person:
(a) a medical practitioner;
(b) an authorised ATSI health practitioner;
(c) an authorised midwife;
(d) an authorised nurse;
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Part VI Offences against the person and related matters
Division 9 Defences
Criminal Code Act 1983 174
(e) an authorised pharmacist.
(6) In this section:
ATSI health practitioner means a person registered under the
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice profession
(other than as a student).
authorised, see section 4 of the Termination of Pregnancy Law
Reform Act 2017.
midwife means a person registered under the Health Practitioner
Regulation National Law to practise in the midwifery profession
(other than as a student).
nurse means a person registered under the Health Practitioner
Regulation National Law to practise in the nursing profession (other
than as a student).
pharmacist means a person registered under the Health
Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the pharmacy
profession (other than as a student).
woman, see section 4 of the Termination of Pregnancy Law
Reform Act 2017.
Division 9 Defences
208D Activities involving serious harm or risk of death or serious
harm
A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against this
Part that is constituted by conduct that causes serious harm to
another person or gives rise to a danger of death or serious harm to
another person if:
(a) the conduct concerned is engaged in by the person for the
purpose of benefiting the other person or pursuant to a
socially acceptable function or activity; and
(b) having regard to the purpose, function or activity, the conduct
was reasonable.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 1 Interpretation
Criminal Code Act 1983 175
208E Law enforcement officers
A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against this
Part if:
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, a public officer acting
in the course of his or her duty as a police officer, correctional
services officer or other law enforcement officer; and
(b) the conduct of the person is reasonable in the circumstances
for performing that duty.
208F Evidential burden of proof
A defendant who wishes to deny criminal responsibility by relying
on a provision of this Division bears an evidential burden in relation
to that matter.
Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 1 Interpretation
208G Definitions
In this Part:
aggravated offence means an offence against this Part to which a
circumstance of aggravation mentioned in section 208P applies.
article includes any thing:
(a) that contains or embodies matter to be read or looked at; or
(b) that is to be looked at; or
(c) that is a record; or
(d) that can be used, either alone or as one of a set, for the
production or manufacture of any thing referred to in
paragraphs (a), (b) or (c).
close family member, for Division 6, see section 208M.
cognitive impairment, for Division 5, see section 208L.
consent, see section 208GA.
genitals includes internal and external genitals and any surgically
constructed genitals.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 1 Interpretation
Criminal Code Act 1983 176
historical offence means any of the following offences:
(a) an offence against section 127, 128, 130, 132, 134, 188(2)(k),
192 or 192B as in force at any time before the commencement
of this Part;
(b) an offence against section 129 or 135, as in force at any time
before the commencement of the Law Reform (Gender,
Sexuality and De Facto Relationships) Act 2003;
(c) an offence against another repealed provision of an Act that is
substantially similar to an offence mentioned in paragraph (a)
or (b).
indecent, see section 208GB(1).
married means married according to the law of Australia.
part of the body includes a surgically constructed part of the body.
penis includes a surgically constructed penis.
position of authority, see section 208GC.
senior rank, in relation to a police officer, means a rank of or above
the rank of Commander.
sexual intercourse means any of the following:
(a) the penetration (to any extent) of the genitals or anus of a
person with any part of the body of a person or with anything
controlled by a person;
(b) the penetration (to any extent) of the mouth of a person with
the penis of a person;
(c) cunnilingus;
(d) fellatio;
(e) the continuation of an act mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d).
Note for definition sexual intercourse
Section 208PC provides a general exception for an offence against this Part for
engaging in sexual intercourse in the course of a procedure carried out in good
faith for medical or hygienic purposes.
sexually involved with, see section 208GD.
touches, see section 208GE.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 1 Interpretation
Criminal Code Act 1983 177
208GA Consent
(1) Consent, to a sexual act, means free and voluntary agreement to
the act.
(2) Circumstances in which a person does not consent to a sexual act
include circumstances in which:
(a) the person submits to the act because of force or the fear of
force to the person or to someone else; or
(b) the person submits to the act because the person is unlawfully
detained; or
(c) the person submits to the act because of a false
representation as to the nature or purpose of the act; or
(d) the person is asleep or unconscious or is so affected by
alcohol, a drug or another substance as to be incapable of
consenting; or
(e) the person is incapable of understanding the sexual nature of
the act; or
(f) the person is mistaken about the sexual nature of the act; or
(g) the person is mistaken about the identity of another person
involved in the act; or
(h) the person consents to the act with a condom, but another
person involved in the act does not use or intentionally
disrupts or removes the condom without the person's consent.
Example for subsection (2)(f)
The person mistakenly believes the act is for medical or hygienic purposes.
(3) In this section:
sexual act means an act that constitutes an element of an offence
against this Part.
Note for section 208GA
Section 208PB also requires that the Judge direct a jury, in a relevant case, as to
the factors to which the jury may have regard in determining whether or not there
was consent.
208GB Indecent and grossly indecent
(1) An act, including touching, an image or a thing is indecent if it is
indecent according to the standards of ordinary people.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 1 Interpretation
Criminal Code Act 1983 178
(2) In a prosecution for an offence against this Part, indecency or gross
indecency is a matter for the trier of fact.
208GC Meaning of position of authority
(1) A person is in a position of authority in relation to a person who is
16 or 17 years of age (the young person) if, at the time of the
conduct concerned:
(a) the person is a parent, step-parent, foster parent, legal
guardian or legal custodian of the young person; or
(b) the person is a teacher at a school and the young person is
enrolled at the school; or
(c) the person is an employer of the young person; or
(d) the person is a counsellor to the young person in a
professional capacity; or
(e) the person is a health practitioner and the young person is the
person's patient; or
(f) the person is a police officer, correctional services officer or
community youth justice officer and the young person is in the
person's care, custody, control or supervision as such an
officer; or
(g) the person has authority over the young person because of
the circumstances of the person's relationship with the young
person, regardless of whether the authority is exercised
lawfully; or
(h) the person has established a personal relationship with the
young person in connection with the care, supervision or
religious, sporting, musical or other instruction of the young
person.
Example for subsection (1)(g)
The person supplies the young person with drugs.
Example for subsection (1)(h) of a person who has established a personal
relationship in connection with the supervision of a young person
The person supervises the young person in the course of employment or training.
(2) In subsection (1):
community youth justice officer, see section 5(1) of the Youth
Justice Act 2005.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 2 Sexual acts committed without consent
Criminal Code Act 1983 179
health practitioner means a person registered under the Health
Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in a health
profession (other than as a student).
208GD Meaning of sexually involved with
A person is sexually involved with an animal if any of the
following occur:
(a) the person inserts (to any extent) any part of the person's
body or a thing controlled by the person into the genitals or
anus of the animal;
(b) the person inserts (to any extent) the person's penis into the
mouth of the animal;
(c) the person touches the animal's genitals with any part of the
person's mouth;
(d) the animal's penis is inserted (to any extent) into the person's
genitals, anus or mouth;
(e) any part of the animal's mouth touches the person's genitals.
Note for definition sexually involved with
Section 208PC provides a general exception for an offence against this Part for
acts done in the course of a procedure carried out in good faith for veterinary or
agricultural purposes.
208GE Meaning of touches
A person touches another person if the person touches the other
person with any part of the person's body or with anything
controlled by the person.
Division 2 Sexual acts committed without consent
208H Sexual intercourse – without consent
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally engages in sexual intercourse with
another person; and
(b) the other person does not consent to the sexual intercourse
and the person is reckless in relation to the other person's lack
of consent.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for life.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 2 Sexual acts committed without consent
Criminal Code Act 1983 180
(2) The offence of attempting to commit an offence against
subsection (1) is punishable by imprisonment not exceeding:
(a) 20 years; or
(b) for an aggravated offence – 25 years.
Note for subsection (2)
For the offence of attempting to commit the offence, see section 43BF.
208HA Compelling sexual intercourse or penetration – without
consent
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally compels, by force or otherwise,
another person:
(i) to engage in sexual intercourse with someone else; or
(ii) to be sexually involved with an animal; or
(iii) to penetrate (to any extent) the other person's own
genitals or anus; and
(b) the other person does not consent to engaging in the conduct
and the person is reckless in relation to the other person's lack
of consent.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for life.
208HB Gross indecency – without consent
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally performs an act on another person;
and
(b) the act is grossly indecent; and
(c) the other person does not consent to the act being performed
and the person is reckless in relation to the other person's lack
of consent.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 14 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 17 years.
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally engages in conduct; and
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 2 Sexual acts committed without consent
Criminal Code Act 1983 181
(b) the conduct results in another person performing an act on the
person and the person intends that result; and
(c) the act is grossly indecent; and
(d) the other person does not consent to performing the act and
the person is reckless in relation to the other person's lack of
consent.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 14 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 17 years.
(3) Absolute liability applies to subsections (1)(b) and (2)(c).
208HC Indecent touching or act – without consent
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally:
(i) touches another person; or
(ii) engages in an act directed at another person; and
(b) the touching or act is indecent; and
(c) the other person does not consent to the touching or act and
the person is reckless in relation to the other person's lack of
consent.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 7 years.
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally engages in conduct; and
(b) the conduct results in the person being touched by another
person and the person intends that result; and
(c) the touching is indecent; and
(d) the other person does not consent to the touching and the
person is reckless in relation to the other person's lack of
consent.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 7 years.
(3) Absolute liability applies to subsections (1)(b) and (2)(c).
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 2 Sexual acts committed without consent
Criminal Code Act 1983 182
208HD Compelling indecent touching or act – without consent
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally compels, by force or otherwise,
another person:
(i) to touch any part of the other person's own body; or
(ii) to touch, or to be touched by, someone else or an
animal; or
(iii) to engage in an act; and
(b) the touching or act is indecent; and
(c) the other person does not consent to the touching or act and
the person is reckless in relation to the other person's lack of
consent.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 7 years.
(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(b).
208HE Recklessness in sexual offences
Despite section 43AK, for an offence against this Division:
(a) being reckless in relation to a lack of consent to sexual
intercourse, engaging in conduct, the performance of an act,
touching or an act includes not giving any thought to whether
or not the other person consents to the sexual intercourse,
engaging in the conduct, the performance of the act, the
touching or the act; and
(b) the trier of fact must have regard to all the circumstances of
the case including any steps taken by the person to ascertain
whether the other person consents to the sexual intercourse,
engaging in the conduct, the performance of the act, the
touching or the act.
208HF Attempt to commit sexual offence and recklessness
(1) Despite section 43BF(4), if recklessness is a fault element for a
physical element of an offence against this Division, recklessness is
also a fault element for the same physical element in relation to an
attempt to commit that offence.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under 16 years
Criminal Code Act 1983 183
(2) The fault element of recklessness mentioned in subsection (1)
includes the fault element as extended by section 208HE.
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under
16 years
208J Sexual intercourse – child under 16 years
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally engages in sexual intercourse with
another person; and
(b) the other person is under 14 years of age.
Maximum penalty:
(a) if the other person is under 10 years of age – imprisonment for
life; or
(b) otherwise – imprisonment for 20 years or, for an aggravated
offence, 25 years.
(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(b).
(3) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally engages in sexual intercourse with
another person; and
(b) the other person is 14 or 15 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 16 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 20 years.
(4) Strict liability applies to subsection (3)(b).
(5) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (3) if:
(a) the defendant is not more than 24 months older or younger
than the person against whom the offence is alleged to have
been committed; and
(b) the person consented to the sexual intercourse.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under 16 years
Criminal Code Act 1983 184
208JA Causing sexual intercourse or penetration – child under
16 years
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally causes another person:
(i) to engage in sexual intercourse with someone else; or
(ii) to be sexually involved with an animal; or
(iii) to penetrate (to any extent) the other person's own
genitals or anus; and
(b) the other person is under 14 years of age.
Maximum penalty:
(a) if the other person is under 10 years of age – imprisonment for
life; or
(b) otherwise – imprisonment for 20 years or, for an aggravated
offence, 25 years.
(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(b).
(3) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally causes another person:
(i) to engage in sexual intercourse with someone else; or
(ii) to be sexually involved with an animal; or
(iii) to penetrate (to any extent) the other person's own
genitals or anus; and
(b) the other person is 14 or 15 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 16 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 20 years.
(4) Strict liability applies to subsection (3)(b).
208JB Gross indecency – child under 16 years
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally:
(i) performs an act on another person; or
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under 16 years
Criminal Code Act 1983 185
(ii) causes or allows another person to perform an act on
the person; and
(b) the act is grossly indecent; and
(c) the other person is under 14 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 25 years.
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) intentionally performs an act on another person; or
(ii) intentionally causes or allows another person to perform
an act on the person; and
(b) the act is grossly indecent; and
(c) the other person is 14 or 15 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 16 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 20 years.
(3) Absolute liability applies to subsections (1)(b) and (c) and (2)(b).
(4) Strict liability applies to subsection (2)(c).
208JC Indecent touching or act – child under 16 years
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally:
(i) touches another person; or
(ii) causes or allows another person to touch the person; or
(iii) engages in an act directed at another person; and
(b) the touching or act is indecent; and
(c) the other person is under 14 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 14 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 17 years.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under 16 years
Criminal Code Act 1983 186
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally:
(i) touches another person; or
(ii) causes or allows another person to touch the person; or
(iii) engages in an act directed at another person; and
(b) the touching or act is indecent; and
(c) the other person is 14 or 15 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 12 years.
(3) Absolute liability applies to subsections (1)(b) and (c) and (2)(b).
(4) Strict liability applies to subsection (2)(c).
208JD Causing indecent touching or act – child under 16 years
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally causes another person:
(i) to touch any part of the other person's own body; or
(ii) to touch, or to be touched by, someone else or an
animal; or
(iii) to engage in an act; and
(b) the touching or act is indecent; and
(c) the other person is under 14 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 14 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 17 years.
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally causes another person:
(i) to touch any part of the other person's own body; or
(ii) to touch, or to be touched by, someone else or an
animal; or
(iii) to engage in an act; and
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under 16 years
Criminal Code Act 1983 187
(b) the touching or act is indecent; and
(c) the other person is 14 or 15 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 12 years.
(3) Absolute liability applies to subsections (1)(b) and (c) and (2)(b).
(4) Strict liability applies to subsection (2)(c).
208JE Exposure to indecent thing or act – child under 16 years
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally exposes another person to a thing or
act; and
(b) the thing or act is indecent; and
(c) the other person is under 14 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 14 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 17 years.
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally exposes another person to a thing or
act; and
(b) the thing or act is indecent; and
(c) the other person is 14 or 15 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 12 years.
(3) Absolute liability applies to subsections (1)(b) and (c) and (2)(b).
(4) Strict liability applies to subsection (2)(c).
(5) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (1) or (2) if the defendant has a reasonable excuse.
208JF Recording or capturing indecent image – child under 16 years
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally records or captures a visual image of
another person; and
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under 16 years
Criminal Code Act 1983 188
(b) the image is indecent; and
(c) the other person is under 14 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 12 years.
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally records or captures a visual image of
another person; and
(b) the image is indecent; and
(c) the other person is 14 or 15 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 8 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 10 years.
(3) Absolute liability applies to subsections (1)(b) and (c) and (2)(b).
(4) Strict liability applies to subsection (2)(c).
(5) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (1) or (2) if the defendant has a reasonable excuse.
(6) In this section:
image means a moving or still image in any form.
Examples for definition image
1 A file stored on a computer.
2 A photo stored on a phone.
Note for section 208JF
See Part V, Division 2 for offences relating to child abuse material.
208JG Engaging in conduct to procure sexual activity – child
under 16 years
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct in relation to another person
(the child); and
(b) the person does so with the intention of procuring the child to
engage in sexual activity with the person or another person;
and
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under 16 years
Criminal Code Act 1983 189
(c) the child is under 14 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 14 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 17 years.
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct in relation to another person
(the child); and
(b) the person does so with the intention of procuring the child to
engage in sexual activity with the person or another person;
and
(c) the child is 14 or 15 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 12 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 15 years.
(3) Subsection (1)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a) and subsection (2)(b) is the fault element for the
conduct in subsection (2)(a).
(4) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(c).
(5) Strict liability applies to subsection (2)(c).
(6) In this section:
sexual activity means sexual intercourse, an act of gross
indecency, indecent touching or an indecent act.
208JH Grooming to engage in sexual activity – child under 16 years
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct in relation to another person
(the child); and
(b) the person does so with the intention of making it easier to
procure the child to engage in sexual activity with the person
or another person; and
(c) the child is someone:
(i) who is under 14 years of age; or
(ii) who the person believes is under 14 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 12 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 15 years.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under 16 years
Criminal Code Act 1983 190
(2) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct in relation to another person
(the child); and
(b) the person does so with the intention of making it easier to
procure the child to engage in sexual activity with the person
or another person; and
(c) the child is someone:
(i) who is 14 or 15 years of age; or
(ii) who the person believes is 14 or 15 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 12 years.
(3) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct in relation to a contact of a
person (the child); and
(b) the person does so with the intention of making it easier to
procure the child to engage in sexual activity with the person
or another person; and
(c) the child is someone:
(i) who is under 14 years of age; or
(ii) who the person believes is under 14 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 12 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 15 years.
(4) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct in relation to a contact of a
person (the child); and
(b) the person does so with the intention of making it easier to
procure the child to engage in sexual activity with the person
or another person; and
(c) the child is someone:
(i) who is 14 or 15 years of age; or
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under 16 years
Criminal Code Act 1983 191
(ii) who the person believes is 14 or 15 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 12 years.
(5) For subsections (1) to (4):
(a) subsection (1)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a); and
(b) subsection (2)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (2)(a); and
(c) subsection (3)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (3)(a); and
(d) subsection (4)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (4)(a).
(6) Absolute liability applies to subsections (1)(c)(i) and (3)(c)(i).
(7) Strict liability applies to subsections (2)(c)(i) and (4)(c)(i).
(8) A person may be found guilty of an offence against subsection (1),
(2), (3) or (4) even if:
(a) it is impossible for the sexual activity mentioned in the
subsection to take place; or
(b) the child is a fictitious person represented to the accused
person as a real person; or
(c) without limiting section 43CA, the accused person and the
child or contact, as the case may be, were both outside the
Territory at the time at which some or all of the conduct
constituting the offence against the subsection occurred, so
long as the intended sexual activity would occur in the
Territory.
(9) In this section:
contact, of a person, means any person who has a relationship of
any type with the person.
Examples for definition contact, in relation to a child
A family member, babysitter, teacher or acquaintance of the child.
sexual activity means sexual intercourse, an act of gross
indecency, indecent touching or an indecent act.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under 16 years
Criminal Code Act 1983 192
208JI Repeated sexual abuse – child under 16 years
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally engages in conduct with another
person on 2 or more occasions at any time on or
after 1 July 1978; and
(b) the conduct constitutes sexual activity; and
(c) the other person is under 16 years of age.
Maximum penalty: See subsection (7).
(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(b) and (c).
(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1)
if:
(a) on each occasion on which the conduct occurred:
(i) the defendant believed, on reasonable grounds, that the
other person was 16 years of age or older; and
(ii) the other person was 14 or 15 years of age; or
(b) engaging in the conduct with a person who is under 16 years
of age would not have constituted an offence at the time at
which the conduct occurred.
(4) To avoid doubt, the offence in subsection (1) applies in relation to
conduct that occurred at any time on or after 1 July 1978.
(5) For a person to be found guilty of an offence against subsection (1),
all the members of the jury or, if section 368 applies in relation to
the trial, the number of jurors required under that section for a
majority verdict, must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the
evidence shows that the defendant engaged in conduct constituting
sexual activity with the other person on 2 or more occasions.
(6) For this section:
(a) it is immaterial whether the sexual activity was of the same
nature on each occasion; and
(b) it is immaterial whether any of the sexual activity occurred
outside the Territory, as long as at least one occasion of the
sexual activity occurred in the Territory; and
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under 16 years
Criminal Code Act 1983 193
(c) the prosecution is not required to allege or prove the
particulars of any sexual activity that would be necessary if the
activity were charged as a separate offence; and
(d) the jury is not required to be satisfied of the particulars of any
sexual activity of which it would have to be satisfied if the
activity were charged as a separate offence; and
(e) despite subsection (5), all the members of the jury or, if
section 368 applies in relation to the trial, the number of jurors
required under that section for a majority verdict, are not
required to be satisfied about the same sexual activity.
(7) The maximum penalty for an offence against subsection (1) is as
follows:
(a) for an offence involving occasions of sexual activity all of
which occurred after the commencement – imprisonment for
life;
(b) for an offence involving occasions of sexual activity that
occurred both before and after the commencement:
(i) if 2 or more occasions occurred after the
commencement – imprisonment for life; or
(ii) otherwise – the penalty specified in item 3 of the Table;
(c) for an offence involving occasions of sexual activity all of
which occurred before the commencement:
(i) if the occasions occurred during only one of the periods
specified in the Table – the penalty specified in the Table
for that period; or
(ii) if the occasions occurred during 2 or more of the periods
specified in the Table and 2 or more occasions occurred
during any of those periods – the higher of the penalties
specified in the Table for the periods in which 2 or more
occasions occurred; or
(iii) if the occasions occurred during 2 or more of the periods
specified in the Table and only one occasion occurred
during each of those periods – the lower of the penalties
specified in the Table for those periods.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under 16 years
Criminal Code Act 1983 194
Table
Item Period Penalty
1 The period commencing
on 1 July 1978 and
ending on 31 May 1994
The penalty is the total of the maximum
penalties for each historical offence
constituted by the occasions of sexual
activity that are found to have occurred
during this period.
2 The period commencing
on 1 June 1994 and
ending on
16 March 2004
The penalty is:
(a) if the occasions of sexual activity that
occurred constituted at least one
historical offence for which the
maximum penalty, at the time of the
activity, exceeded 14 years –
imprisonment for life; or
(b) otherwise – imprisonment for
14 years.
3 The period commencing
on 17 March 2004 and
ending immediately
before the
commencement
The penalty is:
(a) if the occasions of sexual activity that
occurred constituted at least one
historical offence for which the
maximum penalty, at the time of the
activity, exceeded 20 years –
imprisonment for life; or
(b) if the occasions of sexual activity that
occurred constituted at least one
offence against section 192B (as in
force before the commencement) –
imprisonment for life; or
(c) otherwise – imprisonment for
20 years.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under 16 years
Criminal Code Act 1983 195
(8) For the purposes of the Table, an occasion of sexual activity
constitutes a historical offence if the sexual activity is the same as
the act, omission or event that constitutes the historical offence,
even if the particulars of the time and place at which the sexual
activity took place are not sufficiently particularised to enable the
defendant to be charged with or found guilty of the historical
offence.
Note for subsection (8)
The mental element applying in relation to the historical offence is to be
disregarded in determining whether the sexual activity constituted a historical
offence.
(9) In this section:
commencement means the commencement of this section.
sexual activity means any of the following conduct, unless done in
the course of a procedure carried out in good faith for medical or
hygienic purposes:
(a) sexual intercourse;
(b) causing a person to be sexually involved with an animal;
(c) causing a person to penetrate (to any extent) the person's
own genitals or anus;
(d) an act of gross indecency;
(e) indecent touching;
(f) an indecent act.
Note for definition sexual activity
Conduct amounting to an attempt to engage in any conduct specified in
paragraphs (a) to (f) may be evidence of an attempt to commit an offence against
subsection (1).
Table means the Table to subsection (7).
208JJ Charge for offence of repeated sexual abuse
(1) A person may be charged in one indictment with:
(a) an offence against section 208JI(1); and
(b) one or more other offences against this Part or a historical
offence alleged to have been committed by the person in
relation to the other person in the course of the alleged
repeated sexual abuse.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 3 Sexual acts committed against children under 16 years
Criminal Code Act 1983 196
(2) A person charged in one indictment may be found guilty of and
punished for any or all of the offences charged.
(3) A proceeding for an offence against section 208JI(1) must not be
started without the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
(4) Despite subsection (3), a person may be arrested for or charged
with, or remanded in custody or on bail in connection with, an
offence against section 208JI(1) before the consent of the Director
of Public Prosecutions is given.
208JK No defence of consent
Consent of the person against whom the offence is alleged to have
been committed is not a defence to an offence against this Division,
except as mentioned in section 208J(5).
208JL No defence of belief in marriage or de facto relationship
It is not a defence to an offence against this Division if the person
charged with the offence believed the person:
(a) was married to the child concerned; or
(b) was the de facto partner of the child concerned.
208JM Proceeding against child
(1) A proceeding for the following offences must not be started without
the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions:
(a) an offence against section 208JG(1) or (2) or 208JH(1), (2),
(3) or (4) alleged to have been committed by a child;
(b) an offence against another provision of this Division, other
than section 208JI(1), alleged to have been committed by a
child under 14 years of age.
(2) Despite subsection (1), a child mentioned in subsection (1) may be
arrested for or charged with, or remanded in custody or on bail in
connection with, the offence before the necessary consent is given.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 4 Sexual acts committed against young persons by persons in positions of
authority
Criminal Code Act 1983 197
Division 4 Sexual acts committed against young persons by
persons in positions of authority
208K Sexual intercourse – young person
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person is in a position of authority in relation to another
person and is reckless in relation to that circumstance; and
(b) the person intentionally engages in sexual intercourse with the
other person; and
(c) the other person is 16 or 17 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 8 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 10 years.
(2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(c).
208KA Causing sexual intercourse or penetration – young person
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person is in a position of authority in relation to another
person and is reckless in relation to that circumstance; and
(b) the person intentionally causes the other person:
(i) to engage in sexual intercourse with someone else; or
(ii) to be sexually involved with an animal; or
(iii) to penetrate (to any extent) the other person's own
genitals or anus; and
(c) the other person is 16 or 17 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 8 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 10 years.
(2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(c).
208KB Gross indecency – young person
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person is in a position of authority in relation to another
person and is reckless in relation to that circumstance; and
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 4 Sexual acts committed against young persons by persons in positions of
authority
Criminal Code Act 1983 198
(b) the person intentionally:
(i) performs an act on the other person; or
(ii) causes or allows the other person to perform an act on
the person; and
(c) the act is grossly indecent; and
(d) the other person is 16 or 17 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 9 years.
(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(c).
(3) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(d).
208KC Indecent touching or act – young person
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person is in a position of authority in relation to another
person and is reckless in relation to that circumstance; and
(b) the person intentionally:
(i) touches the other person; or
(ii) causes or allows the other person to touch the person;
or
(iii) engages in an act directed at the other person; and
(c) the touching or act is indecent; and
(d) the other person is 16 or 17 years of age.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 7 years.
(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(c).
(3) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(d).
208KD No defence of consent
Consent of the person against whom the offence is alleged to have
been committed is not a defence to an offence against this Division.
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 5 Sexual acts committed against cognitively impaired persons by carers
Criminal Code Act 1983 199
208KE Defence – marriage or de facto relationship
A person who is in a position of authority in relation to another
person is not criminally responsible for an offence against this
Division in relation to conduct involving the other person if, at the
time of the conduct:
(a) the person was married to, or honestly believed on reasonable
grounds that the person was married to, the other person; or
(b) the person was the de facto partner of, or honestly believed on
reasonable grounds that the person was the de facto partner
of, the other person.
Division 5 Sexual acts committed against cognitively
impaired persons by carers
208L Meaning of cognitive impairment
For this Division, a person has a cognitive impairment if:
(a) the person has one of the following impairments:
(i) an intellectual disability;
(ii) a developmental disorder (including an autistic spectrum
disorder);
(iii) a neurological disorder;
(iv) dementia;
(v) a severe mental illness;
(vi) a brain injury; and
(b) the impairment results in the person requiring supervision or
social habilitation in connection with daily life activities.
208LA Person responsible for care of person with cognitive
impairment
(1) For this Division, a person is responsible for the care of a person
with a cognitive impairment if the person provides care to that
person, whether or not on a voluntary basis:
(a) at a facility at which persons with a cognitive impairment are
detained, reside or attend; or
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Division 5 Sexual acts committed against cognitively impaired persons by carers
Criminal Code Act 1983 200
(b) at the home of that person as part of a service or program
under which the operator of a facility mentioned in
paragraph (a), or another government or community
organisation or service provider, provides care to persons with
a cognitive impairment.
(2) In subsection (1):
care includes health care, education and supervision.
208LB Sexual intercourse – person with cognitive impairment
(1) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) is responsible for the care of a person with a cognitive
impairment; and
(b) intentionally engages in sexual intercourse with the person
with a cognitive impairment.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 8 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 10 years.
(2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(a).
208LC Causing sexual intercourse or penetration – person with
cognitive impairment
(1) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) is responsible for the care of a person with a cognitive
impairment; and
(b) intentionally causes the person with a cognitive impairment:
(i) to engage in sexual intercourse with someone else; or
(ii) to be sexually involved with an animal; or
(iii) to penetrate (to any extent) the other person's own
genitals or anus.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 8 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 10 years.
(2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(a).
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Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 5 Sexual acts committed against cognitively impaired persons by carers
Criminal Code Act 1983 201
208LD Gross indecency – person with cognitive impairment
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person is responsible for the care of a person with a
cognitive impairment; and
(b) the person intentionally:
(i) performs an act on the person with a cognitive
impairment; or
(ii) causes or allows the person with a cognitive impairment
to perform an act on the person; and
(c) the act is grossly indecent.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 9 years.
(2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(a).
(3) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(c).
208LE Indecent touching or act – person with cognitive impairment
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person is responsible for the care of a person with a
cognitive impairment; and
(b) the person intentionally:
(i) touches the person with a cognitive impairment; or
(ii) causes or allows the person with a cognitive impairment
to touch the person; or
(iii) engages in an act directed at the person with a cognitive
impairment; and
(c) the touching or act is indecent.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years or, for an
aggravated offence, 7 years.
(2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(a).
(3) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(c).
-- 227 of 398 --
Part VIA Sexual offences
Division 6 Sexual acts committed against close family members
Criminal Code Act 1983 202
208LF Defence – consent
(1) Consent of the person with a cognitive impairment concerned is not
a defence to an offence against this Division, except as provided by
subsection (2).
(2) A person who is responsible for the care of a person with a
cognitive impairment is not criminally responsible for an offence
against this Division in relation to conduct if, at the time of the
conduct:
(a) the person with a cognitive impairment consented to the
conduct; and
(b) the giving of the consent was not unduly influenced by the fact
that the person was responsible for the care of the person with
a cognitive impairment.
208LG Defence – marriage or de facto relationship
A person who is responsible for the care of a person with a
cognitive impairment is not criminally responsible for an offence
against this Division in relation to conduct if, at the time of the
conduct:
(a) the person was married to, or honestly believed on reasonable
grounds that the person was married to, the person with a
cognitive impairment; or
(b) the person was the de facto partner of, or honestly believed on
reasonable grounds that the person was the de facto partner
of, the person with a cognitive impairment.
Division 6 Sexual acts committed against close family
members
208M Meaning of close family member
A close family member of a person is someone who, from birth
and not from marriage or adoption, is a grandparent, parent, sibling
(including a half-brother or half-sister), child or grandchild of the
person.
208MA Incest
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally engages in sexual intercourse with
another person; and
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(b) the other person is a close family member of the person and
the person has knowledge of that circumstance.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 14 years.
208MB No defence of consent
Consent of the close family member concerned is not a defence to
an offence against section 208MA.
208MC Defence – compulsion
A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against
section 208MA if a close family member compelled, by force or
otherwise, the person to engage in the conduct mentioned in
section 208MA(a).
Division 7 Sexual acts committed against animal or in public
208N Sexual involvement with animal
A person commits an offence if the person is intentionally sexually
involved with an animal.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
208NA Public masturbation
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally masturbates; and
(b) the conduct occurs in public or in a place that is visible to the
public.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(b).
Division 8 General matters
208P Increased penalty for aggravated offence
(1) The following are circumstances of aggravation for an offence
committed against this Part, and a maximum penalty specified in
this Part for an aggravated offence applies if a circumstance of
aggravation applies to the offence:
(a) the offence was committed during torture;
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(b) the offence was committed by the use or threatened use of an
offensive weapon;
(c) the offence was committed by a person in the company of
another person;
(d) the offence was committed in circumstances that involved the
victim being caused serious harm or being threatened with
serious harm or death;
(e) the offence was committed against a child under 16 years of
age, except in the case of an offence against Division 3;
(f) the offence was committed against a person in abuse of a
position of trust, except in the case of an offence against
Division 4 or 5;
(g) the offence was committed against a person in abuse of a
position of authority, except in the case of an offence against
Division 4.
(2) For subsection (1)(a), the offence was committed during torture if
the person who committed it deliberately and systematically, over a
period, inflicted severe pain on the person against whom it was
committed.
208PA Procedural and evidentiary provisions for aggravated offences
(1) If the prosecution intends to prove an aggravated offence, the
relevant circumstance of aggravation must be contained in the
charge.
(2) In order to prove an aggravated offence, the prosecution must
prove that the person who committed the offence was reckless in
relation to the circumstance of aggravation.
208PB Jury directions on consent
(1) In a proceeding for an offence against this Part, the Judge must, in
an appropriate case, direct the jury that a person must not be
regarded as having consented to a particular sexual act merely
because:
(a) the person did not say or do anything to indicate that the
person did not consent; or
(b) the person did not protest or physically resist; or
(c) the person did not sustain physical injury; or
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(d) during the period or on the occasion when the sexual act
occurred, or on an earlier occasion, the person consented to
engage in a sexual act (whether or not of the same type) with
the person charged with the offence or with another person.
(2) In a proceeding for an offence against this Part, the Judge must, in
an appropriate case, direct the jury that, in deciding whether the
accused was under a mistaken belief that a person consented to a
sexual act, the jury may consider whether the mistaken belief was
reasonable in the circumstances.
Note for section 208PB
The Sexual Offences (Evidence and Procedure) Act 1983 contains further
provisions about evidence and procedure for offences against this Part.
208PC Exception – medical, hygienic, veterinary or agricultural
procedures
A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against this
Part in relation to any sexual intercourse, touching or other act done
in the course of a procedure carried out in good faith for medical,
hygienic, veterinary or agricultural purposes.
