0% found this document useful (0 votes)

29 views615 pages

Act 1899 009

Uploaded by

fishfingers.withnobones

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

0% found this document useful (0 votes)

29 views615 pages

Act 1899 009

Uploaded by

fishfingers.withnobones

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

You are on page 1/ 615

Queensland

Criminal Code Act 1899

Current as at 29 January 2018

Queensland

Criminal Code Act 1899

Contents

Page
1 Short title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
2 Establishment of Code—schedule 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3 Saving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
4 Construction of statutes, statutory rules, and other instruments . 28
5 Provisions of Code exclusive with certain exceptions . . . . . . . . . 29
6 Civil remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7 Offender may be prosecuted under Code or other statute . . . . . 30
8 Contempt of court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Part 1 Introductory
Interpretation—application—general principles
Chapter 1 Interpretation
1 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
2 Definition of offence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
3 Division of offences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
4 Attempts to commit offences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
5 Arrest without warrant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
6 Carnal knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Chapter 2 Parties to offences
7 Principal offenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
8 Offences committed in prosecution of common purpose . . . . . . 48
9 Mode of execution immaterial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
10 Accessories after the fact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
10A Interpretation of ch 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Chapter 3 Application of criminal law
11 Effect of changes in law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
12 Application of Code as to offences wholly or partially committed in
Criminal Code Act 1899

Contents

Queensland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
13 Offences enabled, aided, procured or counselled by persons out of
Queensland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
14 Offences procured in Queensland to be committed out of Queensland
51
15 Defence Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
16 Person not to be twice punished for same offence . . . . . . . . . . . 52
17 Former conviction or acquittal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Chapter 4 Royal prerogative of mercy
18 Royal prerogative of mercy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Chapter 5 Criminal responsibility
22 Ignorance of the law—bona fide claim of right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
23 Intention—motive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
24 Mistake of fact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
25 Extraordinary emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
26 Presumption of sanity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
27 Insanity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
28 Intoxication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
29 Immature age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
30 Judicial officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
31 Justification and excuse—compulsion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
34 Offences by partners and members of companies with respect to
partnership or corporate property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
36 Application of rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 7 Sedition
44 Definition of seditious intention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
45 Innocent intentions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
46 Definition of seditious enterprises etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
51 Unlawful drilling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
52 Sedition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Chapter 8 Offences against the executive and legislative power
53 Evidence of proceedings in the Assembly allowed for prosecution 61
54 Interference with Governor or Ministers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
54A Demands with menaces upon agencies of government . . . . . . . 62
55 Interference with the Legislature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
56 Disturbing the Legislature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Page 2
Criminal Code Act 1899

Contents

56A Disturbance in House when Parliament not sitting . . . . . . . . . . . 65

56B Going armed to Parliament House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
57 False evidence before Parliament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
58 Witness refusing to attend, answer question or produce a thing before
Legislative Assembly or authorised committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
59 Member of Parliament receiving bribes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
60 Bribery of member of Parliament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Chapter 9 Breaches of the peace
60A Participants in criminal organisation being knowingly present in public
places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
60B Participants in criminal organisation entering prescribed places and
attending prescribed events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
61 Riot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
69 Going armed so as to cause fear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
70 Forcible entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
71 Forcible detainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
72 Affray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
74 Prize fight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
75 Threatening violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
76 Recruiting person to become participant in criminal organisation 74
Chapter 9A Consorting
77 Definitions for chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
77A Meaning of consort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
77B Habitually consorting with recognised offenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
77C Particular acts of consorting to be disregarded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Chapter 10 Offences against political liberty
78 Interfering with political liberty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Chapter 11 Piracy
79 Definition of act of piracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
80 Crime of piracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against
office and against public authority
Chapter 12 Unlawfully obtaining or disclosing information
85 Disclosure of official secrets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
86 Obtaining of or disclosure of secret information about the identity of
informant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Chapter 13 Corruption and abuse of office

Page 3
Criminal Code Act 1899

Contents

442G Liability of director etc. acting without authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
442I Penalty on conviction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
442J Court may order withdrawal of trifling or technical cases . . . . . . 286
442K Witness giving answers criminating himself or herself . . . . . . . . 286
442L Certificate to witness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
442M Custom of itself no defence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Chapter 43 Match-fixing
443 Definitions for ch 43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
443A Engaging in match-fixing conduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
443B Facilitating match-fixing conduct or match-fixing arrangement . . 289
443C Offering or giving benefit, or causing or threatening detriment, to engage
in match-fixing conduct or match-fixing arrangement . . . . . . . . . 290
443D Using or disclosing knowledge of match-fixing conduct or match-fixing
arrangement for betting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
443E Encouraging person not to disclose match-fixing conduct or match-fixing
arrangement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
443F Using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
443G Evidentiary provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Chapter 44 Offences analogous to stealing relating to animals
Chapter division 1 Offences relating to animals generally
444A Killing animals with intent to steal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
444B Using registered brands with criminal intention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Chapter division 2 Offences relating to stock
445 Unlawfully using stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
446 Suspicion of stealing stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
447 Illegal branding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
448 Defacing brands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
448A Having in possession stock with defaced brand . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Chapter division 3 Arrest
450A Arrest without warrant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
450B Warrant in first instance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Chapter 44A Special provisions in respect of offences relating to stock
Chapter division 1 Preliminary
450D Definitions for ch 44A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Chapter division 2 Prescribed records
450E Duty of police officer who seizes an animal connected with a charge

Page 14
Criminal Code Act 1899

Contents

300
450EA Admissibility of adequate prescribed record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Chapter division 3 Stock disposal orders
450EB Application for stock disposal order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
450EC Affidavit to accompany application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
450ED When order may be made if party disputes making of order . . . . 303
450EE Order if no dispute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
450EF Content of order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
450EG Security for costs of keeping animal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
450EH Clear title to animal for sale under order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Chapter division 4 Other provisions
450EI Unavailability of animal at trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
450EJ Effect of defendant not objecting to animal’s return to its owner . 306
450F Animal valuers and valuations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
450H Licence disqualification where commission of offence facilitated by
licence or use of vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
450I Forfeiture in cases of conviction for offences under specified sections
309
Division 2 Injuries to property
Chapter 45 Definitions
458 Unlawful acts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
459 Acts done with intent to defraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Chapter 46 Offences
461 Arson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
462 Endangering particular property by fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
463 Setting fire to crops and growing plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
467 Endangering the safe use of vehicles and related transport infrastructure
312
468 Injuring animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
469 Wilful damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
469AA Forfeiture of thing used to record, store or transmit image of graffiti 319
469A Sabotage and threatening sabotage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
470 Attempts to destroy property by explosives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
470A Unlawful deposition of explosive or noxious substances . . . . . . 322
471 Damaging mines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
472 Interfering with marine signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
473 Interfering with navigation works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323

An Act to establish a Code of Criminal Law

Preamble

Whereas it is desirable to declare, consolidate, and amend the

Criminal Law;
Be it enacted and declared by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty,
by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and
Legislative Assembly of Queensland in Parliament assembled, and
by the authority of the same, as follows—

1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Criminal Code Act 1899.

2 Establishment of Code—schedule 1
(1) On and from 1 January 1901, the provisions contained in the
Code of Criminal Law set forth in schedule 1 (the Code) shall
be the law of Queensland with respect to the several matters
therein dealt with.
(2) The said Code may be cited as the Criminal Code.

3 Saving
However—
(a) the repeal of any statute or part of a statute set forth in
the schedules shall not affect the construction of any
other statute, or of any other part of the same statute,
whether as regards the past or the future;
(b) when any enactment not mentioned in the schedules has
been repealed, confirmed, revived, or perpetuated, by
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 27
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Criminal Code Act 1899

[s 4]

any enactment hereby repealed, such repeal,

confirmation, reviver, or perpetuation, shall not be
affected by the repeal effected by this Act;
(c) this Act shall not affect the validity, invalidity, effect, or
consequences, of anything already done or suffered, or
any existing status or capacity, or any right, title,
obligation, or liability, civil or criminal, already
acquired, accrued, or incurred, or any remedy or
proceeding in respect thereof, or any release or
discharge of or from any debt, penalty, obligation,
liability, claim, or demand, or any indemnity, or the
proof of any past act or thing; and any action,
prosecution, or other proceeding, begun before the
coming into operation of the Code, may, subject to the
provisions of the Code, be continued as if this Act had
not been passed; and any action, prosecution, or other
proceeding, in respect of anything done or omitted to be
done before the coming into operation of the Code, may,
subject to the provisions of the Code, be brought, taken,
and prosecuted, in the same manner as if this Act had
not been passed;
(d) this Act shall not, except as expressly therein declared,
affect any principle or rule of law or equity, or
established jurisdiction, or form or course of pleading,
practice, or procedure, notwithstanding that the same
respectively may have been in any manner affirmed,
recognised or derived, by, in, or from, any enactment
hereby repealed;
(e) this Act shall not revive or restore any jurisdiction, duty,
liability, right, title, privilege, restriction, exemption,
usage, practice, procedure, form of punishment, or other
matter or thing, not now existing or in force.

4 Construction of statutes, statutory rules, and other

instruments
From and after the coming into operation of the Code, the
following rules shall apply with respect to the construction of
Page 28 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Criminal Code Act 1899

[s 5]

statutes, statutory rules, by-laws, and other instruments, that is

[s 1]

consort, for part 2, chapter 9A, see section 77A.

conviction, for part 2, chapter 9A, see section 77.
court, for chapter 62, chapter division 3, see section 590AD.
crematorium includes the land or water where the
crematorium is situated.
criminal history, for chapter 62, chapter division 3, see
section 590AD.
criminal organisation—
(a) generally—has the meaning given by the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161O; and
(b) for sections 60A and 60B—includes an entity declared
by regulation to be a criminal organisation.
criminal responsibility means liability to punishment as for
an offence.
criminally responsible means liable to punishment as for an
offence.
Crown Law Officer means the Attorney-General or director
of public prosecutions.
damage, in relation to a document, includes—
(a) obliterate the document; and
(b) make the whole document or part of the document
illegible or irrecoverable.
detriment, caused to a person, includes detriment caused to a
person’s property.
disclosure obligation, for chapter 62, chapter division 4A, see
section 590E.
disclosure obligation direction, for chapter 62, chapter
division 4A, see section 590E.
distribute, for part 4, chapter 22, see section 207A.
document includes—

Page 34 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 1 Interpretation

[s 1]

(a) anything on which there is writing; and

(b) anything on which there are marks, figures, symbols,
codes, perforations or anything else having a meaning
for a person qualified to interpret them; and
(c) a record.
domestic relationship means a relevant relationship under the
Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012,
section 13.
Note—
Under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012,
section 13, a relevant relationship means an intimate personal
relationship, a family relationship or an informal care relationship, as
defined under that Act.
domestic violence offence means an offence against an Act,
other than the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act
2012, committed by a person where the act done, or omission
made, which constitutes the offence is also—
(a) domestic violence or associated domestic violence,
under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act
2012, committed by the person; or
(b) a contravention of the Domestic and Family Violence
Protection Act 2012, section 177(2).
Note—
Under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012,
section 177(2), a respondent against whom a domestic violence order
has been made under that Act must not contravene the order.
DPP presenter, for chapter 60, see section 559A.
dwelling includes any building or structure, or part of a
building or structure, which is for the time being kept by the
owner or occupier for the residence therein of himself or
herself, his or her family, or servants, or any of them, and it is
immaterial that it is from time to time uninhabited.
A building or structure adjacent to, and occupied with, a
dwelling is deemed to be part of the dwelling if there is a
communication between such building or structure and the
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 35
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 1 Interpretation