208PD Alternative verdicts
(1) In a proceeding against a person charged with an offence against
this Part (the prosecuted offence), the trier of fact may find the
person not guilty of the prosecuted offence but guilty of another
offence, or an attempt to commit another offence, against this Part
(the alternative offence) if the trier of fact:
(a) is not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed the prosecuted offence; and
(b) is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed the alternative offence.
(2) Subsection (1) does not authorise the trier of fact to find a person
guilty of an alternative offence for which the maximum penalty is
greater than the maximum penalty for the prosecuted offence.
208PE Indecent images and related articles may be destroyed
(1) If any of the following things are seized by a police officer, a police
officer of a senior rank may authorise the forfeiture and destruction
by a police officer of the thing:
(a) an indecent image of a child;
(b) an article that contains an indecent image of a child;
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(c) an article that a police officer of a senior rank believes on
reasonable grounds contains an indecent image of a child.
(2) Subsection (1) has effect whether or not a person is charged, or is
to be charged, with an offence in relation to the thing.
(3) The thing may be destroyed at the place at which it was forfeited or
at any other place that a police officer of a senior rank thinks fit.
(4) If the operation of this section would, apart from this subsection,
result in an acquisition of property from a person otherwise than on
just terms:
(a) the person is entitled to receive from the Territory the
compensation necessary to ensure the acquisition is on just
terms; and
(b) a court of competent jurisdiction may decide the amount of
compensation or make the orders it considers necessary to
ensure the acquisition is on just terms.
208PF Article containing indecent images may be returned
(1) If an article that contains, or is believed to contain, an indecent
image of a child is forfeited by a police officer under section 208PE,
a police officer of a senior rank may authorise a police officer to
return the article to the owner of the article.
(2) The authorisation must not be given unless the police officer of a
senior rank is satisfied that all indecent images of children are
removed from the article.
Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 1 Theft and related offences
Subdivision 1 Interpretation
209 Definitions
In this Division:
appropriation, see section 212.
belongs, in relation to property, see section 211.
property, see section 210.
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services includes any rights, including rights in relation to, and
interests in, property, benefits, privileges or facilities, but does not
include rights or benefits that are the supply of goods.
supply includes:
(a) in relation to goods – supply (or re-supply) by way of sale,
exchange, lease, hire or hire-purchase; and
(b) in relation to services – provide, grant and confer.
210 Meaning of property for this Division
In this Division, property means all real or personal property,
including the following:
(a) money;
(b) things in action or other intangible property;
(c) electricity;
(d) a wild creature that is tamed or ordinarily kept in captivity or
that is reduced or is being reduced into the possession of a
person;
(e) any organ or part of a human body and any blood, ova, semen
or other substance extracted from the human body.
211 Person to whom property belongs for this Division
(1) For this Division, property belongs to anyone having possession or
control of it, or having any proprietary right or interest in it, other
than an equitable interest arising only from an agreement to
transfer or grant an interest, or from a constructive trust.
(2) If property belongs to 2 or more persons, a reference to the person
to whom property belongs is taken to be a reference to all of them.
(3) Property of a corporation sole belongs to the corporation despite a
vacancy in the corporation.
(4) If property is subject to a trust:
(a) the person to whom the property belongs includes any person
having a right to enforce the trust; and
(b) an intention to defeat the trust is an intention to deprive any
person having that right of the property.
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(5) If a person (person A) receives property from or on account of
another person (person B) and is under a legal obligation to
person B to retain or deal with it or its proceeds in a particular way,
the property or proceeds belongs (as against person A) to
person B.
(6) If a person (person A) obtains property by another person's
fundamental mistake and is under an obligation to make
restoration, in whole or in part, of the property or its proceeds or its
value:
(a) to the extent of that obligation, the property or proceeds
belongs (as against person A) to the person entitled to
restoration (person B); and
(b) an intention not to make restoration is an intention to deprive
person B of the property or proceeds without the consent of
person B.
(7) For subsection (6):
fundamental mistake, in relation to property, means any of the
following:
(a) a mistake about the identity of the person getting the property;
(b) a mistake about the essential nature of the property;
(c) a mistake about the amount of any money, direct credit into an
account, cheque or other negotiable instrument if the person
getting the property is aware of the mistake at the time of
getting the property.
212 Appropriation of property
(1) For this Division, any assumption of the rights of an owner to
ownership, possession or control of property, without the consent of
a person to whom the property belongs, is an appropriation of the
property.
(2) If a person has come by property (innocently or not) without
committing the offence of theft, subsection (1) applies to any later
assumption of those rights without consent by keeping or dealing
with it as owner.
(3) If property is, or purports to be, transferred or given to a person
acting in good faith, a later assumption by the person of rights the
person believed the person was acquiring is not an appropriation of
the property because of any defect in the transferor's title.
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213 Intention of permanently depriving
(1) A person (person A) has the intention of permanently depriving
someone else (person B) of property belonging to person B if:
(a) person A appropriates property belonging to person B without
meaning person B to permanently lose the property; and
(b) person A intends to treat the property as person A's own to
dispose of regardless of person B's rights.
(2) For subsection (1), if person A borrows or lends property belonging
to person B, the borrowing or lending may amount to treating the
property as person A's own to dispose of regardless of person B's
rights only if the borrowing or lending is for a period and in
circumstances making it equivalent to an outright taking or disposal.
(3) Without limiting this section, person A parting with property
amounts to person A treating the property as person A's own to
dispose of regardless of person B's rights if:
(a) person A has possession or control (lawfully or not) of
property belonging to person B; and
(b) person A parts with the property under a condition about its
return that person A may not be able to carry out; and
(c) the parting is done for person A's own purposes and without
person B's authority.
(4) This section does not limit the circumstances in which a person can
be taken to have the intention of permanently depriving someone
else of property.
214 Dishonesty
(1) A person's appropriation of property belonging to someone else is
not dishonest if the person appropriates the property with the
reasonable belief that the property is lost and the owner of the
property cannot be discovered.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person appropriating the
property as a trustee or personal representative.
(3) A person who appropriates the property of another person may be
dishonest even if they are willing to pay for the property.
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Division 1 Theft and related offences
Subdivision 2 Theft and related offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 210
215 Theft of land
(1) A person cannot commit the offence of theft of land or things
forming part of the land and severed from it by the person or at the
person's directions, except in the following circumstances:
(a) when the person has legal authority to sell or dispose of land
belonging to another person and the person appropriates the
land or anything forming part of it by dealing with it in breach
of the confidence reposed in the person;
(b) when the person is not in possession of the land and
appropriates anything forming part of the land:
(i) by severing it or causing it to be severed; or
(ii) after it has been severed;
(c) when in possession of the land under a tenancy, the person
appropriates the whole or part of any fixture or structure that is
let under the tenancy.
(2) For subsection (1)(c), a tenancy is a tenancy for years or any
shorter period, and includes an agreement for a tenancy, but a
person who after the end of a tenancy remains in possession as
statutory tenant or otherwise is to be treated as having possession
under the tenancy, and let is to be construed accordingly.
(3) In this section:
land does not include incorporeal hereditaments.
216 General deficiency
A person may be found guilty of the offence of theft in relation to all
or any part of a general deficiency in money or other property even
though the deficiency is made up of a number of particular amounts
of money or items of other property that were appropriated over a
period of time.
Subdivision 2 Theft and related offences
217 Theft
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person appropriates property; and
(b) the property belongs to another person and the person has
knowledge of that circumstance; and
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(c) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention of permanently depriving the other person of
the property; and
(d) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
Note for subsection (1)(d)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Subsection (1)(c) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) An offence against subsection (1) is to be known as the offence of
theft.
218 Robbery
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person commits the offence of theft; and
(b) the person:
(i) uses force on another person; or
(ii) threatens to use force then and there on another person;
and
(c) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (b)
with the intention of committing the offence of theft or
escaping from the scene of the offence; and
(d) the force was used or threatened when the person committed
the offence of theft or immediately before or immediately after
committing the offence.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 14 years or, for an
aggravated offence, imprisonment for life.
(2) Subsection (1)(c) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(b).
(3) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(d).
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Subdivision 2 Theft and related offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 212
219 Circumstances of aggravation for robbery
(1) Each of the following is a circumstance of aggravation in relation to
an offence committed against section 218(1) if the defendant is
reckless in relation to the circumstance:
(a) the offence is committed in company with one or more
persons;
(b) the defendant has possession of a firearm or any other
dangerous or offensive weapon when committing the offence;
(c) when committing the offence or immediately before or
immediately after committing the offence, the defendant
causes harm to another person.
(2) If the prosecution intends to prove an offence against
section 218(1) with any aggravating circumstance mentioned in
subsection (1), the relevant circumstance of aggravation must be
contained in the charge.
220 Entering building with intention to commit offence
(1) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) enters or remains in a building; and
(b) engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) with the
intention of committing an offence, other than an offence
against the Trespass Act 2023, in the building; and
(c) is a trespasser and the person is reckless in relation to that
circumstance.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 4 years.
(2) Subsection (1)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) In a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1), proof of
subsection (1)(a) and (c) is evidence of the fault element in
subsection (1)(b).
(4) For this section, a person is not a trespasser merely because the
person is permitted to enter or remain in the building:
(a) for a purpose that is not the person's intended purpose; or
(b) as a result of fraud, misrepresentation or another person's
mistake.
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Subdivision 2 Theft and related offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 213
221 Burglary
(1) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) enters or remains in a building; and
(b) engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) with the
intention of committing an indictable offence or an offence
against section 188(1) in the building; and
(c) is a trespasser and the person is reckless in relation to that
circumstance.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 14 years.
Note for subsection (1)
If the circumstances of aggravation in section 222(1) apply to the offence, the
maximum penalty is the maximum penalty under section 222(2) or (3).
(2) Subsection (1)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) For this section, a person is not a trespasser merely because the
person is permitted to enter or remain in the building:
(a) for a purpose that is not the person's intended purpose; or
(b) as a result of fraud, misrepresentation or another person's
mistake.
222 Circumstances of aggravation for burglary
(1) Each of the following is a circumstance of aggravation for an
offence committed against section 221(1) if the defendant is
reckless in relation to the circumstance:
(a) the building is a dwelling-house and the offence is committed
at night;
(b) the offence is committed in company with one or more
persons;
(c) the defendant has possession of a firearm or any other
dangerous or offensive weapon when committing the offence;
(d) the building is a dwelling-house and the defendant has
possession of a firearm or any other dangerous or offensive
weapon when committing the offence.
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Subdivision 2 Theft and related offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 214
(2) The maximum penalty for an offence against section 221(1) is
imprisonment for 20 years if a circumstance of aggravation in
subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) applies to the offence.
(3) The maximum penalty for an offence against section 221(1) is life
imprisonment if the circumstance of aggravation in
subsection (1)(d) applies to the offence.
(4) If the prosecution intends to prove an offence against
section 221(1) with any aggravating circumstances mentioned in
subsection (1), the relevant circumstance of aggravation must be
contained in the charge.
223 Alternative verdict
In a proceeding against a person charged with an offence against
section 221(1), the trier of fact may find the person not guilty of the
offence against that section but guilty of an offence against
section 220(1) if the trier of fact:
(a) is not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
entered or remained in a building with the intention of
committing an offence mentioned in section 221(1)(b); and
(b) is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person intended
to commit an offence, other than an offence against the
Trespass Act 2023.
224 Damaging or interfering with property as trespasser
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally enters a building; and
(b) the person is a trespasser and the person is reckless in
relation to that circumstance; and
(c) the person intentionally damages or otherwise interferes with
the building or any property in the building.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) For this section, it is immaterial whether the damage or
interference:
(a) is of a permanent nature; or
(b) results in any monetary loss.
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Subdivision 2 Theft and related offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 215
(3) In this section:
damage includes the following:
(a) destroying the building or property;
(b) defacing the building or property;
(c) for a document – obliterating or rendering illegible the whole or
any part of the document;
(d) for an animal – harming or killing the animal;
(e) for a plant or other thing forming part of land – severing it from
the land.
225 Going equipped for theft and related offences
(1) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) is in a place other than the person's home; and
(b) possesses an item; and
(c) engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (b) with the
intention of using the item in the course of or in relation to
committing the offence of theft or a related offence.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) Subsection (1)(c) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(b).
(3) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) is in a place other than the person's home; and
(b) possesses a firearm or any other dangerous or offensive
weapon; and
(c) engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (b) with the
intention of using it in the course of or in relation to committing
the offence of theft or a related offence.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(4) Subsection (3)(c) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (3)(b).
(5) Strict liability applies to subsections (1)(a) and (3)(a).
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Subdivision 2 Theft and related offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 216
(6) In this section:
related offence means an offence against any of the following:
(a) section 218;
(b) section 220;
(c) section 221;
(d) section 228AB.
226 Receiving stolen property
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally receives property; and
(b) the property is stolen property and the person:
(i) has knowledge of that circumstance; or
(ii) believes that the circumstance exists; and
(c) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
Note for subsection (1)(c)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) In this section:
stolen property is any property that:
(a) is appropriated; or
(b) if the property was obtained before the commencement of this
section – was obtained in the commission of an indictable
offence or in the commission of an offence outside the
Territory that would have constituted an indictable offence if it
had been committed in the Territory.
227 Shoplifting
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person appropriates property; and
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Subdivision 2 Theft and related offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 217
(b) the property is:
(i) offered for sale at a place where goods are for sale by
retail; and
(ii) worth less than $500; and
(c) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention of permanently depriving the owner of the
property of that property; and
(d) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units or imprisonment for
6 months.
Note for subsection (1)(d)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Subsection (1)(c) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(b).
228 Making off without payment
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person is supplied with goods or services; and
(b) immediate payment for the goods or services is required or
expected and the person has knowledge of that circumstance;
and
(c) the person intentionally makes off without paying for the goods
or services; and
(d) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (c) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
Note for subsection (1)(d)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(a).
(3) It is not an offence if the supply of goods or services is unlawful.
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Subdivision 2 Theft and related offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 218
(4) In this section:
immediate payment includes payment at the time of collecting
goods in relation to which a service is supplied.
228AA Removal of item from places open to public
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally removes an item from premises; and
(b) the premises are at any time open to the public; and
(c) the item is publicly exhibited or kept for public exhibition at the
premises but is not exhibited or kept for the purpose of selling
or any other commercial dealing; and
(d) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
Note for subsection (1)(d)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(b) and (c).
228AB Driving, using or riding motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft
without consent
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally drives, uses or rides in or on a motor
vehicle, vessel or aircraft; and
(b) the motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft:
(i) belongs to another person (the owner); and
(ii) was taken from the owner without the owner's consent;
and
(c) the person is reckless in relation to the circumstances in
paragraph (b); and
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Subdivision 1 Interpretation and general matters
Criminal Code Act 1983 219
(d) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: If the offence relates to a motor vehicle or
vessel – imprisonment for 5 years.
If the offence relates to an aircraft –
imprisonment for 7 years.
Note for subsection (1)(d)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) In this section:
motor vehicle means any vehicle for use on land that is designed
to be wholly or partly self-propelled and includes any trailer or
caravan attached to it.
Division 2 Deception, dishonesty and blackmail
Subdivision 1 Interpretation and general matters
228AC Definitions
In this Division:
belongs, in relation to property, means having possession or
control of it, or having any proprietary right or interest in it, other
than an equitable interest arising only from an agreement to
transfer or grant an interest, or from a constructive trust.
deception means a deception whether by words or other conduct,
and whether as to fact or as to law, and includes:
(a) a deception about the intention of the person using the
deception or anyone else; and
(b) conduct by a person that causes a computer, a machine or an
electronic device to make a response that the person is not
authorised to cause it to do.
demand with a menace, see section 228AF.
menace, see section 228AD.
obtain, in relation to property, see section 228AE.
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Subdivision 1 Interpretation and general matters
Criminal Code Act 1983 220
228AD Meaning of menace
(1) A menace includes:
(a) an express or implied threat of action that is detrimental or
unpleasant to another person; or
(b) if a person makes a demand – a general threat of detrimental
or unpleasant action against another person that is implied
because the person making the demand is a public officer.
(2) A threat against an individual is a menace only if:
(a) the threat would likely cause an individual of normal stability
and courage to act unwillingly; or
(b) the threat would likely cause an individual to act unwillingly
because of a particular vulnerability of which the maker of the
threat is aware.
(3) A threat against an entity other than an individual is a menace only
if:
(a) the threat would ordinarily cause an unwilling response; or
(b) the threat would likely cause an unwilling response because of
a particular vulnerability of which the maker of the threat is
aware.
228AE Meaning of obtain
(1) For section 228AH, a person obtains property if:
(a) the person obtains ownership, possession or control of it for
the person or another person; or
(b) the person enables ownership, possession or control of it to
be retained by the person or another person; or
(c) the person induces a third person to pass ownership,
possession or control of it to another person; or
(d) the person induces a third person to enable another person to
retain ownership, possession or control of it; or
(e) section 228AI applies in relation to the property.
(2) To avoid doubt, subsection (1) does not apply in relation to
sections 228AK, 228AL and 228AO.
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 2 Deception, dishonesty and blackmail
Subdivision 1 Interpretation and general matters
Criminal Code Act 1983 221
228AF Meaning of demand with a menace
For a demand with a menace:
(a) the demand need not be a demand for money or other
property; and
(b) it is irrelevant whether the menace relates to an action to be
taken by the person making the demand.
228AG Intention of permanently depriving
(1) A person (person A) has the intention of permanently depriving
someone else (person B) of property belonging to person B if:
(a) person A obtains property belonging to person B without
meaning person B to permanently lose the property; and
(b) person A intends to treat the property as person A's own to
dispose of regardless of person B's rights.
(2) For subsection (1), if person A borrows or lends property belonging
to person B, the borrowing or lending may amount to treating the
property as person A's own to dispose of regardless of person B's
rights only if the borrowing or lending is for a period and in
circumstances making it equivalent to an outright taking or disposal.
(3) Without limiting this section, person A parting with property
amounts to person A treating the property as person A's own to
dispose of regardless of person B's rights if:
(a) person A has possession or control (lawfully or not) of
property belonging to person B; and
(b) person A parts with the property under a condition about its
return that person A may not be able to carry out; and
(c) the parting is done for person A's own purposes and without
person B's authority.
(4) This section does not limit the circumstances in which a person can
be taken to have the intention of permanently depriving someone
else of property.
-- 247 of 398 --
Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 2 Deception, dishonesty and blackmail
Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 222
Subdivision 2 Offences
228AH Obtaining property by deception
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in deception; and
(b) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention of permanently depriving another person of
property; and
(c) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) results in the person
obtaining the property belonging to the other person and the
person intended that result; and
(d) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
Note for subsection (1)(d)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Subsection (1)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) For this section, a person who obtains the property of another
person may be dishonest even if they are willing to pay for the
property.
(4) In this section:
property means all real or personal property, including the
following:
(a) money;
(b) things in action or other intangible property;
(c) electricity;
(d) a wild creature that is tamed or ordinarily kept in captivity or
that is reduced or is being reduced into the possession of a
person;
(e) any organ or part of a human body and any blood, ova, semen
or other substance extracted from the human body.
-- 248 of 398 --
Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 2 Deception, dishonesty and blackmail
Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 223
228AI Transfers of money etc.
(1) This section applies in relation to section 228AH.
(2) If a person (person A) causes an amount to be transferred from an
account held by someone else (person B) to an account held by
person A:
(a) the amount is taken to be property that belongs to person B;
and
(b) person A is taken to have obtained the property for person A
with the intention of permanently depriving person B of the
property.
(3) If a person (person A) causes an amount to be transferred from an
account held by someone else (person B) to an account held by a
third person (person C):
(a) the amount is taken to be property that belongs to person B;
and
(b) person A is taken to have obtained the property for person C
with the intention of permanently depriving person B of the
property.
(4) An amount is transferred from an account (account 1) to another
account (account 2) if:
(a) a credit is made to account 2; and
(b) a debit is made to account 1; and
(c) the credit results from the debit or the debit results from the
credit.
(5) A person causes an amount to be transferred from an account if the
person induces someone else to transfer the amount from the
account (whether or not the other person is the account holder).
228AJ General deficiency
A person may be found guilty of the offence of obtaining property by
deception in relation to all or any part of a general deficiency in
money or other property even though the deficiency is made up of a
number of particular amounts of money or items of other property
that were obtained over a period of time.
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 2 Deception, dishonesty and blackmail
Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 224
228AK Obtaining financial advantage by deception
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally engages in deception; and
(b) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) results in the person
obtaining a financial advantage from another person and the
person intended that result; and
(c) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
Note for paragraph (c)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
228AL Dishonestly intending to obtain gain from Territory
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention of obtaining a gain from another person; and
(c) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest; and
(d) the other person is the Territory.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
Note for subsection (1)(c)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Subsection (1)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(d).
228AM Dishonestly intending to cause loss for Territory
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person engages in conduct; and
(b) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention of causing a loss to another person; and
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 2 Deception, dishonesty and blackmail
Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 225
(c) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest; and
(d) the other person is the Territory.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
Note for subsection (1)(c)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Subsection (1)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(d).
228AN Dishonestly causing loss or risk of loss for Territory
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally engages in conduct; and
(b) the conduct results in a loss, or a risk of loss, to another
person and the person knows the loss will happen or knows
there is a substantial risk of the loss happening; and
(c) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest; and
(d) the other person is the Territory.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
Note for subsection (1)(c)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(d).
228AO Blackmail and extortion
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person makes a demand with a menace of another
person; and
(b) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention of:
(i) obtaining a gain from the other person or a third person;
or
(ii) causing the other person or a third person a loss; or
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 2A Identity crime
Criminal Code Act 1983 226
(iii) influencing the other person or a third person in the
exercise of their public duty; and
(c) there are no reasonable grounds for the demand; and
(d) the use of the menace is not a proper means of enforcing the
demand.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) Subsection (1)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(c) and (d).
(4) In this section:
public duty means a duty of a public officer.
Division 2A Identity crime
Note for Division 2A
Under section 28C of the Local Court (Civil Procedure) Act 1989 and Part 5,
Division 1AA of the Sentencing Act 1995 a certificate may be issued to a victim of
an offence against section 228C, 228D or 228E. The certificate may assist the
victim to deal with any problems caused by the commission of the offence in
relation to the victim's personal or business affairs. Under the Local Court (Civil
Procedure) Act 1989, the certificate may be issued whether or not any criminal
proceedings have been or can be taken against a person in relation to the
offence or are pending.
228A Definitions
In this Division:
deal in includes make, copy, store, supply, transmit or use.
identification documentation means a document or other thing
that:
(a) contains identification information; and
(b) can be used by a person to pretend to be, or to pass the
person off as, another person (whether living, dead, real or
fictitious).
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 2A Identity crime
Criminal Code Act 1983 227
identification information means information that can be used
(whether alone or in conjunction with other information) to identify,
or purportedly identify, a person (whether living, dead, real or
fictitious), including the following:
(a) a name, address, date of birth or place of birth;
(b) information as to a person's marital status;
(c) information about the relatives of a person;
(d) a driver's licence or driver's licence number;
(e) a passport or passport number;
(f) biometric data;
(g) a voice print;
(h) a credit or debit card, its number, or data stored or encrypted
on it;
(i) a financial account number, user name or password;
(j) a digital signature;
(k) a series of numbers, letters, symbols (or a combination of
these) intended for use as a means of personal identification;
(l) an ABN, as defined in the A New Tax System (Australian
Business Number) Act 1999 (Cth).
victim means a person whose identification information is the
subject of an offence against section 228C, 228D or 228E.
228B Attempt offences in section 43BF do not apply
Section 43BF does not apply to an offence against section 228C,
228D or 228E.
228C Dealing in identification information
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person deals in information; and
(b) the information is identification information; and
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 2A Identity crime
Criminal Code Act 1983 228
(c) the person does so with intent to commit an offence or
facilitate the commission of an offence.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) This section applies:
(a) even if the offence mentioned in subsection (1)(c) is
impossible to commit; and
(b) whether or not the victim consented to the dealing in the
identification information.
(3) This section does not apply to dealing in a person's own
identification information.
228D Possessing identification information
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person possesses information; and
(b) the information is identification information; and
(c) the person does so with intent to commit an offence or
facilitate the commission of an offence.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) This section applies:
(a) even if the offence mentioned in subsection (1)(c) is
impossible to commit; and
(b) whether or not the victim consented to the possession of the
identification information.
(3) This section does not apply to the possession of a person's own
identification information.
228E Possessing equipment used to deal in identification
information or identification documentation
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person possesses equipment; and
(b) the equipment can be used to deal in identification information
or identification documentation; and
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 3 Money laundering
Criminal Code Act 1983 229
(c) the person does so with intent to commit an offence or
facilitate the commission of an offence.
(2) This section applies even if the offence mentioned in
subsection (1)(c) is impossible to commit.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
228F Alternative verdicts
(1) This section applies if, in a proceeding against a person charged
with an offence against section 228C (the prosecuted offence),
the trier of fact:
(a) is not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed the prosecuted offence; but
(b) is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed an offence against section 228D (the
alternative offence).
(2) The trier of fact may find the person not guilty of the prosecuted
offence but guilty of the alternative offence.
Division 3 Money laundering
229 Definitions
In this Division:
deals with, in relation to money or other property, means:
(a) receives or has possession or control of the money or other
property; or
(b) conceals or attempts to conceal the money or other property;
or
(c) passes the money or other property to another person or
disposes of the money or other property in any other way.
indictable offence includes an offence against a law of the
Commonwealth, a State, another Territory or a foreign state, that
would be an indictable offence if committed in the Territory.
proceeds of crime means money or other property that is derived
or realised, directly or indirectly, by any person from the
commission of an indictable offence.
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 3 Money laundering
Criminal Code Act 1983 230
230 Money laundering with knowledge or belief
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally deals with money or other property;
and
(b) the money or other property:
(i) is the proceeds of crime; or
(ii) is being used or is intended to be used in the
commission of, or to facilitate the commission of, an
indictable offence; and
(c) the person:
(i) has knowledge of that circumstance; or
(ii) believes that that circumstance exists.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 20 years.
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (1) if the defendant engaged in the conduct mentioned
in subsection (1)(a) in order to assist the enforcement of a law of
the Territory, the Commonwealth, a State or another Territory.
Note for section 230
The defendant has an evidential burden in relation to the matters in
subsection (2) (see section 43BU of the Criminal Code).
231 Money laundering with recklessness
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally deals with money or other property;
and
(b) the money or other property:
(i) is the proceeds of crime; or
(ii) is being used or is intended to be used in the
commission of, or to facilitate the commission of, an
indictable offence; and
(c) the person is reckless in relation to that circumstance.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 3 Money laundering
Criminal Code Act 1983 231
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (1) if the defendant engaged in the conduct mentioned
in subsection (1)(a) in order to assist the enforcement of a law of
the Territory, the Commonwealth, a State or another Territory.
Note for section 231
The defendant has an evidential burden in relation to the matters in
subsection (2) (see section 43BU of the Criminal Code).
232 Dealing with suspicious property
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally deals with money or other property;
and
(b) it is reasonable to suspect that the money or other property is
proceeds of crime.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) Absolute liability applies to subsection (1)(b).
(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (1) if the defendant had no reasonable grounds for
suspecting that the money or other property was derived or
realised, directly or indirectly, from some unlawful activity.
(4) The defendant has a legal burden of proof in relation to the matter
mentioned in subsection (3).
(5) For subsection (1)(b), it is taken to be reasonable to suspect that
money or other property is proceeds of crime if:
(a) the conduct mentioned in subsection (1)(a) involves a number
of transactions that are structured or arranged to avoid the
reporting requirements of the Financial Transaction Reports
Act 1988 (Cth) that would otherwise apply to the transactions;
or
(b) the conduct mentioned in subsection (1)(a) involves a number
of transactions that are structured or arranged to avoid the
reporting requirements of the Anti-Money Laundering and
Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) that would
otherwise apply to the transactions; or
(c) the conduct mentioned in subsection (1)(a) involves the use of
one or more accounts held with ADIs in false names; or
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 3 Money laundering
Criminal Code Act 1983 232
(d) the conduct mentioned in subsection (1)(a) amounts to an
offence against section 139, 140 or 141 of the Anti-Money
Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth);
or
(e) the value of the money and property involved in the conduct
mentioned in subsection (1)(a) is, in the opinion of the trier of
fact, grossly out of proportion to the defendant's income and
expenditure over a reasonable period within which the conduct
occurs; or
(f) the conduct mentioned in subsection (1)(a) involves a
significant cash transaction within the meaning of the Financial
Transaction Reports Act 1988 (Cth), and the defendant:
(i) contravened the defendant's obligations under that Act
relating to reporting the transaction; or
(ii) gave false or misleading information in purported
compliance with those obligations; or
(g) the conduct mentioned in subsection (1)(a) involves a
threshold transaction within the meaning of the Anti-Money
Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth),
and the defendant:
(i) has contravened the defendant's obligations under that
Act relating to reporting the transaction; or
(ii) has given false or misleading information in purported
compliance with those obligations; or
(h) the defendant:
(i) has stated that the conduct mentioned in
subsection (1)(a) was engaged in on behalf of or at the
request of another person; and
(ii) has not provided information enabling the other person
to be identified and located.
Note for subsection (5)
Subsection (5) is not an exhaustive list of circumstances.
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 3 Money laundering
Criminal Code Act 1983 233
233 Proof of other offences not required
(1) To avoid doubt, it is not necessary, in order to prove for the
purposes of section 230, 231 or 232, that money or other property
is the proceeds of crime, to establish that:
(a) a particular indictable offence was committed in relation to the
money or other property; or
(b) a particular person committed an indictable offence in relation
to the money or other property.
(2) To avoid doubt, it is not necessary, in order to prove for the
purposes of section 230 or 231, that money or other property is
being used or is intended to be used in the commission of, or to
facilitate the commission of, an indictable offence, to establish that:
(a) a particular indictable offence is being committed or an
intention that a particular indictable offence will be committed
in relation to the money or other property; or
(b) a particular person is committing an indictable offence or an
intention that a particular person will commit an indictable
offence in relation to the money or other property.
234 Prosecution requires consent of Director of Public
Prosecutions
A prosecution for an offence against this Division must not be
commenced without the consent of the Director of Public
Prosecutions.
235 Alternative verdict for offence against section 230
(1) In a proceeding against a person charged with an offence against
section 230, the trier of fact may find the person not guilty of the
offence against that section but guilty of an alternative offence if the
trier of fact:
(a) is not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed an offence against section 230; and
(b) is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed an offence against the alternative offence.
(2) In this section:
alternative offence means an offence against section 231 or 232.
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 4 False accounting and false statements
Criminal Code Act 1983 234
236 Alternative verdict for offence against section 231
In a proceeding against a person charged with an offence against
section 231, the trier of fact may find the person not guilty of the
offence against that section but guilty of an offence against
section 232 if the trier of fact:
(a) is not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed an offence against section 231; and
(b) is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed an offence against section 232.
236A Recklessness as to nature of money or property sufficient for
offence of attempt against section 231
Despite section 43BF(4), for an offence of attempting to commit an
offence against section 231, recklessness is the fault element in
relation to the physical element in section 231(1)(b).
Division 4 False accounting and false statements
236B False accounting
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person damages, destroys or conceals an accounting
document; and
(b) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention of obtaining a gain from another person or
causing a loss for another person; and
(c) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
Note for subsection (1)(c)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Subsection (1)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 4 False accounting and false statements
Criminal Code Act 1983 235
(3) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) makes, or concurs in making, an entry that is false or
misleading in a material particular in an accounting
document; or
(ii) omits, or concurs in omitting, a material particular from
an accounting document; and
(b) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention of obtaining a gain from another person or
causing a loss for another person; and
(c) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
Note for subsection (3)(c)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(4) Subsection (3)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (3)(a).
(5) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person produces to another person, or makes use of, an
accounting document; and
(b) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention of obtaining a gain from another person or
causing a loss for another person; and
(c) the document is false or misleading in a material particular
and the person is reckless in relation to that circumstance; and
(d) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
Note for subsection (5)(d)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(6) Subsection (5)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (5)(a).
-- 261 of 398 --
Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 4 False accounting and false statements
Criminal Code Act 1983 236
(7) In this section:
accounting document means any account, record or document
made or required for any accounting purpose or any similar
purpose or for any financial transaction.
236C False statements by officer of body corporate etc.
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person is an officer of a body corporate or unincorporated
association or purports to be an officer of a body corporate or
unincorporated association; and
(b) the person publishes or concurs in the publishing of a
document containing a statement or account; and
(c) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (b)
with the intention of deceiving members or creditors of the
body corporate or unincorporated association about the body
corporate's or unincorporated association's affairs; and
(d) the document is false or misleading in a material particular
and the person has knowledge of that circumstance.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) Subsection (1)(c) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(b).
(3) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(a).
(4) In this section:
creditor, of a body corporate or unincorporated association,
includes a person who has entered into a security for the benefit of
the body corporate or unincorporated association.
officer, of a body corporate or unincorporated association,
includes:
(a) any member of the body corporate or unincorporated
association who is concerned in its management; and
(b) any person purporting to act as an officer of the body
corporate or unincorporated association.
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 5 Bribery and secret commissions
Criminal Code Act 1983 237
236D Falsification of registers
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally makes or concurs in making an entry
in a register or record kept by a body, office or position
established by an Act; and
(b) the entry is false or misleading in a material particular and the
person has knowledge of that circumstance.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
Division 5 Bribery and secret commissions
236E Interpretation
(1) In this Division:
agent includes the following:
(a) a person acting for another person with that other person's
actual or implied authority;
(b) a public officer;
(c) an employee of an employer;
(d) a lawyer acting for a client;
(e) a partner in a partnership;
(f) an officer of a body corporate (whether or not employed by it);
(g) an officer of another body (whether or not employed by it);
(h) a consultant to a person.
benefit means a benefit of any kind, including a non-pecuniary
benefit.
obtain, see section 236F.
principal, for an agent, means the following:
(a) if the agent is a person acting for another person with that
other person's actual or implied authority – the other person;
(b) if the agent is a public officer – the government or other body
for which the public officer acts;
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 5 Bribery and secret commissions
Criminal Code Act 1983 238
(c) if the agent is an employee of an employer – the employer;
(d) if the agent is a lawyer acting for a client – the client;
(e) if the agent is a partner in a partnership – the partnership;
(f) if the agent is an officer of a body corporate (whether or not
employed by it) – the body corporate;
(g) if the agent is an officer of another body (whether or not
employed by it) – the body;
(h) if the agent is a consultant to a person – the person.