[s 1]

dwelling, either immediate or by means of a covered and

enclosed passage leading from the one to the other, but not
otherwise.
encourage, for chapter 43, see section 443.
Evidence Act section 93A device statement, for chapter 62,
chapter division 3, see section 590AD.
exculpatory thing, for chapter 62, chapter division 3, see
section 590AD.
explosive substance includes a gaseous substance in such a
state of compression as to be capable of explosion.
family, for chapter 16, see section 119A.
film, for chapter 22, see section 207A.
forge a document, means make, alter or deal with the
document so that the whole of it or a material part of it—
(a) purports to be what, or of an effect that, in fact it is not;
or
(b) purports to be made, altered or dealt with by a person
who did not make, alter or deal with it or by or for some
person who does not, in fact exist; or
(c) purports to be made, altered or dealt with by authority of
a person who did not give that authority; or
(d) otherwise purports to be made, altered or dealt with in
circumstances in which it was not made, altered or dealt
with.
genitalia includes surgically constructed genitalia.
grievous bodily harm means—
(a) the loss of a distinct part or an organ of the body; or
(b) serious disfigurement; or
(c) any bodily injury of such a nature that, if left untreated,
would endanger or be likely to endanger life, or cause or
be likely to cause permanent injury to health;
Page 36 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 1 Interpretation

of 2 or more persons such registered brand or registered mark
shall for the purposes of this Code be deemed to be the
registered brand or registered mark respectively of each of
such persons.
relevant offence, for part 2, chapter 9A, see section 77.
relevant proceeding, for chapter 62, chapter division 3, see
section 590AD.
sensitive evidence, for chapter 62, chapter division 3, see
section 590AF.
serious disease means a disease that would, if left untreated,
be of such a nature as to—
(a) cause or be likely to cause any loss of a distinct part or
organ of the body; or
(b) cause or be likely to cause serious disfigurement; or
(c) endanger or be likely to endanger life, or to cause or be
likely to cause permanent injury to health;
whether or not treatment is or could have been available.
ship includes every kind of vessel used in navigation not
propelled by oars.
someone, for chapter 22, see section 207A.
spent conviction means a conviction—
(a) for which the rehabilitation period under the Criminal
Law (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act 1986 has expired
under that Act; and
(b) that is not revived as prescribed by section 11 of that
Act.
sporting contingency, for chapter 43, see section 443.
sporting event, for chapter 43, see section 443.
statement, for chapter 62, chapter division 3, see
section 590AD.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 43
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 1 Interpretation

[s 1]

state of undress, for chapter 22, see section 207A.

stock means any of the following animals or their young—
(a) horse, asses, mules or camels;
(b) cattle, oxen or buffalo;
(c) sheep;
(d) swine;
(e) deer;
(f) goats.
summary conviction means summary conviction before a
Magistrates Court.
the offender can not be arrested without warrant see
section 5(3).
the offender may be arrested without warrant see
section 5(1).
trial includes a proceeding wherein a person is to be
sentenced.
uncorroborated testimony means testimony which is not
corroborated in some material particular by other evidence
implicating the accused person.
unlawful game, for chapter 23, see section 230A.
utter means and includes using or dealing with, and
attempting to use or deal with, and attempting to induce any
person to use, deal with, or act upon, the thing in question.
vagina includes a surgically constructed vagina, whether
provided for a male or female.
valuable security includes any document which is the
property of any person, and which is evidence of the
ownership of any property or of the right to recover or receive
any property.
vehicle includes—
(a) a motor vehicle, train, aircraft, or vessel; or
Page 44 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 1 Interpretation

[s 2]

(b) anything else used or to be used to carry persons or

goods from place to place.
vessel includes a ship, or boat, and every other kind of vessel
used in navigation.
view, for chapter 62, chapter division 3, see section 590AD.
visually record, for chapter 22, see section 207A.
vulva includes a surgically constructed vulva, whether
provided for a male or female.
woman includes any female.
writing includes any way of representing or reproducing in a
visible form any word, inscription, signature or other mark.

2 Definition of offence
An act or omission which renders the person doing the act or
making the omission liable to punishment is called an offence.

3 Division of offences
(1) Offences are of 2 kinds, namely, criminal offences and
regulatory offences.
(2) Criminal offences comprise crimes, misdemeanours and
simple offences.
(3) Crimes and misdemeanours are indictable offences; that is to
say, the offenders can not, unless otherwise expressly stated,
be prosecuted or convicted except upon indictment.
(4) A person guilty of a regulatory offence or a simple offence
may be summarily convicted by a Magistrates Court.
(5) An offence not otherwise designated is a simple offence.

4 Attempts to commit offences

(1) When a person, intending to commit an offence, begins to put
the person’s intention into execution by means adapted to its
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 45
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 1 Interpretation

[s 5]

fulfilment, and manifests the person’s intention by some overt

act, but does not fulfil the person’s intention to such an extent
as to commit the offence, the person 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 the offender’s part
for completing the commission of the offence, or whether the
complete fulfilment of the offender’s intention is prevented by
circumstances independent of his or her will, or whether the
offender desists of his or her own motion from the further
prosecution of the offender’s 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.

5 Arrest without warrant

(1) The expression the offender may be arrested without warrant
means that the provisions of this Code relating to the arrest of
offenders or suspected offenders without warrant are
applicable to the offence in question, either generally or
subject to such conditions (if any) as to time, place, or
circumstance, or as to the person authorised to make the
arrest, as are specified in the particular case.
(2) Except when otherwise stated, the definition of an offence as a
crime imports that the offender may be arrested without
warrant.
(3) The expression the offender can not be arrested without
warrant means that the provisions of this Code relating to the
arrest of offenders or suspected offenders without warrant are
not applicable to the crime in question, except subject to such
conditions (if any) as to time, place, or circumstance, or as to
the person authorised to make the arrest as are specified in the
particular case.
Page 46 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 2 Parties to offences

[s 6]

6 Carnal knowledge
(1) If carnal knowledge is used in defining an offence, the
offence, so far as regards that element of it, is complete on
penetration to any extent.
(2) Carnal knowledge includes anal intercourse.

Chapter 2 Parties to offences

7 Principal offenders
(1) When an offence is committed, each of the following persons
is deemed to have taken part in committing the offence and to
be guilty of the offence, and may be charged with actually
committing it, that is to say—
(a) every person who actually does the act or makes the
omission which constitutes the offence;
(b) every person who does or omits to do any act for the
purpose of enabling or aiding another person to commit
the offence;
(c) every person who aids another person in committing the
offence;
(d) any person who counsels or procures any other person to
commit the offence.
(2) Under subsection (1)(d) the person may be charged either
with committing the offence or with counselling or procuring
its commission.
(3) A conviction of counselling or procuring the commission of
an offence entails the same consequences in all respects as a
conviction of committing the offence.
(4) Any person who procures another to do or omit to do any act
of such a nature that, if the person had done the act or made
the omission, the act or omission would have constituted an
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 47
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 2 Parties to offences

[s 8]

offence on the person’s part, is guilty of an offence of the

same kind, and is liable to the same punishment, as if the
person had done the act or made the omission; and the person
may be charged with doing the act or making the omission.

8 Offences committed in prosecution of common purpose

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 of such a nature that its commission was a
probable consequence of the prosecution of such purpose,
each of them is deemed to have committed the offence.

9 Mode of execution immaterial

(1) When a person counsels another to commit an offence, and an
offence is actually committed after such counsel by the person
to whom it is given, it is immaterial whether the offence
actually committed is the same as that counselled or a
different one, or whether the offence is committed in the way
counselled, or in a different way, provided in either case that
the facts constituting the offence actually committed are a
probable consequence of carrying out the counsel.
(2) In either case the person who gave the counsel is deemed to
have counselled the other person to commit the offence
actually committed by the other person.

10 Accessories after the fact

A person who receives or assists another who is, to the
person’s knowledge, guilty of an offence, in order to enable
the person to escape punishment, is said to become an
accessory after the fact to the offence.

Page 48 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 3 Application of criminal law

[s 10A]

10A Interpretation of ch 2
(1) Under section 7, a person’s criminal responsibility extends to
any offence that, on the evidence admissible against him or
her, is either the offence proved against the person who did the
act or made the omission that constitutes that offence or any
statutory or other alternative to that offence.
(2) Under section 8, a person’s criminal responsibility extends to
any offence that, on the evidence admissible against him or
her, is a probable consequence of the prosecution of a
common intention to prosecute an unlawful purpose,
regardless of what offence is proved against any other party to
the common intention.
(3) This section does not limit any other provision of this chapter.

Chapter 3 Application of criminal law

11 Effect of changes in law

(1) A person can not be punished for doing or omitting to do an
act unless the act or omission constituted an offence under the
law in force when it occurred; nor unless doing or omitting to
do the act under the same circumstances would constitute an
offence under the law in force at the time when the person is
charged with the offence.
(2) If the law in force when the act or omission occurred differs
from that in force at the time of the conviction, the offender
can not be punished to any greater extent than was authorised
by the former law, or to any greater extent than is authorised
by the latter law.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 49

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 3 Application of criminal law

[s 12]

12 Application of Code as to offences wholly or partially

committed in Queensland
(1) This Code applies to every person who does an act in
Queensland or makes an omission in Queensland, which in
either case constitutes an offence.
(2) Where acts or omissions occur which, if they all occurred in
Queensland, would constitute an offence and any of the acts
or omissions occur in Queensland, the person who does the
acts or makes the omissions is guilty of an offence of the same
kind and is liable to the same punishment as if all the acts or
omissions had occurred in Queensland.
(3) Where an event occurs in Queensland caused by an act done
or omission made out of Queensland which, if done or made
in Queensland, would constitute an offence, the person who
does the act or makes the omission is guilty of an offence of
the same kind and is liable to the same punishment as if the
act or omission had occurred in Queensland.
(3A) It is a defence to prove that the person did not intend that the
act or omission should have effect in Queensland.
(4) Where an event occurs out of Queensland caused by an act
done or omission made in Queensland, which act or omission
would constitute an offence had the event occurred in
Queensland, the person who does the act or makes the
omission is guilty of an offence of the same kind and is liable
to the same punishment as if the event had occurred in
Queensland.
(5) This section does not extend to a case where the only material
event that occurs in Queensland is the death in Queensland of
a person whose death is caused by an act done or an omission
made out of Queensland at a time when the person was out of
Queensland.

13 Offences enabled, aided, procured or counselled by

persons out of Queensland
(1) Any person who while out of Queensland—
Page 50 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 3 Application of criminal law

[s 14]

(a) does or omits to do an act for the purpose of enabling or

aiding another person to commit an offence that is
actually committed in Queensland; or
(b) aids another person in committing an offence that is
actually committed in Queensland; or
(c) counsels or procures another person to commit an
offence that is actually committed in Queensland;
is guilty of an offence of the same kind and is liable to the
same punishment as if the person had committed the offence
in Queensland.
(2) Any person who while out of Queensland procures another to
do or omit to do in Queensland an act of such a nature that, if
the person had done the act or made the omission in
Queensland, the person would have been guilty of an offence
is guilty of an offence of the same kind and is liable to the
same punishment as if the person had done the act or made the
omission in Queensland.

14 Offences procured in Queensland to be committed out of

Queensland
Any person who while in Queensland procures another to do
an act or make an omission at a place not in Queensland of
such a nature that, if the person had done the act or made the
omission in Queensland, the person would have been guilty of
an offence, and that, if the person had done the act or made the
omission, the person would have been guilty of an offence
under the laws in force in the place where the act or omission
is done or made, is guilty of an offence of the same kind, and
is liable to the same punishment, as if the act had been done or
the omission had been made in Queensland, but so that the
punishment does not exceed that which the person would have
incurred under the laws in force in the place where the act was
done or the omission was made, if the person had done the act
or made the omission.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 51

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 3 Application of criminal law

[s 15]

15 Defence Force
Officers and other members of the Australian Defence Force
are, while on duty or in uniform, subject to the special laws
relating to that Force, but are not exempt from the provisions
of this Code.

16 Person not to be twice punished for same offence

A person can not be twice punished either under the
provisions of this Code or under the provisions of any other
law for the same act or omission, except in the case where the
act or omission is such that by means thereof the person
causes the death of another person, in which case the person
may be convicted of the offence of which the person is guilty
by reason of causing such death, notwithstanding that the
person has already been convicted of some other offence
constituted by the act or omission.

17 Former conviction or acquittal

It is a defence to a charge of any offence to show that the
accused person has already been tried, and convicted or
acquitted upon an indictment on which the person might have
been convicted of the offence with which the person is
charged, or has already been acquitted upon indictment, or has
already been convicted, of an offence of which the person
might be convicted upon the indictment or complaint on
which the person is charged.
Note—
This section does not apply to the charge mentioned in section 678B
(Court may order retrial for murder—fresh and compelling evidence) or
678C (Court may order retrial for 25 year offence—tainted acquittal).

Page 52 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 4 Royal prerogative of mercy

[s 18]

Chapter 4 Royal prerogative of mercy

18 Royal prerogative of mercy

This Code does not affect the Royal prerogative of mercy.

Chapter 5 Criminal responsibility

22 Ignorance of the law—bona fide claim of right

(1) Ignorance of the law does not afford any excuse for an act or
omission which would otherwise constitute an offence, unless
knowledge of the law by the offender is expressly declared to
be an element of the offence.
(2) But a person is not criminally responsible, as for an offence
relating to property, for an act done or omitted to be done by
the person with respect to any property in the exercise of an
honest claim of right and without intention to defraud.
(3) A person is not criminally responsible for an act or omission
done or made in contravention of a statutory instrument if, at
the time of doing or making it, the statutory instrument was
not known to the person and had not been published or
otherwise reasonably made available or known to the public
or those persons likely to be affected by it.
(4) In this section—
publish—
(a) in relation to a statutory instrument that is subordinate
legislation—means notify in accordance with section 47
(Notification) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1992;
and
(b) in relation to a statutory instrument that is not
subordinate legislation—means publish in the gazette.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 53
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 5 Criminal responsibility

[s 23]

23 Intention—motive
(1) Subject to the express provisions of this Code relating to
negligent acts and omissions, a person is not criminally
responsible for—
(a) an act or omission that occurs independently of the
exercise of the person’s will; or
(b) an event that—
(i) the person does not intend or foresee as a possible
consequence; and
(ii) an ordinary person would not reasonably foresee as
a possible consequence.
Note—
Parliament, in amending subsection (1)(b) by the Criminal Code and
Other Legislation Amendment Act 2011, did not intend to change the
circumstances in which a person is criminally responsible.
(1A) However, under subsection (1)(b), the person is not excused
from criminal responsibility for death or grievous bodily harm
that results to a victim because of a defect, weakness, or
abnormality.
(2) Unless the intention to cause a particular result is expressly
declared to be an element of the offence constituted, in whole
or part, by an act or omission, the result intended to be caused
by an act or omission is immaterial.
(3) Unless otherwise expressly declared, the motive by which a
person is induced to do or omit to do an act, or to form an
intention, is immaterial so far as regards criminal
responsibility.

24 Mistake of fact
(1) A person who does or omits to do an act under an honest and
reasonable, but mistaken, belief in the existence of any state of
things is not criminally responsible for the act or omission to
any greater extent than if the real state of things had been such
as the person believed to exist.
Page 54 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 5 Criminal responsibility

[s 25]

(2) The operation of this rule may be excluded by the express or

implied provisions of the law relating to the subject.

25 Extraordinary emergencies
Subject to the express provisions of this Code relating to acts
done upon compulsion or provocation or in self-defence, a
person is not criminally responsible for an act or omission
done or made under such circumstances of sudden or
extraordinary emergency that an ordinary person possessing
ordinary power of self-control could not reasonably be
expected to act otherwise.

26 Presumption of sanity
Every person is presumed to be of sound mind, and to have
been of sound mind at any time which comes in question,
until the contrary is proved.

27 Insanity
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an act or omission if
at the time of doing the act or making the omission the person
is in such a state of mental disease or natural mental infirmity
as to deprive the person of capacity to understand what the
person is doing, or of capacity to control the person’s actions,
or of capacity to know that the person ought not to do the act
or make the omission.
(2) A person whose mind, at the time of the person’s doing or
omitting to do an act, is affected by delusions on some
specific matter or matters, but who is not otherwise entitled to
the benefit of subsection (1), is criminally responsible for the
act or omission to the same extent as if the real state of things
had been such as the person was induced by the delusions to
believe to exist.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 55

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 5 Criminal responsibility

[s 28]

28 Intoxication
(1) The provisions of section 27 apply to the case of a person
whose mind is disordered by intoxication or stupefaction
caused without intention on his or her part by drugs or
intoxicating liquor or by any other means.
(2) They do not apply to the case of a person who has, to any
extent intentionally caused himself or herself to become
intoxicated or stupefied, whether in order to afford excuse for
the commission of an offence or not and whether his or her
mind is disordered by the intoxication alone or in combination
with some other agent.
(3) When an intention to cause a specific result is an element of
an offence, intoxication, whether complete or partial, and
whether intentional or unintentional, may be regarded for the
purpose of ascertaining whether such an intention in fact
existed.

29 Immature age
(1) A person under the age of 10 years is not criminally
responsible for any act or omission.
(2) A person under the age of 14 years is not criminally
responsible for an act or omission, unless it is proved that at
the time of doing the act or making the omission the person
had capacity to know that the person ought not to do the act or
make the omission.

30 Judicial officers
Except as expressly provided by this Code, a judicial officer is
not criminally responsible for anything done or omitted to be
done by the judicial officer in the exercise of the officer’s
judicial functions, although the act done is in excess of the
officer’s judicial authority, or although the officer is bound to
do the act omitted to be done.

Page 56 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 1 Introductory
Chapter 5 Criminal responsibility

[s 31]

31 Justification and excuse—compulsion

(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an act or omission,
if the person does or omits to do the act under any of the
following circumstances, that is to say—
(a) in execution of the law;
(b) in obedience to the order of a competent authority which
he or she is bound by law to obey, unless the order is
manifestly unlawful;
(c) when the act is reasonably necessary in order to resist
actual and unlawful violence threatened to the person, or
to another person in the person’s presence;
(d) when—
(i) the person does or omits to do the act in order to
save himself or herself or another person, or his or
her property or the property of another person,
from serious harm or detriment threatened to be
inflicted by some person in a position to carry out
the threat; and
(ii) the person doing the act or making the omission
reasonably believes he or she or the other person is
unable otherwise to escape the carrying out of the
threat; and
(iii) doing the act or making the omission is reasonably
proportionate to the harm or detriment threatened.
(2) However, this protection does not extend to an act or omission
which would constitute the crime of murder, or an offence of
which grievous bodily harm to the person of another, or an
intention to cause such harm, is an element, nor to a person
who has by entering into an unlawful association or
conspiracy rendered himself or herself liable to have such
threats made to the person.
(3) Whether an order is or is not manifestly unlawful is a question
of law.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 57

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 7 Sedition

[s 34]

34 Offences by partners and members of companies with

respect to partnership or corporate property
A person who, being a member of a co-partnership,
corporation, or joint stock company, does or omits to do any
act with respect to the property of the co-partnership,
corporation, or company, which, if the person were not a
member of the co-partnership, corporation, or company,
would constitute an offence, is criminally responsible to the
same extent as if the person were not such member.

36 Application of rules
(1) The provisions of this chapter apply to all persons charged
with any criminal offence against the statute law of
Queensland.
(2) Except for sections 22(3), 29 and 31, this chapter does not
apply to regulatory offences.

Part 2 Offences against public

order

Chapter 7 Sedition

44 Definition of seditious intention

An intention to effect any of the following purposes, that is to
say—
(a) to bring the Sovereign into hatred or contempt;
(b) to excite disaffection against the Sovereign or the
Government or Constitution of the United Kingdom or
of Queensland as by law established, or against either

Page 58 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 7 Sedition

[s 45]

House of Parliament of the United Kingdom or of

Queensland, or against the administration of justice;
(c) to excite Her Majesty’s subjects to attempt to procure
the alteration of any matter in the State as by law
established otherwise than by lawful means;
(d) to raise discontent or disaffection amongst Her
Majesty’s subjects;
(e) to promote feelings of ill will and enmity between
different classes of Her Majesty’s subjects;
is a seditious intention, unless it is justified by the provisions
of section 45.

45 Innocent intentions
It is lawful for any person—
(a) to endeavour in good faith to show that the Sovereign
has been mistaken in any of Her counsels; or
(b) to point out in good faith errors or defects in the
government or Constitution of the United Kingdom or
of Queensland as by law established, or in legislation, or
in the administration of justice, with a view to the
reformation of such errors or defects; or
(c) to excite in good faith Her Majesty’s subjects to attempt
to procure by lawful means the alteration of any matter
in the State as by law established; or
(d) to point out in good faith in order to their removal any
matters which are producing or have a tendency to
produce feelings of ill will and enmity between different
classes of Her Majesty’s subjects.

46 Definition of seditious enterprises etc.

(1) A seditious enterprise is an enterprise which is undertaken in
order to the carrying out of a seditious intention.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 59
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 7 Sedition

[s 51]

(2) Seditious words are words expressive of a seditious intention.

(3) In this Code—
seditious writing includes anything intended to be read, and
any sign or visible representation, which is expressive of a
seditious intention.