(2) A person is an agent or a principal if the person is, or has been or
intends to be, an agent or a principal.
236F Meaning of obtain
(1) In this Division, obtain includes:
(a) obtain for another person; and
(b) induce a third person to do something that results in another
person obtaining; or
(2) A person (person A) is taken to obtain a benefit for another person
(person B) if person A induces a third person to do something that
results in person B obtaining the benefit.
236G Bribery – offence by person in relation to agent
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) provides a benefit to an agent or another person; or
(ii) causes a benefit to be provided to an agent or another
person; or
(iii) offers to provide, or promises to provide, a benefit to an
agent or another person; or
(iv) causes an offer to provide, or causes a promise to
provide, a benefit to be made to an agent or another
person; and
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 5 Bribery and secret commissions
Criminal Code Act 1983 239
(b) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention that the agent will:
(i) be influenced or affected in the exercise of the agent's
function as agent; or
(ii) do or not do something as agent, or because of the
agent's position as agent; or
(iii) cause or influence the agent's principal, or another agent
of the principal, to do or not do something; and
(c) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
Note for subsection (1)(c)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Subsection (1)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
236H Bribery – offence by agent
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person is an agent (the agent); and
(b) the agent:
(i) requests a benefit from a person for the agent or another
person; or
(ii) obtains a benefit from a person for the agent or another
person; or
(iii) agrees to obtain a benefit from a person for the agent or
another person; and
(c) the agent engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (b)
with the intention:
(i) that the agent will:
(A) be influenced or affected in the exercise of the
agent's function as agent; or
(B) do or not do something as agent, or because of the
agent's position as agent; or
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Criminal Code Act 1983 240
(C) cause or influence the agent's principal, or another
agent of the principal, to do or not do something; or
(ii) of inducing, fostering or sustaining a belief that the agent
will:
(A) be influenced or affected in the exercise of the
agent's function as agent; or
(B) do or not do something as agent, or because of the
agent's position as agent; or
(C) cause or influence the agent's principal, or another
agent of the principal, to do or not do something;
and
(d) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (b) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
Note for subsection (1)(d)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Subsection (1)(c) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(b).
(3) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(a).
236J Other corrupting benefits – offence by person in relation to
agent
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally:
(i) provides a benefit to an agent or another person; or
(ii) causes a benefit to be provided to an agent or another
person; or
(iii) offers to provide, or promises to provide, a benefit to an
agent or another person; or
(iv) causes an offer to provide, or causes a promise to
provide, a benefit to be made to an agent or another
person; and
(b) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest; and
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Criminal Code Act 1983 241
(c) obtaining, or expecting to obtain, the benefit would tend to
influence the agent to:
(i) be influenced or affected in the exercise of the agent's
function as agent; or
(ii) do or not do something as agent, or because of the
agent's position as agent; or
(iii) cause or influence the agent's principal, or another agent
of the principal, to do or not do something; and
(d) the person is reckless in relation to the circumstance
mentioned in paragraph (c).
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
Note for paragraph (b)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
236K Other corrupting benefits – offence by agent
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person is an agent (the agent); and
(b) the agent intentionally:
(i) requests a benefit from a person for the agent or another
person; or
(ii) obtains a benefit from a person for the agent or another
person; or
(iii) agrees to obtain a benefit from a person for the agent or
another person; and
(c) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (b) is dishonest; and
(d) obtaining, or expecting to obtain, the benefit would tend to
influence the agent to:
(i) be influenced or affected in the exercise of the agent's
function as agent; or
(ii) do or not do something as agent, or because of the
agent's position as agent; or
(iii) cause or influence the agent's principal, or another agent
of the principal, to do or not do something; and
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Criminal Code Act 1983 242
(e) the agent is reckless in relation to the circumstance mentioned
in paragraph (d).
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
Note for subsection (1)(c)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(a).
236L Alternative verdict for offence against section 236G
In a proceeding against a person charged with an offence against
section 236G, the trier of fact may find the person not guilty of the
offence against that section but guilty of an offence against
section 236J if the trier of fact:
(a) is not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed an offence against section 236G; and
(b) is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed an offence against section 236J.
236M Alternative verdict for offence against section 236H
In a proceeding against a person charged with an offence against
section 236H, the trier of fact may find the person not guilty of the
offence against that section but guilty of an offence against
section 236K if the trier of fact:
(a) is not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed an offence against section 236H; and
(b) is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed an offence against section 236K.
236N Independent advisor accepting secret commission
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally holds themselves out to the public as
being engaged in a business or activity of:
(i) making independent selections or examinations; or
(ii) expressing disinterested opinions in respect of property
or services; and
(b) the person requests, receives or obtains, or agrees to receive
or obtain, a benefit from another person; and
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Division 5A Wagering Offences
Subdivision 1 Preliminary matters
Criminal Code Act 1983 243
(c) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (b)
with the intention that the benefit will influence the person's
selection, examination or opinion; and
(d) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (b) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years.
Note for subsection (1)(d)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Subsection (1)(c) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(b).
Division 5A Wagering Offences
Subdivision 1 Preliminary matters
237A Definitions
In this Division:
agreement about conduct that corrupts a wagering outcome of
an event or contingency, means an agreement between 2 or
more persons under which one or more of them agree to engage in
conduct that corrupts a wagering outcome of an event or
contingency.
causing a financial disadvantage, see section 237D(2).
contingency, see section 237C(2).
corrupts a wagering outcome of an event or contingency, see
section 237B.
encouraging, see section 237F.
event, see section 237C(1).
obtaining a financial advantage, see section 237D(1).
wagering, see section 9 of the Racing and Wagering Act 2024.
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Subdivision 1 Preliminary matters
Criminal Code Act 1983 244
237B Corrupts wagering outcome of event or contingency
Conduct corrupts a wagering outcome of an event or
contingency if the conduct:
(a) affects or, if engaged in, would be likely to affect the outcome
of any type of wagering on the event or contingency; and
(b) is contrary to the standards of integrity that a reasonable
person would expect of persons in a position to affect the
outcome of any type of wagering on the event or contingency.
237C Events and contingencies
(1) An event means any event (whether it takes place in the Territory
or elsewhere) on which it is lawful to wager under the laws of the
Territory, a State, another Territory or the Commonwealth.
(2) A contingency means any contingency on which it is lawful to
wager under the laws of the Territory, a State, another Territory or
the Commonwealth.
237D Obtaining financial advantage or causing financial
disadvantage
(1) Obtaining a financial advantage includes any of the following,
whether the financial advantage is permanent or temporary:
(a) obtaining a financial advantage for oneself or for another
person;
(b) inducing a third person to do something that results in oneself
or another person obtaining a financial advantage;
(c) keeping a financial advantage that one has.
(2) Causing a financial disadvantage includes any of the following,
whether the financial disadvantage is permanent or temporary:
(a) causing a financial disadvantage to another person;
(b) inducing a third person to do something that results in another
person suffering a financial disadvantage.
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Subdivision 1 Preliminary matters
Criminal Code Act 1983 245
237E Proof of intention to obtain financial advantage or cause
financial disadvantage
(1) In proceedings for an offence under section 237G, 237H or 237J,
the defendant is taken to have intended to obtain a financial
advantage, or to cause a financial disadvantage, if, and only if, it is
proved that:
(a) the defendant intended to obtain a financial advantage, or
cause a financial disadvantage, in connection with wagering
on the event; or
(b) the defendant knew that another person intended to obtain a
financial advantage, or cause a financial disadvantage, in
connection with wagering on the event or contingency, as a
result of the conduct the subject of the charge.
(2) It is not necessary to prove that any financial advantage was
actually obtained or any financial disadvantage was actually
caused.
(3) In this section:
conduct the subject of the charge means:
(a) in the case of an offence against section 237G – the conduct
that the defendant engaged in; or
(b) in the case of an offence against section 237H(1) – the
conduct that the defendant offered to engage in; or
(c) in the case of an offence against section 237H(2) – the
conduct that the defendant encouraged another person to
engage in; or
(d) in the case of an offence against section 237H(3) – the
conduct the subject of the agreement; or
(e) in the case of an offence against section 237J(1) – the
conduct, or the conduct the subject of the agreement, that the
defendant encouraged another person to conceal.
237F Encouraging
Encouraging another person to engage in conduct includes
commanding, requesting, proposing, advising, inciting, inducing,
persuading, authorising, urging, threatening or placing pressure on
the person to engage in the conduct.
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Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 246
Subdivision 2 Offences
237G Engaging in conduct that corrupts wagering outcome of event
or contingency
A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) engages in conduct that corrupts the outcome of an event or
contingency; and
(b) does so with the intention of obtaining a financial advantage,
or causing a financial disadvantage, in connection with any
wagering on the event or contingency.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
237H Facilitating conduct that corrupts wagering outcome of event
or contingency
(1) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) offers to engage in conduct that corrupts a wagering outcome
of an event or contingency; and
(b) does so with the intention of obtaining a financial advantage,
or causing a financial disadvantage, in connection with any
wagering on the event or contingency.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) encourages another person to engage in conduct that corrupts
a wagering outcome of an event or contingency; and
(b) does so with the intention of obtaining a financial advantage,
or causing a financial disadvantage, in connection with any
wagering on the event or contingency.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(3) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) enters into an agreement about conduct that corrupts a
wagering outcome of an event or contingency; and
(b) does so with the intention of obtaining a financial advantage,
or causing a financial disadvantage, in connection with any
wagering on the event or contingency.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
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Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 247
237J Concealing conduct or agreement about conduct that corrupts
wagering outcome of event or contingency
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person encourages another person to conceal from any
appropriate authority conduct, or an agreement about conduct,
that corrupts a wagering outcome of an event or contingency;
and
(b) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is engaged in with the
intention of obtaining a financial advantage, or causing a
financial disadvantage, in connection with any wagering on the
event or contingency.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) Subsection (1)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) In this section:
appropriate authority includes a body that has the official function
of controlling, regulating or supervising an event or contingency or
any wagering on an event or contingency.
237K Use of corrupt conduct information for wagering
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person possesses information in connection with an event
or contingency; and
(b) the information is about conduct, or proposed conduct, that
corrupts a wagering outcome of an event or contingency; and
(c) the person:
(i) wagers on the event or contingency; or
(ii) encourages another person to wager on the event or
contingency in a particular way; or
(iii) communicates the information mentioned in
paragraph (b), or causes that information to be
communicated, to another person whom the first person
knows or ought reasonably to know would or would be
likely to wager on the event or contingency.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
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Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 248
(2) In proceedings for an offence against subsection (1)(c)(ii) or (iii), it
is not necessary to prove that the person encouraged to wager, or
to whom information was communicated, actually wagered on the
event or contingency concerned.
237L Use of inside information for wagering
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person possesses information in connection with an event
or contingency; and
(b) the information is inside information; and
(c) the person:
(i) wagers on the event or contingency; or
(ii) encourages another person to wager on the event or
contingency in a particular way; or
(iii) communicates the information, or causes the information
to be communicated, to another person whom the first
person knows or ought reasonably to know would or
would be likely to wager on the event or contingency.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) For subsection (1)(b), information in connection with an event or
contingency is inside information if it is not generally available
and, if it were generally available, would or would likely influence
persons who commonly wager on the event or contingency in:
(a) deciding whether or not to wager on the event or contingency;
or
(b) making any other decision to wager on the event or
contingency.
(3) For subsection (2)(b), information is generally available if:
(a) it consists of matter that is readily observable by the public; or
(b) it has been made known in a manner that would, or would be
likely to, bring it to the attention of the public; or
(c) it consists of deductions, conclusions or inferences made or
drawn from information mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b).
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Subdivision 1 Interpretation
Criminal Code Act 1983 249
(4) In proceedings for an offence against subsection (1)(c)(ii) or (iii), it
is not necessary to prove that the person encouraged to wager, or
to whom information was communicated, actually wagered on the
event or contingency concerned.
237M Alternative verdict
In a proceeding against a person charged with an offence against
section 237K, the trier of fact may find the person not guilty of an
offence against that section but guilty of an offence against
section 237L if the trier of fact:
(a) is not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed an offence against section 237K; and
(b) is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person
committed an offence against section 237L.
Division 6 Criminal damage
Subdivision 1 Interpretation
238 Definitions
In this Division:
belongs, in relation to property, see section 239.
causes, in relation to damage or other result, see section 240.
damage, to property, includes:
(a) destroying the property; and
(b) causing the physical loss of the property by interfering with the
property (including by removing any restraint over the property
or abandoning the property); and
(c) causing any loss of a use or function of the property by
interfering with the property; and
(d) defacing the property, and
(e) for a document – obliterating or rendering illegible the whole or
any part of the document; and
(f) for an animal – harming or killing the animal; and
(g) for a plant or other thing forming part of land – severing it from
the land.
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Subdivision 1 Interpretation
Criminal Code Act 1983 250
property:
(a) means any real or personal property of a tangible nature; and
(b) without limiting paragraph (a), includes:
(i) a wild creature that is tamed or ordinarily kept in captivity
or that is or is being reduced into the possession of a
person; and
(ii) any organ or part of a human body and any blood, ova,
semen or other substance extracted from the human
body.
property damage offence means:
(a) an offence against Subdivision 2 (other than an offence
against section 242); or
(b) conduct in a State or another Territory that:
(i) is an offence against a law of that State or Territory; and
(ii) would constitute an offence against Subdivision 2 (other
than an offence against section 242) if the conduct
occurred in the Territory.
239 Person to whom property belongs
(1) For this Division, property belongs to anyone who has:
(a) possession or control of it; or
(b) any proprietary right or interest in it, other than an equitable
interest arising only from:
(i) an agreement to transfer or grant an interest; or
(ii) a constructive trust.
(2) If property is subject to a trust, the person to whom the property
belongs includes anyone having a right to enforce the trust.
(3) If property belongs to 2 or more persons:
(a) a reference in this Division to a person to whom the property
belongs is a reference to all those persons; and
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Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 251
(b) for an offence committed by a person (the defendant) – a
reference in this Division to property belonging to another
person includes a reference to property belonging to the
defendant and other persons.
240 Causing damage or other result
For this Division, a person causes damage or any other result if the
person's conduct substantially contributes to the damage or other
result.
Subdivision 2 Offences
241 Damage to property
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the person causes damage to
property belonging to another person.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) intentionally causes damage to property belonging to that
other person or someone else; or
(b) is reckless as to causing damage to property belonging to that
other person or someone else.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) A person is guilty of an offence if the person makes a threat to
another person to cause damage to property.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) intentionally makes a threat to another person to cause
damage to property; and
(b) is reckless as to causing the other person to fear that:
(i) the threat will be carried out; and
(ii) the carrying out of the threat will cause death or serious
harm to someone.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
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Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 252
(3) A person is guilty of an offence if the person makes a threat to
another person to cause damage to property belonging to that other
person or someone else.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) intentionally makes a threat to another person to cause
damage to property belonging to that other person or
someone else; and
(b) intends to cause the other person to fear that the threat will be
carried out.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(4) For subsections (2) and (3):
(a) it is not necessary to prove that the threatened person actually
feared that the threat would be carried out; and
(b) a threat may be made by any conduct, and may be explicit or
implicit and may be conditional or unconditional; and
(c) a threat to a person includes a threat to a group of persons;
and
(d) fear that a threat will be carried out includes apprehension that
the threat will be carried out.
(5) A person is guilty of an offence if the person possesses a thing for
use by that person or someone else to cause damage to property
belonging to another person.
Fault element:
The person intends that the person or someone else will use the
thing to cause damage to property belonging to another person.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
241A Ram-raid
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person drives a motor vehicle; and
(b) the person engages in that conduct with the intention of using
the vehicle to damage property belonging to another person;
and
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Division 6 Criminal damage
Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 253
(c) the conduct results in damage to the property.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
Examples for subsection (1)
1 Ramming a police vehicle.
2 Ramming a store to gain entry.
(2) Subsection (1)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(c).
242 Sabotage
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the person:
(a) commits a property damage offence; and
(b) causes damage to a public facility in committing the property
damage offence.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) has the fault elements for a particular property damage
offence; and
(b) in committing the property damage offence, intends to cause:
(i) major disruption to government functions; or
(ii) major disruption to the use of services by the public; or
(iii) major economic loss.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for life.
(2) A person who is convicted of the offence of attempting to commit an
offence against subsection (1) is punishable by imprisonment not
exceeding 14 years.
Note for subsection (2)
For the offence of attempting to commit the offence, see section 43BF.
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Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 254
(3) A person is guilty of an offence if the person makes a threat to
another person to damage a public facility.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) intentionally makes a threat to another person to damage a
public facility; and
(b) intends to cause the other person to fear that the threat will be
carried out and will cause:
(i) major disruption to government functions; or
(ii) major disruption to the use of services by the public; or
(iii) major economic loss.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
(4) For subsection (3):
(a) it is not necessary to prove that the threatened person actually
feared that the threat would be carried out; and
(b) a threat may be made by any conduct, and may be explicit or
implicit and conditional or unconditional; and
(c) a threat to a person includes a threat to a group of persons;
and
(d) fear that a threat will be carried out includes apprehension that
the threat will be carried out.
(5) In this section:
damage to a public facility means:
(a) causing damage to a public facility or any part of the facility; or
(b) causing disruption to the use or operation of a public facility.
public facility means any of the following (whether publicly or
privately owned):
(a) government facilities, including premises used by government
employees in connection with official duties;
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Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 255
(b) public infrastructure facilities, including facilities providing
water, sewerage, energy, fuel, communication or other
services to the public;
(c) public information systems, including systems used to
generate, send, receive, store or otherwise process electronic
communications;
(d) public transport facilities, including facilities used to transport
people or goods;
(e) public places, including any premises, land or water open to
the public.
243 Arson
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the person causes damage to a
building or conveyance by using fire or an explosive substance.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) intentionally uses fire or an explosive substance; and
(b) intentionally causes, or is reckless as to causing, damage to a
building or conveyance.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for life.
(2) A person who is convicted of the offence of attempting to commit an
offence against subsection (1) is punishable by imprisonment not
exceeding 14 years.
Note for subsection (2)
For the offence of attempting to commit the offence, see section 43BF.
(3) A person is guilty of an offence if the person makes a threat to
another person to use fire or an explosive substance to cause
damage to a building or conveyance.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) intentionally makes a threat to another person to use fire or an
explosive substance to cause damage to a building or
conveyance; and
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Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 256
(b) intends to cause, or is reckless as to causing, another person
to fear that the threat will be carried out.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(4) For subsection (3):
(a) it is not necessary to prove that the threatened person actually
feared that the threat would be carried out; and
(b) a threat may be made by any conduct, and may be explicit or
implicit and may be conditional or unconditional; and
(c) a threat to a person includes a threat to a group of persons;
and
(d) fear that a threat will be carried out includes apprehension that
the threat will be carried out.
(5) In this section:
building includes:
(a) a part of a building; and
(b) all or part of any other structure or thing (whether or not
moveable) that is used, designed or adapted for residential
purposes (for example, a caravan).
conveyance means an aircraft, vessel, train, motor vehicle or
trailer attached to a motor vehicle.
244 Bushfires
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person causes a fire; and
(b) there is a substantial risk that:
(i) the fire would spread to vegetation on property
belonging to another person; and
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Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 257
(ii) the person would not be able to stop the spreading of
the fire.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) intentionally causes the fire or is reckless as to causing the
fire; and
(b) is reckless as to the risk.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who caused a fire for the
purposes of fire management or land management (or both):
(a) in accordance with a law in force in the Territory (including, for
example, the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory)
Act 1976 (Cth), the Bushfires Management Act 2016 and the
Fire and Emergency Act) 1996; or
(b) in accordance with an agreement entered into by the Territory.
Example for subsection (2)(a)
A person who caused a fire in the course of carrying out fire management
activities such as hazard reduction activities under the Fire and Emergency
Act 1996.
Example for subsection (2)(b)
A person who caused a fire in the course of carrying out fire management and
land management activities under an agreement between the Territory and a
private company established for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
(3) For this section, a person causes a fire if the person:
(a) lights a fire; or
(b) maintains a fire.
245 Leaving explosive substance at a place
A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person leaves an explosive substance at a place; and
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Subdivision 2 Offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 258
(b) there is a substantial risk that the explosive substance would
cause damage to property belonging to another person.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) intentionally leaves an explosive substance at a place; and
(b) is reckless as to the risk.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
246 Endangering operation of aircraft
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the person engages in conduct
that results in a substantial risk of endangering the safe operation of
an aircraft.
Fault elements:
The person:
(a) intentionally engages in the conduct; and
(b) is reckless as to the result.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for life.
(2) A person who is convicted of the offence of attempting to commit an
offence against subsection (1) is punishable by imprisonment not
exceeding 14 years.
Note for subsection (2)
For the offence of attempting to commit the offence, see section 43BF.
247 Obstructing runways
A person is guilty of an offence if the person obstructs any aircraft
in its passage on a runway.
Fault element:
The person intentionally obstructs, or is reckless as to obstructing,
any aircraft in its passage on a runway.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 6 Criminal damage
Subdivision 3 Circumstances in which there is no criminal responsibility
Criminal Code Act 1983 259
Subdivision 3 Circumstances in which there is no criminal
responsibility
248 Consent
A person (the defendant) is not criminally responsible for an
offence against this Division that involves damage to property
(other than section 242) if, at the time of the conduct constituting
the offence:
(a) the person entitled to consent to the damage to the property
concerned had so consented; or
(b) the defendant believed that:
(i) the person whom the defendant believed was entitled to
consent to the damage of the property concerned had so
consented; or
(ii) such a person would have so consented if that person
had known about the damage to be caused to the
property and its circumstances.
Note for section 248
Part IIAA, Division 3, provides for other circumstances in which there is no
criminal liability.
249 Claim of right
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against this
Division (other than section 242) if, at the time of the conduct
constituting the offence, the person believed:
(a) that the person had a right or interest in the property
concerned; and
(b) the right or interest authorised the person to engage in the
conduct.
(2) For this section, a right or interest in property includes a right or
privilege in or over land or waters, whether created by a grant,
licence or otherwise.
Note for section 249
Part IIAA, Division 3, provides for other circumstances in which there is no
criminal liability.
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 7 Forgery and other similar offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 260
Division 7 Forgery and other similar offences
250 Definitions
In this Division:
false document, see section 251.
public duty means a duty of a public officer.
251 Meaning of false document
(1) For this Division, a document is a false document only if the
document, or any part of the document, purports:
(a) to have been made in the form in which it is made by a person
who did not make it in that form; or
(b) to have been made in the form in which it is made on the
authority of a person who did not authorise its making in that
form; or
(c) to have been made in the terms in which it is made by a
person who did not make it in those terms; or
(d) to have been made in the terms in which it is made on the
authority of a person who did not authorise its making in those
terms; or
(e) to have been changed in any way by a person who did not
change it in that way; or
(f) to have been changed in any way on the authority of a person
who did not authorise it to be changed in that way; or
(g) to have been made or changed by an existing person who did
not exist; or
(h) to have been made or changed on the authority of an existing
person who did not exist; or
(i) to have been made or changed on a date on which, at a time
or place at which, or otherwise in circumstances in which it
was not made or changed.
(2) For this Division, making a false document includes changing the
document so as to make it a false document under subsection (1)
(whether or not it already was false in some other way).
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 7 Forgery and other similar offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 261
(3) For this Division, a document that purports to be a true copy of
another document is to be treated as if it were the original
document.
252 Inducing acceptance that document genuine
For this Division, a reference to inducing a person to accept a
document as genuine includes a reference to causing a computer,
machine or electronic device to respond to the document as if it
were genuine.
253 Forgery
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person (person A) makes a false document; and
(b) person A engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention:
(i) that person A or another person (person B) will use the
document to induce another person (person C) to
accept it as genuine; and
(ii) because person C accepts it as genuine – that person A,
person B or another person obtains a gain, causes a
loss or influences the exercise of a public duty; and
(c) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
Note for subsection (1)(c)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Subsection (1)(b) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) To avoid doubt, for subsection (1)(b)(i), it is not necessary to prove
an intention to induce a particular person to accept the false
document as genuine.
254 Using false document
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person (person A) uses a document; and
(b) the document is a false document and person A has
knowledge of that circumstance; and
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 7 Forgery and other similar offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 262
(c) person A engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention:
(i) to induce another person (person B) to accept it as
genuine; and
(ii) because person B accepts it as genuine – that person A
or another person obtains a gain, causes a loss or
influences the exercise of a public duty; and
(d) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
Note for subsection (1)(d)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Subsection (1)(c) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) To avoid doubt, for subsection (1)(c)(i), it is not necessary to prove
an intention to induce a particular person to accept the false
document as genuine.
255 Possess false document
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person (person A) has a document in person A's
possession; and
(b) the document is a false document and person A has
knowledge of that circumstance; and
(c) person A engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention:
(i) to induce another person (person B) to accept it as
genuine; and
(ii) because person B accepts it as genuine – that person A
or another person obtains a gain, causes a loss or
influences the exercise of a public duty; and
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Part VII Property offences and related matters
Division 8 Preparation for forgery
Criminal Code Act 1983 263
(d) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) is dishonest.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
Note for subsection (1)(d)
See section 43AGA in relation to the meaning of and fault element for dishonest
conduct.
(2) Subsection (1)(c) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) To avoid doubt, for subsection (1)(c)(i), it is not necessary to prove
an intention to induce a particular person to accept the false
document as genuine.
Division 8 Preparation for forgery
256 Making or adapting instrument or material for forgery
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person makes or adapts a device, material or other thing;
and
(b) the device, material or other thing is designed or adapted to
make a false document and the person has knowledge of that
circumstance; and
(c) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention:
(i) to use the device, material or other thing to commit an
offence against section 253; or
(ii) for another person to use the device, material or other
thing to commit an offence against section 253.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) Subsection (1)(c) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
257 Possessing instrument or material for forgery
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person possesses a device, material or other thing; and
-- 289 of 398 --
Part VIIA Miscellaneous offences
Division 1 Computer offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 264
(b) the device, material or other thing is designed or adapted to
make a false document and the person has knowledge of that
circumstance; and
(c) the person engages in the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a)
with the intention:
(i) to use the device, material or other thing to commit an
offence against section 253; or
(ii) for another person to use the device, material or other
thing to commit an offence against section 253.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) Subsection (1)(c) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally possesses a device, material or other
thing; and
(b) the device, material or other thing is designed or adapted to
make a false document and the person has knowledge of that
circumstance.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(4) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (3) if the defendant has a reasonable excuse.
Note for section 257
The defendant has an evidential burden in relation to the matters in
subsection (4) (see section 43BU of the Criminal Code).
Part VIIA Miscellaneous offences
Division 1 Computer offences
276 Interpretation
(1) In this Division, unless the contrary intention appears:
computer includes:
(a) a single computer, whether or not connected to a network or
communications system; and
-- 290 of 398 --
Part VIIA Miscellaneous offences
Division 1 Computer offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 265
(b) more than one computer forming or connected to a network or
communications system.
data includes:
(a) information in any form; and
(b) any program or part of a program.
data held in a computer includes:
(a) data entered or copied into the computer;
(b) data held in any removable data storage device that may be
used in, or attached to, the computer; and
(c) data held in a data storage device on a computer network of
which the computer forms part.
data storage device means any thing containing or designed to
contain data that may be used in a computer and includes:
(a) a device that may be used to gain access to, or perform a
function on, a communications system or telecommunications
network; and
(b) an internet web site.
electronic communication means a communication of information
in any form by means of guided or unguided electrical or
electromagnetic energy.
telecommunications network means a system or series of
systems for carrying electronic communications.
(2) For the purposes of an offence against this Division, a person
accesses data or causes modification of data or impairment of
electronic communication if the person's conduct substantially
contributes to the access, modification or impairment.
276A Meaning of access to data, modification of data and
impairment of electronic communication
In this Division:
(a) access to data held in a computer means:
(i) the display of the data by the computer or any other
output of the data from the computer;
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Part VIIA Miscellaneous offences
Division 1 Computer offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 266
(ii) the recording or monitoring of the data by a remote
computer or other device;
(iii) the copying or moving of the data to any other place in
the computer or to a data storage device; or
(iv) if the data is a program – the execution of the program;
(b) modification of data held in a computer means:
(i) the alteration or removal of the data; or
(ii) an addition to the data;
(c) impairment of electronic communication to or from a computer
includes:
(i) the prevention of any such communication; or
(ii) the impairment of any such communication on an
electronic link or network used by the computer,
but only if the prevention or impairment is caused (whether
directly or indirectly) by the execution of a function of a
computer; and
(d) use of data includes:
(i) use by a third party; and
(ii) use at the time the data was accessed or at a later time.
276B Unlawful access to data
(1) A person who unlawfully accesses data held in a computer with
intent to:
(a) cause loss or harm to the person entitled to the data or a third
person; or
(b) gain a benefit or advantage, whether personally or for a third
party,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) A person who unlawfully uses data that has been accessed
unlawfully, whether or not he or she is the person who gained the
access to the data, is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for 10 years.
-- 292 of 398 --
Part VIIA Miscellaneous offences
Division 1 Computer offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 267
276C Unlawful modification of data
(1) A person:
(a) who unlawfully causes any modification of data held in a
computer; and
(b) who intends by the modification to impede access to, or to
adversely affect the reliability, security or operation of, data
held in a computer,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
(2) A person causes modification of data held in a computer if the
person sets in train a course of events that results in the
modification, even if the person did not himself or herself access
the particular computer in which the data is modified but the
modification would not have occurred but for the person's action.
276D Unlawful impairment of electronic communication
A person:
(a) who unlawfully causes impairment of electronic
communication to or from a computer; and
(b) who intends to impair electronic communication to or from the
computer or any other computer,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
276E Unlawful use of access time
(1) A person who unlawfully uses access time to a computer or
telecommunications network, the access being charged to another
person, is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.
(2) A person who unlawfully makes available for use by another person
access time to a computer or telecommunications network, the
access being charged to a third person, is guilty of an offence and
is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
276F Territorial nexus for offences
A person is guilty of an offence against this Division:
(a) if the person does an unlawful act within the Territory that
leads to the unlawful access to, or modification of, data held in
a computer or impairment of electronic communication,
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Part VIIA Miscellaneous offences
Division 3 Post and boast
Criminal Code Act 1983 268
irrespective of whether or not the affected computer or data
storage device is in the Territory; or
(b) if the person does an unlawful act, whether within the Territory
or not, that leads to the unlawful access to, or modification of,
data held in a computer or impairment of electronic
communication, where the affected computer or data storage
device is in the Territory.
Division 2 Unlawfully obtaining confidential information
276G Unlawfully obtaining confidential information
Any person who unlawfully abstracts any confidential information
from any register, document, computer or other repository of
information with intent to cause loss to a person or with intent to
publish the same to a person who is not lawfully entitled to have or
to receive it, or with intent to use it to obtain a benefit or advantage
for the person or another, is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for 3 years.
Division 3 Post and boast
276H Publishing material about offending conduct
(1) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) publishes material on social media; and
(b) the material depicts conduct that constitutes an offence
against:
(i) a provision of Part VI, Division 3A, 4, 5 or 5A; or
(ii) a provision of Part VII, Division 1 or 6; or
(iii) a provision prescribed by regulation; and
(c) the person publishes the material with the intention of any of
the following:
(i) increasing the reputation or notoriety of a person who
engaged in the conduct;
(ii) boasting of the conduct;
(iii) glorifying the conduct;
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Part VIIA Miscellaneous offences
Division 3 Post and boast
Criminal Code Act 1983 269
(iv) encouraging others to engage in the same or similar
conduct.
Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) Subsection (1)(c) is the fault element for the conduct in
subsection (1)(a).
(3) Strict liability applies to subsection (1)(b).
(4) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (1) if the material is:
(a) fictional; or
(b) published for a genuine academic, artistic, educational,
journalistic, literary, satirical or scientific purpose; or
(c) published to inform the public of criminal conduct in order to:
(i) complain about the conduct; or
(ii) warn, notify or promote awareness of the conduct.
Examples for subsection (4)(c)
1 Residents posting videos of the conduct to document offences in their
community.
2 Police posting videos warning against engaging in the conduct.
(5) A person may be proceeded against, and convicted of, an offence
against subsection (1) whether or not anyone is charged or
convicted of the offence mentioned in subsection (1)(b) depicted in
the material.
(6) A person may be convicted of both an offence against
subsection (1) and the offence mentioned in subsection (1)(b)
depicted in the material.
(7) In this section:
material includes anything that contains data from which text,
sound or images can be generated.
Examples for definition material
Digital photographs and videos.
publish, in relation to material, means to make the material
available to the public by electronic means.
-- 295 of 398 --
Part VIII Attempts and preparation to commit offences: conspiracy: accessories after
the fact
Division 1 Attempts and preparation to commit offences
Criminal Code Act 1983 270
social media means digital technology that allows the sharing of
ideas and information, including text, sound and images, through
virtual networks, virtual communities or any service for carrying
communications by means of guided or unguided electromagnetic
energy.
Examples for definition social media
Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Telegram, TikTok, WhatsApp, YouTube and
X (Twitter).
Note for definition social media
Social media is often located on the internet, including the dark web and the deep
web.
Part VIII Attempts and preparation to commit offences:
conspiracy: accessories after the fact
Division 1 Attempts and preparation to commit offences
277 Attempts to commit offences
(1) Any person who attempts to commit an offence is guilty of an
offence.
(2) If the offence attempted to be committed is an indictable offence he
is, unless otherwise stated, guilty of an indictable offence.
(3) If a charge of the offence attempted to be committed may be heard
and determined summarily, a charge of the offence of attempting to
commit the offence may also be heard and determined summarily.
278 Punishment of attempts to commit offences
(1) Any person who attempts to commit an indictable offence of such a
kind that a person found guilty of it is liable to the punishment of
imprisonment for life or of imprisonment for 14 years or longer is
liable, if no other punishment is provided, to imprisonment for
7 years.
(2) Any person who attempts to commit any other offence is liable, if no
other punishment is provided, to a punishment equal to one-half of
the greatest punishment to which an offender found guilty of the
offence that he attempted to commit is liable.
280 Attempts to procure commission of criminal offences
(1) Any person who attempts to procure another to do any act, make
any omission or cause any event, whether in the Territory or
-- 296 of 398 --
Part VIII Attempts and preparation to commit offences: conspiracy: accessories after
the fact
Division 2 Conspiracy: accessories after the fact
Criminal Code Act 1983 271
elsewhere, of such a nature that, if the act were done or the
omission were made or the event were caused, an offence would
thereby be committed under the laws of the Territory or the laws in
force in the place where the act, omission or event is proposed to
be done, made or caused whether by himself or by that other
person, is guilty of an offence of the same kind and is liable to the
same punishment as if he had himself attempted to do the same
act, make the same omission or cause the same event in the
Territory.
(2) If the act, omission or event is proposed to be done, made or
caused at a place not in the Territory, the punishment cannot
exceed that which he would have incurred under the laws in force
where the act, omission or event was proposed to be done, made
or caused if he had himself attempted to do the proposed act, make
the proposed omission or cause the proposed event.
(3) A prosecution with respect to a matter referred to in subsection (2)
cannot be instituted except at the request of the government of the
state having jurisdiction in the place where the act, omission or
event was proposed to be done, made or caused.
281 Preparation to commit indictable offence with explosives, &c.
Any person who makes or knowingly has in his possession any
explosive substance or any dangerous or noxious thing with intent
by means thereof to commit, or for the purpose of enabling any
other person by means thereof to commit, an indictable offence is
guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 5 years.
Division 2 Conspiracy: accessories after the fact
282 Conspiracy to commit indictable offence
Any person who conspires with another to commit an indictable
offence, or to do any act, make any omission or cause any event in
any part of the world that, if done in the Territory, would be an
indictable offence and that is an offence under the laws in force in
the place where it is proposed to be done, is guilty of an offence
and is liable, if no other punishment is provided, to imprisonment for
7 years; or, if the greatest punishment to which a person found
guilty of the offence in question is liable is less than imprisonment
for 7 years, then to such lesser punishment.
283 Conspiracy to commit summary offence
Any person who conspires with another to commit a summary
offence or to do any act, make any omission or cause any event in
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Part VIII Attempts and preparation to commit offences: conspiracy: accessories after
the fact
Division 2 Conspiracy: accessories after the fact
Criminal Code Act 1983 272
any part of the world that if done in the Territory would be a simple
offence and that is an offence under the laws in force in the place
where it is proposed to be done, is guilty of an offence and is liable
to imprisonment for one year.
284 Conspiracy to deceive or defraud
Any person who conspires with another by deception or any
fraudulent conduct to affect the market price of anything publicly
sold or to defraud the public or any person, whether a particular
person or not, or to extort any property from any person is guilty of
an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
285 Conspiracy to lay false charge
(1) Any person who conspires with another to charge any person or
cause any person to be charged with an offence, whether alleged to
have been committed in the Territory or elsewhere, knowing that
such person is innocent of the alleged offence is guilty of an
offence.
(2) If the offence is such that a person found guilty of it is liable to be
sentenced to imprisonment for life the offender is liable to
imprisonment for life.
(3) In any other case the offender is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
286 Conspiracy to pervert justice
Any person who conspires with another to obstruct, prevent, pervert
or defeat the course of justice is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for 15 years.
288 Conspiracy to carry out seditious enterprise
Any person who conspires with another to carry out any seditious
enterprise is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.
289 Other conspiracies
Any person who conspires with another:
(a) to prevent or defeat the execution or enforcement of any
statute law;
(b) to prevent or obstruct the free and lawful disposition of any
property by the owner thereof for its fair value; or
-- 298 of 398 --
Part VIII Attempts and preparation to commit offences: conspiracy: accessories after
the fact
Division 2 Conspiracy: accessories after the fact
Criminal Code Act 1983 273
(c) to prevent or obstruct, by means of any conduct that, if
engaged in by an individual person, would constitute an
offence on his part, the free and lawful exercise of the trade,
profession or occupation of any person,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
290 Industrial disputes
Notwithstanding anything contained in section 293, no act done,
omission made or event caused by any 2 or more persons in
contemplation or furtherance of any industrial dispute and no
agreement or combination by any 2 or more persons to do any act,
make any omission or cause any event or to procure any act to be
done, omission to be made or event to be caused in contemplation
or furtherance of any industrial dispute, shall render any of such
persons guilty of an offence if such act, omission or event when
done, made or caused by an individual person would not have
rendered such person guilty of an offence.
291 Conspiracy by husband and wife
Any rule of law under which a husband and wife are incapable of
criminally conspiring together is abolished.
292 Position of other conspirators no defence
It shall not be a defence to a charge of conspiracy that the person
with whom the accused is alleged to have conspired:
(a) has not been prosecuted;
(b) has been found guilty of a different offence;
(c) is not amenable to justice;
(d) has been acquitted; or
(e) lacked the capacity to commit an offence.
293 Conspiracy to commit more than one offence
If a person conspires to engage in conduct that would constitute the
offence of conspiracy under any 2 or more of the foregoing
provisions, he is guilty of only one conspiracy so long as such
conduct is part of one agreement or continuous conspiratorial
relationship.
-- 299 of 398 --
Part IX Procedure
Division 1 Preliminary proceedings: change of place of trial: no true bill
Criminal Code Act 1983 274
294 Punishment of accessories after the fact
(1) Any person who becomes an accessory after the fact to murder or
terrorism is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to
imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) Any person who becomes an accessory after the fact to any other
offence of such a nature that the offender may be sentenced to
imprisonment for a term greater than 3 years is guilty of an
indictable offence and is liable, if no other punishment is provided,
to imprisonment for 2 years.
(3) Any person who becomes an accessory after the fact to any other
offence of such a nature that the offender may be sentenced to
imprisonment for one year, is guilty of an offence and is liable to a
punishment equal to one-half of the greatest punishment to which
the perpetrator is liable on being found guilty.
(4) If a charge of the offence to which the person is an accessory may
be heard and determined summarily, a charge of the offence of
being an accessory to the offence may also be heard and
determined with summarily.
Part IX Procedure
Division 1 Preliminary proceedings: change of place of trial:
no true bill
295 Jurisdiction
The jurisdiction of courts of justice with respect to hearing and
determining charges of offences is set forth in the laws relating to
the constitution and jurisdiction of those courts respectively.
297 Change of place of trial
(1) When a person has been committed for trial at a court held at any
place, whether he has been admitted to bail or not, the Supreme
Court or a Judge may, on the application of the Crown or of the
accused person and upon good cause shown, order that the trial
shall be held at some other place.
(2) When an indictment has been presented against any such person
the court may, on the application of the Crown or the accused
person and upon good cause shown, order that the trial shall be
held at some place other than that named in the indictment and at a
time to be named in the order.
-- 300 of 398 --
Part IX Procedure
Division 2 Indictments
Criminal Code Act 1983 275
(4) The obligations of any persons who are bound to attend as
witnesses or to produce any documents are in like manner to be
deemed to be altered to the same time and place upon their being
given written notice to that effect.
297A No true bill
(1) When a person charged with an indictable offence has been
committed for trial and it is not intended to put him on his trial a
Crown Law Officer shall:
(a) issue a certificate to that effect; and
(b) deliver it to the person committed:
(i) if the person is not in custody, by giving it to him
personally or sending it by post to his last known
address; or
(ii) if the person is in custody, by sending it by post or giving
it to the person who has custody of him.
(2) If the committed person has been released on bail, upon the issue
of the certificate, the bail undertaking and any conditions of bail
shall cease to have effect and any security or money deposited
thereunder shall be returned to the person who deposited it.
(3) If the committed person has not been released on bail, upon the
delivery of the certificate, the warrant of commitment shall cease to
have effect.
Division 2 Indictments
298 Nature of indictments
(1) When a person charged with an indictable offence has been
committed for trial and it is intended to put him on his trial for the
offence the charge is to be reduced to writing in a document that is
called an indictment.
(2) The indictment is to be signed by a Crown Law Officer.
299 Altering charges after committal
When a person charged with an indictable offence has been
committed for trial and if, in the opinion of the person responsible
for the presentation of the indictment, the evidence produced at the
preliminary proceedings is such that he ought to be charged with
some further or other offence he may present an indictment
charging such further or other offence.
-- 301 of 398 --
Part IX Procedure
Division 2 Indictments
Criminal Code Act 1983 276
300 Ex officio information
A Crown Law Officer may sign an indictment against any person for
any offence whether the accused person has been committed for
trial or not.
301 Arrest of person charged in ex officio information
(1) When an indictment has been presented against a person who is
not in custody and has not been committed for trial or held to bail to
attend to be tried upon the charge set forth in the indictment, or who
does not appear to be tried upon the charge set forth in the
indictment, a judge of the court in which the indictment is presented
may issue a warrant under his hand to arrest the accused person
and bring him before a the Local Court.
(2) The Local Court may commit him into the custody of the
Commissioner of Correctional Services until he can be tried on the
indictment or may, in a proper case, admit him to bail to attend to
be tried on the indictment.
302 Nolle prosequi
(1) A Crown Law Officer may inform any court, by writing under his
hand, that the Crown will not further proceed upon an indictment, or
in relation to a charge contained in an indictment, then pending in
that court.
(2) When such information is given to the court the accused person is
to be discharged from any further proceedings upon that indictment
or in relation to the charge.
303 General rule as to indictments
Except as otherwise expressly provided an indictment must charge
one offence against one person.
304 Commencement of indictment
The commencement of an indictment shall indicate the name of the
person by whom it is signed and the authority of that person to sign
it.
305 Form of indictment
(1) An indictment shall contain a statement of the offence charged
together with such particulars as may be necessary to give
reasonable information as to the nature of the charge.
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(2) If more than one offence is charged each offence shall be set out in
a separate paragraph called a count and numbered consecutively.
(3) The statement of the offence shall describe the offence shortly in
ordinary language in which the use of technical terms is
unnecessary and it need not state all the elements of the offence,
but it shall contain a reference to the section and the enactment
defining the offence.
(4) If any circumstance of aggravation is intended to be relied upon it
shall be charged in the indictment.
306 Description of property
(1) A description of property in an indictment may be in ordinary
language and shall be such as to indicate with reasonable clarity
the property referred to and, if the property is so described, it shall
not be necessary, except when required for the purpose of
describing an offence depending on any special ownership of
property or special value of property, to name the person to whom
the property belongs or the value of the property.
(2) Where property is vested in more than one person and the owners
of the property are referred to in an indictment it is sufficient to
describe the property as owned by one of those persons by name
and others and if the persons owning the property are a body of
persons with a collective name it is sufficient to use the collective
name without naming any individual.
307 Description of persons
The description or designation in an indictment of the accused
person or of any other person to whom reference is made shall be
such as is reasonably sufficient to identify him without necessarily
stating his correct name or his address or occupation and if, owing
to the name of the person being unknown or for any other reason, it
is impossible or impracticable to give such a description or
designation, such description or designation shall be given as is
reasonably practicable in the circumstances or he may be
described as "a person unknown".
308 Circumstances in which more than one person may be
charged in the same indictment
(1) Any number of persons charged with committing or with counselling
or procuring the commission of the same offence, although at
different times, or of being accessories after the fact to the same
offence, although at different times, and any number of persons
charged with receiving, although at different times, any property
that has been obtained by means of an indictable offence, or by
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means of an act that, if it had been done in the Territory, would be
an indictable offence and that is an offence under the laws in force
in the place where it was done, or any part of any property so
obtained, may be charged with substantive offences in the same
indictment and may be tried together notwithstanding that the
perpetrator or the person who so obtained the property is not
included in the same indictment or is not amenable to justice.
(2) Any number of persons charged with committing different or
separate offences arising substantially out of the same facts or out
of closely related facts so that a substantial part of the facts is
relevant to all the charges may be charged in the same indictment
and tried together.
309 Circumstances in which more than one charge may be joined
against the one person
(1) Charges for more than one offence may be joined in the same
indictment against the same person, whether the person is being
proceeded against separately or with another or others, if those
charges are founded on the same facts or are, or form part of, a
series of offences of the same or similar character or a series of
offences committed in the prosecution of a single purpose.
(1A) To avoid doubt, charges for more than one offence may be joined in
the same indictment even if the offences are alleged to have been
committed against different persons.
(2) Charges of theft of any property or, alternatively, of receiving that
property may be joined in the same indictment.
310 Circumstances where more than one offence may be charged
as one offence
In an indictment against a person for an assault the accused person
may be charged and proceeded against notwithstanding that such
assault is alleged to be constituted by a number of assaults
provided they were committed on the same person in the
prosecution of a single purpose or at about the same time.
311 Formal defect
Without in any way limiting the power of the court to order an
indictment to be amended, an indictment shall not be quashed by
reason of formal defect if it is shown that such formal defect would
not cause surprise or uncertainty to the accused person as to the
true nature of the charge or charges brought against him.
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312 Order for amendment of indictment
(1) Where, before trial or at any stage of a trial, it appears to the court
that the indictment is defective or that there appears to be a
variance between the indictment and the evidence, the court shall
make such order for the amendment of the indictment as the court
thinks necessary to meet the circumstances of the case if it is
shown that the required amendment can be made without injustice.
(2) Where an indictment is so amended a note of the order for
amendment shall be endorsed on the indictment and the indictment
shall be treated for the purposes of the trial and for the purposes of
all proceedings in connection therewith as having been presented
in the amended form.
313 Particulars
The court may in any case direct particulars to be delivered to the
accused person of any matter alleged in the indictment and unless
they are delivered he is entitled to be discharged.
314 Application to complaints if charge heard and determined
summarily
The provisions of this Division relating to indictments apply to
complaints preferred against offenders, the charges against whom
are heard and determined summarily.
Division 3 Effect of indictment: alternative verdicts
315 Offences involving circumstances of aggravation
(1) Upon an indictment charging a person with an offence committed
with circumstances of aggravation he may be found guilty
alternatively of the offence charged without any of such
circumstances of aggravation or of the offence charged with any
other circumstances of lesser aggravation contained in the section
defining that offence.
(2) Upon an indictment charging a person with an offence of such a
nature that he may be found guilty alternatively of some other
offence, he may be found guilty of that other offence with or without
any circumstance of aggravation prescribed for that offence.
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316 Indictment containing count of murder or manslaughter
(1) On an indictment charging a person with murder, the person may
alternatively be found guilty of manslaughter or an offence against
section 161A, but not of any other offence unless as otherwise
expressly provided.
(2) On an indictment charging a person with manslaughter, the person
may alternatively be found guilty of an offence against
section 161A, 174F(1) or 174FC(1).
317 Charge of homicide of child
Upon an indictment charging a person with murder or
manslaughter, if it appears that the person alleged to have been
killed was a child of which a woman had recently been delivered,
the accused person may be found guilty alternatively of the offence
of preventing the child from being born alive by an act or omission
of such a nature that, if the child had been born alive and had then
died, he would be deemed to have unlawfully killed the child, or of
the offence of disposing of the dead body of a child with the
intention of concealing the child's birth.
318 Charge of offence against the person where section 31 or
intoxication is a defence
Upon an indictment charging a person with an offence against the
person other than murder or manslaughter, if he is found not guilty
of the offence charged or any other offence of which he might
otherwise be found guilty upon that indictment by reason of the
provisions of section 31 or intoxication, other than intoxication of
such a nature that the provisions of section 43C apply, he may be
found guilty alternatively of an offence against Part VI, Division 3A,
Subdivision 2.
320 Charge of causing event, &c.
(1) Upon an indictment charging a person with an offence of which
causing an event is an element he may be found guilty alternatively
of any offence of which causing an event of a similar, but less
injurious, nature is an element.
(2) Upon an indictment charging a person with an offence of which an
intent to cause an event is an element he may be found guilty
alternatively of any offence of which the unlawful causing of that
event is an element.
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321 Charge of property offence
Upon an indictment charging a person with a property offence he
may be found guilty of having committed that offence or any other
offence available upon that indictment with respect to some, but not
all, of the property described in the indictment.
322 Charge of theft and criminal deception
(1) A person charged on indictment with the offence of theft in relation
to property may alternatively be found guilty of obtaining the
property by deception.
(2) A person charged on indictment with the offence of obtaining
property by deception may alternatively be found guilty of theft of
the property.
323 Charge of theft or receiving
(1) Subsection (2) applies in relation to a person who is charged on
indictment with any of the following offences:
(a) theft of property;
(b) receiving property;
(c) theft of property or, alternatively, receiving the same property.
(2) The person may be found guilty of:
(a) theft of the property; or
(b) receiving the property; or
324 Charge of counselling or procuring commission of an offence
Upon an indictment charging a person with counselling or procuring
the commission of an offence he may be found guilty alternatively
of counselling or procuring the commission of any other offence of
such a nature that a person may be found guilty of it upon an
indictment charging him with committing the offence of which the
accused person is alleged to have counselled or procured the
commission.
325 Finding of guilt for attempt to commit offence, &c.
(1) Upon an indictment charging a person with committing an offence
he may be found guilty alternatively of attempting to commit that
offence, or of attempting to commit any other offence of which he
might be found guilty upon the indictment.
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(2) Upon an indictment charging a person with procuring the
commission of an offence he may be found guilty alternatively of
attempting to procure the commission of that offence, or of
attempting to procure the commission of any other offence of such
a nature that a person may be found guilty of it upon an indictment
charging him with committing the offence of which the accused
person is alleged to have procured the commission.
(3) Upon an indictment charging a person with attempting to commit an
offence he may be found guilty alternatively of attempting to commit
any other offence of such a nature that a person may be found
guilty of it upon an indictment charging him with committing the
offence that the accused person is alleged to have attempted to
commit.
(4) Upon an indictment charging a person with attempting to procure
the commission of an offence he may be found guilty alternatively
of attempting to procure the commission of any other offence of
such a nature that a person may be found guilty of it upon an
indictment charging him with committing the offence of which the
accused person is alleged to have attempted to procure the
commission.
(5) Upon an indictment charging a person with attempting to procure
another to do an act, make an omission or cause an event of such
a nature that if the act had been done, the omission had been made
or the event had been caused an offence would thereby have been
committed he may be found guilty alternatively of attempting to
procure that other person to do any other act, make any other
omission or cause any other event of such a nature that if the act
had been done, the omission had been made or the event had
been caused an offence would thereby have been committed, such
last-mentioned offence being itself of such a nature that a person
may be found guilty of it upon an indictment charging him with
doing the act, making the omission or causing the event that the
accused person is alleged in the indictment to have attempted to
procure that other person to do, make or cause.
326 When evidence shows offence of similar nature
(1) Upon an indictment charging a person with an offence if the
evidence establishes that he is guilty of another offence of such a
nature that upon an indictment charging him with it he might have
been found guilty of the offence with which he is actually charged,
he may be found guilty of the offence with which he is so charged.
(2) A person so tried is not liable to be afterwards prosecuted for the
offence so established by the evidence unless the presiding Judge
thinks fit to discharge the jury from giving any verdict and to direct
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the accused person to be indicted for that offence; in which case he
may be dealt with in all respects as if he had not been put upon his
trial for the offence with which he is actually charged.
327 Charge of corrupt practices at elections
Upon an indictment charging a person with an offence relating to
elections he may be found guilty alternatively of an offence relating
to elections a charge of which may be heard and determined
summarily.
328 Charge of theft of animal
A person charged on indictment with the offence of theft in relation
to property that is an animal may alternatively be found guilty of an
offence under regulation 23 of the Livestock Regulations 2009.
329 Charge of joint receiving
Upon an indictment charging 2 or more persons jointly with an
indictable offence of which the receiving of any property is
an element if the evidence establishes that one or more of them
separately received any part or parts of the property under such
circumstances as to constitute an indictable offence, such one or
more of the accused persons may be found guilty of the offence or
offences so established by the evidence.
330 Court to determine availability of alternative charge
It is the duty of the court to determine at the conclusion of the
evidence whether or not, upon the evidence, any other charge is in
fact available for the consideration of the jury.
Division 4 Alibi, expert evidence, trial adjournment, pleas and
practice
331 Notice of alibi
(1) An accused person shall not upon his trial on indictment, without
the leave of the court, adduce evidence of an alibi unless, before
the expiration of the prescribed period, he gives to the Director of
Public Prosecutions written notice of particulars of the alibi and
unless the notice contains the name and address of any person
whom he claims can support the alibi or, if such name or address is
not known to him at the time he gave the notice:
(a) he gives in the notice all information in his possession that
may be of material assistance in locating that person; and
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(b) the court is satisfied that before giving that notice he had
made all reasonable attempts to obtain that name and
address and that thereafter he continued to make all
reasonable attempts to obtain and to inform the Director of
Public Prosecutions of that name and address.
(2) A notice under this section shall be duly given if it is delivered to or
left at the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions or sent by
certified mail addressed to him at his office.
(3) The court shall not refuse leave under this section if it appears to
the court that the accused person was not, upon his committal for
trial, informed by that court of the requirements of this section.
(4) Evidence tending to disprove an alibi may, subject to a direction by
the court, be given before or after evidence is given in support of
the alibi.
(5) A notice purporting to be given under this section on behalf of the
accused person by his solicitor shall, until the contrary is proved, be
deemed to be given with the authority of the accused person.
(6) In this section:
evidence of an alibi means evidence tending to show that by
reason of the presence of the accused person at a particular place
or in a particular area at a particular time he was not, or was
unlikely to have been, at the place where the offence is alleged to
have been committed at the time of its alleged commission.
the prescribed period means the period of 14 days after the date
of the committal for trial of the accused person.
331A Notice of expert evidence
(1) This section applies if a person (the accused) is to be tried in a
court on indictment.
(2) If the accused intends to adduce any expert evidence during the
trial, the accused must give written notice in accordance with this
section to the court and prosecution:
(a) at least 14 days before the start of the trial; or
(b) within another time allowed by the court.
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(3) The notice:
(a) must specify:
(i) the name, address and qualifications of the witness who
is to give the expert evidence; and
(ii) the substance of the expert evidence; and
(b) must be accompanied by a copy of any existing document
containing opinions or findings (or both) made by the witness
that the accused intends to rely on as all or part of the expert
evidence.
(4) If a document mentioned in subsection (3)(b) comes into existence
after the notice was given but before the start of the trial, the
accused must give a copy of it to the court and prosecution before
the start of the trial.
(5) For subsections (2) and (4), the notice to the prosecution must be
served on the Director of Public Prosecutions (the Director) by:
(a) giving it to the Director or someone authorised by the Director
to receive the notice; or
(b) sending it by certified mail addressed to the Director at the
address of the office of the Director.
(6) Subsections (2) to (5) have effect except as allowed by the court.
(7) If the accused contravenes any provision of this section:
(a) the court may, on application by the prosecution:
(i) if the jury has been empanelled – discharge the jury and
adjourn the trial; or
(ii) otherwise – adjourn the trial; and
(b) the court or prosecution may make comment to the jury in
relation to the contravention (but must not suggest that,
because of the contravention, the accused is guilty of the
offence to which the trial relates).
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331B Examination if expert psychiatric or medical evidence to be
adduced
(1) This section applies:
(a) if a person (the accused):
(i) is to be tried for an offence in a court on indictment; and
(ii) intends to adduce expert psychiatric or medical evidence
relating to the state of mind, or a medical condition, of
the accused at the time the alleged offence was
committed; and
(b) whether or not notice of the accused's intention has been
given under section 331A.
(2) The court may, on application by the prosecution, require the
accused to be examined by a psychiatrist, or other appropriate
expert, (the independent expert) nominated by the prosecution
and approved by the court.
(3) The prosecution must pay the costs of the examination.
(4) The court may, on application, allow the independent expert to be
called to give evidence in chief for the prosecution or defence in
relation to the results of the examination.
(5) If the accused refuses to be examined, at the trial:
(a) the prosecution may cross–examine the accused and any
expert witness called by the accused, as to the possible
reasons for the accused's refusal to be examined; and
(b) the court or prosecution may make comment to the jury in
relation to the refusal (but must not suggest that, because of
the refusal, the accused is guilty of the offence to which the
trial relates).
(6) This section does not affect the operation of Part IIA.
332 Right to be tried
(1) A person committed for trial may, orally or in writing, at any time
during the sittings of the court to which he has been committed or
any subsequent sittings, make application to the court for an
indictment to be presented against him in order that he may be
brought to his trial.
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(2) An application pursuant to this section shall be dealt with in open
court and where the application is in writing may be dealt with in the
absence of the applicant.
(3) The court may, upon an application pursuant to this section, order
that:
(a) the application be adjourned for such period as it thinks fit;
(b) an indictment be presented within such period as it thinks fit;
or
(c) the applicant be discharged.
333 Accelerating trial of persons not under committal
(1) A person who has not been committed for trial and who is not in
custody or admitted to bail, but against whom an indictment has
been presented, may apply at any time to the court in which the
indictment was presented to be brought to his trial.
(2) Upon such an application the court may order that:
(a) the application be adjourned for such period as it thinks fit;
(b) the trial be held during such sittings of the court as it thinks fit;
or
(c) the applicant be discharged.
334 Adjournment of trial
(1) The court to which a person has been committed or remanded for
trial on indictment or before which an indictment is presented may,
if it thinks fit, adjourn the trial and may remand the accused person
accordingly.
(2) A trial may be adjourned whether or not:
(a) the accused person is present; or
(b) the accused person has been called upon to plead to the
indictment; or
(c) a jury has been empanelled; or
(d) evidence has been given.
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(3) The Crown shall, where it is proposed to make application for an
adjournment in the absence of an accused person who is detained
in a place of legal detention, notify in writing that accused person:
(a) that the application is to be made and the nature, date, time
and place thereof; and
(b) that he may furnish to the court a statement in writing in
relation to the application; and
(c) that he may be represented by his counsel on the hearing of
the application.
(4) In this section adjourn the trial includes postpone the trial in a
case where the accused person has not been called upon to plead
to the indictment.
335 Enlargement of notices to witnesses
(1) Where the trial of a person charged or to be charged with an
offence on indictment is adjourned, the court may enlarge the
notice given to any witnesses.
(2) Where upon the adjournment of a trial a notice to a witness is
enlarged, the witness is bound to attend to give evidence at the
time and place to which the trial is adjourned, without being given a
fresh notice, in the same manner as if he had been bound originally
by the notice to give evidence at the time and place to which
the trial is adjourned.
336 Accused person to be called upon to plead to indictment
(1) An accused person is to be informed in open court of the offence
with which he is charged as set forth in the indictment and may be
called upon to plead to the indictment and to say whether he is
guilty or not guilty of the charge.
(2) The trial is deemed to begin and the accused person is deemed to
be brought to trial when he is so called upon.
(3) Nothing in this section prevents different Judges taking the plea of
an accused person and presiding at the trial of the issues by the
jury.
337 Presence in court and plea where accused is a corporation
(1) Where an indictment is presented against a corporation, the
corporation may be present in court by its representative and it
may, on arraignment, enter a plea in writing by its representative.
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(2) Any plea so entered by the representative shall for all purposes be
taken to be a plea entered by the corporation.
(3) If the corporation is not present in court by its representative or if,
though it is so present, it does not enter a plea in writing by its
representative, the court shall order a plea of not guilty to be
entered on behalf of the corporation.
(4) A plea so entered has the same effect as if it had been actually
pleaded and the trial of the corporation may proceed accordingly.
(5) In respect of a trial, any requirement by law that anything shall be
done in the presence of the accused person or shall be read or said
to or asked of the accused person shall, in the case of a corporation
present in court by its representative, be construed as a
requirement that that thing shall be done in the presence of the
representative or read or said to or asked of the representative.
(6) If the corporation is not present in court by its representative it shall
not be necessary for the thing to be done or read or said or asked.
(7) Without limiting subsection (1) or section 360 where, in respect of a
trial, anything is required to be done or said by the accused person
personally, it may, in the case of a corporation present in court by
its representative, be done or said by the representative and
anything so done or said shall for all purposes be taken to be done
or said by the corporation.
(8) In this section representative means a person appointed by the
corporation to represent it for the purposes of this section; but the
person so appointed is not, by virtue only of being so appointed,
qualified to act on behalf of the corporation before the court for any
other purpose.
(9) A representative need not be appointed under the seal of the
corporation and a statement in writing purporting to be signed by a
managing director of the corporation or by any other person, by
whatever name called, having, or being one of the persons having,
the management of the affairs of the corporation to the effect that
the person named in the statement has been appointed as the
representative of the corporation for the purposes of this section
shall be admissible without further proof as prima facie evidence
that that person has been so appointed.
338 Delivery of copy of indictment
When an indictment is presented against any person the court is
required, upon his application, to order a copy of the indictment to
be delivered to him without fee.
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339 Motion to quash indictment
(1) The accused person may before pleading apply to the court:
(a) to quash the indictment on the ground that it is calculated to
prejudice or embarrass him in his defence to the charge or
that it is formally defective; or
(b) to stay the proceedings on the ground that they are vexatious
or harassing.
(2) Upon such motion the court may quash the indictment, order it to
be amended in such manner as the court thinks just, stay the
proceedings or refuse the motion.
340 Misnomer
If the accused person says that he is wrongly named in the
indictment the court may, on being satisfied by affidavit or otherwise
of the error, order the indictment to be amended.
341 Separate trials where 2 or more charges against the same
person
(1) Where before a trial or at any time during a trial the court is of
opinion that the accused person may be prejudiced or embarrassed
in his defence by reason of his being charged with more than one
offence in the same indictment or that for any other reason it is
desirable to direct that the person should be tried separately for any
offence or offences charged in an indictment the court may order a
separate trial of any count or counts in the indictment.
(1A) Subsection (1) applies in relation to a trial subject to sections 341A
and 341B.
(2) The court may discharge a jury from giving a verdict on the count or
counts directed to be tried separately.
(3) The procedure on the separate trial of a count shall be the same in
all respects as if the count had been set out in a separate
indictment.
(4) The court may adjourn a separate trial, remand the accused person
and make such orders as to bail and as to the enlargement of
notices to witnesses and otherwise as the court thinks fit.
(5) In this section adjourn includes postpone in a case where the
accused person has not been called upon to plead to the
indictment.
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341A Presumption of joint trial of sexual offences
(1) Despite any rule of law to the contrary, if an accused person is
charged with more than one sexual offence in the same indictment,
it is presumed that the charges are to be tried together.
(2) The presumption is not rebutted merely because:
(a) evidence on one charge is not admissible on another charge;
or
(b) there is a possibility that evidence may be the result of
collusion or suggestion.
(3) In this section:
sexual offence, see section 3 of the Sexual Offences (Evidence
and Procedure) Act 1983.
341B Presumption of joint trial of domestic violence offences
(1) Despite any rule of law to the contrary, if an accused person is
charged with more than one domestic violence offence in the same
indictment, it is presumed that the charges are to be tried together.
(2) The presumption is not rebutted merely because:
(a) evidence on one charge is not admissible on another charge;
or
(b) there is a possibility that evidence may be the result of
collusion or suggestion.
(3) In this section:
domestic violence offence means:
(a) an offence that is a DVO contravention offence, as defined in
section 4 of the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007; or
(b) an offence constituted by, or involving, conduct that is
domestic violence, as defined in section 5 of the Domestic and
Family Violence Act 2007.
342 Pleas
(1) If the accused person does not apply to quash the indictment or
move for a separate trial, he must either plead to it, or demur to it
on the ground that it does not disclose any offence cognizable by
the court.
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(2) If he pleads he may plead:
(a) that he is guilty of the offence charged in the indictment or,
with the consent of the Crown, of any other offence of which
he might be found guilty upon the indictment;
(b) that he is not guilty;
(c) that he has already been found guilty or acquitted of:
(i) the same offence;
(ii) a similar offence;
(iii) an offence of which he might be found guilty upon the
trial of the offence charged; or
(iv) an offence upon the trial of which he could have been
found guilty of the offence charged;
(d) that he has received the royal pardon for the offence charged;
or
(e) that the court has no jurisdiction to try him for the offence
charged.
(3) Two or more pleas may be pleaded together except that the plea of
guilty cannot be pleaded with any other plea to the same charge.
(4) An accused person may plead and demur together.
343 Defence of truth of defamatory matter to be specially pleaded
A person charged with the unlawful publication of defamatory
matter who sets up that the defamatory matter is true must plead
that matter specially and may plead it with any other plea except
the plea of guilty.
344 Persons committed for sentence
(1) When a person has been committed for sentence for an indictable
offence he is to be called upon to plead to the indictment in the
same manner as other persons and may plead either that he is
guilty of the offence charged in the indictment or, with the consent
of the Crown, of any other offence of which he might be found guilty
upon the indictment.
(2) If he pleads that he is not guilty the court, upon being satisfied that
he duly admitted before the Local Court that he was guilty of the
offence charged in the indictment, may direct a plea of guilty to be
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Criminal Code Act 1983 293
entered notwithstanding his plea of not guilty and a plea so entered
has the same effect as if it had been actually pleaded.
(3) If, and notwithstanding that the accused person pleads that he is
guilty, it appears to the court upon examination of the depositions of
the witnesses and any other information given to it that a plea of not
guilty ought to be entered, the plea of not guilty is to be entered.
(4) A person who has been committed for sentence may plead any of
the other pleas mentioned in section 342.
345 Standing mute
If an accused person who has been committed for trial or
proceeded against by way of section 300, on being called upon to
plead to an indictment, will not plead or answer directly to the
indictment the court may, if it thinks fit, order a plea of not guilty to
be entered and a plea so entered has the same effect as if it had
been actually pleaded.
346 Plea of autrefois convict, &c.
In a plea that the accused person has already been found guilty or
acquitted it is sufficient to state that he has been lawfully found
guilty or acquitted of the offence charged in the indictment or of the
offence of which he alleges that he has been found guilty or
acquitted and, in the latter case, to describe the offence by any
term by which it is commonly known.
347 Trial on plea of autrefois convict, &c., royal pardon or to the
jurisdiction
Upon a plea that the accused person has already been found guilty
or acquitted or has received the royal pardon or to the jurisdiction of
the court, the court is to proceed to determine the matter itself in
such manner and upon such information as it thinks fit.