51 Unlawful drilling
(1) Any person who—
(a) in contravention of the directions under a regulation,
trains or drills any other person to the use of arms or the
practice of military exercises, movements, or evolutions;
or
(b) is present at any meeting or assembly of persons held in
contravention of the directions of any such
proclamation, for the purpose of there training or
drilling any other person to the use of arms or the
practice of military exercises, movements, or evolutions;
is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) Any person who, at any meeting or assembly held in
contravention of the directions under a regulation, is trained or
drilled to the use of arms or the practice of military exercises,
movements, or evolutions, or who is present at any such
meeting or assembly for the purpose of being so trained or
drilled, is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to
imprisonment for 2 years.
(2A) The offender may be arrested without warrant.
(3) A prosecution for any of the offences defined in this section
must be begun within 6 months after the offence is committed.

52 Sedition
(1) Any person who—

Page 60 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 8 Offences against the executive and legislative power

[s 53]

(a) conspires with any person to carry into execution a

seditious enterprise; or
(b) advisedly publishes any seditious words or writing;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.
(2) If the person has been previously convicted of any such
offence the person is guilty of a crime, and is liable to
imprisonment for 7 years.
(3) A prosecution for any of the offences defined in this section
must be begun within 6 months after the offence is committed.
(4) A person can not be convicted of any of the offences defined
in this section upon the uncorroborated testimony of 1
witness.

Chapter 8 Offences against the executive

and legislative power

53 Evidence of proceedings in the Assembly allowed for

prosecution
(1) Despite the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001, section 8,
evidence of anything said or done during proceedings in the
Assembly may be given in a proceeding against a person for
an offence under this chapter to the extent necessary to
prosecute the person for the offence.
(2) Subsection (1) does not limit the Parliament of Queensland
Act 2001, section 36.
(3) In this section—
proceedings in the Assembly see the Parliament of
Queensland Act 2001, section 9 and schedule.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 61

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 8 Offences against the executive and legislative power

[s 54]

54 Interference with Governor or Ministers

(1) Any person who—
(a) does any act with intention to interfere with the free
exercise by the Governor of the duties or authority of the
Governor’s office; or
(b) does any act with intention to interfere with the free
exercise by a member of the Executive Council of the
duties or authority of the member’s office as a member
of the Executive Council or as a Minister of State;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.
(2) The offender may be, and it is hereby declared that the
offender always was liable to be, arrested without warrant.

54A Demands with menaces upon agencies of government

(1) Any person who demands that anything be done or omitted to
be done or be procured by—
(a) the Government of Queensland or a person in the
employment of the Crown in right of Queensland, in
performance of the duties of the person’s employment or
otherwise in the person’s official capacity; or
(b) the Governor, in his or her role of Governor; or
(c) a Minister of the Crown, in his or her office as Minister
or as a member of the Executive Council of Queensland;
or
(d) a government corporation, in discharge of its functions
conferred by law, or a person in the employment of a
government corporation, in performance of the duties of
the person’s employment or otherwise in the person’s
official capacity;
with threats of detriment of any kind to be caused to any
person aforesaid or any other person or to the public or any
member or members of the public or to property, by the
Page 62 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 8 Offences against the executive and legislative power

[s 54A]

offender or by any other person, if the demand is not complied

with is guilty of a crime and is liable to imprisonment for 14
years.
(2) A person is not criminally responsible for an act referred to in
subsection (1) if the detriment is threatened to himself or
herself only or to property of which the person is the sole
owner.
(3) It is immaterial to the commission of an offence defined in
this section that—
(a) the demand or threat is made by means of a medium
ordinarily used for disseminating information to the
public and not to a particular person; or
(b) the threat does not specify the detriment that is to be
caused or the person or persons to whom or the property
to which it is to be caused.
(4) If the carrying out of the threat would be likely to cause—
(a) loss of life or serious personal injury to any person; or
(b) substantial economic loss—
(i) to the Crown; or
(ii) to a government corporation; or
(iii) in any industrial or commercial activity whether
conducted by a public authority or as a private
enterprise;
the offender is liable to imprisonment for life and if, in
addition, the offender or another person on the offender’s
behalf has carried out the threat and thereby caused a
consequence specified in this subsection or has by some overt
act begun to prepare for the carrying out of the threat, the
offender is liable to imprisonment for life, which can not be
mitigated or varied under this Code or any other law or is
liable to an indefinite sentence under part 10 of the Penalties
and Sentences Act 1992.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 63

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 8 Offences against the executive and legislative power

[s 55]

(5) A prosecution for an offence defined in this section shall not

be commenced without the consent of the Attorney-General.
(6) For the purposes of this section—
detriment includes destruction of or damage to—
(a) flora or fauna protected by or under an Act; or
(b) any place, thing or living creature or plant that by reason
of its cultural, educational, environmental, historical,
recreational, religious or scientific significance is of
substantial public interest or concern;
and, in the absence of proof that any such item destroyed or
damaged was or is the property of a particular person, shall be
deemed to be detriment to the Crown.
government corporation means any body corporate or
corporation sole constituted by or under an Act that represents
the Crown or that is declared under a regulation to be a
government corporation for the purposes of this section.

55 Interference with the Legislature

(1) Any person who, by force or fraud, intentionally interferes or
attempts to interfere with the free exercise by the Legislative
Assembly of its authority, or with the free exercise by any
member of the Legislative Assembly of the member’s duties
or authority as such member, or as a member of a committee
of the Legislative Assembly is guilty of a misdemeanour, and
is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) The offender may be, and it is hereby declared that the
offender always was liable to be, arrested without warrant.

56 Disturbing the Legislature

(1) A person who, while the Legislative Assembly is in session,
intentionally—
(a) disturbs the Assembly; or
Page 64 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 8 Offences against the executive and legislative power

[s 56A]

(b) commits any disorderly conduct in the immediate view

and presence of the Assembly, tending to interrupt its
proceedings or to impair the respect due to its authority;
commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.
(2) A person may be arrested without warrant.

56A Disturbance in House when Parliament not sitting

(1) Any person creating or joining in any disturbance in
Parliament House or within the precincts thereof at any time
other than during an actual sitting of Parliament therein or at
the office or residence of the Governor or of any member of
the Legislative Assembly or of the Executive Council shall be
guilty of an offence and—
(a) if the person created or joined in such disturbance in
Parliament House or within the precincts thereof—may
be apprehended without warrant on the verbal order of
the Speaker or, in the Speaker’s absence, of the clerk of
the Parliament, or of the person for the time being
discharging the duties of the office of the clerk of the
Parliament, and may be kept in custody by any officer of
Parliament or by any police officer; or
(b) if the person created or joined in such disturbance at the
office or residence of the Governor or of any member of
the Legislative Assembly or of the Executive Council—
may be apprehended without warrant on the verbal order
of the Governor or, as the case may be, member of the
Legislative Assembly or of the Executive Council
concerned, and may be kept in custody by any police
officer.
(2) Such person may be so kept in custody until the person can be
dealt with in the manner following, that is to say—
(a) every such person shall, as soon as reasonably may be,
be brought before a magistrate without formal written
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 65
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 8 Offences against the executive and legislative power

[s 56B]

complaint and there and then charged with such offence

and summarily dealt with according to law;
(b) any such person on summary conviction shall be liable
to a fine of 100 penalty units or imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 2 years.

56B Going armed to Parliament House

(1) Any person who without lawful excuse being armed enters or
is found in Parliament House or in any of the grounds thereof
or in any building in or upon such grounds is guilty of an
offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of 100
penalty units with or without imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 2 years.
(1A) The offender may be arrested without warrant.
(2) On the conviction of a person for an offence against
subsection (1), any arms found in the person’s possession or
under the person’s control are forfeited to the State.
(3) For the purposes of this section—
armed shall mean having in the person’s possession or under
the person’s immediate control whether concealed or not—
(a) any firearm whatsoever loaded or unloaded and whether
capable of projecting a missile or not; or
(b) any bomb or other explosive matter, machine, or device
mechanical or otherwise capable of causing injury to
any person or damage to any property or any dangerous
or offensive weapon or instrument; or
(c) any corrosive substance;
and the word arms shall have a correlative meaning.

57 False evidence before Parliament

(1) A person who, during an examination before the Legislative
Assembly or a committee, knowingly gives a false answer to a
Page 66 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 8 Offences against the executive and legislative power

[s 58]

lawful and relevant question put to the person during the

examination commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) A person can not be arrested without warrant.
(3) To remove any doubt, it is declared that a member of the
Legislative Assembly does not give an answer during an
examination before the Legislative Assembly only because
the member answers a question during Question Time, a
debate or the conduct of other daily business of the Legislative
Assembly.
(4) A person can not be convicted of an offence under this section
on the uncorroborated testimony of 1 witness.
(5) In this section—
committee see the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001,
schedule.
person includes a member of the Legislative Assembly.
proceedings in the Assembly see the Parliament of
Queensland Act 2001, section 9 and schedule.

58 Witness refusing to attend, answer question or produce a

thing before Legislative Assembly or authorised
committee
(1) A person who—
(a) fails to attend before the Legislative Assembly as
required under the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001,
section 29; or
(b) fails to attend before an authorised committee as
required under the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001,
section 30(4); or
(c) fails to answer a question asked by the Assembly, or to
produce a document or other thing to the Assembly, as
required under the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001,
section 32(6); or
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 67
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 8 Offences against the executive and legislative power

[s 59]

(d) fails to answer a question asked by an authorised

committee, or to produce a document or other thing to
an authorised committee, as required under the
Parliament of Queensland Act 2001, section 33(8);
commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(2) A person can not be convicted of an offence against
subsection (1)(a) or (b) if the Assembly has excused the
person for the failure mentioned in the subsection.
(3) In this section—
authorised committee see the Parliament of Queensland Act
2001, schedule.

59 Member of Parliament receiving bribes

(1) Any person who, being a member of the Legislative
Assembly, asks for, receives, or obtains, or agrees or attempts
to receive or obtain, any property or benefit of any kind for
himself, herself or any other person upon any understanding
that the person’s vote, opinion, judgment, or action, in the
Legislative Assembly, or in any committee thereof, shall be
influenced thereby, or shall be given in any particular manner
or in favour of any particular side of any question or matter, is
guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years,
and is disqualified from sitting or voting as a member of the
Legislative Assembly for 7 years.
(2) The offender can not be arrested without warrant.

60 Bribery of member of Parliament

(1) Any person who—
(a) in order to influence a member of the Legislative
Assembly in the member’s vote, opinion, judgment, or
action, upon any question or matter arising in the
Legislative Assembly or in any committee thereof or in
Page 68 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 9 Breaches of the peace

[s 60A]

order to induce the member to absent himself or herself

from the Assembly or from any such committee, 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, such member, or
to, upon, or for, any other person; or
(b) attempts, directly or indirectly, by fraud, or by threats or
intimidation of any kind, to influence a member of the
Legislative Assembly in the member’s vote, opinion,
judgment, or action, upon any such question or matter,
or to induce the member to so absent himself or herself;
is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) The offender can not be arrested without warrant.
(3) Where a person has been convicted (whether before or after 1
July 1922) of an offence under this section, all property which
has been tendered or produced in evidence at the trial of the
offender, as being the property or part of the property which
the offender in the course of the commission of such offence
gave, conferred or procured, or promised or offered to give, or
confer or to procure, or attempt to procure, to, upon, or for a
member of the Legislative Assembly, or to, upon, or for any
other person, shall become and be deemed to have become
forthwith upon such conviction and without any further
judgment or order the absolute property of Her Majesty,
whether such property is the property of the offender or of any
other person.

Chapter 9 Breaches of the peace

60A Participants in criminal organisation being knowingly

present in public places
(1) Any person who is a participant in a criminal organisation and
is knowingly present in a public place with 2 or more other
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 69
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 9 Breaches of the peace

[s 60B]

persons who are participants in a criminal organisation

commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.
(2) It is a defence to a charge of an offence against subsection (1)
to prove that the criminal organisation is not an organisation
that has, as 1 of its purposes, the purpose of engaging in, or
conspiring to engage in, criminal activity.
(3) In this section—
criminal activity does not include conduct constituting a
simple offence or a regulatory offence.
public place means—
(a) a place, or part of a place, that the public is entitled to
use, is open to members of the public or is used by the
public, whether or not on payment of money; or
(b) a place, or part of a place, the occupier of which allows,
whether or not on payment of money, members of the
public to enter.

60B Participants in criminal organisation entering prescribed

places and attending prescribed events
(1) Any person who is a participant in a criminal organisation and
enters, or attempts to enter, a prescribed place commits a
misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.
(2) Any person who is a participant in a criminal organisation and
attends, or attempts to attend, a prescribed event commits a
misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.
(3) It is a defence to a charge of an offence against subsection (1)
or (2) to prove that the criminal organisation is not an
organisation that has, as 1 of its purposes, the purpose of
engaging in, or conspiring to engage in, criminal activity.
Page 70 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 9 Breaches of the peace

[s 61]

(4) In this section—

criminal activity does not include conduct constituting a
simple offence or a regulatory offence.
prescribed event means an event declared under a regulation
to be a prescribed event.
prescribed place means a place declared under a regulation to
be a prescribed place.

61 Riot
(1) If—
(a) 12 or more persons who are present together (assembled
persons) use or threaten to use unlawful violence to a
person or property for a common purpose; and
(b) the conduct of them taken together would cause a person
in the vicinity to reasonably fear for the person’s
personal safety;
each of the assembled persons commits the crime of taking
part in a riot.
Maximum penalty—
(a) if the offender causes grievous bodily harm to a person,
causes an explosive substance to explode or destroys or
starts to destroy a building, vehicle or machinery—life
imprisonment; or
(b) if—
(i) the offender is armed with a dangerous or offensive
weapon, instrument or explosive substance; or
(ii) property is damaged, whether by the offender or
another of the assembled persons—7 years
imprisonment; or
(c) otherwise—3 years imprisonment.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 71

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 9 Breaches of the peace

[s 69]

(2) For subsection (1)(b), it is immaterial whether there is or is

likely to be a person in the vicinity who holds the fear
mentioned in the subsection.
(2A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(2B) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(3) In this section—
building includes structure.
vehicle means a motor vehicle, train, aircraft or vessel.

69 Going armed so as to cause fear

(1) Any person who goes armed in public without lawful
occasion in such a manner as to cause fear to any person is
guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 2
years.
(2) The offender may be, and it is hereby declared that the
offender always was liable to be, arrested without warrant.

70 Forcible entry
(1) Any person who, in a manner likely to cause, or cause
reasonable fear of, unlawful violence to a person or to
property, enters on land which is in the actual and peaceable
possession of another commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(2) It is immaterial whether the person is entitled to enter on the
land or not.

Page 72 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 9 Breaches of the peace

[s 71]

71 Forcible detainer
Any person who, being in actual possession of land without
colour of right, holds possession of it, in a manner likely to
cause, or cause reasonable fear of, unlawful violence to a
person or to property, against a person entitled by law to the
possession of the land commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.

72 Affray
(1) Any person who takes part in a fight in a public place, or takes
part in a fight of such a nature as to alarm the public in any
other place to which the public have access, commits a
misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—1 year’s imprisonment.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 108B states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.

74 Prize fight
Any person who fights in a prize fight, or subscribes to or
promotes a prize fight, is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is
liable to imprisonment for 1 year.

75 Threatening violence
(1) Any person who—
(a) with intent to intimidate or annoy any person, by words
or conduct threatens to enter or damage a dwelling or
other premises; or
(b) with intent to alarm any person, discharges loaded
firearms or does any other act that is likely to cause any
person in the vicinity to fear bodily harm to any person
or damage to property;
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 73
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 9 Breaches of the peace

[s 76]

commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(2) If the offence is committed in the night the offender is guilty
of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 5 years.

76 Recruiting person to become participant in criminal

organisation
(1) A person who—
(a) is a participant in a criminal organisation or is subject to
a control order or a registered corresponding control
order; and
(b) recruits, or attempts to recruit, another person to
become, or associate with, a participant in a criminal
organisation;
commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—500 penalty units or 5 years
imprisonment.
(2) In this section—
control order see the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992,
section 161N.
recruit, a person to become, or associate with, a participant in
a criminal organisation, includes counsel, procure, solicit,
incite and induce the person, including by promoting the
organisation, to become, or associate with, a participant in the
organisation.
registered corresponding control order see the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161N.

Page 74 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 9A Consorting

[s 77]

Chapter 9A Consorting

77 Definitions for chapter

In this chapter—
consort see section 77A.
conviction means a finding of guilt, or the acceptance of a
plea of guilty, by a court.
recognised offender means an adult who has a recorded
conviction, other than a spent conviction, for a relevant
offence (whether on indictment or summary conviction).
relevant offence means—
(a) an indictable offence for which the maximum penalty is
at least 5 years imprisonment, including an offence
against a repealed provision of an Act; or
(b) an offence against—
(i) any of the following provisions of this Code—
• section 61(1), if the penalty, paragraph (c)
applies
• section 69
• section 75
• section 77B
• section 130
• section 229H
• section 229HC
• section 229I
• section 229K
• section 317A(2)
• section 327
• section 355
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 75
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 9A Consorting

[s 77]

• section 408D
• section 413
• section 414
• section 470A; or
(ii) any of the following provisions of the Weapons Act
1990—
• section 50(1), if the penalty, paragraph (c)(ii)
or (iii) applies
• section 50B(1), if the penalty, paragraph
(c)(iii) applies
• section 57(3) or (4)
• section 58
• section 61
• section 62
• section 63
• section 69(1A), if the penalty, paragraph (c)
applies
• section 151B
• section 151D; or
(c) an offence against the law of another State or the
Commonwealth, or a place outside Australia, that, if the
offence had been committed in Queensland, would be a
relevant offence under paragraph (a) or (b); or
(d) an offence against either of the following provisions—
• the Criminal Code (Cwlth), section 102.8
• the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), section 310J.

Page 76 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 9A Consorting

[s 77A]

77A Meaning of consort

(1) A person consorts with another person if the person associates
with the other person in a way that involves seeking out, or
accepting, the other person’s company.
(2) For subsection (1), the person’s association with the other
person need not have a purpose related to criminal activity.
(3) Also, for subsection (1), it does not matter whether the
person’s association with the other person happens in person
or in another way, including, for example, electronically.

77B Habitually consorting with recognised offenders

(1) A person commits a misdemeanour if—
(a) the person habitually consorts with at least 2 recognised
offenders, whether together or separately; and
(b) at least 1 occasion on which the person consorts with
each recognised offender mentioned in paragraph (a)
happens after the person has been given an official
warning for consorting in relation to the offender.
Maximum penalty—300 penalty units or 3 years
imprisonment.
(2) For subsection (1), a person does not habitually consort with
a recognised offender unless the person consorts with the
offender on at least 2 occasions.
(3) This section does not apply to a child.
(4) In this section—
official warning, for consorting, see the Police Powers and
Responsibilities Act 2000, section 53BAA.

77C Particular acts of consorting to be disregarded

(1) In a proceeding against a person for an offence against section
77B(1), the following acts of consorting must be disregarded
if the consorting was reasonable in the circumstances—
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 77
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 9A Consorting

[s 77C]

(a) consorting with a recognised offender who is a close

family member of the person;
(b) consorting with a recognised offender while the person
is—
(i) genuinely conducting a lawful business or
genuinely engaging in lawful employment or a
lawful occupation; or
(ii) genuinely receiving education or training at an
educational institution; or
(iii) genuinely obtaining education or training at an
educational institution for a dependent child of the
person; or
(iv) receiving a health service; or
(v) obtaining a health service for a dependent child of
the person; or
(vi) obtaining legal services; or
(vii) complying with a court order; or
(viii) being detained in lawful custody.
(2) Proof that the consorting was reasonable in the circumstances
lies on the person.
(3) For subsection (1), it is not reasonable for a person to consort
with a recognised offender if the purpose (or 1 of the
purposes) of the consorting is related to criminal activity.
(4) In this section—
Australian Association of Social Workers means Australian
Association of Social Workers Ltd ACN 008 576 010.
Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists
means Australian Register of Counsellors and
Psychotherapists Pty Ltd ACN 110 047 197.
child includes step-child.
close family member, of a person—
Page 78 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 9A Consorting

[s 77C]

(a) means—
(i) a spouse of the person; or
(ii) someone with whom the person shares parental
responsibility for a child; or
(iii) a parent or step-parent of the person; or
(iv) a child of the person; or
(v) a grandparent or step-grandparent of the person; or
(vi) a grandchild or step-grandchild of the person; or
(vii) a brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister of the
person; or
(viii) an aunt or uncle of the person; or
(ix) a niece or nephew of the person; or
(x) a first cousin of the person; or
(xi) a brother-in-law, sister-in-law, parent-in-law,
son-in-law or daughter-in-law of the person; and
(b) includes—
(i) for an Aboriginal person—a person who, under
Aboriginal tradition, is regarded as a person
mentioned in paragraph (a); and
(ii) for a Torres Strait Islander—a person who, under
Island custom, is regarded as a person mentioned
in paragraph (a).
dependent child, of a person, means a child of the person who
is dependent on the person for support.
educational institution means—
(a) an approved education and care service under the
Education and Care Services National Law
(Queensland); or
(b) a State educational institution or non-State school under
the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006; or

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 79

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 10 Offences against political liberty

[s 78]

(c) a registered higher education provider under the Tertiary

Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011
(Cwlth); or
(d) a registered training organisation under the National
Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011
(Cwlth).
health service means a service for managing a person’s
physical or mental health, including drug and alcohol
counselling, that is provided by—
(a) a registered health practitioner or student under the
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law
(Queensland); or
(b) a counsellor or psychotherapist registered with the
Australian Register of Counsellors and
Psychotherapists; or
(c) a social worker registered with the Australian
Association of Social Workers.
legal services means legal services within the meaning of the
Legal Profession Act 2007 that are provided by an Australian
legal practitioner within the meaning of that Act.

Chapter 10 Offences against political

liberty

78 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 a misdemeanour,
and is liable to imprisonment for 2 years.

Page 80 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 2 Offences against public order
Chapter 11 Piracy

[s 79]

(2) If the offender is a public officer, and commits the offence in

abuse of the offender’s authority as such officer, the offender
is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.