348 Trial by jury
Subject to section 348A, if the accused person pleads that he is not
guilty he is by such plea, without any further form, deemed to have
demanded that the issues raised by such plea shall be tried by a
jury and is entitled to have them tried accordingly.
348A Procedure where accused pleads not guilty and crown
adduces no evidence
(1) If:
(a) an accused person pleads not guilty of an offence; and
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Criminal Code Act 1983 294
(b) the Crown does not intend to adduce any evidence in respect
of the offence,
the Crown must, before a jury is empanelled, inform the court of its
intention.
(2) On being informed by the Crown under subsection (1), the court
must make a finding that the accused is not guilty of the offence.
(3) A finding of not guilty under subsection (2) has effect as if it were a
not guilty verdict of a jury on the offence.
349 Demurrer
(1) When an accused person demurs only and does not plead any plea
the court is to proceed to hear and determine the matter forthwith.
(2) If the demurrer is overruled he is to be called upon to plead to the
indictment.
(3) When an accused person pleads and demurs together it is in the
discretion of the court whether the plea or demurrer shall be first
disposed of.
(4) No joinder in demurrer is necessary.
350 Separate trials
When 2 or more persons are charged in the same indictment,
whether with the same offence or with different offences, the court
may, at any time during the trial, on the application of any of the
accused persons, direct that the trial of the accused persons or any
of them shall be had separately from the trial of the other or others
of them and for that purpose may, if a jury has been empanelled,
discharge the jury from giving a verdict as to any of the accused
persons.
351 Juries
The law respecting the qualifications of jurors and the summoning
of jurors to attend for the trial of persons charged with offences and
the challenges allowed to such persons is set forth in the laws
relating to juries and jurors.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 295
351A Details of jury panel to be given to accused
(1) Subject to subsection (3), a person who is to be tried on indictment
(the accused) must be given a list of the persons on the jury panel
for the trial containing:
(a) the full name of each person; and
(b) if requested by the accused – a description of each person.
(2) The list must be given to the accused at least 2 days before the
accused is called on to plead to the indictment.
(3) The court may, if it considers it appropriate, refuse to give the list to
the accused.
352 Accused person to be informed of his right of challenge
When an accused person has demanded to be tried by a jury the
proper officer of the court is to inform him in open court that the
persons whose names are to be called are the jurors to be
empanelled for his trial and is further to inform him that if he desires
to challenge any of them he must do so before they take the oath
as jurors.
353 Challenge to array
If the accused person desires to object to the whole panel of jurors
he must do so before any juror takes the oath as a juror for his trial.
354 Challenges to individual jurors for cause
(1) The Crown or the accused person may object to a particular juror
on the ground:
(a) that the juror is not qualified by law to act as a juror; or
(b) that the juror is not indifferent as between the Crown and the
accused person.
(2) Such objections are in addition to any peremptory challenges that
are allowed.
355 Time for challenging
An objection to a juror, either by way of peremptory challenge or by
way of challenge for cause, may be made at any time before the
officer has begun to recite the words of the oath to the juror, but not
afterwards.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 296
356 Ascertainment of facts as to challenge
(1) If at any time it becomes necessary to ascertain the truth of any
matter alleged as cause for challenge the fact shall be tried by the
jurors who have already taken the oath as jurors if more than one
or, if one juror only has taken the oath as a juror, by such juror
together with some indifferent person chosen by the court from the
panel of jurors or, if no juror has taken the oath as a juror, by
2 indifferent persons chosen by the court from such panel.
(2) The persons so appointed are to take an oath to try the cause for
challenge and their decision on the fact is final and conclusive.
(3) If the persons so appointed cannot agree the court may discharge
them from giving a decision and may appoint 2 other persons to try
the fact to be chosen as in the case where no juror has taken the
oath as a juror.
358 Jurors to take oath and be informed of charge
(1) Each juror must take an oath to give a true verdict according to the
evidence upon the issues to be tried by them.
(2) When all jurors have taken the oath the proper officer of the court is
to inform them of the charge set forth in the indictment and of their
duty as jurors upon the trial.
359 Discharge of juror by court
If, after a juror has taken the oath as a juror, it appears to the court
from his own statement that he is not indifferent as between the
Crown and the accused person, or that for any other reason he
ought not to be allowed or required to act as a juror on the trial, the
court may, without discharging the whole of the jury, discharge that
particular juror and direct another juror to take the oath in his place.
360 Defence by accused person
(1) Every accused person is entitled to give evidence, to call evidence
and to be represented by counsel, but he is not entitled to make a
statement from the dock.
(2) In subsection (1) counsel includes any person entitled to audience
as an advocate.
361 Presence of accused
(1) The court may, if it thinks fit, permit an accused person to be absent
during the whole or any part of the trial on such conditions as it
thinks fit.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 297
(2) If an accused person so conducts himself as to render the
continuance of the proceedings in his presence impracticable the
court may order him to be removed and may direct the trial to
proceed in his absence.
(3) If an accused person injures himself in order to prevent the trial
commencing or continuing the court may direct a plea of not guilty
to be entered if no plea has been entered and that the trial shall
proceed in his absence.
(4) If the accused person absents himself during the trial without leave
the court may direct a warrant to be issued to arrest him and bring
him before the court forthwith and may also direct the trial to
proceed in his absence.
362 Evidence in defence
At the close of the evidence for the prosecution the proper officer of
the court shall ask the accused person if he intends to adduce
evidence in his defence.
363 Speeches and their order
(1) The following rules govern the order in which the parties address
the jury:
(a) counsel for the Crown must make an opening address,
outlining the case for the prosecution, before calling evidence
for the prosecution;
(b) if the accused person proposes to call witnesses to give
evidence for the defence, the accused person may, at the
close of the case for the prosecution, make an opening
address, outlining the case for the defence, before giving or
calling evidence;
(c) at the conclusion of the evidence, counsel for the Crown may
address the jury to sum up the case for the prosecution;
(d) at the conclusion of that address, the accused person may
address the jury to sum up the case for the defence.
(2) If, in the opinion of the presiding Judge, the accused person (or
counsel for the accused person) made assertions in the course of
summing up the case for the defence that are unsupported by the
evidence, the Judge may allow counsel for the Crown a further
opportunity to address the jury to reply to those assertions.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 298
(3) If there are 2 or more accused persons, the order in which they are
to exercise the right to address the jury is to be:
(a) as mutually agreed between them; or
(b) in default of agreement – the reverse of the order in which
their names appear on the indictment.
(4) If an accused person is represented by counsel, the right to
address the jury is to be exercised on the accused person's behalf
by counsel.
(5) The presiding Judge may, if of the opinion that there should be a
departure from these rules in the circumstances of a particular
case, allow a departure from these rules.
Example
If a particular witness would not otherwise be available to the defence, the
presiding Judge might authorise the defence to interpose the witness before the
close of the case for the prosecution.
364 Summing up
(1) After the evidence is concluded and the counsel or the accused
person or persons, as the case may be, have addressed the jury it
is the duty of the court to instruct the jury as to the law applicable to
the case with such observations upon the evidence as the court
thinks fit to make.
(2) After the court has instructed the jury they are to consider their
verdict.
365 Jury not to separate
(1) Except as hereinafter stated after the jury has been empanelled
and the charge has been stated to the jury by the proper officer, the
jurors must not separate until they have given their verdict or are
discharged by the court and no person except the officer of the
court who has charge of them is to be allowed to speak to or
communicate with any of them without the leave of the court until
they are discharged.
(2) The court may, if the court considers it appropriate to do so, permit
the jury to separate for any specified period during an adjournment
of the court.
(2A) The court may give any direction for the conduct of the jury in
relation to the separation.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 299
(3) If any person disobeys the directions of this section he may be
punished summarily as for contempt of court.
(4) The validity of the proceedings is not affected by any such
disobedience but, if the fact is discovered before the verdict is
given, the court, if it is of opinion that such disobedience is likely to
prejudice the fair trial of the charge, may discharge the jury and
may direct that a fresh jury be empanelled during the same sittings
of the court or may adjourn the trial.
366 Confinement of jury
(1) Until the jury have given their verdict they must be kept during any
adjournment of the court in some private place under the charge of
an officer of the court and are to be provided with such
accommodation, meals and refreshment as the court may allow.
(2) Subsection (1) does not affect the operation of section 365(2)
and (2A).
367 View
(1) The court may in any case, if it thinks fit, direct that the jury shall
view any place or thing that the court thinks it is desirable that they
should see and may give any necessary directions for that purpose.
(2) The validity of the proceedings is not affected by disobedience to
any such directions, but if the fact is discovered before the verdict is
given the court, if it is of opinion that such disobedience is likely to
prejudice the fair trial of the charge, may discharge the jury and
may direct that a fresh jury be empanelled during the same sittings
of the court or may adjourn the trial.
368 Majority verdict
Where upon a trial a period of not less than 6 hours has elapsed
since the jury retired and the jurors are not unanimously agreed
upon their verdict the court shall:
(a) if the jury consists of 11 or 12 jurors and 10 of those jurors are
agreed upon a verdict to be given, take and enter that verdict
as the verdict of the jury; or
(b) if the jury consists of 10 jurors and 9 of those jurors are
agreed upon a verdict to be given, take and enter that verdict
as the verdict of the jury.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 300
369 Special verdict
In any case in which it appears to the court that the question
whether an accused person ought or ought not to be found guilty of
an offence may depend upon some specific fact or that the proper
punishment to be imposed upon a finding of guilt may depend upon
some specific fact the court may require the jury to find that fact
specially.
370 General verdict on charge of defamation
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 369 the jury, on the trial of
a person charged with the unlawful publication of defamatory
matter, may give a general verdict of guilty or not guilty upon the
whole matter in issue in like manner as in other cases.
371 Discharge of jury
(1) When the trial of an accused person is adjourned after the jury has
been empanelled the court may discharge the jury.
(2) If the jury cannot agree as to the verdict to be given or reach a
majority verdict as provided by section 368, or if any emergency
arises of such a nature as to render it, in the opinion of the court,
necessary or highly expedient for the ends of justice to do so, the
court may, in its discretion, discharge the jury without giving a
verdict and may direct that a fresh jury be empanelled during the
same sittings of the court or may adjourn the trial.
(3) Such an exercise of discretion is not subject to review by any court.
Note
The jury may also be discharged under section 331A(7)(a)(i).
372 Incapacity of Judge
(1) This section applies if the presiding Judge becomes incapable of
continuing with a trial.
(2) The Chief Justice or acting Chief Justice may, after hearing
submissions from the parties, decide:
(a) to take over, or assign another Judge to take over, the
conduct of the trial; or
(b) to terminate the trial.
(3) For the purpose of hearing submissions and making the decision,
the Chief Justice or acting Chief Justice may make the orders the
Chief Justice or acting Chief Justice considers appropriate.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 301
(4) If a Judge (the new presiding Judge) takes over the conduct of
the trial:
(a) rulings of the former presiding judge about the conduct of the
trial continue to have effect; and
(b) the rulings may be re-examined only if the new presiding
judge is satisfied the re-examination is justified because of
fresh evidence or material brought before the court.
(5) However, if the Chief Justice or acting Chief Justice decides to
terminate the trial, the Chief Justice or acting Chief Justice must:
(a) discharge the jury; and
(b) remand the accused in custody, or release the accused on
bail, to await a further trial.
(6) If, because of the circumstances of the incapacity of the presiding
Judge it is impracticable for the Chief Justice or acting Chief Justice
to make a decision under subsection (2) in a reasonable time:
(a) a proper officer of the court must discharge the jury; and
(b) if in custody, the accused must remain in custody to await a
further trial but has the same rights relating to bail as applied
on the original committal for trial.
373 Incapacity of juror
(1) If at any time during the trial:
(a) a juror dies; or
(b) the court is of the opinion that:
(i) the juror is not indifferent as between the Crown and the
accused person; or
(ii) by reason of any matter of urgency or importance a juror
should be discharged from further attendance,
the court may, in its discretion:
(c) discharge the jury; or
(d) discharge the juror and direct that the trial shall proceed with
the remaining jurors.
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Division 5 Evidence: admissions of fact
Criminal Code Act 1983 302
(2) In any such case the presence of the remaining jurors, not being
fewer than 10, shall have the same effect as if all the jurors had
continued present.
374 Verdict on Sunday
The taking of a verdict or any other proceedings of the court are not
invalid by reason of their happening on a Sunday.
375 Further pleas
When the issues raised by any plea or pleas, except the plea of not
guilty, have been found against an accused person who has not
pleaded the plea of not guilty, he is to be called upon to plead
afresh.
Division 5 Evidence: admissions of fact
376 Evidence on trials for perjury
On the trial of a person charged with an indictable offence of which
the giving of false testimony by any person at the trial of a person
charged with an offence is an element, a certificate setting out the
substance and effect only, without the formal parts of the charge,
and the proceedings at the trial and purporting to be signed by the
officer having the custody of the records of the court where the
charge was tried, or by his deputy, is sufficient evidence of the trial
without proof of the signature or official character of the person who
appears to have signed the certificate.
378 Evidence of authority
The averment in an indictment that the prosecution is instituted by
the direction of a Crown Law Officer or at the request of the
government of any state is sufficient evidence of the fact until the
contrary is shown.
379 Admissions
(1) An accused person may by himself or his counsel admit on the trial
any fact alleged against him and such admission is sufficient proof
of the fact without other evidence.
(2) The prosecution may admit on the trial any fact alleged by the
accused person and such admission is sufficient proof of the fact
without other evidence.
(3) In this section trial also includes proceedings before the Local
Court to hear and determine the charge of an indictable offence
summarily dealing summarily with a crime.
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Part IX Procedure
Division 6 Verdict: judgment
Criminal Code Act 1983 303
380 Failure to make admission may, in certain circumstances, be
taken into account when passing sentence
If a person found guilty at his trial refused to make an admission
requested in writing by the Crown of such a nature that, in the
opinion of the court, the making of it could not have prejudiced him
in his defence, the court may take such refusal into account when
passing sentence.
Division 6 Verdict: judgment
381 Discharge of persons acquitted
If the jury find that the accused person is not guilty, or give any
other verdict that shows that he is not liable to punishment, he is
entitled to be discharged from the charge of which he is so
acquitted.
383 Acquittal on ground of intoxication
(1) If, on the trial of a person charged on indictment with a property
offence, it is alleged or appears that he is not guilty by reason of
intoxication, other than intoxication of such a nature that
section 43C applies, the jury are required to find specially, if they
find he is not guilty, whether he is not guilty by reason of
intoxication and whether such intoxication was voluntary.
(2) If the jury find he is not guilty by reason of intoxication and his
intoxication was voluntary the court may order him to pay by way of
reparation an amount not exceeding the costs of bringing the
charge including the costs of all reasonable investigations relating
thereto and the costs of the committal proceedings and, in an
appropriate case, may make an order for the payment of
compensation and restitution pursuant to the Sentencing Act 1995.
(3) The court may itself assess such costs or order that they be taxed
by the proper officer of the Supreme Court.
(4) A person liable to make reparation may be ordered to make it in
instalments or at some future time specified by the court.
(5) An amount ordered to be paid for reparation shall be deemed to be
a debt owed to the Attorney-General as agent of the Crown and,
upon default being made in its payment, the Attorney-General may
bring and maintain civil proceedings for its recovery.
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Part IX Procedure
Division 7 Hearing summarily-triable offence with indictable offence
Criminal Code Act 1983 304
384 Finding of guilt of property offence with respect to some only
of property in indictment
If, on the trial of a person charged on indictment with a property
offence, the jury find that he committed the offence charged in the
indictment or an offence available upon it with respect to some, but
not all, of the property described in the indictment the jury shall
return a verdict of guilty of the offence found by them to have been
committed and, by way of special verdict, shall state with respect to
what property the general verdict relates.
385 Finding of guilt of theft or receiving
If, on the trial of a person charged on indictment for theft of property
or, alternatively, receiving that property, the trier of fact finds that
the person committed the offence of theft or receiving but cannot
decide which of the offences the person committed, the trier of fact
must enter a finding of guilt for the first offence charged in the
indictment.
387 Arrest of judgment
(1) A person found guilty of an offence, whether on his plea of guilty or
otherwise, may at any time before sentence move that judgment be
arrested on the ground that the indictment does not disclose any
offence.
(2) Upon the hearing of the motion the court may allow any such
amendments of the indictment as it might have allowed before
verdict.
(3) The court may either hear and determine the motion forthwith or
may reserve the question of law for the consideration of the Court
of Criminal Appeal as hereinafter provided.
Division 7 Hearing summarily-triable offence with indictable
offence
388 Definition
In this Division:
summarily-triable offence means:
(a) a summary offence; or
(b) an indictable offence a charge of which may be heard and
determined summarily by the Local Court; or
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Division 7 Hearing summarily-triable offence with indictable offence
Criminal Code Act 1983 305
(c) an offence mentioned in section 22(1) of the Misuse of Drugs
Act 1990 if:
(i) the prosecution has elected under section 23(2) of that
Act for the charge of the offence to be heard and
determined summarily; and
(ii) the Local Court has not discontinued those summary
proceedings under section 23(4) of that Act.
389 Supreme Court may hear and determine summarily-triable
offence with indictable offence
(1) When hearing and determining a charge against a person on
indictment, the Supreme Court may also, if it considers appropriate,
hear and determine summarily any charge of a summarily-triable
offence that has been laid against the person.
(2) However, the Supreme Court must not hear and determine the
charge of the summarily-triable offence unless the charge has been
transmitted to a Registrar of the Supreme Court under section 390.
(3) Subject to this section, the practice and procedure of the Supreme
Court and the provisions of this Code relating to taking a plea on an
indictment apply in relation to the taking of a plea to the charge of
the summarily-triable offence.
(4) On finding the accused person guilty of the summarily-triable
offence, the Supreme Court may make any orders in relation to the
finding that the Local Court could have made, but may not impose a
penalty in excess of the penalty that the court of summary
jurisdiction could have imposed.
(5) Within 30 days after the final determination of the charge of the
summarily-triable offence, a Registrar of the Supreme Court must
notify the result of the determination to a registrar of the Local Court
and no further appearance is required in that court by any party to
the proceeding.
390 Transmission of charge of summarily-triable offence
(1) This section applies if:
(a) an indictment has been presented against a person; and
(b) the person has been charged with a summarily-triable offence,
whether the charge was laid before or after the indictment was
presented.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 306
(2) If the person wishes to have the charge of the summarily-triable
offence heard and determined by the Supreme Court under
section 389, the person may apply to a registrar of the Local Court
to transmit the charge to a Registrar of the Supreme Court.
(3) The application must be:
(a) made as a written statutory declaration; and
(b) contain the following:
(i) details of the charge to be transmitted;
(ii) a statement that the applicant wishes to have the charge
transmitted to the Supreme Court;
(iii) a statement of the applicant's intention to plead guilty to
the charge.
(4) The registrar of the Local Court must transmit the charge to a
Registrar of the Supreme Court if satisfied:
(a) the application meets the requirements of this section; and
(b) the Local Court has not started hearing sentencing
submissions in relation to the charge.
391 Remission of charge to Local Court
(1) This section applies if a charge of a summarily-triable offence laid
against a person has been transmitted to a Registrar of the
Supreme Court under section 390.
(2) The Supreme Court must direct that the charge be heard and
determined by the Local Court and remit the charge to a registrar of
the Local Court if:
(a) the person pleads not guilty to the charge before the Court; or
(b) the Court decides for any other reason not to hear and
determine the charge.
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Part X Punishment: appeal: miscellaneous matters
Division 2 Appeal: pardon
Criminal Code Act 1983 307
Part X Punishment: appeal: miscellaneous matters
Division 2 Appeal: pardon
406 Interpretation
(1) In this Division, unless the contrary intention appears:
appellant means a person who has been found guilty and desires
to appeal or to seek leave to appeal under this Division.
Court means the Court of Criminal Appeal.
court of trial means the court from whose finding, sentence or
other determination a person is entitled to appeal or to apply for
leave to appeal.
Registrar means the Registrar of the Court.
sentence includes any order made by the court of trial on a finding
of guilt with reference to the person found guilty or his property.
(2) For the purposes of this Division, if, under Part IIA, a person is
found not guilty of committing an offence because of his or her
mental impairment and the defence of mental impairment was not
raised by him or her, the finding is taken to be a finding of guilt at a
trial and is subject to the same rights of appeal, and to appeal in the
same manner, as if it were such a finding of guilt.
(3) For the purposes of this Division, if a declaration is made under
Part IIA that an accused person is liable to supervision or an order
is made under that Part that an accused person be released
unconditionally, the declaration or order is taken to be a sentence
and is subject to the same rights of appeal, and to appeal in the
same manner, as if it were a sentence.
(5) For the purposes of this Division a person against whom an order
has been made pursuant to section 383 shall be deemed to be a
person found guilty on indictment, the special verdict shall be
deemed to be the finding of guilt and the order shall be deemed to
be the sentence.
(7) If the charge of the offence of which a person is found guilty was
heard and determined summarily, for the purposes of an appeal the
person is taken to have been found guilty of a summary offence.
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Part X Punishment: appeal: miscellaneous matters
Division 2 Appeal: pardon
Criminal Code Act 1983 308
407 Court of Criminal Appeal
(1) The Supreme Court shall be the Court of Criminal Appeal and the
Court shall be duly constituted if it consists of not less than
3 Judges and of an uneven number of Judges.
(2) The determination of any question before the Court shall be
according to the opinion of the majority of the members of the Court
hearing the case.
(3) The Judge of the court of trial shall not be one of such Judges.
(4) The Registrar of the Supreme Court shall be the Registrar of the
Court.
408 Reservation of points of law
(1) When any person is indicted for any offence the court of trial must,
on the application of counsel for the accused person made before
verdict and may, in its discretion, either before or after judgment,
without such application, reserve any question of law that arises on
the trial for the consideration of the Court.
(2) If the accused person is found guilty and a question of law has
been so reserved before judgment, the court of trial may either
pronounce judgment on the finding of guilt and respite execution of
the judgment or postpone the judgment until the question has been
considered and decided and may either commit the person found
guilty into the custody of the Commissioner of Correctional Services
or admit him to bail on recognizance, with or without sureties, and
in such sum as the court of trial thinks fit, conditioned to appear at
such time and place as the court of trial may direct to receive
judgment.
(3) The Judge of the court of trial is thereupon required to state, in a
case signed by him, the question of law so reserved with the
special circumstances upon which it arose and the case is to be
transmitted to the Court.
(4) The Judge of the court of trial may state, in a case signed by him,
the question of law so reserved before the trial has concluded.
(5) Any question so reserved is to be heard and determined as an
appeal by the Court and, in the discretion of the Court, may be
heard and determined before the trial has concluded.
(6) The Court may send the case back to be amended or restated if it
thinks it necessary so to do.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 309
409 Appeal from arrest of judgment
(1) When the court of trial before which a person is found guilty on
indictment arrests judgment that court is required, on the
application of counsel for the prosecution, to reserve a case for the
consideration of the Court as hereinbefore provided.
(2) On the hearing of the case the Court may affirm or reverse the
order arresting judgment.
(3) If the order is reversed the Court is to direct that judgment be
pronounced upon the offender and he is to be ordered to appear at
such time and place as the Court may direct to receive judgment
and any justice of the peace may issue his warrant for the arrest of
the offender.
(4) An offender so arrested may be admitted to bail by order of the
Court or a Judge thereof, which may be made at the time when the
order directing judgment to be pronounced is made or afterwards.
410 Right of appeal
A person found guilty on indictment, or a person found guilty of a
summary offence under section 389, may appeal to the Court:
(a) against the finding of guilt or any special finding on any ground
that involves a question of law alone;
(b) with the leave of the Court, or upon the certificate of the Judge
of the court of trial that it is a fit case for appeal, against the
finding of guilt or any special finding on any ground of appeal
that involves a question of fact alone or question of mixed law
and fact, or any other ground that appears to the Court to be a
sufficient ground of appeal; and
(c) with the leave of the Court against the sentence passed on the
finding of guilt.
411 Determination of appeal in ordinary cases
(1) The Court on any such appeal against a finding of guilt shall allow
the appeal if it is of the opinion that the verdict of the jury should be
set aside on the ground that it is unreasonable or cannot be
supported having regard to the evidence or that the judgment of the
court of trial should be set aside on the ground of the wrong
decision on any question of law or that on any ground there was a
miscarriage of justice and in any other case shall dismiss the
appeal.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 310
(2) The Court may, notwithstanding that it is of the opinion that the
point or points raised by the appeal might be decided in favour of
the appellant, dismiss the appeal if it considers that no substantial
miscarriage of justice has actually occurred.
(3) Subject to the special provisions of this Division the Court shall, if it
allows an appeal against a finding of guilt, quash the finding of guilt
and direct a judgment and verdict of acquittal to be entered.
(4) On an appeal against a sentence, the Court must:
(a) if it is of the opinion that another sentence, whether more or
less severe, is warranted and should have been passed –
quash the sentence and either:
(i) impose another sentence; or
(ii) remit the matter to the court of trial; or
(b) in any other case – dismiss the appeal.
412 Powers of Court in special cases
(1) Where an appellant has been found guilty of an indictable offence
and on the indictment the jury could have found him guilty of some
other, but less serious, offence and it appears to the Court that,
although he was not and could not be properly found guilty of the
offence of which he was actually found guilty, the evidence given at
his trial was such that a reasonable jury correctly instructed must
find him guilty of the other offence, the Court may, instead of
allowing the appeal, substitute for the verdict found by the jury a
verdict of guilty of the other offence and pass such sentence in
substitution for the sentence passed at the trial as may be
warranted.
(2) Where, on the finding of guilt of the appellant, the jury have found a
special verdict and the Court considers that a wrong conclusion has
been arrived at by the court of trial on the effect of that verdict, the
Court may, instead of allowing the appeal, order such conclusion to
be recorded as appears to the Court to be in law required by the
verdict and pass such sentence, whether more or less severe, in
substitution for the sentence passed at the trial as may be
warranted in law.
412A Powers of Court in relation to mental impairment
(1) This section applies if, on an appeal against a finding of guilt or the
sentence passed on such a finding, it appears to the Court that the
person found guilty should have been found not guilty because of
mental impairment under section 43C.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 311
(2) The Court must quash the finding of guilt and:
(a) declare that the person is liable to supervision under Part IIA,
Division 5; or
(b) order that the person be released unconditionally.
(3) If the Court makes a declaration under subsection (2)(a), the Court
must remit the matter to the Supreme Court for the making of a
supervision order under Part IIA, Division 5 in respect of the person.
413 Power to grant new trial
On an appeal against a finding of guilt on indictment the Court may,
either of its own motion or on the application of the appellant, order
a new trial in such manner as it thinks fit if the Court considers that
a miscarriage of justice has occurred and that, having regard to all
the circumstances, such miscarriage of justice can be more
adequately remedied by an order for a new trial than by any other
order that the Court is empowered to make.
414 Appeal and reference by Crown Law Officer
(1A) In exercising its discretion on an appeal made under
subsection (1)(c) involving a sentence imposed after the
commencement of this subsection, the Court must not take into
account any element of double jeopardy involving the respondent
being sentenced again when deciding whether to do either or both
of the following:
(a) allow the appeal;
(b) impose another sentence.
(1) A Crown Law Officer may appeal to the Court:
(a) where proceedings on indictment have been stayed pursuant
to section 21;
(b) against any determination made pursuant to section 347;
(c) against any sentence with respect to an indictable offence;
(d) where proceedings have been had as to whether a person
ought to be declared an habitual criminal or a person
incapable of exercising proper control over his sexual instincts
or recommitted as such after his discharge as such and such
declaration or recommittal was not made; or
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Division 2 Appeal: pardon
Criminal Code Act 1983 312
(e) where an indictment has been quashed or proceedings on
indictment have been stayed under:
(i) section 339; or
(ii) the inherent jurisdiction of the court of trial,
and the Court may, in its discretion, direct that the proceedings
continue or vary the sentence and impose such sentence or make
such a declaration or recommittal order, or make an order quashing
the order of the court of trial quashing the indictment, and may
make any consequent orders including an order for the arrest of the
respondent to the appeal as the Court thinks proper.
(2) A Crown Law Officer may, in a case where a person has been
acquitted after his trial on indictment, refer any point of law that has
arisen at the trial to the Court for its consideration and opinion
thereon.
(3) Notice of the reference shall be given to the acquitted person.
(4) Upon the reference the Court shall hear argument:
(a) by the Crown Law Officer or by counsel on his behalf; and
(b) if he so desires, by the acquitted person or by counsel on his
behalf; or
(c) by any counsel appointed by the Crown Law Officer to present
such argument as might have been presented by the acquitted
person if he had appeared,
and thereupon shall consider the point referred and furnish to the
Crown Law Officer its opinion thereon.
(5) The opinion of the Court upon the reference shall not affect the trial
in respect of which the reference is made or an acquittal in that trial.
415 Revesting and restitution of property on finding of guilt
(1) The operation of any order for the restitution of any property or for
the payment of compensation to an aggrieved person made by the
court of trial and the operation of the provisions of any civil law
relating to the revesting of the property in stolen goods on a finding
of guilt shall (unless such court directs to the contrary in any case in
which, in its opinion, the title to the property is not in dispute) be
suspended:
(a) until the expiration of the time provided for appealing to the
Court; and
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Criminal Code Act 1983 313
(b) where notice of appeal or of application for leave to appeal is
given within the time provided, until the determination of the
appeal or refusal of the application,
and in cases where the operation of any such order or the operation
of the said provisions is suspended until the determination of the
appeal, the order or provisions shall not take effect as to the
property in question if the finding of guilt is quashed on appeal,
except by the special order of the Court.
(2) The Court may annul or vary any such order although the finding of
guilt is not quashed.
416 Suspension of order with respect to driver's licence
Where notice of appeal or application for leave to appeal is given
the Court may suspend any order made with respect to the driver's
licence of the appellant until the determination of the appeal or
application.
417 Time for appealing
(1) Any person found guilty desiring to appeal to the Court, or to obtain
the leave of the Court to appeal from any finding of guilt or
sentence, shall give notice of appeal or notice of application for
leave to appeal in the prescribed manner within 28 days after the
date of such finding of guilt or sentence.
(2) The time within which notice of appeal, or notice of an application
for leave to appeal, may be given may be extended at any time by
the Court.
418 Judge's report may be furnished on appeal
The Judge of the court of trial may, in the case of an appeal or
application for leave to appeal, furnish to the Registrar a report
giving his opinion upon the case or upon any point arising in the
case.
419 Supplemental powers
(1) The Court may, if it thinks it necessary or expedient in the interests
of justice:
(a) order the production of any document, exhibit or other thing
connected with the proceedings;
(b) order any persons who would have been compellable
witnesses at the trial to attend and be examined before the
Court, whether they were or were not called at the trial, or
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Division 2 Appeal: pardon
Criminal Code Act 1983 314
order any such persons to be examined before any person
appointed by the Court for the purpose and admit any
depositions so taken as evidence;
(c) receive the evidence, if tendered, of any witness (including the
appellant) who is a competent, but not a compellable, witness;
(d) where any question arising on the appeal involves prolonged
examination of documents or accounts, or any scientific or
local investigation, that cannot, in the opinion of the Court, be
conveniently conducted before the Court, refer the question
for inquiry and report to a commissioner appointed by the
Court and act upon the report of such commissioner so far as
the Court thinks fit; and
(e) appoint any person with special expert knowledge to act as
assessor to the Court in any case in which it appears to the
Court that such special knowledge is required for the
determination of the case,
and exercise in relation to the proceedings of the Court any other
powers that may for the time being be exercised by the Supreme
Court on appeals or applications in civil matters and issue any
warrant or other process necessary for enforcing the orders or
sentences of the Court.
(2) In no case shall any sentence be increased by reason of or in
consideration of any evidence that was not given at the trial.
420 Presence of appellant
(1) Neither an appellant seeking leave to appeal or to extend the time
in which notice of appeal or notice of application for leave to appeal
may be given, nor a respondent to the application for the leave or
extension, is entitled to be present, except with the leave of the
Court, at the hearing of the application or at any proceedings
preliminary or incidental to the application.
(2) An appellant who is in custody shall not be entitled to be present at
the hearing of his appeal, application for leave to appeal or any
proceedings preliminary or incidental thereto except by leave of the
Court.
421 Presence of respondent who is in custody when appeal
brought by Crown Law Officer
Unless he is represented by counsel a respondent who is in
custody is entitled to be present at the hearing of an appeal brought
by a Crown Law Officer.
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Division 2 Appeal: pardon
Criminal Code Act 1983 315
422 Appellant or respondent may be sentenced in his absence
The power of the Court to pass any sentence may be exercised
notwithstanding the person to be affected thereby is not present.
423 Written argument
(1) Any party may present his argument with respect to an appeal,
application for leave to appeal or any proceedings preliminary or
incidental thereto in writing.
(2) Both an appellant seeking leave to appeal or to extend the time in
which notice of appeal or notice of application for leave to appeal
may be given and a respondent to the application for the leave or
extension are to present their arguments, including an argument in
relation to proceedings preliminary or incidental to the application,
in writing, unless the Court directs otherwise.
424 Costs of appeal
On the hearing or determination of an appeal, application for leave
to appeal, any proceedings preliminary or incidental thereto or on a
Crown Law Officer's reference no costs shall be allowed on either
side.
425 Admission of appellant to bail and custody when attending
Court
(1) An appellant who is not admitted to bail shall, pending the
determination of his appeal, be treated in such manner as may be
directed by regulations made under the Correctional Services
Act 2014.
(2) The time during which an appellant, pending the determination of
his appeal, is liberated on bail and, subject to any directions that the
Court may give to the contrary on any appeal, the time during which
an appellant, if in custody, is specially treated as an appellant under
this section, shall not count as part of any term of imprisonment
under his sentence.
(3) Any imprisonment under such sentence, whether it is the sentence
passed by the court of trial or the sentence passed by the Court,
shall, subject to any directions that the Court may give as aforesaid,
be deemed to be resumed or to begin to run, if the appellant is in
custody, as from the day on which the appeal is determined and if
he is not in custody as from the day on which he is received into a
custodial correctional facility under the sentence.
(4) Provision shall be made by regulations under the Correctional
Services Act 2014 for the manner in which an appellant, when in
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Division 2 Appeal: pardon
Criminal Code Act 1983 316
custody, is to be brought to any place where he is entitled to be
present, or ordered to be taken, for the purposes of this Division
and for the manner in which he is to be kept in custody whilst
absent from a custodial correctional facility for the purpose; and an
appellant whilst in custody in accordance with those regulations
shall be deemed to be in legal custody.
426 Duties of Registrar
(1) The Registrar shall take all necessary steps for obtaining a hearing
of any appeals or applications, notice of which is given to him and
shall obtain and lay before the Court in proper form all documents,
exhibits and other things relating to the proceedings in the court of
trial that appear necessary for the proper determination of the
appeal or application.
(2) If it appears to the Registrar that any notice of appeal or of
application for leave to appeal against a finding of guilt or sentence
does not show any substantial ground of appeal, he may refer the
appeal or application to the Court for summary determination; and
the Court may thereupon, if it considers that the appeal or
application is frivolous or vexatious, dismiss the appeal or refuse
the application summarily without calling upon any person to attend
the hearing.
(3) The Registrar shall furnish the necessary forms and instructions in
relation to notices of appeal or notices of application to any person
who demands the same and to officers of courts, the Commissioner
of Correctional Services and to such other officers or persons as he
thinks fit and the Commissioner of Correctional Services shall
cause such forms and instructions to be placed at the disposal of
prisoners desiring to appeal or to make any application and shall
cause any such notice given by a prisoner in his custody to be
forwarded on behalf of the prisoner to the Registrar.
(4) Where an appellant is in custody, the Registrar shall give
reasonable notice to him in writing:
(a) that if he wishes to appear in person at the Court he must
seek the leave of the Court;
(b) that he may make such application for leave to appear in
writing and may present his argument in support of such
application in writing;
(c) that he may present his argument with respect to his appeal,
application for leave to appeal or any proceedings preliminary
or incidental thereto in writing;
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Division 2 Appeal: pardon
Criminal Code Act 1983 317
(d) of the date of the sittings of the Court during which it is
expected his appeal or application for leave to appeal will be
heard; and
(e) of the result of any proceedings preliminary or incidental to his
appeal or application for leave to appeal given when he was
not present.
(5) Where a respondent to a Crown Law Officer's appeal is in custody,
the Registrar shall give reasonable notice to him in writing:
(a) that he may himself appear on the hearing of the appeal if he
is not represented by counsel;
(b) that he may present his argument with respect to the appeal
or any proceedings preliminary or incidental thereto in writing;
(c) of the date of the sittings of the Court during which it is
expected the appeal will be heard; and
(d) of the result of any proceedings preliminary or incidental to the
appeal given when he was not present.
427 Documents, exhibits, &c.
Any documents, exhibits or other things connected with any
proceedings before a court of trial, in respect of which any person is
entitled or may be authorized to appeal, shall be kept in the custody
of the court of trial for such time as may be prescribed, subject to
such power as may be prescribed for the conditional release of any
such documents, exhibits or other things from that custody.
428 Record of trial
(1) A record shall be made of the proceedings of any trial of any person
on indictment.
(2) On any notice of appeal or application for leave to appeal the
record shall be furnished to the Registrar for the use of the Court or
any Judge.
(3) A copy of the record must be furnished to any party interested upon
the payment of the charges prescribed by regulation.
429 Powers exercisable by a Judge
(1) The powers of the Court to give leave to appeal, to extend the time
in which notice of appeal or of an application for leave to appeal
may be given, to allow the appellant to be present at any
proceedings in cases where he is not entitled to be present without
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Division 2 Appeal: pardon
Criminal Code Act 1983 318
leave, to admit an appellant to bail and to suspend any order made
with respect to the driver's licence of the appellant may be
exercised by any Judge in the same manner as they may be
exercised by the Court and subject to the same provisions.
(2) If the Judge refuses an application on the part of the appellant to
exercise any such power in his favour, the appellant shall be
entitled to have the application determined by the Court.
430 Appeals from the decision of the Court
(1) Where an appeal to the Court is upheld and the appellant is entitled
to have the finding of guilt against him quashed by order of the
Court the Court may, upon application on behalf of the Crown at
any time before the release of such appellant, either by the same or
by a separate order, direct that execution of the order quashing the
appellant's finding of guilt be stayed for such time, not exceeding
7 days, as the Court thinks fit; and the Court or a Judge shall
thereupon make such order for the detention of the appellant, or his
return to any former custody, or for releasing him on bail, as the
Court or Judge thinks fit, for the time during which such stay has
been directed.
(2) The Court or a Judge may, upon application by or on behalf of a
Crown Law Officer, make such order for the detention of the
appellant or for releasing him on bail pending the hearing of an
appeal to the High Court of Australia as the Court or a Judge may
think fit and may at any time vary or rescind such order.
(3) On the application of any appellant deeming himself wronged by
any failure to diligently prosecute such appeal the Court or a Judge
may order the immediate execution of the original order of the Court
quashing the finding of guilt and may order the appellant's
immediate release and the Court may further, if it thinks fit, award
him such compensation as appears just.
431 Pardoning power preserved
Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this Division shall affect the
prerogative of mercy, and a Crown Law Officer, on the
consideration of any petition for the exercise of the prerogative of
mercy having reference to the finding of guilt of any person or to
any sentence passed on a person found guilty of an offence, may:
(a) refer the whole case to the Court whereupon the case shall be
heard and determined by the Court as in the case of an
appeal by a person found guilty of an offence; or
(b) if he desires the assistance of the Court on any point arising in
the case with a view to the determination of the petition, refer
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Division 2 Appeal: pardon
Criminal Code Act 1983 319
that point to the Court for its opinion thereon whereupon the
Court shall consider the point so referred and furnish the
Crown Law Officer with its opinion thereon.
432 Conditional remission of sentence by Administrator
(1) In any case where the prerogative of mercy is extended to an
offender, it may be extended upon condition of the offender
entering into a recognizance conditioned as in the case of offenders
conditionally released by a court of trial.
(2) The offender is thereupon liable to the same obligations and is
liable to be dealt with in all respects in the same manner as a
person conditionally released by a court of trial.
433 Effect of pardon
A pardon has the effect of discharging the person found guilty of an
offence from the consequences of the finding of guilt.
433A Reference by Attorney-General of certain findings of guilt
(1) Where before or after the commencement of this section a person
has been found guilty of an indictable offence and the prerogative
of mercy has been extended to the person in respect of that finding
of guilt, the Attorney-General may, at the request of the person
found guilty of the offence, if the Attorney-General is satisfied that it
is expedient in the interests of justice so to do, refer the case to the
Court to enable the Court to consider or again consider whether the
finding of guilt should be quashed and a judgment and verdict of
acquittal entered.
(2) Notice of a reference under subsection (1) shall be given to the
person found guilty of the offence.
(3) In considering a case referred to it under subsection (1) the Court
shall hear argument by the Attorney-General or by counsel on the
Attorney-General's behalf and, if the Court considers it necessary to
enable it to reach a conclusion on the question before it, may hear
argument:
(a) by the person found guilty of the offence or by counsel on that
person's behalf; or
(b) by any counsel appointed by the Attorney-General to present
such argument as might have been presented by the person
found guilty of an offence if the person found guilty of an
offence had appeared.
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Division 3 Miscellaneous provisions
Criminal Code Act 1983 320
(4) In considering a case referred to it under subsection (1), but subject
to subsection (5), the Court has such of the powers it has in relation
to a matter brought before it on an appeal under section 410 as are
necessary to enable it to determine the question referred to it.
(5) In considering a case referred to it under subsection (1) the Court is
not bound by the rules of evidence but may inform itself in such
manner as it thinks fit.
(6) Without limiting the generality of subsection (5), the Court may:
(a) receive in evidence:
(i) a transcript of evidence taken, and the exhibits
produced, in proceedings before a court of, or in an
inquiry by a commission of inquiry (by whatever name
called) established by or appointed under a law of, the
Commonwealth or a State or Territory of the
Commonwealth; or
(ii) a report of a commission of inquiry referred to in
subparagraph (i),
and draw such conclusions of fact from the evidence and
exhibits or report as it thinks fit; or
(b) adopt, as it thinks fit, the finding, decision, judgment, or
reasons for the finding, decision or judgment, of a court or
commission of inquiry referred to in paragraph (a) that are
relevant to the Court's consideration.
(7) The decision of the Court on a case referred to it under
subsection (1) has the same force and effect as its decision on an
appeal under section 410.
Division 3 Miscellaneous provisions
435 Court may direct certain persons to be prosecuted for perjury
(1) If it appears to a court dealing with a matter on indictment that any
person has been guilty of perjury in any testimony given before it,
the court may commit him to take his trial for such perjury in the
same manner as if he had been charged before the Local Court
with the same perjury and sufficient evidence had been given
against him.
(2) A person so committed may be admitted to bail in the same manner
as if he had been committed for trial by justices of the peace.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 321
(3) The court may require any person to enter into a recognizance
conditioned to appear and give evidence at the trial of a person so
directed to be prosecuted.
435A Offences not to attract legal disability except under an Act
A person who has been found guilty of an offence, whether before
or after the commencement of this section, shall not, by reason of
the finding of guilt, suffer a legal disability except as prescribed by
an Act of the Territory or of the Commonwealth.
436 Saving of civil remedies
Except when expressly so provided the prosecution or finding of
guilt of a person for an offence does not affect any civil remedy that
any person aggrieved by the offence may have against the
offender.
437 No court fees in criminal cases
No court fees can be taken in a court of criminal jurisdiction from
any person who is charged with an offence for any proceedings had
or taken in that court with respect to the charge.
438 Copies of depositions to be allowed to persons committed for
trial
(1) Subject to subsection (2) any person who is committed for trial is
entitled to have on demand from the person who has the lawful
custody thereof copies of the depositions of the witnesses on
whose depositions he has been so committed.
(2) If the demand is not made before the day appointed for the
commencement of the sittings of the court to which the person on
whose behalf the demand is made has been committed for trial, he
is not entitled to have any such copy unless the Judge is of opinion
that the copy may be made and delivered without delay or
inconvenience.
(3) The court may postpone the trial on account of the person
committed for trial not having previously had a copy of the
depositions.
439 Inspection of depositions at trial
Any person who is tried for an indictable offence is entitled at the
time of his trial to inspect without fee all depositions or copies of
depositions that have been taken against him and returned into the
court before which the trial is had.
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Division 3 Miscellaneous provisions
Criminal Code Act 1983 322
440 Standard of proof
(1) Any matter that has to be proved by the defence in a trial must be
proved on the balance of probabilities; otherwise the standard of
proof is proof beyond reasonable doubt.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to the proof of facts
necessary for determining whether evidence should be admitted or
excluded.
441 Arrest without warrant
(1) A person shall not be arrested without warrant except in
accordance with this Code or an Act expressly giving power to
arrest without warrant.
(2) A person, not being a member of the Police Force, may without
warrant arrest a person (the offender) where the person:
(a) finds the offender committing an offence or doing an act or
behaving or conducting himself, or in such circumstances, that
the person believes on reasonable grounds that the offender
has committed an offence and that the arrest of the offender is
necessary:
(i) to ensure the appearance of the offender before a court
of competent jurisdiction; or
(ii) to preserve public order; or
(iii) to prevent the continuation or repetition of the offence or
the commission of a further offence; or
(iv) for the safety or welfare of members of the public or of
the offender; or
(b) is instructed to do so by a member of the Police Force having
power under an Act to apprehend the offender; or
(c) believes on reasonable grounds that the offender is escaping
from legal custody or aiding or abetting another person to
escape from legal custody or avoiding apprehension by some
person having authority to apprehend the offender in the
circumstances of the case.
(2A) A reference in subsection (2) to a member of the Police Force does
not include a person who has not taken an oath under section 26 of
the Police Administration Act 1978.
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Criminal Code Act 1983 323
(3) A person who is arrested under subsection (2) and in custody shall
not be questioned in relation to an offence other than by a member
of the Police Force in accordance with the Police Administration
Act 1978.
(4) As soon as practicable after a person is arrested under
subsection (2), the person shall be delivered to a member of the
Police Force, and the Police Administration Act 1978 shall apply to
and in relation to the person and the member as if the arrest had
been made under that Act.
(5) A person who is arrested under subsection (2)(a) shall be held in
custody only while the reason for the person's arrest, as referred to
in that paragraph, continues.
(6) A person who is arrested under subsection (2)(a) shall be released
immediately from custody where it becomes apparent that the
person did not commit the offence for which the person was
arrested.
(7) For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), offence does not include a
contravention of or failure to comply with an instrument of a
legislative or administrative character.
442 Arrest on reasonable grounds not to be taken to be unlawful
Where an arrest is made under section 441 under a belief that is
held on reasonable grounds, the arrest shall not cease to be lawful
or be taken to be unlawful where it subsequently appears or is
found that the person arrested did not commit the offence alleged.
443 Arrest on board aircraft
(1) A person in command of an aircraft may, on board the aircraft, with
such assistance as is necessary, arrest without warrant a person
whom the person in command finds committing, or reasonably
suspects of having committed, or of having attempted to commit, an
offence on or in relation to or affecting the use of the aircraft, and
the person in command or a person authorised by that person may
hold the person so arrested in custody until that person can be
brought before a justice of the peace or a court or other proper
authority to be dealt with in accordance with law.
(2) A person in command of an aircraft may, where the person
considers it necessary to do so in order to prevent an offence on or
in relation to or affecting the use of the aircraft, or to avoid danger
to the safety of the aircraft or of persons on board the aircraft, with
such assistance as the person thinks necessary:
-- 349 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 3 Criminal Code Amendment (Mental Impairment and Unfitness for Trial) Act
2010
Criminal Code Act 1983 324
(a) place a person who is on board the aircraft under restraint or
in custody; and/or
(b) if the aircraft is not in the course of a flight, remove a person
from the aircraft.
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 1 Criminal Code Amendment (Criminal
Responsibility Reform) Act 2005
444 Application of Code to pre-commencement offences
This Code, as in force immediately before the commencement of
this section, continues to apply in relation to offences committed
before that commencement.
Division 2 Criminal Code Amendment (Expert Evidence)
Act 2009
445 Application
The amendments made to this Act by the Criminal Code
Amendment (Expert Evidence) Act 2009 apply only to a trial that
starts at least 14 days after the commencement of that Act.
Division 3 Criminal Code Amendment (Mental Impairment and
Unfitness for Trial) Act 2010
446 Application to pending matters
(1) Section 43ZD(3A) to (3D) as inserted by the amending Act applies
in relation to an application to vary or revoke a supervision order
made, but not decided, before the commencement.
(2) Section 43ZE(3A) to (3D) as inserted by the amending Act applies
in relation to an application to vary a non-custodial supervision
order made, but not decided, before the commencement.
(3) Section 43ZG(5A) to (5C) as inserted by the amending Act applies
in relation to a review of a supervision order started, but not
completed, before the commencement.
(4) Section 43ZO as inserted by the amending Act applies to any
proceedings under Part IIA started, but not completed, before the
commencement.
-- 350 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 6 Criminal Code Amendment (Hit and Run) Act 2014
Criminal Code Act 1983 325
(5) In this section:
amending Act means the Criminal Code Amendment (Mental
Impairment and Unfitness for Trial) Act 2010.
commencement means the commencement of the amending Act.
Division 4 Criminal Code Amendment (Female Genital
Mutilation) Act 2013
447 Application of section 186C
(1) Section 186C, as amended by the Criminal Code Amendment
(Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2013, applies only in relation to
offences committed after the commencement of this section
(commencement).
(2) Section 186C, as in force before commencement, continues to
apply in relation to offences committed before commencement.
(3) For this section:
(a) an offence is taken to have been committed after
commencement only if all of the conduct constituting the
offence occurred after commencement; and
(b) any other offence is taken to have been committed before
commencement.
Division 5 Criminal Code Amendment (Psychiatric or Medical
Evidence) Act 2014
448 Application of section 331B
Section 331B applies only in relation to an offence for which an
accused is committed for trial after the commencement of the
Criminal Code Amendment (Psychiatric or Medical Evidence)
Act 2014.
Division 6 Criminal Code Amendment (Hit and Run) Act 2014
449 Application of amendments
(1) Section 174FA as amended by the Criminal Code Amendment (Hit
and Run) Act 2014 applies only in relation to offences committed
after the commencement of this section (commencement).
(2) Section 174FA, as in force before commencement, continues to
apply in relation to offences committed before commencement.
-- 351 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 9 Criminal Code Amendment (Presumption of Joint Trials) Act 2014
Criminal Code Act 1983 326
(3) For this section:
(a) an offence is taken to have been committed after
commencement only if all the conduct constituting the offence
occurred after commencement; and
(b) any other offence is taken to have been committed before
commencement.
Division 7 Criminal Code Amendment (Child Abuse Material)
Act 2014
450 Application of section 125B
(1) Section 125B, as amended by the Criminal Code Amendment
(Child Abuse Material) Act 2014, applies only in relation to offences
committed after the commencement of this section
(commencement).
(2) Section 125B, as in force before commencement, continues to
apply in relation to offences committed before commencement.
(3) For this section:
(a) an offence is taken to have been committed after
commencement only if all the conduct constituting the offence
occurred after commencement; and
(b) any other offence is taken to have been committed before
commencement.
Division 8 Justice and Other Legislation Amendment
Act 2014
451 Application of section 389
To avoid doubt, the Supreme Court may exercise powers under
section 389 in relation to an indictment that was presented, or a
summary offence the charge for which was laid, before the
commencement of section 4 of the Justice and Other Legislation
Amendment Act 2014.
Division 9 Criminal Code Amendment (Presumption of Joint
Trials) Act 2014
452 Application of presumption
Section 341A, as inserted by the Criminal Code Amendment
(Presumption of Joint Trials) Act 2014, applies in relation to an
-- 352 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 11 Statute Law Amendment (Directors' Liability) Act 2015
Criminal Code Act 1983 327
indictment presented or filed in court after the commencement of
that Act, even if an offence charged in the indictment is alleged to
have been committed before the commencement of that Act.
Division 10 Criminal Code Amendment (Remission for
Resentencing) Act 2015
453 Application of section 411(4)
(1) Section 411(4), as amended by the Criminal Code Amendment
(Remission for Resentencing) Act 2015, applies in relation to an
appeal against a sentence that is heard after the commencement of
that Act (the commencement).
(2) Subsection (1) applies:
(a) even if the appellant was found guilty before the
commencement; and
(b) regardless of when the appellant filed an originating process
as defined in rule 82.01 of the Supreme Court Rules 1987 in
relation to the appeal.
Division 11 Statute Law Amendment (Directors' Liability)
Act 2015
454 Offences – before and after commencement
(1) Section 125D, as inserted by the Statute Law Amendment
(Directors' Liability) Act 2015, (the new section) applies in relation
to a relevant offence committed by a body corporate after the
commencement of Part 2, Division 5 of that Act (the
commencement) only if:
(a) all the conduct constituting the relevant offence occurred after
the commencement; and
(b) all the conduct of the executive officer constituting the offence
against the new section occurred after the commencement.
(2) Section 125D, as in force before the commencement:
(a) continues to apply in relation to offences committed by a body
corporate before the commencement; and
(b) applies in relation to relevant offences committed by a body
corporate after the commencement to which, as a result of
subsection (1), the new section does not apply.
-- 353 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 13 Criminal Code Amendment Act 2019
Criminal Code Act 1983 328
Division 12 Independent Commissioner Against Corruption
(Consequential and Related Amendments)
Act 2018
455 Definitions
In this Division:
amending Act means the Independent Commissioner Against
Corruption (Consequential and Related Amendments) Act 2018.
commencement means the commencement of Part 3 of the
amending Act.
456 Application of sections 76 to 78, 80 and 81 as inserted by
amending Act
(1) Sections 76 to 78, 80 and 81, as inserted by the amending Act,
apply only in relation to offences committed after the
commencement.
(2) For this section, if any of the conduct constituting an offence
occurred before the commencement, the offence is taken to have
been committed before the commencement.
457 Application of section 79 as inserted by amending Act
(1) If, before the commencement, there was a failure to disclose a
private interest in a company, section 79 as in force immediately
before the commencement applies in relation to that failure.
(2) If, before the commencement, there was a failure to disclose a
private interest in property, manufacture, trade or business,
section 80 as in force immediately before the commencement
applies in relation to that failure.
(3) Section 79 as in force after the commencement applies to a failure
to disclose a private interest after the commencement irrespective
of whether that failure began before or after the commencement.
(4) Section 79, as inserted by the amending Act, applies in relation to
offences committed after the commencement.
Division 13 Criminal Code Amendment Act 2019
458 Definitions
In this Division:
amending Act means the Criminal Code Amendment Act 2019.
-- 354 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 14 Criminal Code Further Amendment Act 2019
Criminal Code Act 1983 329
commencement means the commencement of the amending Act.
459 Application of section 189A
(1) Section 189A, as amended by the amending Act, applies only in
relation to offences committed after the commencement.
(2) Section 189A, as in force before the commencement, continues to
apply in relation to offences committed before the commencement.
(3) For this section:
(a) an offence is taken to have been committed after the
commencement only if all of the conduct constituting the
offence occurred after the commencement; and
(b) any other offence is taken to have been committed before the
commencement.
460 Application of section 316
(1) Section 316, as amended by the amending Act, applies only in
relation to offences committed after the commencement.
(2) Section 316, as in force before the commencement, continues to
apply in relation to offences committed before the commencement.
(3) For this section:
(a) an offence is taken to have been committed after the
commencement only if all of the conduct constituting the
offence occurred after the commencement; and
(b) any other offence is taken to have been committed before the
commencement.
Division 14 Criminal Code Further Amendment Act 2019
461 Pre-Code offences
(1) Any offence against a law of the Territory in force before the
commencement of section 3(1) of this Act that was punishable by a
term of imprisonment exceeding 6 months at the time the offence
was committed is taken to be an indictable offence for the purposes
of this Code and any other law of the Territory.
Note for subsection (1)
Section 3(1) of this Act repealed the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1876 (SA) in
its application to the Territory, on 1 January 1984.
-- 355 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 16 Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2022
Criminal Code Act 1983 330
(2) Any proceeding in a court in relation to an offence referred to in
subsection (1) that was commenced before the commencement of
this section is taken to have always been within the jurisdiction of
that court.
(3) Any exercise of jurisdiction or purported exercise of jurisdiction by a
court in relation to a proceeding described in subsection (2) is not
invalid on the basis that any matter related to the offence was not
within the jurisdiction of the court at any time during the proceeding.
(4) In this section:
exercise of jurisdiction includes any of the following:
(a) instituting, adjourning and continuing a proceeding;
(b) issuing a warrant, summons or other process;
(c) making or giving an order, direction, notice, whether by
instrument or otherwise;
(d) making a finding of guilt;
(e) imposing a sentence;
(f) doing any other act or thing under an Act.
Division 15 Criminal Code Amendment Act 2021
462 Application of section 43BGA
Section 43BGA applies only in relation to offences committed after
the commencement of section 7 of the Criminal Code Amendment
Act 2021.
Division 16 Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2022
463 Application of section 189A
(1) Section 189A, as amended by the Criminal Justice Legislation
Amendment Act 2022, applies only in relation to offences
committed after the commencement of section 4 of that Act (the
commencement).
(2) Section 189A, as in force before the commencement, continues to
apply in relation to offences committed before the commencement.
-- 356 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 18 Criminal Code Amendment (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Act 2022
Criminal Code Act 1983 331
(3) For this section:
(a) an offence is taken to have been committed after the
commencement only if all of the conduct constituting the
offence occurred after the commencement; and
(b) any other offence is taken to have been committed before the
commencement.
Division 17 Criminal Code Amendment (Property Offences)
Act 2022
464 Application of repealed provisions
(1) The repealed provisions, as in force immediately before the
commencement, continue to apply in relation to offences committed
before the commencement.
(2) For subsection (1), if any of the conduct constituting an offence
occurred before the commencement, the offence is taken to have
been committed before the commencement.
(3) In this section:
commencement means the commencement of section 10 of the
Criminal Code Amendment (Property Offences) Act 2022.
repealed provisions means Part VII, Divisions 1, 1A, 2, 3, 3A, 4, 5,
7, 8 and 9 of this Act as in force immediately before their repeal by
the Criminal Code Amendment (Property Offences) Act 2022.
Division 18 Criminal Code Amendment (Age of Criminal
Responsibility) Act 2022
465 Definitions
charge includes the following:
(a) a charge on an arrest;
(b) a complaint under an Act;
(c) a charge by a court;
(d) an indictment.
commencement means the commencement of section 3 of the
Criminal Code Amendment (Age of Criminal Responsibility)
Act 2022.
-- 357 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 18 Criminal Code Amendment (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Act 2022
Criminal Code Act 1983 332
conviction means, in respect of an offence, a finding of guilt, or the
acceptance of a plea of guilty, by a court, judge, magistrate or
person who exercised the jurisdiction of a court, whether or not a
conviction is recorded.
criminal process, in relation to a person for an offence committed
or alleged to have been committed by the person, includes the
following:
(a) an investigation of the person;
(b) the issue of a warrant for the arrest of the person or for a
search in relation to the person;
(c) the arrest of the person;
(d) a charge against the person;
(e) a trial of the person;
(f) an appeal in relation to the trial or conviction of the person.
end date means the commencement of section 3 of the Criminal
Code Amendment Act 2024.
record means recorded information in any form (including data in a
computer system) that is required to be kept by the following
persons or bodies as evidence of the activities or operations of the
person or body, or its predecessor, and includes part of a record
and a copy of a record:
(a) the Police Force;
(b) the Director of Public Prosecutions;
(c) a court;
(d) the archives service established to perform the archives
functions for the Territory under the Information Act 2002.
466 Application of sections 38 and 43AP
(1) Sections 38 and 43AP, as in force immediately after the
commencement, apply in relation to offences committed after the
commencement but before the end date.
(2) Sections 38(1) and 43AP, as in force immediately before the
commencement, apply in relation to offences committed before the
commencement.
-- 358 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 18 Criminal Code Amendment (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Act 2022
Criminal Code Act 1983 333
467 Cessation of proceedings
(1) This section applies in relation to any offence committed or alleged
to have been committed by a child under 12 years of age before the
end date.
(2) No criminal process may be started in relation to the offence.
(3) Any criminal process in relation to the offence is discontinued.
(4) The child is discharged from any ongoing order or obligation in
relation to the offence.
(5) All conditions imposed under section 27 of the Bail Act 1982 in
relation to the offence are discontinued.
(6) To avoid doubt, this section does not apply in relation to a person
12 years of age or older who committed or is alleged to have
committed an offence with a child under 12 years of age.
468 Release of child
(1) Subject to subsection (2), any child in police custody, in detention
or serving a sentence for an offence referred to in section 467(1)
must be released as soon as practicable.
(2) A child in police custody, in detention or serving a sentence for
another offence is not to be released under subsection (1) if the
other offence was committed or alleged to have been committed
when the child was 12 years of age or older.
(3) Reasonable steps must be taken to ensure the safe release of a
child under subsection (1).
469 Expungement of charge or conviction
(1) Any charge or conviction against a person for an offence committed
before the end date or alleged to have been committed before the
end date when the person was under 12 years of age is expunged.
(2) Subject to sections 470 and 471, a person whose charge or
conviction is expunged under this section is to be treated in law as
if the person had never committed or been charged with,
prosecuted for, convicted of or sentenced for the offence, as the
case may be.
(3) A reference in an agreement, an arrangement, any other Act or a
statutory instrument to a charge or conviction is taken not to include
one expunged under this section.
-- 359 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 18 Criminal Code Amendment (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Act 2022
Criminal Code Act 1983 334
(4) If a person's charge or conviction is expunged under this section:
(a) it is lawful for the person to claim, on oath or otherwise,
including in a proceeding before any court, tribunal or entity,
that the person was not charged with or convicted of the
offence; and
(b) evidence is not admissible in a proceeding before any court,
tribunal or entity to prove the person was charged with or
convicted of the offence; and
(c) the person's criminal history no longer includes the charge or
conviction; and
(d) the person is not required to disclose information about the
charge or conviction; and
(e) a reference to the person's character, however expressed,
does not require or allow anyone to take the charge or
conviction into account; and
(f) the charge or conviction, or non-disclosure of the charge or
conviction, is not a ground for discriminating against,
prejudicing or engaging in adverse conduct against the person
in any way, including in respect of the following matters:
(i) any appointment, employment, exclusion or dismissal in
respect of an office, profession, occupation or
employment;
(ii) any grant, issuance, suspension, refusal or revocation of
an approval, authorisation, licence, permit or registration;
and
(g) the person may, without waiting any minimum period, reapply
for any approval, authorisation, licence, permit or registration
refused or revoked because of the charge or conviction before
it was expunged.
(5) Subsection (4) applies in respect of an indirect reference to an
expunged charge or conviction, including a reference to any of the
following that may have occurred in relation to the expunged charge
or conviction:
(a) an arrest;
(b) an investigation or prosecution;
(c) an appearance in court;
-- 360 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 18 Criminal Code Amendment (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Act 2022
Criminal Code Act 1983 335
(d) a penalty, sentence or incarceration.
(6) This section has effect despite any other law to the contrary,
including:
(a) sections 77(4), 79(3) and 135(3) of the Health Practitioner
Regulation National Law (NT); and
(b) the Criminal Records (Spent Convictions) Act 1992; and
(c) any other law that allows or requires the disclosure of
information relating to a charge, conviction, criminal record or
criminal history.
470 No entitlement to compensation or damages
No person is entitled to compensation or damages of any kind by
reason that:
(a) the person was charged with, or prosecuted for, an offence
committed or alleged to have been committed before the end
date when the person was under 12 years of age; or
(b) the person was found guilty of, convicted of or sentenced for
an offence committed or alleged to have been committed
before the end date when the person was under 12 years of
age; or
(c) the person served a sentence for an offence committed or
alleged to have been committed before the end date when the
person was under 12 years of age; or
(d) the person was required to pay a fine, costs, restitution,
compensation or other money on account of being convicted
of, or sentenced for, an offence committed or alleged to have
been committed before the end date when the person was
under 12 years of age; or
(e) the person has a charge or conviction expunged under
section 4469; or
(f) a charge or conviction is expunged under section 469; or
(g) the person incurred any loss, or suffered any consequence, as
a result of an event mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d),
(e) or (f).
-- 361 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 19 Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences) Act 2023
Criminal Code Act 1983 336
471 Prior lawful acts not affected
Nothing in this Division affects anything lawfully done before a
charge or conviction is expunged under section 469.
472 Application of sections 38A and 43AQ
(1) Sections 38A and 43AQ, as in force immediately after the
commencement, apply in relation to:
(a) offences committed before the commencement but for which a
trial or hearing to determine guilt had not begun before the
commencement; and
(b) offences committed after the commencement.
(2) Sections 38(2) and 43AQ, as in force immediately before the
commencement, apply in relation to offences committed before the
commencement for which a trial or hearing to determine guilt had
begun before the commencement.
474 Immunity from civil and criminal liability
(1) A person is not civilly or criminally liable for an act done or omitted
to be done by the person in good faith when acting, or purportedly
acting, in the exercise of a power or performance of a function by
the person under this Division.
(2) Subsection (1) does not affect any liability the Territory would, apart
from that subsection, have for the act or omission.
Division 19 Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual
Offences) Act 2023
475 Offences – before and after commencement
(1) The offence provisions, as inserted or amended by the Criminal
Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences) Act 2023, apply
only in relation to offences committed after the commencement.
(2) The offence provisions, as in force before the commencement,
continue to apply in relation to offences committed before the
commencement.
(3) Despite subsections (1) and (2):
(a) section 131A continues to apply in relation to an offence
committed before the commencement only if the person is
charged with the offence before the commencement; and
-- 362 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 20 Justice Legislation Amendment (Domestic and Family Violence) Act 2023
Criminal Code Act 1983 337
(b) section 208JI applies in relation to:
(i) an offence committed after the commencement; and
(ii) an offence committed before the commencement if the
person is not charged, before the commencement, with
an offence against section 131A.
(4) For this section, if any of the conduct constituting an offence
occurred before the commencement, the offence is taken to have
been committed before the commencement.
(5) In this section:
commencement means the commencement of Part 2 of the
Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences)
Act 2023.
offence provisions means the provisions of this Act that create or
relate to offences, including provisions that relate to criminal
responsibility, defences and penalties.
section 131A means section 131A as in force before the
commencement.
Division 20 Justice Legislation Amendment (Domestic and
Family Violence) Act 2023
476 Definitions
In this Division:
amending Act means the Justice Legislation Amendment
(Domestic and Family Violence) Act 2023.
commencement means the commencement of Part 4 of the
amending Act.
477 Application of amendment to section 188
(1) Section 188, as amended by the amending Act, applies only in
relation to offences committed after the commencement.
(2) Section 188, as in force before the commencement, continues to
apply in relation to offences committed before the commencement.
-- 363 of 398 --
Part XI Transitional matters
Division 21 Criminal Code Amendment Act 2024
Criminal Code Act 1983 338
(3) For this section:
(a) an offence is taken to be committed after the commencement
only if all of the conduct constituting the offence occurred after
the commencement; and
(b) any other offence is taken to be committed before the
commencement.
478 Application of presumption
Section 341B, as inserted by the amending Act, applies in relation
to an indictment presented or filed in court after the
commencement, even if an offence charged in the indictment is
alleged to be committed before the commencement.
Division 21 Criminal Code Amendment Act 2024
479 Definition
commencement means the commencement of section 3 of the
Criminal Code Amendment Act 2024.
480 Application of sections 38 and 43AP
(1) Sections 38 and 43AP, as in force immediately after the
commencement, apply in relation to offences committed after the
commencement.
(2) Sections 38 and 43AP, as in force immediately before the
commencement, continue to apply in relation to offences committed
before the commencement.
481 Application of sections 38A and 43AQ
(1) Sections 38A and 43AQ, as in force immediately after the
commencement, apply in relation to offences committed after the
commencement.
(2) Sections 38A and 43AQ, as in force immediately before the
commencement, continue to apply in relation to offences committed
before the commencement, whether or not a trial or hearing to
determine guilt had begun before the commencement.