Chapter 11 Piracy

79 Definition of act of piracy

(1) A person does an act of piracy if the person, in relation to a
ship travelling at sea, unlawfully—
(a) boards the ship without the master’s consent and with
intent—
(i) to commit robbery; or
(ii) to deal with the ship, a person on the ship or the
equipment of the ship in a way that would be likely
to endanger the safe use of the ship; or
(b) boards the ship without the master’s consent and—
(i) commits robbery; or
(ii) deals with the ship, a person on the ship or the
equipment of the ship in a way that is likely to
endanger the safe use of the ship; or
(c) steals the ship, or directly or indirectly takes control of
the ship without the master’s consent, in circumstances
that constitute robbery; or
(d) having taken possession of the ship in contravention of
paragraph (c), retains possession of the ship; or
(e) confines the ship’s master against his or her will.
(2) A person also does an act of piracy if the person—
(a) trades with or supplies provisions to a pirate when the
person knows or ought reasonably to know the person is
dealing with a pirate; or
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 81
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 12 Unlawfully obtaining or disclosing information
[s 80]

(b) builds a ship with the intention that the ship will be used
for an act of piracy.
(3) In this section—
builds includes fits out.
master means the person having command or charge of the
ship and does not include a pilot having the conduct of the
ship, but not belonging to the ship.
pirate means a person carrying out or intending to carry out an
act of piracy.

80 Crime of piracy
A person who does an act of piracy commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—life imprisonment.

Part 3 Offences against the

administration of law and
justice, against office and
against public authority

Chapter 12 Unlawfully obtaining or

disclosing information

85 Disclosure of official secrets

A person who is or has been employed as a public officer who
unlawfully publishes or communicates any information that
comes or came to his or her knowledge, or any document that
comes or came into his or her possession, by virtue of the

Page 82 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 12 Unlawfully obtaining or disclosing information
[s 86]

person’s office, and that it is or was his or her duty to keep

secret, commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.

86 Obtaining of or disclosure of secret information about the

identity of informant
(1) A person who, without lawful justification or excuse, obtains
or attempts to obtain secret information in the possession of a
law enforcement agency or law enforcement officer about the
identity of a criminal organisation informant commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.
(2) A person who, without lawful justification or excuse,
publishes or communicates secret information in the
possession of, or obtained from, a law enforcement agency or
law enforcement officer about the identity of a criminal
organisation informant commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.
(3) In this section—
criminal intelligence means information relating to actual or
suspected criminal activity (including information the
commissioner has obtained through the police service or from
an external agency), whether in the State or elsewhere, the
disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to—
(a) prejudice a criminal investigation; or
(b) enable the discovery of the existence or identity of a
confidential source of information relevant to law
enforcement; or
(c) endanger a person’s life or physical safety.
criminal organisation informant means any of the
following—
(a) anyone who has given, to the police service or an
external agency, information that the commissioner
reasonably believes is criminal intelligence about a
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 83
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 12 Unlawfully obtaining or disclosing information
[s 86]

criminal organisation or a participant in a criminal

organisation, and who is not a police officer or officer of
the external agency;
(b) an authorised officer who has obtained information in
relation to the activities of a criminal organisation while
acting under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act
2000, chapter 12;
(c) a police officer who has obtained information through
the use of an assumed identity, whether or not under the
Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, chapter
12.
external agency means any of the following—
(a) the Crime and Corruption Commission;
(b) the Australian Federal Police;
(c) a police force or service of another State;
(d) the chief executive (corrective services);
(e) an officer of another State with powers and functions
substantially corresponding to the powers and functions
of the chief executive (corrective services) under the
Corrective Services Act 2006;
(f) another entity—
(i) established under a law of another jurisdiction,
including a jurisdiction outside Australia; and
(ii) with functions that include investigating or
inquiring into criminal conduct, misconduct or
corruption (whether or not the functions are stated
in the law mentioned in subparagraph (i)); and
(iii) declared by regulation to be an external agency.
information, about the identity of a criminal organisation
informant, includes information that is likely to lead to the
identity of the informant becoming known.

Page 84 Current as at 29 January 2018

officer, of an external agency, includes a person employed by

the agency, seconded to the agency or engaged by the agency
under a contract for services.
secret information, in the possession of a law enforcement
agency or law enforcement officer, means information it is the
duty of the agency or officer to keep secret.

Chapter 13 Corruption and abuse of office

87 Official corruption
(1) Any person who—
(a) being employed in the public service, or being the
holder of any public office, and being charged with the
performance of any duty by virtue of such employment
or office, not being a duty touching the administration of
justice, corruptly asks for, receives, or obtains, or agrees
or attempts to receive or obtain, any property or benefit
of any kind for himself, herself 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 the
person in the discharge of the duties of the person’s
office; 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 employed in the
public service, or being the holder of any public 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 so employed or
holding such office;
is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years,
and to be fined at the discretion of the court.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 85
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 13 Corruption and abuse of office
[s 88]

(1A) If the offence is committed by or in relation to a Minister of

the Crown, as the holder of public office mentioned in
subsection (1), the offender is liable to imprisonment for 14
years, and to be fined at the discretion of the court.
(1B) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(1C) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(2) The offender can not be arrested without warrant.

88 Extortion by public officers

Any person who, being employed in the public service, takes
or accepts from any person, for the performance of the
person’s duty as such officer, any reward beyond the person’s
proper pay and emoluments, or any promise of such reward, is
guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 3
years.

89 Public officers interested in contracts

(1) Any person who, being employed in the public service,
knowingly acquires or holds, directly or indirectly, otherwise
than as a member of a registered joint stock company
consisting of more than 20 persons, a private interest in any
contract or agreement which is made on account of the public
service with respect to any matter concerning the department
of the service in which the person is employed (the relevant
department), is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to
imprisonment for 3 years, and to be fined at the discretion of
the court.
(2) However, the person does not commit an offence against
subsection (1) if, before the person acquires or starts to hold
the private interest—
Page 86 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 13 Corruption and abuse of office
[s 90]

(a) the person discloses the nature of the interest to the chief
executive of the relevant department; and
(b) the chief executive of the relevant department authorises
the person, in writing, to acquire or hold the interest.
(3) In a proceeding against a person for an offence against
subsection (1), proof of the matters mentioned in subsection
(2) lies on the person.
(4) The chief executive of a department may delegate the chief
executive’s function under subsection (2) to an appropriately
qualified person.
(5) A reference in subsection (1) to a person employed in the
public service includes a ministerial staff member under the
Ministerial and Other Office Holder Staff Act 2010 and, for
that purpose—
(a) a ministerial staff member employed in the office of a
Minister is taken to be employed in each department
administered by the Minister; and
(b) a ministerial staff member employed in the office of an
Assistant Minister is taken to be employed in each
department for which the Assistant Minister is given
responsibility under his or her functions.
Note—
Under the Constitution of Queensland 2001, section 25, an
Assistant Minister has the functions decided by the Premier.
(6) In this section—
function includes power.

90 Officers charged with administration of property of a

special character or with special duties
Any person who, being employed in the public service, and
being charged by virtue of the person’s employment with any
judicial or administrative duties respecting property of a
special character, or respecting the carrying on of any
manufacture, trade, or business, of a special character, and
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 87
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 13 Corruption and abuse of office
[s 91]

having acquired or holding, directly or indirectly, a private

interest in any such property, manufacture, trade, or business,
discharges any such duties with respect to the property,
manufacture, trade, or business, in which the person has such
interest, or with respect to the conduct of any person in
relation thereto, is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to
imprisonment for 1 year, and to be fined at the discretion of
the court.

91 False claims by officials

Any person who, being employed in the public service in such
a capacity as to require the person or to enable the person to
furnish returns or statements touching any remuneration
payable or claimed to be payable to himself, herself or to any
other person, or touching any other matter required by law to
be certified for the purpose of any payment of money or
delivery of goods to be made to any person, makes a return or
statement touching any such matter which is, to the person’s
knowledge, false in any material particular, is guilty of a
misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.

92 Abuse of office
(1) Any person who, being employed in the public service, does
or directs to be done, in abuse of the authority of the person’s
office, any arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights of another is
guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 2
years.
(2) If the act is done or directed to be done for purposes of gain,
the person is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.

92A Misconduct in relation to public office

(1) A public officer who, with intent to dishonestly gain a benefit
for the officer or another person or to dishonestly cause a
detriment to another person—
Page 88 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 13 Corruption and abuse of office
[s 92A]

(a) deals with information gained because of office; or

(b) performs or fails to perform a function of office; or
(c) without limiting paragraphs (a) and (b), does an act or
makes an omission in abuse of the authority of office;
is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) A person who ceases to be a public officer in a particular
capacity is guilty of a crime if, with intent to dishonestly gain
a benefit for the person or another person or to dishonestly
cause a detriment to another person, the person deals with
information gained because of the capacity.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(3) Subsection (2) applies whether or not the person continues to
be a public officer in some other capacity.
(4) A reference in subsections (1) and (2) to information gained
because of office or a particular capacity includes information
gained because of an opportunity provided by the office or
capacity.
(4A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(4B) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(5) In this section—
authority, of office, includes the trust imposed by office and
the influence relating to office.
deals with includes the following—
(a) uses;
(b) supplies;

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 89

(c) copies;
(d) publishes.
function includes power.
information includes knowledge.
office, in relation to a person who is a public officer, means
the position, role or circumstance that makes the person a
public officer.
performs includes purportedly performs and in relation to a
power, exercises and purportedly exercises.

93 Corruption of surveyor and valuator

Any person who, being duly appointed under any statute to be
a valuator for determining the compensation to be paid to any
person for land compulsorily taken from the person under the
authority of any statute, or for injury done to any land under
the authority of any statute—
(a) acts as such valuator while the person has, to the
person’s knowledge, an interest in the land in question;
or
(b) executes unfaithfully, dishonestly, or with partiality, the
duty of making a valuation of the land or of the extent of
the injury;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.

94 False certificates by public officers

Any person who, being authorised or required by law to give
any certificate touching any matter by virtue whereof the
rights of any person may be prejudicially affected, gives a
certificate which is, to the person’s knowledge, false in any
material particular is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable
to imprisonment for 3 years.
Page 90 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 13 Corruption and abuse of office
[s 95]

95 Administering extrajudicial oaths

(1) Any person who administers an oath, or takes a solemn
declaration or affirmation or affidavit, touching any matter
with respect to which the person has not by law any authority
to do so, is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to
imprisonment for 1 year.
(2) This section does not apply to an oath, declaration,
affirmation, or affidavit, administered or taken before a justice
in any matter relating to the preservation of the peace or the
punishment of offences, or relating to inquiries respecting
sudden death, or to proceedings before the Legislative
Assembly or a committee of the Legislative Assembly; nor to
an oath, declaration, affirmation, or affidavit, administered or
taken for some purpose which is lawful under the laws of
another country, or for the purpose of giving validity to an
instrument in writing which is intended to be used in another
country.