-- 364 of 398 --
Schedule 1 Provisions of Code to which Part IIAA applies
Criminal Code Act 1983 339
Schedule 1 Provisions of Code to which Part IIAA applies
section 1, definition Schedule 1 provision
Section 66 (Offences relating to riots)
Section 103A (Threats or reprisals relating to persons involved in criminal
investigations or judicial proceedings or against public officers)
Part IV (Offences against the administration of law and justice and against
public authority), Division 1 (Disclosure of confidential information and
corruption and abuse of office) (other than sections 83, 85 and 86)
Part V, Division 2 (Child abuse material and indecent articles) and Division 2A
(Offence relating to human remains)
Section 148F (Recruiting child to engage in criminal activity)
Part VI (Offences against the person and related matters), Division 1A
(Preliminary matters), Subdivision 2 (Interpretation)
Part VI (Offences against the person and related matters), Division 3
(Homicide: suicide: concealment of birth) (other than sections 165, 166 and
170)
Part VI (Offences against the person and related matters), Division 3A
(Recklessly endangering life and serious harm, negligently causing serious
harm and related offences involving vehicles and vessels)
Section 176A (Drink or food spiking)
Section 180A (Endangering occupants of vehicles and vessels)
Section 186AA (Choking, strangling or suffocating in a domestic relationship)
Part VI (Offences against the person and related matters), Division 7A
(Recording and distributing intimate images)
Part VI (Offences against the person and related matters), Division 8
(Termination of pregnancy)
Part VI (Offences against the person and related matters), Division 9
(Defences)
Part VIA (Sexual offences)
Part VII (Property offences and related matters)
-- 365 of 398 --
Schedule II
Criminal Code Act 1983 340
Schedule II
Part 1
section 3(1)
South Australian Acts Repealed in their
Application to the Northern Territory
Title Year and number
The Criminal Law Consolidation Act, 1876 1876, No. 38
An Act to amend the "Minor Offences Procedure
Act 1869" and "The Criminal Law Consolidation
Act, 1876"
1880, No. 166
The Criminal Law Consolidation Amendment
Act, 1885
1885, No. 358
The Children's Protection Act, 1899 1899, No. 730
The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1902 1902, No. 791
Part 2
section 3(2)
Acts Repealed
Title Number and year
Indictments Ordinance 1968 No. 36, 1968
Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance 1939 No. 17, 1939
Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance 1940 No. 19, 1940
Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance 1956 No. 25, 1956
Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance 1960 No. 17, 1960
Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance 1964 No. 37, 1964
Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance 1968 No. 21, 1968
Criminal Law Consolidation Ordinance
(No. 2) 1968
No. 67, 1968
Criminal Law Consolidation Ordinance 1969 No. 39, 1969
Criminal Law Consolidation Amendment
Ordinance 1969
No. 47, 1969
-- 366 of 398 --
Schedule II
Criminal Code Act 1983 341
Criminal Law Consolidation Ordinance 1973 No. 2, 1973
Criminal Law Consolidation Ordinance
(No. 2) 1973
No. 81, 1973
Criminal Law Consolidation Ordinance
(No. 3) 1973
No. 6, 1974
Criminal Law Consolidation Ordinance 1974 No. 13, 1974
Criminal Law Consolidation Act (No. 2) 1978 No. 121, 1978
Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1978 No. 127, 1978
Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1979 No. 25, 1979
Criminal Law Consolidation Act (No. 2) 1979 No. 110, 1979
Criminal Law Consolidation Amendment
Act 1980
No. 7, 1981
Criminal Law Consolidation Amendment
Act 1982
No. 40, 1982
Criminal Law and Procedure Ordinance 1978 No. 64, 1978
Criminal Law and Procedure Act (No. 2) 1978 No. 126, 1978
Criminal Law and Procedure Act 1979 No. 93, 1979
Criminal Law and Procedure Act (No. 2) 1979 No. 108, 1979
Criminal Law and Procedure Act (No. 3) 1979 No. 142, 1979
Criminal Law and Procedure Amendment
Act 1981
No. 76, 1981
-- 367 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 342
ENDNOTES
1 KEY Key to abbreviations
amd = amended od = order
app = appendix om = omitted
bl = by-law pt = Part
ch = Chapter r = regulation/rule
cl = clause rem = remainder
div = Division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired rep = repealed
f = forms s = section
Gaz = Gazette sch = Schedule
hdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision
ins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation
lt = long title sub = substituted
nc = not commenced
2 LIST OF LEGISLATION
Criminal Code Act 1983 (Act No. 47, 1983)
Assent date 4 October 1983
Commenced ss 406 – 431: 1 March 1986; rem: 1 January 1984 (s 2, Gaz
G46, 18 November 1983, p 11 and Gaz G8,
26 February 1986, p 5)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 1984 (Act No. 9, 1984)
Assent date 29 June 1984
Commenced 29 June 1984
Law Officers Amendment Act (No. 2) 1986 (Act No. 48, 1986)
Assent date 10 December 1986
Commenced 19 December 1986 (Gaz S87, 17 December 1986)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 1987 (Act No. 42, 1987)
Assent date 15 October 1987
Commenced 15 October 1987
Criminal Code Amendment Act 1988 (Act No. 12, 1988)
Assent date 30 March 1988
Commenced 30 March 1988
Statute Law Revision Act 1988 (Act No. 66, 1988)
Assent date 22 December 1988
Commenced 22 December 1988
Criminal Code Amendment Act 1989 (Act No. 44, 1989)
Assent date 20 September 1989
Commenced 25 October 1989 (Gaz G42, 25 October 1989, p 4)
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 2) 1989 (Act No. 71, 1989)
Assent date 12 December 1989
Commenced 12 December 1989
-- 368 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 343
Criminal Code Amendment Act 1990 (Act No. 17, 1990)
Assent date 12 April 1990
Commenced 1 November 1990 (s 2, s 2 Misuse of Drugs Act 1990 (Act
No. 15, 1990) and Gaz G40, 10 October 1990, p 3)
Director of Public Prosecutions (Consequential Amendments) Act 1990 (Act No. 29,
1990)
Assent date 11 June 1990
Commenced 21 January 1991 (s 2, s 2 Director of Public Prosecutions
Act 1990 (Act No. 35, 1990) and Gaz G2, 16 January 1991,
p 9)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 1991 (Act No. 1, 1991)
Assent date 22 February 1991
Commenced 1 January 1984 (s 2)
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 2) 1991 (Act No. 35, 1991)
Assent date 26 September 1991
Commenced 1 November 1991 (Gaz S58, 1 November 1991)
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 3) 1991 (Act No. 72, 1991)
Assent date 6 December 1991
Commenced 6 December 1991
Dental (Consequential Amendments) Act 1991 (Act No. 75, 1991)
Assent date 10 December 1991
Commenced 31 January 1992 (Gaz S7, 31 January 1992)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 1992 (Act No. 4, 1992)
Assent date 8 April 1992
Commenced 8 May 1992 (s 2, s 2 Prostitution Regulation Act 1992 (Act
No. 6, 1992) and Gaz S28, 8 May 1992)
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 2) 1992 (Act No. 41, 1992)
Assent date 7 September 1992
Commenced 7 September 1992
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 3) 1992 (Act No. 83, 1992)
Assent date 22 December 1992
Commenced 22 December 1992
Public Sector Employment and Management (Consequential Amendments) Act 1993
(Act No. 28, 1993)
Assent date 30 June 1993
Commenced 1 July 1993 (s 2, s 2 Public Sector Employment and
Management Act 1993 (Act No. 11, 1993) and Gaz S53,
29 June 1993)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 1993 (Act No. 72, 1993)
Assent date 16 November 1993
Commenced 1 December 1993 (Gaz S95, 1 December 1993)
Local Government (Consequential Amendments) Act 1993 (Act No. 84, 1993)
Assent date 31 December 1993
Commenced 1 June 1994 (s 2, s 2 Local Government Act 1993 (Act
No. 83, 1993) and Gaz S35, 20 May 1994)
-- 369 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 344
Criminal Code Amendment Act 1994 (Act No. 11, 1994)
Assent date 28 March 1994
Commenced 3 April 1994 (Gaz S24, 31 March 1994)
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 2) 1994 (Act No. 12, 1994)
Assent date 31 March 1994
Commenced 1 December 1994 (s 2, s 2 Police Administration Amendment
Act 1994 (Act No. 20, 1994) and Gaz S57, 1 December 1994)
Amending Legislation
Statute Law Revision Act 1994 (Act No. 50, 1994)
Assent date 20 September 1994
Commenced 20 September 1994 (s 6(2))
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 3) 1994 (Act No. 13, 1994)
Assent date 6 April 1994
Commenced 1 June 1994 (Gaz S35, 20 May 1994)
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 4) 1994 (Act No. 46, 1994)
Assent date 20 September 1994
Commenced 1 November 1994 (Gaz G43, 26 October 1994, p 3)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 1995 (Act No. 55, 1995)
Assent date 28 December 1995
Commenced 26 February 1996 (Gaz G7, 14 February 1996, p 2)
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 2) 1995 (Act No. 63, 1995)
Assent date 28 December 1995
Commenced 1 August 1996 (Gaz G30, 24 July 1996, p 2)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 1996 (Act No. 1, 1996)
Assent date 23 January 1996
Commenced 23 January 1996
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 2) 1996 (Act No. 11, 1996)
Assent date 10 April 1996
Commenced 20 May 1996 (Gaz G20, 15 May 1996, p 3)
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 3) 1996 (Act No. 12, 1996)
Assent date 10 April 1996
Commenced 20 May 1996 (Gaz G20, 15 May 1996, p 3)
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 4) 1996 (Act No. 13, 1996)
Assent date 10 April 1996
Commenced 10 April 1996
Sentencing (Consequential Amendments) Act 1996 (Act No. 17, 1996)
Assent date 19 April 1996
Commenced 1 July 1996 (s 2, s 2 Sentencing Act 1995 (Act No. 39, 1995)
and Gaz S15, 13 June 1996)
-- 370 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 345
Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration (Consequential Amendments) Act 1996 (Act
No. 27, 1996)
Assent date 28 June 1996
Commenced 1 January 1997 (s 2, s 2 Births, Deaths and Marriages
Registration Act 1996 (Act No. 26, 1996) and Gaz G49,
4 December 1996, p 5)
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 5) 1996 (Act No. 33, 1996)
Assent date 5 September 1996
Commenced 1 November 1996 (Gaz G43, 23 October 1996, p 4)
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 6) 1996 (Act No. 37, 1996)
Assent date 17 September 1996
Commenced 17 September 1996
Criminal Code Amendment Act 1997 (Act No. 4, 1997)
Assent date 26 March 1997
Commenced 11 May 1997 (Gaz G18, 7 May 1997, p 2)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 1998 (Act No. 79, 1998)
Assent date 21 October 1998
Commenced 1 December 1998 (Gaz G45, 18 November 1998, p 4)
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 2) 1998 (Act No. 85, 1998)
Assent date 9 December 1998
Commenced 15 February 1999 (s 2, s 2 Police Administration Amendment
Act (No. 2) 1998 (Act No. 87, 1998) and Gaz S6,
15 February 1999)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 1999 (Act No. 8, 1999)
Assent date 9 March 1999
Commenced 7 April 1999 (Gaz G13, 7 April 1999, p 3)
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 2) 1999 (Act No. 9, 1999)
Assent date 9 March 1999
Commenced 7 April 1999 (Gaz G13, 7 April 1999, p 3)
Statute Law Revision Act 1999 (Act No. 27, 1999)
Assent date 18 June 1999
Commenced 18 June 1999
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 1999 (Act No. 48, 1999)
Assent date 10 November 1999
Commenced 10 November 1999
Criminal Code Amendment Act 2000 (Act No. 3, 2000)
Assent date 14 March 2000
Commenced 12 April 2000 (Gaz G14, 12 April 2000, p 3)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 2001 (Act No. 27, 2001)
Assent date 19 July 2001
Commenced 26 September 2001 (Gaz G38, 26 September 2001, p 3)
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 2) 2001 (Act No. 52, 2001)
Assent date 19 October 2001
Commenced 22 October 2001 (s 2)
-- 371 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 346
Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 3) 2001 (Act No. 65, 2001)
Assent date 21 December 2001
Commenced 30 January 2002 (Gaz G4, 30 January 2002, p 4)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 2002 (Act No. 4, 2002)
Assent date 28 March 2002
Commenced 8 May 2002 (Gaz G18, 8 May 2002, p 7)
Criminal Code Amendment (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 2002 (Act
No. 11, 2002)
Assent date 7 June 2002
Commenced 15 June 2002 (s 2)
Criminal Code Amendment (Witness Intimidation) Act 2002 (Act No. 25, 2002)
Assent date 5 July 2002
Commenced 31 July 2002 (Gaz G30, 31 July 2002, p 3)
Statute Law Revision (Financial Provisions) Act 2002 (Act No. 38, 2002)
Assent date 13 September 2002
Commenced 30 October 2002 (Gaz G43, 3 October 2002, p 3)
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 2003 (Act No. 44, 2003)
Assent date 7 July 2003
Commenced 7 July 2003
Sentencing (Crime of Murder) and Parole Reform Act 2003 (Act No. 3, 2004)
Assent date 7 January 2004
Commenced 11 February 2004 (Gaz G6, 11 February 2004, p 2)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 2003 (Act No. 4, 2004)
Assent date 7 January 2004
Commenced 11 February 2004 (Gaz G6, 11 February 2004, p 2)
Law Reform (Gender, Sexuality and De Facto Relationships) Act 2003 (Act No. 1, 2004)
Assent date 7 January 2004
Commenced 17 March 2004 (Gaz G11, 17 March 2004, p 8)
Criminal Code Amendment (Child Abuse Material) Act 2004 (Act No. 55, 2004)
Assent date 25 October 2004
Commenced 10 November 2004 (Gaz G45, 10 November 2004, p 2)
Criminal Code Amendment (Money Laundering) Act 2004 (Act No. 59, 2004)
Assent date 4 November 2004
Commenced 8 December 2004 (Gaz G49, 8 December 2004, p 3)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 2005 (Act No. 13, 2005)
Assent date 17 March 2005
Commenced 27 April 2005 (Gaz G17, 27 April 2005, p 2)
Youth Justice (Consequential Amendments) Act 2005 (Act No. 33, 2005)
Assent date 22 September 2005
Commenced 1 August 2006 (s 2, s 2 Youth Justice Act 2005 (Act No. 32,
2005) and Gaz G30, 26 July 2006, p 3)
-- 372 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 347
Criminal Code Amendment (Criminal Responsibility Reform) Act 2005 (Act No. 37,
2005)
Assent date 22 November 2005
Commenced 20 December 2006 (Gaz G51, 20 December 2006, p 2)
Amending Legislation
Criminal Reform Amendment Act 2006 (Act No. 24, 2006)
Assent date 19 September 2006
Commenced 19 September 2006
Statute Law Revision Act 2005 (Act No. 44, 2005)
Assent date 14 December 2005
Commenced 14 December 2005
Criminal Reform Amendment Act 2006 (Act No. 24, 2006)
Assent date 19 September 2006
Commenced 19 September 2006
Criminal Reform Amendment Act (No. 2) 2006 (Act No. 34, 2006)
Assent date 3 November 2006
Commenced 20 December 2006 (Gaz G51, 20 December 2006, p 2)
Justice Legislation Amendment (Group Criminal Activities) Act 2006 (Act No. 36, 2006)
Assent date 3 November 2006
Commenced s 15: 13 December 2006 (Gaz G50, 13 December 2006, p 2);
rem: 20 December 2006 (Gaz G51, 20 December 2006, p 2)
Statute Law Revision Act 2007 (Act No. 4, 2007)
Assent date 8 March 2007
Commenced 8 March 2007
Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2007 (Act No. 5, 2007)
Assent date 24 April 2007
Commenced s 37 (except amd of Criminal Code and Legal Profession
Act 2006): 1 May 2007 (s 2(1), s 2 Victims of Crime
Assistance Act 2006 (Act No. 15, 2006) and Gaz G17,
26 April 2007, p 7); rem: 24 April 2007 (s 2(2))
Legal Profession (Consequential Amendments) Act 2007 (Act No. 7, 2007)
Assent date 17 May 2007
Commenced s 10: 1 July 2007 (Gaz G26, 27 June 2007, p 3);
rem: 17 May 2007
Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2008 (Act No. 2, 2008)
Assent date 11 March 2008
Commenced 2 April 2008 (Gaz G13, 2 April 2008, p 6)
Statute Law Revision Act 2008 (Act No. 6, 2008)
Assent date 11 March 2008
Commenced 11 March 2008
Criminal Code Amendment (Assaults on Drivers of Commercial Passenger Vehicles)
Act 2008 (Act No. 9, 2008)
Assent date 15 May 2008
Commenced 11 June 2008 (Gaz G23, 11 June 2008, p 3)
-- 373 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 348
Criminal Code Amendment (Drink or Food Spiking) Act 2008 (Act No. 10, 2008)
Assent date 23 May 2008
Commenced 18 June 2008 (Gaz G24, 18 June 2008, p 6)
Classification of Publications, Films and Computer Games Amendment Act 2008 (Act
No. 25, 2008)
Assent date 17 October 2008
Commenced 1 July 2009 (Gaz G25, 24 June 2009, p 2)
Criminal Code Amendment (Hit and Run and Other Endangerment Offences) Act 2008
(Act No. 26, 2008)
Assent date 17 October 2008
Commenced ss 3 and 4: 17 October 2008 (s 2(1)); rem: 19 November 2008
(s 2(2) and Gaz S37, 19 November 2008)
Criminal Code Amendment (Expert Evidence) Act 2009 (Act No. 9, 2009)
Assent date 26 May 2009
Commenced 26 May 2009
Criminal Code Amendment (Bushfires) Act 2009 (Act No. 29, 2009)
Assent date 11 November 2009
Commenced 23 December 2009 (Gaz G51, 23 December 2009, p 2)
Serious Crime Control Act 2009 (Act No. 32, 2009)
Assent date 11 November 2009
Commenced 1 December 2011 (Gaz S69, 1 December 2011)
Justice Legislation Amendment (Penalties) Act 2010 (Act No. 12, 2010)
Assent date 20 May 2010
Commenced 1 July 2010 (Gaz G24, 16 June 2010, p 2)
Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Act 2010 (Act No. 18,
2010)
Assent date 20 May 2010
Commenced 1 July 2010 (s 2)
Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2010 (Act No. 24, 2010)
Assent date 30 June 2010
Commenced 21 July 2010 (Gaz G29, 21 July 2010, p 5)
Justice Legislation Amendment (Committals Reform) Act 2010 (Act No. 31, 2010)
Assent date 9 September 2010
Commenced 1 April 2011 (Gaz G13, 30 March 2011, p 8)
Criminal Code Amendment (Mental Impairment and Unfitness for Trial) Act 2010 (Act
No. 33, 2010)
Assent date 18 November 2010
Commenced 18 November 2010
Mineral Titles (Consequential Amendments) Act 2010 (Act No. 37, 2010)
Assent date 18 November 2010
Commenced 7 November 2011 (Gaz G41, 12 October 2011, p 5)
-- 374 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 349
Oaths, Affidavits and Declarations (Consequential Amendments) Act 2010 (Act No. 40,
2010)
Assent date 18 November 2010
Commenced 1 March 2011 (s 2, s 2 Oaths, Affidavits and Declarations
Act 2010 (Act No. 39, 2010) and Gaz G7, 16 February 2011,
p 4)
Criminal Code Amendment (Criminal Damage) Act 2010 (Act No. 5, 2011)
Assent date 16 March 2011
Commenced 1 June 2011 (Gaz S19, 4 May 2011)
Criminal Code Amendment (Sentencing Appeals) Act 2011 (Act No. 10, 2011)
Assent date 18 April 2011
Commenced 27 April 2011 (Gaz G17, 27 April 2011, pp 8 – 9)
Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2011 (Act No. 32, 2011)
Assent date 15 November 2011
Commenced 15 February 2012 (Gaz G7, 15 February, p 6)
Disability Services Amendment Act 2012 (Act No. 11, 2012)
Assent date 27 April 2012
Commenced 20 August 2012 (Gaz G31, 1 August 2012, p 4)
Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Act 2012 (Act No. 17,
2012)
Assent date 22 May 2012
Commenced 1 July 2012 (s 2)
Criminal Code Amendment (Violent Act Causing Death) Act 2012 (Act No. 25, 2012)
Assent date 6 December 2012
Commenced 21 December 2012 (Gaz S75, 17 December 2012)
Criminal Code Amendment (Assaults on Workers) Act 2013 (Act No. 3, 2013)
Assent date 14 March 2013
Commenced 1 May 2013 (Gaz S16, 22 April 2013)
Serious Sex Offenders Act 2013 (Act No. 9, 2013)
Assent date 3 May 2013
Commenced 1 July 2013 (Gaz G24, 12 June 2013, p 2)
Penalties Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 2013 (Act No. 23, 2013)
Assent date 12 July 2013
Commenced 28 August 2013 (Gaz G35, 8 August 2013, p 2)
Criminal Code Amendment (Cheating at Gambling) Act 2013 (Act No. 24, 2013)
Assent date 6 September 2013
Commenced 7 October 2013 (Gaz S50, 7 October 2013)
Criminal Code Amendment (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2013 (Act No. 26, 2013)
Assent date 8 November 2013
Commenced 4 December 2013 (Gaz G49, 4 December 2013, p 2)
Advance Personal Planning (Consequential Amendments) Act 2013 (Act No. 36, 2013)
Assent date 19 December 2013
Commenced pt 3: 5 February 2014 (Gaz G5, 5 February 2014, p 2);
rem: 17 March 2014 (Gaz S14, 17 March 2014)
-- 375 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 350
Criminal Code Amendment (Child Abuse Material) Act 2014 (Act No. 1, 2014)
Assent date 6 March 2014
Commenced 2 April 2014 (Gaz G13, 2 April 2014, p 2)
Criminal Code Amendment (Expert Psychiatric or Medical Evidence) Act 2014 (Act
No. 3, 2014)
Assent date 20 March 2014
Commenced 2 April 2014 (Gaz S16, 2 April 2014)
Criminal Code Amendment (Hit and Run) Act 2014 (Act No. 4, 2014)
Assent date 20 March 2014
Commenced 2 April 2014 (Gaz S16, 2 April 2014)
Criminal Code Amendment (Identity Crime) Act 2014 (Act No. 9, 2014)
Assent date 16 April 2014
Commenced 1 July 2014 (Gaz S52, 1 July 2014)
Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014 (Act No. 11, 2014)
Assent date 16 April 2014
Commenced 1 July 2014 (Gaz S54, 1 July 2014)
Criminal Code Amendment (Presumption of Joint Trials) Act 2014 (Act No. 22, 2014)
Assent date 2 June 2014
Commenced 1 July 2014 (Gaz S53, 1 July 2014)
Correctional Services (Related and Consequential Amendments) Act 2014 (Act No. 27,
2014)
Assent date 4 September 2014
Commenced 9 September 2014 (Gaz S80, 9 September 2014, p 2)
Criminal Code Amendment (Dangerous Driving During Pursuit) Act 2014 (Act No. 29,
2014)
Assent date 18 September 2014
Commenced 29 October 2014 (Gaz G43, 29 October 2014, p 1)
Criminal Code Amendment (Remission for Resentencing) Act 2015 (Act No. 5, 2015)
Assent date 25 March 2015
Commenced 6 May 2015 (Gaz G18, 6 May 2015, p 2)
Statute Law Amendment (Directors' Liability) Act 2015 (Act No. 26, 2015)
Assent date 18 September 2015
Commenced 14 October 2015 (Gaz G41, 14 October 2015, p 3)
Local Court (Repeals and Related Amendments) Act 2016 (Act No. 9, 2016)
Assent date 6 April 2016
Commenced 1 May 2016 (Gaz S34, 29 April 2016)
Bushfires Management Act 2016 (Act No. 14, 2016)
Assent date 7 June 2016
Commenced 1 November 2016 (Gaz S111, 27 October 2016, p 1)
Guardianship of Adults Act 2016 (Act No. 15, 2016)
Assent date 7 June 2016
Commenced 28 July 2016 (Gaz S74, 27 July 2016, p 1)
-- 376 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 351
Statute Law Revision Act 2017 (Act No. 4, 2017)
Assent date 10 March 2017
Commenced 12 April 2017 (Gaz G15, 12 April 2017, p 3)
Criminal Code Amendment (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 2017 (Act
No. 8, 2017)
Assent date 31 May 2017
Commenced 15 June 2017 (Gaz S31, 15 June 2017)
Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 (Act No. 7, 2017)
Assent date 24 April 2017
Commenced 1 July 2017 (Gaz S38, 28 June 2017)
Supreme Court Amendment (Associate Judges) Act 2017 (Act No. 18, 2017)
Assent date 5 September 2017
Commenced 22 November 2017 (Gaz S84, 21 November 2017, p 1)
Criminal Code Amendment (Dangerous Navigation of Vessels) Act 2017 (Act No. 21,
2017)
Assent date 8 November 2017
Commenced 29 November 2017 (Gaz G48, 29 November 2017, p 2)
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (Consequential and Related
Amendments) Act 2018 (Act No. 3, 2018)
Assent date 21 February 2018
Commenced 30 November 2018 (s 2, s 2 Independent Commissioner
Against Corruption Act 2017 (Act No. 23, 2017) and Gaz S94
30 November 2018)
Criminal Code Amendment (Intimate Images) Act 2018 (Act No. 6, 2018)
Assent date 19 April 2018
Commenced 9 May 2018 (Gaz G19, 9 May 2018, p 8)
Health Practitioner Regulation (National Uniform Legislation) and Other Legislation
Amendment Act 2018 (Act No. 28, 2018)
Assent date 30 November 2018
Commenced 1 December 2018 (s 2)
Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration and Other Legislation Amendment 2018 (Act
No. 30, 2018)
Assent date 5 December 2018
Commenced 6 December 2018 (s 2)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 2019 (Act No. 9, 2019)
Assent date 28 March 2019
Commenced 24 April 2019 (Gaz G17, 24 April 2019, p 3)
Criminal Code Further Amendment Act 2019 (Act No. 10, 2019)
Assent date 28 March 2019
Commenced 28 March 2019
Statute Law Revision and Repeals Act 2019 (Act No. 33, 2019)
Assent date 6 November 2019
Commenced pts 2 and 3: 11 December 2019 (Gaz G50,
11 December 2019, p 2); rem: 7 November 2019 (s 2)
-- 377 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 352
Local Government Act 2019 (Act No. 39, 2019)
Assent date 13 December 2019
Commenced pt 8.6: 1 July 2022; rem: 1 July 2021 (Gaz S27,
30 June 2021)
Justice Legislation Amendment (Domestic and Family Violence) Act 2020 (Act No. 18,
2020)
Assent date 1 July 2020
Commenced 29 July 2020 (Gaz G29, 22 July 2020, p 1)
Statute Law Revision Act 2020 (Act No. 26, 2020)
Assent date 19 November 2020
Commenced 20 November 2020 (s 2)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 2021 (Act No. 6, 2021)
Assent date 13 April 2021
Commenced 17 May 2021 (Gaz G19, 12 May 2021, p 1)
Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (Act No. 26,
2021)
Assent date 15 December 2021
Commenced 16 December 2021 (s 2)
Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2022 (Act No. 1, 2022)
Assent date 1 March 2022
Commenced 4 May 2022 (Gaz S20, 29 April 2022)
Surrogacy Act 2022 (Act No. 8, 2022)
Assent date 26 May 2022
Commenced 20 December 2022 (Gaz S66, 20 December 2022)
Burial and Cremation Act 2022 (Act No. 16, 2022)
Assent date 9 August 2022
Commenced 28 November 2022 (Gaz S60, 23 November 2022)
Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2022 (Act No. 20, 2022)
Assent date 12 September 2022
Commenced 1 November 2022 (Gaz G42, 26 October 2022, p 1)
Criminal Code Amendment (Property Offences) Act 2022 (Act No. 24, 2022)
Assent date 31 October 2022
Commenced 30 April 2023 (Gaz G8, 13 April 2023, p 1)
Criminal Code Amendment (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Act 2022 (Act No. 30, 2022)
Assent date 16 December 2022
Commenced 1 August 2023 (Gaz S50, 24 July 2023)
Statute Revision Act 2023 (Act No. 4, 2023)
Assent date 2 March 2023
Commenced 3 March 2023 (s 2)
Trespass Act 2023 (Act No. 7, 2023)
Assent date 6 April 2023
Commenced 1 May 2023 (Gaz G9, 27 April 2023, p 1)
-- 378 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 353
Statute Law Amendment (Succession of the Crown) Act 2023 (Act No. 10, 2023)
Assent date 20 April 2023
Commenced 21 April 2023 (s 2)
Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences) Act 2023 (Act No. 20, 2023)
Assent date 17 August 2023
Commenced 25 March 2024 (Gaz S20, 22 March 2024)
Justice Legislation Amendment (Domestic and Family Violence) Act 2023 (Act No. 33,
2023)
Assent date 6 December 2023
Commenced 25 March 2024 (Gaz S18, 22 March 2024)
Amending Legislation
Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (Act No. 4, 2024)
Assent date 14 March 2024
Commenced pt 5, div 1: 30 October 2023 (s 2(2));
pt 3, div 2: 25 March 2024 (s 2(3), s 2 Sentencing and
Other Legislation Amendment Act 2022 (Act No. 28,
2022) and Gaz S19, 22 March 2024);
pt 4: 25 March 2024 (s 2(4), s 2 Criminal Justice
Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences) Act 2023
(Act No. 20, 2023) and Gaz S20, 22 March 2024);
rem: 15 March 2024 (s 2(1))
Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (Act No. 4, 2024)
Assent date 14 March 2024
Commenced pt 5, div 1: 30 October 2023 (s 2(2));
pt 3, div 2: 25 March 2024 (s 2(3), s 2 Sentencing and Other
Legislation Amendment Act 2022 (Act No. 28, 2022) and
Gaz S19, 22 March 2024); pt 4: 25 March 2024 (s 2(4), s 2
Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences)
Act 2023 (Act No. 20, 2023) and Gaz S20, 22 March 2024);
rem: 15 March 2024 (s 2(1))
Racing and Wagering Act 2024 (Act No. 8, 2024)
Assent date 9 April 2024
Commenced 1 July 2024 (Gaz G13, 20 June 2024, p 1)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 2024 (Act No. 18, 2024)
Assent date 29 October 2024
Commenced 30 October 2024 (s 2)
Attorney-General Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (Act No. 14, 2025)
Assent date 6 June 2025
Commenced 1 August 2025 (Gaz G14, 10 July 2025, p 1)
Animal Protection and Related Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (Act No. 22, 2025)
Assent date 12 September 2025
Commenced 3 November 2025 (Gaz G22, 30 October 2025, p 1)
-- 379 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 354
3 SAVINGS AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
s 5 Criminal Code Amendment Act 1991 (Act No. 1, 1991)
s 4 Criminal Code Amendment Act (No. 2) 1995 (Act No. 63, 1995)
s 6 Criminal Code Amendment (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried)
Act 2002 (Act No. 11, 2002)
s 7 Criminal Code Amendment Act 2003 (Act No. 4, 2004)
4 GENERAL AMENDMENTS
General amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table
of amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation
Amendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: ss 1, 4 and 6 and sch 1 – ss 1,
28, 43A, 43M, 43ZA, 43ZG, 43ZI, 75A, 79, 112, 113, 119, 125A, 157, 174FB,
208A, 226, note for pt VII, div 2A, 236, 244, 341A, 383, 388, 425, 441 and
453.
5 LIST OF AMENDMENTS
s 6 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
SCHEDULE I
s 1 amd No. 9, 1984, s 2; No. 29, 1990, s 7; No. 28, 1993, s 3; No. 84, 1993, s 3;
No. 13, 1994, s 3; No. 65, 2001, s 3; No. 38, 2002, s 6; No. 37, 2005, s 4;
No. 34, 2006, s 4; No. 36, 2006, s 14; No. 4, 2007, s 2; No. 5, 2011, s 4;
No. 24, 2013, s 4; No. 9, 2014, s 4; No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 9, 2016, s 67;
No. 3, 2018, s 8; No. 6, 2018, s 4; No. 30, 2018, s 9; No. 9, 2019, s 4; No. 39,
2019, s 370; No. 24, 2022, s 4; No. 10, 2023, s 5; No. 20, 2023, s 4; No. 8,
2024, s 321; No. 14, 2025, s 33; No. 22, 2025, s 30
s 1A ins No. 37, 2005, s 5
ss 1B – 1C ins No. 34, 2006, s 5
s 3 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 34, 2006, s 6; No. 23, 2013, s 8
sub No. 9, 2016, s 68
s 6 rep No. 11, 2002, s 3
s 7 sub No. 9, 1984, s 3
s 10 amd No. 37, 2005, s 19
s 12 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 13 amd No. 30, 2018, s 10
s 14 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 16 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
pt I
div 5 hdg amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
ss 17 – 18 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 19 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 37, 2005, s 19; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 20 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 21 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 22 amd No. 66, 1988, s 6
s 26 amd No. 37, 2005, s 19
s 27 amd No. 1, 1996, s 2; No. 27, 2001, s 5; No. 37, 2005, s 19
s 28 amd No. 12, 1996, s 3; No. 27, 2001, s 5; No. 37, 2005, s 19; No. 36, 2006,
s 15; No. 27, 2014, s 57
s 29 amd No. 75, 1991, s 3
rep No. 85, 1998, s 3
ins No. 27, 2001, s 3
amd No. 37, 2005, s 19
-- 380 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 355
s 31 amd No. 12, 1996, s 6; No. 13, 2005, s 4; No. 37, 2005, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 33 amd No. 34, 2006, s 7
s 34 amd No. 37, 2005, s 19
rep No. 34, 2006, s 8
ss 35 – 36 rep No. 11, 2002, s 3
s 37 amd No. 24, 2006, s 3
rep No. 34, 2006, s 8
s 38 sub No. 30, 2022, s 4; No. 18, 2024, s 4
s 38A ins No. 30, 2022, s 4
amd No. 18, 2024, s 5
s 40 amd No. 12, 1996, s 6; No. 37, 2005, s 19; No. 34, 2006, s 9; No. 9, 2016,
s 74
s 41 amd No. 12, 1996, s 6
rep No. 34, 2006, s 10
s 42 rep No. 32, 2011, s 14
s 43 amd No. 12, 1996, s 6
pt IIAA hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
pt IIAA
div 1 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
s 43AA ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
amd No. 34, 2006, s 11; No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 26, 2020, s 3; No. 6, 2021, s 4
pt IIAA
div 2 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
pt IIAA
div 2
subdiv 1 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
ss 43AB –
43AC ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
s 43ACA ins No. 26, 2008, s 4
pt IIAA
div 2
subdiv 2 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
ss 43AD –
43AG ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
s 43AGA ins No. 24, 2022, s 5
pt IIAA
div 2
subdiv 3 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
ss 43AH –
43AM ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
pt IIAA
div 2
subdiv 4 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
ss 43AN –
43AO ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
pt IIAA
div 3 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
pt IIAA
div 3
subdiv 1 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
s 43AP ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
sub No. 30, 2022, s 5; No. 18, 2024, s 6
s 43AQ ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
sub No. 30, 2022, s 5
amd No. 18, 2024, s 7
pt IIAA
div 3
subdiv 2 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
-- 381 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 356
ss 43AR –
43AV ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
pt IIAA
div 3
subdiv 3 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
ss 43AW –
43AZ ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
pt IIAA
div 3
subdiv 4 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
ss 43BA –
43BE ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
pt IIAA
div 4 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
s 43BF ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
amd No. 6, 2021, s 5
s 43BG ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
amd No. 6, 2021, s 6
s 43BGA ins No. 6, 2021, s 7
s 43BH ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
amd No. 6, 2021, s 8
s 43BI ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
amd No. 23, 2013, s 8
s 43BJ ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
amd No. 34, 2006, s 12; No. 6, 2008, s 3
s 43BJA ins No. 34, 2006, s 13
amd No. 6, 2021, s 9
pt IIAA
div 5 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
s 43BK ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
amd No. 20, 2023, s 17
ss 43BL –
43BP ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
pt IIAA
div 6 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
ss 43BQ –
43BX ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
pt IIAA
div 7 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
ss 43BY –
43CD ins No. 37, 2005, s 7
pt IIA hdg ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
pt IIA
div 1 hdg ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43A ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 35, 2010, s 3; No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 15, 2016,
s 117
s 43B ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
pt IIA
div 2 hdg ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
ss 43C – 43D ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43E ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 8, 2017, s 4
ss 43F – 43H ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43I ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 35, 2010, s 4; No. 27, 2014, s 57
pt IIA
div 3 hdg ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
-- 382 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 357
ss 43J – 43L ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43M ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 31, 2010, s 28; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 43N ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43O ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 35, 2010, s 5; No. 27, 2014, s 57
ss 43P – 43Q ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43R ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 35, 2010, s 6; No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 8, 2017, s 5
ss 43S – 43U ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
pt IIA
div 4 hdg ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
ss 43V – 43X ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
ss 43XA –
43XB ins No. 8, 2017, s 6
s 43Y ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 35, 2010, s 7; No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 8, 2017, s 7
pt IIA
div 5 hdg ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43Z ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 8, 2017, s 8
s 43ZA ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 35, 2010, s 8; No. 11, 2012, s 12; No. 27, 2014, s 57
s 43ZB ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 35, 2010, s 9
s 43ZC ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43ZD ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 35, 2010, s 10; No. 27, 2014, s 57
s 43ZE ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 35, 2010, s 11; No. 27, 2014, s 57
s 43ZF ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 27, 2014, s 57
s 43ZG ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 4, 2004, s 3; No. 35, 2010, s 12; No. 27, 2014, s 57
s 43ZH ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43ZI ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 11, 2012, s 13
pt IIA
div 6 hdg ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43ZJ ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43ZK ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 35, 2010, s 13
s 43ZL ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
sub No. 4, 2004, s 4
pt IIA
div 7 hdg ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43ZLA ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 35, 2010, s 14
s 43ZM ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43ZN ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
amd No. 4, 2004, s 5; No. 44, 2005, s 5; No. 35, 2010, s 15
pt IIA
div 8 hdg ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43ZO ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
sub No. 35, 2010, s 16
s 43ZP ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
s 43ZPA ins No. 35, 2010, s 17
s 43ZQ ins No. 11, 2002, s 4
-- 383 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 358
ss 45 – 46 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 47 amd No. 29, 1990, s 7; No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 50 amd No. 9, 1984, s 4; No. 37, 2005, s 19
s 51 sub No. 9, 1984, s 5
amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 52 sub No. 9, 1984, s 5
s 53 amd No. 9, 1984, s 6
s 55 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 65 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 66 sub No. 36, 2006, s 16
ss 67 – 68 rep No. 36, 2006, s 16
s 69 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 70 amd No. 37, 2005, s 19; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 71 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 72 amd No. 34, 2006, s 14; No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 20, 2023, s 5
s 72A ins No. 20, 2023, s 6
ss 73 – 75 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
pt IV
div 1 hdg sub No. 3, 2018, s 9
pt IV
div 1
sdiv 1 hdg ins No. 3, 2018, s 9
s 75A ins No. 3, 2018, s 9
amd No. 24, 2022, s 6
ss 75B – 75D ins No. 3, 2018, s 9
pt IV
div 1
sdiv 2 hdg ins No. 3, 2018, s 9
s 76 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 3, 2018, s 9
pt IV
div 2 hdg rep No. 3, 2018, s 9
ss 77 – 78 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 3, 2018, s 9
s 79 amd No. 28, 1993, s 3; No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 3, 2018, s 9
amd No. 39, 2019, s 370
s 80 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 3, 2018, s 9
s 81 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 3, 2018, s 9
amd No. 24, 2022, s 7
s 82 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 3, 2018, s 9
s 83 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 84 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 3, 2018, s 10
s 85 amd No. 40, 2010, s 21; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 86 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 86A ins No. 3, 2018, s 11
ss 87 – 88 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 89 amd No. 84, 1993, s 3; No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
ss 90 – 91 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 92 amd No. 28, 1993, s 3; No. 9, 2016, s 74
ss 93 – 94 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 95 amd No. 40, 2010, s 22; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 96 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 97 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
-- 384 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 359
s 98 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
ss 99 – 103 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 103A ins No. 25, 2002, s 3
sub No. 32, 2009, s 89
amd No. 24, 2022, s 8
s 104 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 105 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 106 amd No. 12, 1988, s 2; No. 9, 2016, s 74
ss 107 – 108 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 109 amd No. 12, 2010, s 3; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 110 amd No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 111 amd No. 44, 1989, s 3; No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 112 amd No. 44, 1989, s 4; No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2013, s 121; No. 9, 2016,
s 74
s 113 amd No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 20, 2023, s 17
s 114 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 115 amd No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 9, 2016, s 74
ss 116 – 117 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 118 amd No. 40, 2010, s 23; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 119 amd No. 40, 2010, s 24; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 120 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
ss 121 – 124 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 125 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 16, 2022, s 222
pt V
div 2 hdg amd No. 20, 2023, s 17
sub No. 22, 2025, s 31
pt V
div 2
subdiv 1 hdg ins No. 13, 1996, s 2
sub No. 55, 2004, s 3
om No. 20, 2023, s 17
s 125A ins No. 13, 1996, s 2
amd No. 37, 1996, s 2; No. 55, 2004, s 4; No. 25, 2008, s 29; No. 1, 2014,
s 4; No. 20, 2023, s 17; No. 22, 2025, s 32
s 125AB ins No. 1, 2014, s 5
amd No. 22, 2025, s 33
s 125AC ins No. 1, 2014, s 5
amd No. 22, 2025, s 34
s 125B ins No. 13, 1996, s 2
amd No. 37, 1996, s 3
sub No. 55, 2004, s 5
amd No. 1, 2014, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 20, 2023, s 7
s 125C ins No. 13, 1996, s 2
amd No. 23, 2013, s 8
sub No. 20, 2023, s 7
s 125D ins No. 37, 1996, s 4
sub No. 26, 2015, s 15; No. 20, 2023, s 7
s 125DA ins No. 22, 2025, s 35
s 125E ins No. 55, 2004, s 6
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 20, 2023, s 7
amd No. 22, 2025, s 36
s 125F ins No. 55, 2004, s 6
amd No. 20, 2023, s 8; No. 22, 2025, s 37
-- 385 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 360
pt V
div 2
subdiv 2 hdg ins No. 13, 1996, s 2
rep No. 20, 2023, s 9
pt V
div 2A hdg ins No. 20, 2023, s 9
s 126 amd No. 13, 1994, s 4; No. 1, 2004, s 4
sub No. 20, 2023, s 9
s 127 amd No. 13, 1994, s 14
sub No. 1, 2004, s 5
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 20, 2023, s 9
s 128 amd No. 13, 1994, s 14
sub No. 1, 2004, s 5
amd No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 30, 2018, s 11
rep No. 20, 2023, s 9
s 129 amd No. 13, 1994, s 14
rep No. 1, 2004, s 5
s 130 amd No. 13, 1994, s 5
sub No. 11, 1996, s 3
amd No. 1, 2004, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 30, 2018, s 12
rep No. 20, 2023, s 9
s 131 amd No. 13, 1994, s 6; No. 11, 1996, s 4; No. 1, 2004, s 7; No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 20, 2023, s 9
s 131A ins No. 13, 1994, s 7
amd No. 1, 2004, s 8; No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 20, 2023, s 9
s 132 sub No. 13, 1994, s 8
amd No. 1, 2004, s 9; No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 20, 2023, s 9
s 133 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 20, 2023, s 9
s 134 amd No. 13, 1994, s 14
sub No. 1, 2004, s 10
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 20, 2023, s 9
s 135 amd No. 13, 1994, s 14
rep No. 1, 2004, s 11
s 136 rep No. 4, 1992, s 3
s 137 sub No. 83, 1992, s 2
rep No. 13, 1996, s 3
s 137A ins No. 83, 1992, s 2
rep No. 13, 1996, s 3
s 138 amd No. 13, 1994, s 9; No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 20, 2023, s 9
s 139 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 20, 2023, s 9
s 139A ins No. 13, 1994, s 10
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 20, 2023, s 9
s 140 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 20, 2023, s 9
ss 141 – 147 rep No. 17, 1990, s 3
s 148 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
pt V
div 4 hdg ins No. 8, 1999, s 3
s 148A ins No. 8, 1999, s 3
-- 386 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 361
ss 148B –
148D ins No. 8, 1999, s 3
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 148E ins No. 8, 1999, s 3
pt V
div 5 hdg ins No. 6, 2021, s 10
s 148F ins No. 6, 2021, s 10
pt VI
div 1A hdg ins No. 27, 2001, s 4
sub No. 34, 2006, s 15
pt VI
div 1A
subdiv 1 hdg ins No. 34, 2006, s 15
s 149A ins No. 27, 2001, s 4
pt VI
div 1A
subdiv 2 hdg ins No. 34, 2006, s 16
s 149B ins No. 34, 2006, s 16
amd No. 6, 2018, s 5; No. 20, 2023, s 17
s 149C ins No. 34, 2006, s 16
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
pt VI
div 2 hdg sub No. 13, 2005, s 5; No. 37, 2005, s 8
s 154 amd No. 9, 1984, s 7; No. 1, 1991, s 4
rep No. 37, 2005, s 9
s 155 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 155A ins No. 13, 2005, s 6
amd No. 5, 2007 s 37; No. 9, 2016, s 74
pt VI
div 3 hdg amd No. 4, 2023, s 23
s 156 sub No. 34, 2006, s 17
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 157 sub No. 34, 2006, s 17
amd No. 5, 2007 s 37; No. 9, 2016, s 74
ss 158 – 159 sub No. 34, 2006, s 17
s 160 amd No. 37, 2005, s 19
sub No. 34, 2006, s 17
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 161 sub No. 34, 2006, s 17
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 161A ins No. 25, 2012, s 4
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 162 amd No. 55, 1995, s 3; No. 37, 2005, s 19
sub No. 34, 2006, s 17
s 163 sub No. 37, 2005, s 10; No. 34, 2006, s 17
s 164 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
sub No. 3, 2004, s 4
amd No. 33, 2005, s 5
rep No. 34, 2006, s 17
ss 165 – 166 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 167 rep No. 34, 2006, s 18
s 168 amd No. 1, 1996, s 3
rep No. 34, 2006, s 18
s 169 rep No. 1, 1996, s 4
s 170 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
ss 171 – 174 rep No. 34, 2006, s 18
-- 387 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 362
pt VI
div 3A hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 12
amd No. 29, 2014, s 4; No. 21, 2017, s 4
pt VI
div 3A
subdiv 1 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 12
s 174A ins No. 37, 2005, s 12
rep No. 34, 2006, s 18
s 174B ins No. 37, 2005, s 12
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 174FC ins No. 21, 2017, s 5
pt VI
div 3A
subdiv 2 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 12
ss 174C –
174E ins No. 37, 2005, s 12
amd No. 23, 2013, s 8; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 174F ins No. 37, 2005, s 12
amd No. 23, 2013, s 8; No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 1, 2022, s 4
s 174FA ins No. 26, 2008, s 5
amd No. 4, 2014, s 4; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 174FB ins No. 29, 2014, s 5
pt VI
div 3A
subdiv 3 hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 12
s 174G ins No. 37, 2005, s 12
amd No. 27, 2014, s 57
s 174H ins No. 37, 2005, s 12
pt VI
div 4 hdg sub No. 37, 2005, s 13; No. 10, 2008, s 4
ss 175 – 176 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 176A ins No. 10, 2008, s 5
s 177 amd No. 37, 2005, s 19; No. 5, 2007, s 37; No. 24, 2010, s 4; No. 9, 2016,
s 74
ss 178 – 180 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 180A ins No. 26, 2008, s 6
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
ss 181 – 182 amd No. 37, 2005, s 19; No. 9, 2016, s 74
ss 183 – 184 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 185 amd No. 37, 2005, s 19; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 186 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 37, 2005, s 19; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 186AA ins No. 18, 2020, s 6
pt VI
div 4A hdg ins No. 63, 1995, s 3
s 186A ins No. 63, 1995, s 3
amd No. 27, 1999, s 4; No. 44, 2005, s 6; No. 18, 2010, s 89; No. 17, 2012,
s 55; No. 28, 2018, s 25
s 186B ins No. 63, 1995, s 3
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 186C ins No. 63, 1995, s 3
amd No. 26, 2013, s 4; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 186D ins No. 63, 1995, s 3
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 187 amd No. 37, 2005, s 19; No. 9, 2019, s 5
s 188 sub No. 9, 1984, s 8
amd No. 13, 1994, s 11; No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 37, 2005, s 19; No. 9, 2008,
s 4; No. 3, 2013, s 4; No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 33, 2023, s 46; No. 20, 2023,
s 10
-- 388 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 363
s 188A ins No. 3, 2013, s 5
amd No. 9, 2016, s 7; No. 9, 2019, s 6; No. 20, 2022, s 4
s 189A ins No. 12, 1994, s 3
amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 37, 2005, s 19; No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 9, 2019, s 7
s 189 rep No. 9, 1984, s 8
ins No. 11, 1994, s 3
amd No. 65, 2001, s 4
s 190 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 18, 2017, s 33
s 191 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 192 sub No. 13, 1994, s 12
amd No. 37, 2005, s 14; No. 23, 2013, s 8; No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 20, 2023, s 11
ss 192A –
192B ins No. 13, 1994, s 12
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 20, 2023, s 11
s 193 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
pt VI
div 5A hdg ins No. 24, 2022, s 9
ss 193A –
193B ins No. 24, 2022, s 9
s 194 amd No. 37, 2005, s 19; No. 9, 2016, s 74
ss 195 – 200 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 201 amd No. 13, 1994, s 14; No. 1, 2004, s 11; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 202 amd No. 1, 2004, s 12; No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 8, 2022, s 66
pt VI
div 6A hdg ins No. 4, 2002, s 3
s 202A ins No. 4, 2002, s 3
ss 202B –
202E ins No. 4, 2002, s 3
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
ss 204 – 208 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
pt VI
div 7A hdg ins No. 6, 2018, s 6
amd No. 20, 2023, s 17
s 208AA ins No. 6, 2018, s 6
amd No. 20, 2023, s 17
s 208AAB ins No. 20, 2023, s 12
s 208AB ins No. 6, 2018, s 6
amd No. 20, 2023, s 17
ss 208AC –
208AE ins No. 6, 2018, s 6
pt VI
div 8 hdg ins No. 34, 2006, s 19
sub No. 7, 2017, s 20
s 208A ins No. 34, 2006, s 19
sub No. 7, 2017, s 20
amd No. 28, 2018, s 25; No. 26, 2021, s 12
ss 208B –
208C ins No. 34, 2006, s 19
rep No. 7, 2017, s 20
pt VI
div 9 hdg ins No. 34, 2006, s 19
s 208D
ins No. 34, 2006, s 19
s 208E ins No. 34, 2006, s 19
amd No. 27, 2014, s 57
s 208F ins No. 34, 2006, s 19
-- 389 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 364
pt VIA hdg ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
pt VIA
div 1 hdg ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
s 208G ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
amd No. 4, 2024, s 73
ss 208GA –
208GE ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
pt VIA
div 2 hdg ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
ss 208H –
208HF ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
pt VIA
div 3 hdg ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
ss 208J –
208JM ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
pt VIA
div 4 hdg ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
ss 208K –
208KE ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
pt VIA
div 5 hdg ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
ss 208L –
208LG ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
pt VIA
div 6 hdg ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
ss 208M –
208MC ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
pt VIA
div 7 hdg ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
s 208N ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
amd No. 22, 2025, s 38
s208NA ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
pt VIA
div 8 hdg ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
ss 208P –
208PF ins No. 20, 2023, s 13
pt VII
div 1 hdg sub No. 24, 2022, s 10
pt VII
div 1
sdiv 1 hdg ins No. 24, 2022, s 10
s 209 sub No. 24, 2022, s 10
s 210 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 24, 2022, s 10
ss 211 – 212 amd No. 37, 2005, s 19; No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 24, 2022, s 10
s 213 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 24, 2022, s 10
s 214 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 24, 2022, s 10
ss 215 – 216 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 24, 2022, s 10
pt VII
div 1
sdiv 2 hdg ins No. 24, 2022, s 10
ss 217 – 225 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 24, 2022, s 10
-- 390 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 365
s 226 amd No. 37, 2010, s 13; No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 24, 2022, s 10
pt VII
div 1A hdg ins No. 52, 2001, s 4
rep No. 24, 2022, s 10
ss 226A –
226B ins No. 52, 2001, s 4
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 24, 2022, s 10
pt VII
div 2 hdg rep No. 24, 2022, s 10
s 227 amd No. 65, 2001, s 5; No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 24, 2022, s 10
s 228 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 24, 2022, s 10
ss 228AA –
228AB ins No. 24, 2022, s 10
pt VII
div 2 hdg ins No. 24, 2022, s 10
pt VII
div 2
sdiv 1 hdg ins No. 24, 2022, s 10
ss 228AC –
228AG ins No. 24, 2022, s 10
pt VII
div 2
sdiv 2 hdg ins No. 24, 2022, s 10
ss 228AH –
228AO ins No. 24, 2022, s 10
pt VII
div 2A hdg ins No. 9, 2014, s 5
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
ss 228A –
228B ins No. 9, 2014, s 5
ss 228C –
228E ins No. 9, 2014, s 5
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 228F ins No. 9, 2014, s 5
pt VII
div 3 hdg sub No. 24, 2022, s 11
ss 229 – 231 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 24, 2022, s 11
pt VII
div 3A hdg ins No. 59, 2004, s 3
rep No. 24, 2022, s 11
s 231A ins No. 59, 2004, s 3
rep No. 24, 2022, s 11
ss 231B –
231E ins No. 59, 2004, s 3
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 24, 2022, s 11
s 231F ins No. 59, 2004, s 3
rep No. 24, 2022, s 11
pt VII
div 4 hdg rep No. 24, 2022, s 11
ss 232 – 235 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 24, 2022, s 11
-- 391 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 366
pt VII
div 5 hdg rep No. 24, 2022, s 11
s 236 amd No. 7, 2007, s 16; No. 36, 2013, s 139; No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 24, 2022, s 11
s 236A ins No. 24, 2022, s 11
s 237 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 24, 2022, s 11
pt VII
div 4 hdg ins No. 24, 2022, s 11
ss 236B –
236D ins No. 24, 2022, s 11
pt VII
div 5 hdg ins No. 24, 2022, s 11
ss 236E –
236N ins No. 24, 2022, s 11
pt VII
div 5A hdg ins No. 24, 2013, s 5
sub No. 8, 2024, s 322
pt VII
div 5A
sdiv 1 hdg ins No. 24, 2013, s 5
sub No. 8, 2024, s 322
ss 237A –
237F ins No. 24, 2013, s 5
sub No. 8, 2024, s 322
pt VII
div 5A
sdiv 2 hdg ins No. 24, 2013, s 5
sub No. 8, 2024, s 322
s 237G ins No. 24, 2013, s 5
sub No. 8, 2024, s 322
ss 237H –
237L ins No. 24, 2013, s 5
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 8, 2024, s 322
s 237M ins No. 24, 2013, s 5
sub No. 8, 2024, s 322
s 237N ins No. 24, 2013, s 5
rep No. 8, 2024, s 322
pt VII
div 6 hdg sub No. 5, 2011, s 5
pt VII
div 6
sdiv 1 hdg ins No. 5, 2011, s 5
ss 238 – 240 sub No. 5, 2011, s 5
s 240A ins No. 29, 2009, s 4
rep No. 5, 2011, s 5
pt VII
div 6
sdiv 2 hdg ins No. 5, 2011, s 5
s 241 sub No. 5, 2011, s 5
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 24, 2022, s 12
s 241A ins No. 18, 2024, s 8
ss 242 – 243 sub No. 5, 2011, s 5
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 244 sub No. 5, 2011, s 5
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 14, 2016, s 120
s 245 sub No. 5, 2011, s 5
-- 392 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 367
ss 246 – 247 sub No. 5, 2011, s 5
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
pt VII
div 6
sdiv 3 hdg ins No. 5, 2011, s 5
ss 248 – 249 sub No. 5, 2011, s 5
pt VII
div 7 hdg ins No. 24, 2022, s 13
s 250 rep No. 5, 2011, s 5
ins No. 24, 2022, s 13
s 251 amd No. 52, 2001, s 5
rep No. 5, 2011, s 5
ins No. 24, 2022, s 13
ss 252 – 255 rep No. 5, 2011, s 5
ins No. 24, 2022, s 13
pt VII
div 8 hdg ins No. 24, 2022, s 13
ss 256 – 257 rep No. 5, 2011, s 5
ins No. 24, 2022, s 13
pt VII
div 7 hdg rep No. 24, 2022, s 13
ss 258 – 266 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 24, 2022, s 13
s 267 rep No. 27, 1996, s 4
s 268 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 24, 2022, s 13
s 269 amd No. 48, 1999, s 3; No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 24, 2022, s 13
pt VII
div 8 hdg rep No. 24, 2022, s 13
ss 270 – 271 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
pt VII
div 9 hdg rep No. 24, 2022, s 13
ss 272 – 275 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 24, 2022, s 13
pt VII
div 10 hdg sub No. 65, 2001, s 6; No. 24, 2022, s 14
s 276 sub No. 65, 2001, s 6
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 276A ins No. 65, 2001, s 6
ss 276B –
276D ins No. 65, 2001, s 6
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 276E ins No. 65, 2001, s 6
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 24, 2022, s 15
s 276F ins No. 65, 2001, s 6
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
pt VIIA
div 2 hdg ins No. 24, 2022, s 16
s 276G ins No. 24, 2022, s 16
pt VIIA
div 3 hdg ins No. 18, 2024, s 9
s 276H ins No. 18, 2024, s 9
s 277 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 69
s 278 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 279 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
rep No. 9, 1999, s 3
s 281 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
-- 393 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 368
s 282 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
ss 283 – 284 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 285 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 286 amd No. 12, 2010, s 3; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 287 rep No. 34, 2006, s 20
ss 288 – 289 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 291 sub No. 30, 2018, s 13
s 292 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 293 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 294 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 70
pt IX
div 1 hdg amd No. 9, 1984, s 9
s 295 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 296 amd No. 9, 1984, s 10
rep No. 9, 2016, s 71
s 297 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 297A ins No. 9, 1984, s 11
s 298 amd No. 29, 1990, s 7; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 299 amd No. 9, 1984, s 12; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 301 amd No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 302 amd No. 29, 1990, s 7; No. 3, 2000, s 4
s 308 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 309 amd No. 22, 2014, s 4; No. 24, 2022, s 17
s 310 amd No. 44, 1989, s 5; No. 24, 2022, s 18
s 314 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 315 amd No. 9, 1984, s 13; No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 316 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 37, 2005, s 15; No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 21, 2017,
s 6; No. 9, 2019, s 8
s 317 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 34, 2006, s 21; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 318 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 44, 2003, s 5; No. 37, 2005, s 16; No. 9, 2016,
s 74
s 319 amd No. 9, 1984, s 14; No. 13, 1994, s 13; No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 1, 2004,
s 13; No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 20, 2023, s 14
s 320 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 321 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 322 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
sub No. 24, 2022, s 19
s 323 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
sub No. 9, 1999, s 4; No. 24, 2022, s 19
ss 324 – 325 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
ss 326 – 327 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 328 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
sub No. 24, 2022, s 20
s 329 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
pt IX
div 4 hdg sub No. 9, 2009, s 3
s 331 amd No. 48, 1986, s 9; No. 29, 1990, s 7
s 331A ins No. 9, 2009, s 4
amd No. 40, 2010, s 25
s 331B ins No. 3, 2014, s 4
s 332 amd No. 9, 1984, s 15
s 333 sub No. 9, 1984, s 16
s 334 amd No. 40, 2010, s 26
s 336 amd No. 9, 1984, s 17; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 341 amd No. 40, 2010, s 27; No. 22, 2014, s 5; No. 33, 2023, s 47
s 341A ins No. 22, 2014, s 6
s 341B ins No. 33, 2023, s 48
-- 394 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 369
s 342 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 344 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 345 amd No. 9, 1984, s 18
ss 346 – 347 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 348 amd No. 79, 1998, s 3
s 348A ins No. 79, 1998, s 4
s 350 amd No. 40, 2010, s 28
s 351A ins No. 2, 2008, s 7
s 352 amd No. 40, 2010, s 29
s 353 amd No. 40, 2010, s 30
s 356 amd No. 40, 2010, s 31
s 357 amd No. 9, 1984, s 19
rep No. 11, 2002, s 5
s 358 amd No. 40, 2010, s 32
s 359 amd No. 40, 2010, s 33
s 363 sub No. 5, 2007, s 10
s 365 amd No. 5, 2007, s 11; No. 40, 2010, s 34
s 366 amd No. 5, 2007, s 12
s 367 amd No. 40, 2010, s 35
s 369 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 371 amd No. 9, 1984, s 20; No. 9, 2009, s 5; No. 40, 2010, s 36
s 372 sub No. 5, 2007, s 13
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 373 amd No. 4, 1997, s 3
s 374 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 376 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 377 sub No. 1, 2004, s 14
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
rep No. 20, 2023, s 14
s 379 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 380 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 382 amd No. 33, 1996, s 3
rep No. 11, 2002, s 5
s 383 amd No. 9, 1984, s 21; No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 44, 2003, s 5
s 385 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
sub No. 24, 2022, s 21
s 386 rep No. 9, 1984, s 22
s 387 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
pt IX
div 7 hdg ins No. 11, 2014, s 4
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 388 amd No. 9, 1984, s 23
rep No. 17, 1996, s 6
ins No. 11, 2014, s 4
sub No. 9, 2016, s 72
ss 389 – 391 ins No. 11, 2014, s 4
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
pt X
div 1 hdg rep No. 17, 1996, s 6
ss 389 – 392 rep No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 393 amd No. 9, 1984, s 24; No. 12, 1996, s 4
rep No. 17, 1996, s 6
ss 394 – 395 rep No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 396 amd No. 9, 1984, s 25
rep No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 397 amd No. 71, 1989, s 2
rep No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 398 rep No. 17, 1996, s 6
-- 395 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 370
s 399 amd No. 71, 1989, s 3
rep No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 400 amd No. 71, 1989, s 4; No. 29, 1990, s 7; No. 72, 1991, s 2
rep No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 400A ins No. 71, 1989, s 5
rep No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 401 amd No. 29, 1990, s 7
rep No. 17, 1996, s 6
ss 402 – 405 rep No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 406 amd No. 9, 1984, s 26; No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 4, 2004, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 73
s 407 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 408 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 409 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 410 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 11, 2014, s 5; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 411 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 5, 2015, s 4
s 412 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 44, 2005, s 7; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 412A ins No. 44, 2005, s 8
s 413 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 414 amd No. 29, 1990, s 7; No. 46, 1994, s 3; No. 10, 2011, s 4; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 415 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 417 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 418 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 420 amd No. 3, 2000, s 5
s 421 amd No. 29, 1990, s 7
s 423 amd No. 3, 2000, s 6
s 424 amd No. 29, 1990, s 7
s 425 amd No. 27, 2014, s 57
s 426 amd No. 29, 1990, s 7; No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 27, 2014, s 57
s 428 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74; No. 4, 2017, s 34
s 429 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 430 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 431 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 433 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 433A ins No. 42, 1987, s 2
amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 434 amd No. 41, 1992, s 2
rep No. 2, 2008, s 8
s 435 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 435A ins No. 35, 1991, s 3
amd No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 436 amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
s 437 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 438 amd No. 9, 1984, s 27; No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 439 amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
s 441 ins No. 72, 1993, s 3
amd No. 27, 1999, s 4; No. 40, 2010, s 37
s 442 ins No. 72, 1993, s 3
s 443 ins No. 72, 1993, s 3
amd No. 9, 2016, s 74
pt XI hdg ins No. 37, 2005, s 17
sub No. 26, 2013, s 5
pt XI
div 1 hdg ins No. 26, 2013, s 5
s 444 ins No. 37, 2005, s 17
pt XII hdg ins No. 9, 2009, s 6
rep No. 26, 2013, s 6
pt XI
div 2 hdg ins No. 26, 2013, s 6
-- 396 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 371
s 445 ins No. 9, 2009, s 6
pt XIII hdg ins No. 35, 2010, s 18
rep No. 26, 2013, s 7
pt XI
div 3 hdg ins No. 26, 2013, s 7
s 446 ins No. 35, 2010, s 18
pt XI
div 4 hdg ins No. 26, 2013, s 8
s 447 ins No. 26, 2013, s 8
pt XI
div 5 hdg ins No. 3, 2014, s 5
s 448 ins No. 3, 2014, s 5
pt XI
div 6 hdg ins No. 4, 2014, s 5
s 449 ins No. 4, 2014, s 5
pt XI
div 7 hdg ins No. 1, 2014, s 7
s 450 ins No. 1, 2014, s 7
pt XI
div 8 hdg ins No. 11, 2014, s 6
s 451 ins No. 11, 2014, s 6
pt XI
div 9 hdg ins No. 22, 2014, s 7
s 452 ins No. 22, 2014, s 7
pt XI
div 10 hdg ins No. 5, 2015, s 5
s 453 ins No. 5, 2015, s 5
pt XI
div 11 hdg ins No. 26, 2015, s 16
s 454 ins No. 26, 2015, s 16
pt XI
div 12 hdg ins No. 3, 2018, s 12
ss 455 – 457 ins No. 3, 2018, s 12
pt XI
div 13 hdg ins No. 9, 2019, s 9
ss 458 – 460 ins No. 9, 2019, s 9
pt XI
div 14 hdg ins No. 10, 2019, s 4
s 461 ins No. 10, 2019, s 4
amd No. 33, 2019, s 49
pt XI
div 15 hdg ins No. 6, 2021, s 11
s 462 ins No. 6, 2021, s 11
pt XI
div 16 hdg ins No. 20, 2022, s 5
s 463 ins No. 20, 2022, s 5
pt XI
div 17 hdg ins No. 24, 2022, s 22
s 464 ins No. 24, 2022, s 22
pt XI
div 18 hdg ins No. 30, 2022, s 6
s 465 ins No. 30, 2022, s 6
amd No. 18, 2024, s 10
s 466 ins No. 30, 2022, s 6
amd No. 18, 2024, s 11
s 467 ins No. 30, 2022, s 6
amd No. 18, 2024, s 12
s 468 ins No. 30, 2022, s 6
-- 397 of 398 --
ENDNOTES
Criminal Code Act 1983 372
s 469 ins No. 30, 2022, s 6
amd No. 18, 2024, s 13
s 470 ins No. 30, 2022, s 6
amd No. 18, 2024, s 14
ss 471 – 472 ins No. 30, 2022, s 6
s 473 ins No. 30, 2022, s 6
rep No. 18, 2024, s 15
s 474 ins No. 30, 2022, s 6
pt XI
div 19 hdg ins No. 20, 2023, s 15
s 475 ins No. 20, 2023, s 15
pt XI
div 20 hdg ins No. 33, 2023, s 49
ss 476 – 478 ins No. 33, 2023, s 49
pt XI
div 21 hdg ins No. 18, 20224, s 16
ss 479 – 481 ins No. 18, 20224, s 16
sch 1 rep No. 17, 1990, s 3
ins No. 37, 2005, s 18
sub No. 34, 2006, s 22
amd No. 36, 2006, s 17; No. 6, 2008, s 3; No. 10, 2008, s 6; No. 26, 2008,
s 7; No. 29, 2009, s 5; No. 5, 2011, s 6; No. 32, 2009, s 89; No. 24, 2013, s 6;
No. 9, 2014, s 6; No. 29, 2014, s 6; No. 21, 2017, s 6; No. 3, 2018, s 13;
No. 6, 2018, s 7; No. 18, 2020, s 7; No. 6, 2021, s 12; No. 4, 2023, s 23;
No. 24, 2022, s 23; No. 20, 2023, s 16
sch 2 – 3 rep No. 17, 1990, s 3
sch 4 amd No. 12, 1996, s 5
rep No. 5, 2007, s 14
sch 5 rep No. 17, 1996, s 6
-- 398 of 398 --
Official source: https://legislation.nt.gov.au/en/Legislation/CRIMINAL-CODE-ACT-1983