96 False assumption of authority

Any person who—
(a) not being a justice assumes to act as a justice; or
(b) without authority assumes to act as a person having
authority by law to administer an oath or take a solemn
declaration or affirmation or affidavit, or to do any other
act of a public nature which can only be done by persons
authorised by law to do so; or
(c) represents himself or herself to be a person authorised
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 authorised, when the person is not, and
knows that the person is not, in fact, so authorised;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 91
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 14 Corrupt and improper practices at elections
[s 97]

97 Personating public officers

(1) A person who—
(a) personates a public officer on an occasion when the
officer is required or authorised to do an act or attend in
a place by virtue of the officer’s office; or
(b) falsely represents himself or herself to be a public
officer, and assumes to do an act or to attend in a place
for the purpose of doing an act by virtue of being that
officer;
commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.
(2) A person found committing the offence may be arrested
without warrant.
(3) In this section—
office includes appointment and employment.

Chapter 14 Corrupt and improper practices

at elections

Chapter division 1 Definitions for ch 14

98 Definitions
In this chapter—
authorising Act, for an election, means the Act under which
the election is held.
ballot box includes any receptacle in which voting papers are
put before being counted at an election.

Page 92 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 14 Corrupt and improper practices at elections
[s 98A]

election includes 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.
elector includes any person entitled to vote at an election.

Chapter division 2 Legislative Assembly

elections and referendums

98A Reference to election or referendum

In this chapter division—
(a) a reference to an election is a reference to an election of
a member or members of the Legislative Assembly; and
(b) a reference to a referendum is a reference to a
referendum under the Referendums Act 1997.

98B False or misleading information

(1) A person who gives information to the Electoral Commission
of Queensland under the Electoral Act 1992 or Referendums
Act 1997, including information in a document, that the
person knows is false or misleading in a material particular is
guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person giving a document
if, when giving the document to someone, the person—
(a) informs the other person, to the best of the person’s
ability, how it is false or misleading; and
(b) if the person has, or can reasonably obtain, the correct
information—gives the other person the correct
information.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 93

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 14 Corrupt and improper practices at elections
[s 98C]

98C Bribery
(1) A person who—
(a) asks for or receives; or
(b) offers, or agrees, to ask for or receive;
a benefit of any kind, whether for himself or herself or for
someone else, on the understanding that the person’s election
conduct will be influenced or affected is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) A person who, in order to influence or affect another person’s
election conduct, gives a benefit of any kind to anyone is
guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(3) In this section—
election conduct of a person means—
(a) the way in which the person votes at an election or
referendum; or
(b) the person’s nominating as a candidate for an election;
or
(c) the person’s support of, or opposition to, a candidate or
a political party at an election; or
(d) the person’s approval or disapproval of the Bill or
question submitted to the electors at a referendum.
give includes promise or offer to give.

98D Forging or uttering electoral or referendum paper

(1) A person who—
(a) forges an electoral or referendum paper; or
(b) utters a forged electoral or referendum paper knowing it
to be forged;
is guilty of a crime.
Page 94 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 14 Corrupt and improper practices at elections
[s 98E]

Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.

(2) A person who makes the signature of another person on—
(a) an electoral paper, unless the person is authorised to do
so under the Electoral Act 1992; or
(b) a referendum paper, unless the person is authorised to do
so under the Referendums Act 1997;
is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.
(3) In this section—
electoral paper means a ballot paper, declaration envelope or
other document issued by the Electoral Commission of
Queensland under the Electoral Act 1992.
referendum paper means a ballot paper, declaration envelope
or other document issued by the Electoral Commission of
Queensland under the Referendums Act 1997.

98E Influencing voting

(1) A person who improperly influences the vote of a person at an
election or referendum is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(2) In this section—
improperly influence means influence by intimidation or
violence.

98F Providing money for illegal payments

A person who knowingly provides money for—
(a) a payment that is contrary to law relating to elections or
referendums; or

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 95

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 14 Corrupt and improper practices at elections
[s 98G]

(b) replacing any money that has been spent in making a

payment that is contrary to law relating to elections or
referendums;
is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.

98G Voting if not entitled

A person who, at an election or referendum—
(a) votes in the name of another person, including a dead or
fictitious person; or
(b) votes more than once; or
(c) casts a vote that the person knows the person is not
entitled to cast; or
(d) procures someone to vote who, to the procuring person’s
knowledge, is not entitled to vote;
is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.

Chapter division 3 Other elections

98H Application of ch div 3

This chapter division applies to an election other than—
(a) an election of a member or members of the Legislative
Assembly; or
(b) an election for a local government.

99 Voting if not entitled

(1) A person who votes at an election in the name of another
person, including a dead or fictitious person, commits a
misdemeanour.
Page 96 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 14 Corrupt and improper practices at elections
[s 100]

Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.

(2) A person who votes at an election more often than the person
is entitled to vote at the election commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(3) A person who casts a vote at an election that the person knows
the person is not entitled to cast commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(4) A person who procures another person to vote at an election
who, to the procurer’s knowledge, is not entitled to vote at the
election commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(5) A person who, at an election for which voting is by post,
attests the signature to a voting paper of a person who is, to
the first person’s knowledge, not entitled to vote at the
election by way of the voting paper commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.

100 Hindering or interfering with voting conduct

(1) A person who, in order to hinder or interfere with another
person’s voting conduct—
(a) acts fraudulently; or
(b) uses or threatens to use force against any person; or
(c) causes or threatens to cause a detriment to any person;
commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—1 year’s imprisonment.
(2) A person who causes or threatens to cause a detriment to
another person (the affected person) because of the voting
conduct of any person (whether or not the affected person)
commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—1 year’s imprisonment.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 97

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 14 Corrupt and improper practices at elections
[s 101]

(3) In this section—

voting conduct of a person means—
(a) the person’s voting or not voting at an election; or
(b) the way in which the person votes at an election.

101 Bribery
(1) A person who—
(a) asks for or receives; or
(b) offers, or agrees, to ask for or receive;
a benefit, whether for the person or for another person, on the
understanding that the person’s election conduct will be
influenced or affected commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—1 year’s imprisonment.
(2) A person who, in order to influence or affect the election
conduct of another person (the affected person), gives a
benefit to any person (whether or not the affected person)
commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—1 year’s imprisonment.
(3) In this section—
election conduct of a person means—
(a) the person’s voting or not voting at an election; or
(b) the way in which the person votes at an election; or
(c) the person’s nominating as a candidate for an election;
or
(d) the person’s support of, or opposition to, a candidate at
an election.
give includes promise and offer to give.

Page 98 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 14 Corrupt and improper practices at elections
[s 102]

102 Publishing false information about a candidate

A person who, before or during an election, in order to affect
the election result, knowingly publishes false information
about—
(a) a candidate’s personal character or conduct; or
(b) whether a candidate has withdrawn from the election;
commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—1 year’s imprisonment.

103 Providing money for illegal payments

A person who knowingly provides money—
(a) for a payment that is contrary to this chapter division or
the authorising Act for an election; or
(b) to replace money that has been spent in making a
payment mentioned in paragraph (a);
commits an offence.
Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.

104 Election notices to contain particular matters

(1) A person who, before or during an election, prints or
publishes, or permits another person to print or publish, an
election notice for the election that does not state the name
and address of the person who authorised the notice commits
an offence.
Maximum penalty—3 penalty units.
(2) In this section—
address means address other than a post office box.
election notice means a notice containing anything able to, or
intended to—

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 99

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 14 Corrupt and improper practices at elections
[s 107]

(a) influence an elector in relation to voting in an election;

or
(b) affect the result of an election.
notice includes a poster, handbill and pamphlet.
publish includes publish on the internet, even if the internet
site on which the publication is made is located outside
Queensland.

107 Corrupt and illegal practices—time

(1) A prosecution for any of the offences defined in sections 99 to
104 must be begun within 1 year after the offence is
committed.
(2) The service or execution of process on or against the alleged
offender is deemed to be the commencement of the
prosecution, unless such service or execution is prevented by
some act on the person’s part, in which case the issue of the
process is deemed to be the commencement of the
proceeding.

108 Interfering at elections

A person who wilfully interrupts, obstructs or disturbs a
proceeding at an election commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.

109 Electors attempting to violate secrecy of ballot

Any person who, having received a ballot paper from the
presiding officer at an election—
(a) wilfully makes on the ballot paper any mark or writing
not expressly authorised by law; or
(b) wilfully fails to fold up the ballot paper in such a
manner as to conceal how the person has voted; or

Page 100 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 14 Corrupt and improper practices at elections
[s 110]

(c) wilfully fails to deposit the ballot paper in the ballot box
in the presence of the presiding officer;
commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.

110 Stuffing ballot boxes

A person who wilfully puts in a ballot box a ballot paper that
has not been lawfully handed to, and marked by, an elector
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.

111 Presiding officer helping an elector with a disability

If—
(a) a presiding officer at an election agrees to help an
elector who is blind, or otherwise unable to vote without
help, by marking the elector’s ballot paper for the
elector; and
(b) the presiding officer wilfully fails to mark the ballot
paper—
(i) in the way requested by the elector; and
(ii) in the sight of anyone else lawfully present;
the presiding officer commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.

112 False or misleading information

(1) A person (the giver) who gives to another person, under the
authorising Act for an election, for a purpose relating to the
election, information that the giver knows is false or
misleading in a material particular commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 101

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 14 Corrupt and improper practices at elections
[s 113]

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if, when giving information in a
document, the giver—
(a) informs the recipient, to the best of the giver’s ability,
how it is false or misleading; and
(b) if the giver has, or can reasonably obtain, the correct
information—gives the correct information to the
recipient.

113 Interfering with secrecy at elections

(1) This section applies to an election at which voting is by ballot.
(2) A person who unfolds a ballot paper that has been marked and
folded by an elector at the election commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(3) An officer who ascertains or discovers, or attempts to
ascertain or discover, how an elector has voted at the election
commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(4) An officer who discloses any information about how an
elector has voted at the election commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(5) An officer who places a mark or writing on an elector’s ballot
paper commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(6) A person does not commit an offence against this section only
by doing something the person is ordered by a court or
authorised under the authorising Act to do.
(7) Also this section does not apply to a police officer doing a
thing in the course of performing a duty of a police officer.
(8) In this section—
officer, in relation to an election, means a person performing
duties at the election under the authorising Act.
Page 102 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 15 Selling and trafficking in offices
[s 114]

114 Breaking the seal of a parcel at elections

(1) A person who wilfully opens or breaks the seal of a parcel
sealed under the authorising Act for an election commits a
misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(2) A person does not commit an offence against subsection (1)
only by doing something the person is ordered by a court or
authorised under the authorising Act to do.
(3) Also subsection (1) does not apply to a police officer doing a
thing in the course of performing a duty of a police officer.

Chapter 15 Selling and trafficking in offices

118 Bargaining for offices in public service

Any person who—
(a) corruptly asks for, receives, or obtains, or agrees or
attempts to receive or obtain, any property or benefit of
any kind for himself, herself 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 the
person or any other person, with regard to the
appointment or contemplated appointment of any person
to any office or employment in the public service, or
with regard to any application by any person for
employment in the public service; 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;

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 103

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 16 Offences relating to the administration of justice
[s 119]

is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for

3 years, and to be fined at the discretion of the court.

Chapter 16 Offences relating to the

administration of justice

119 Definitions for ch 16

In this chapter—
family see section 119A.
judicial proceeding includes any proceeding had or taken in
or before any court, tribunal or person, in which evidence may
be taken on oath.

119A Meaning of family

(1) Each of the following is a member of a person’s family—
(a) a spouse of the person;
(b) a child of the person;
(c) a parent, grandparent, grandchild or sibling of the
person, including—
(i) if the person is an Aboriginal person, a person—
(A) who is recognised under Aboriginal tradition
as a member of the Aboriginal person’s
family; and
Note—
‘Aboriginal tradition’ is defined under the Acts
Interpretation Act 1954. See schedule 1 of that
Act.
(B) with whom the Aboriginal person has a
relationship like that between an individual
Page 104 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 16 Offences relating to the administration of justice
[s 119B]

and a parent, grandparent, grandchild or

sibling of the individual; or
(ii) if the person is a Torres Strait Islander, a person—
(A) who is recognised under Island custom as a
member of the Torres Strait Islander’s
family; and
Note—
‘Island custom’ is defined under the Acts
Interpretation Act 1954. See schedule 1 of that
Act.
(B) with whom the Torres Strait Islander has a
relationship like that between an individual
and a parent, grandparent, grandchild or
sibling of the individual.
(2) For subsection (1)(b)—
(a) a biological, adopted, step or foster child of a person is a
child of the person; and
(b) an individual who is under 18 years and ordinarily a
member of a person’s household is also a child of the
person; and
(c) if a person is an Aboriginal person, an individual who is
recognised under Aboriginal tradition as a child of the
person is also a child of the person; and
(d) if a person is a Torres Strait Islander, an individual who
is recognised under Island custom as a child of the
person is also a child of the person.

119B Retaliation against or intimidation of judicial officer, juror,

witness etc.
(1) A person who, without reasonable cause, causes, or threatens
to cause, any injury or detriment to a judicial officer, juror,
witness or member of a community justice group, or a
member of the family of a judicial officer, juror, witness or
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 105
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 16 Offences relating to the administration of justice
[s 119B]

member of a community justice group, for the purpose of

retaliation or intimidation because of—
(a) anything lawfully done or omitted to be done or that
may be lawfully done or omitted to be done by the
judicial officer as a judicial officer; or
(b) anything lawfully done or omitted to be done or that
may be lawfully done or omitted to be done by the juror
or witness in any judicial proceeding; or
(c) anything lawfully done or omitted to be done or that
may be lawfully done or omitted to be done by any
member of the community justice group a representative
of which makes or may make a submission—
(i) to a court or police officer under the Bail Act 1980
about a defendant who is an Aboriginal or Torres
Strait Islander person; or
(ii) to a court or police officer under the Youth Justice
Act 1992 about a child who is an Aboriginal or
Torres Strait Islander person; or
(iii) to a court under the Penalties and Sentences Act
1992 about an offender who is an Aboriginal or
Torres Strait Islander person;
is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(1A) The offender is liable to a maximum penalty of 10 years
imprisonment if the act constituting the offence is done in
relation to a proceeding before a court for a prescribed offence
charged with the circumstance of aggravation stated in the
Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q.
(1B) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(1C) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Page 106 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 16 Offences relating to the administration of justice
[s 120]

Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented

without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(2) In this section—
community justice group means—
(a) for a defendant under the Bail Act 1980—see the Bail
Act 1980, section 6; or
(b) for a child under the Youth Justice Act 1992—see the
Youth Justice Act 1992, schedule 4; or
(c) for an offender under the Penalties and Sentences Act
1992—see the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992,
section 4.
injury or detriment includes intimidation.
intimidation includes harassment.
prescribed offence see the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992,
section 161N.

120 Judicial corruption

(1) Any person who—
(a) being a judicial officer, corruptly asks for, receives, or
obtains, or agrees or attempts to receive or obtain, any
property or benefit of any kind for himself, herself 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 the person in the person’s judicial
capacity; 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, a judicial officer, 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
judicial officer;
is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years,
and to be fined at the discretion of the court.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 107
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 16 Offences relating to the administration of justice
[s 121]

(2) However, if the judicial officer is an arbitrator or umpire, the

maximum term of imprisonment to which the person is liable
is 7 years.
(3) The offender can not be arrested without warrant.
(4) A prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) can not be
started without a Crown Law Officer’s consent.

121 Official corruption not judicial but relating to offences

(1) Any person who—
(a) being a justice not acting judicially, or being a person
employed in the public service in any capacity not
judicial for the prosecution or detention or punishment
of offenders, corruptly asks for, receives, or obtains, or
agrees or attempts to receive or obtain, any property or
benefit of any kind for himself, herself 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 the person, 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 or other person so employed;
is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years,
and to be fined at the discretion of the court.
(2) The offender can not be arrested without warrant.

122 Corruption of jurors

(1) Any person who—
Page 108 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 16 Offences relating to the administration of justice
[s 123]

(a) attempts by threats or intimidation of any kind, or by

benefits or promises of benefit of any kind, or by other
corrupt means, to influence any person, whether a
particular person or not, in the person’s conduct as a
juror in any judicial proceeding, whether the person has
been sworn as a juror or not; or
(b) accepts any benefit or promise of benefit on account of
anything to be done by the person as a juror in any
judicial proceeding, whether the person has been sworn
as a juror or not, or on account of anything already done
by the person as a juror in any judicial proceeding;
is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

123 Perjury
(1) Any person who in any judicial proceeding, or for the purpose
of instituting any judicial proceeding, knowingly gives false
testimony touching any matter which is material to any
question then depending in that proceeding, or intended to be
raised in that proceeding, is guilty of a crime, which is called
perjury.
(2) It is immaterial whether the testimony is given on oath or
under any other sanction authorised 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 the person assents to the forms and
ceremonies actually used.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 109
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 16 Offences relating to the administration of justice
[s 123A]

(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 proceeding 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 proceeding or not.
(7) The offender can not be arrested without warrant.

123A Perjury—contradictory statements

If, on the trial of a person for perjury, the jury is satisfied
that—
(a) the accused has made 2 statements on oath or under
another sanction authorised by law, 1 of which is
irreconcilably in conflict with the other; and
(b) the accused made 1 of the statements knowing it to be
false;
but the jury is unable to say which statement was falsely
made, the jury may make a special finding to that effect and
find the accused guilty of perjury.

124 Punishment of perjury

(1) Any person who commits perjury is liable to imprisonment
for 14 years.
(2) If the offender commits the crime in order to procure the
conviction of another person for a crime punishable with
imprisonment for life, the offender is liable to imprisonment
for life.

Page 110 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 16 Offences relating to the administration of justice
[s 125]

125 Evidence on charge of perjury

A person can not be convicted of committing perjury or of
counselling or procuring the commission of perjury upon the
uncorroborated testimony of 1 witness.

126 Fabricating evidence

(1) Any person who, with intent to mislead any tribunal in any
judicial proceeding—
(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 a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) The offender can not be arrested without warrant.

127 Corruption of witnesses

(1) 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
proceeding shall give false testimony or withhold true
testimony; or
(b) attempts by any other means to induce a person called or
to be called as a witness in any judicial proceeding to
give false testimony or to withhold true testimony; or
(c) asks for, receives, or obtains, or agrees or attempts to
receive or obtain, any property or benefit of any kind for
himself, herself or any other person, upon any
agreement or understanding that any person shall as a
witness in any judicial proceeding give false testimony
or withhold true testimony;
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 111
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 16 Offences relating to the administration of justice
[s 128]

is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.

(2) The offender can not be arrested without warrant.
(3) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(4) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

128 Deceiving witnesses

Any person who practises any fraud or deceit, or knowingly
makes or exhibits any false statement, representation, token,
or writing, to any person called or to be called as a witness in
any judicial proceeding, with intent to affect the testimony of
such person as a witness, is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is
liable to imprisonment for 3 years.

129 Damaging evidence with intent

A person who, knowing something is or may be needed in
evidence in a judicial proceeding, damages it with intent to
stop it being used in evidence commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.

130 Preventing witnesses from attending

Any person who wilfully prevents or attempts to prevent any
person who 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 the subpoena
or summons, commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.

Page 112 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 16 Offences relating to the administration of justice
[s 131]

131 Conspiracy to bring false accusation

(1) Any person who conspires with another to charge any person
or cause any person to be charged with any offence, whether
alleged to have been committed in Queensland, or elsewhere,
knowing that such person is innocent of the alleged offence,
or not believing the person to be guilty of the alleged offence,
is guilty of a crime.
(2) If the offence is such that a person convicted of it is liable to
be sentenced to imprisonment for life, the offender is liable to
imprisonment for life.
(3) If the offence is such that a person convicted of it is liable to
be sentenced to imprisonment, but for a term less than life, the
offender is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
(4) In any other case the offender is liable to imprisonment for 7
years.
(5) The offender can not be arrested without warrant.
(6) A prosecution for an offence defined in this section shall not
be instituted without the consent of the Attorney-General.

132 Conspiring to defeat justice

(1) Any person who conspires with another to obstruct, prevent,
pervert, or defeat, the course of justice is guilty of a crime,
and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) The offender can not be arrested without warrant.
(3) A prosecution for an offence defined in this section shall not
be instituted without the consent of the Attorney-General.

133 Compounding an indictable offence

(1) Any person who asks for, receives, or obtains, or agrees or
attempts to receive or obtain, any property or benefit of any
kind for himself, herself or any other person, upon any
agreement or understanding that the person will compound or
conceal an indictable offence, or will abstain from,
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 113
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 16 Offences relating to the administration of justice
[s 136]

discontinue, or delay, a prosecution for an indictable offence,

or will withhold any evidence thereof, is guilty of an
indictable offence.
(2) If the indictable offence is such that a person convicted of it is
liable to be sentenced to imprisonment for life, the offender is
guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
(3) In any other case the offender is guilty of a misdemeanour,
and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
(4) The offender can not be arrested without warrant.
(5) Subsection (1) does not apply to an act done for the purpose
of the following—
(a) negotiations in accordance with established legal
practice between a lawyer representing the alleged
offender and the prosecution to achieve a just outcome
in relation to the proceedings for the offence;
(b) mediation in good faith between the alleged offender
and a victim of the offence or anyone acting in the
interests of the victim in relation to an apology,
compensation or restitution;
(c) dispute resolution relating to the alleged offence;
(d) discussions in good faith between the alleged offender
and police officers calculated to ameliorate the conduct
of the offender relevant to the alleged offence.

136 Justices exercising jurisdiction in a matter of personal

interest
A person who, being a justice, wilfully and perversely
exercises jurisdiction in a matter in which the justice has a
personal interest commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.

Page 114 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 16 Offences relating to the administration of justice
[s 137]

137 Delay to take person arrested before magistrate

(1) Any person who, having arrested another upon a charge of an
offence, wilfully and without lawful excuse delays to take the
person before a justice to be dealt with according to law is
guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 2
years.
(2) For subsection (1)—
(a) if the person carrying out the arrest is a police officer, it
is sufficient if the person complies with the
requirements of the Police Powers and Responsibilities
Act 2000, section 393; and
(b) if the person carrying out the arrest is not a police
officer, it is sufficient if the person immediately delivers
the arrested person into the custody of a police officer as
mentioned in section 552(2).

139 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 a misdemeanour, and is
liable to imprisonment for 2 years.

140 Attempting to pervert justice

(1) A person who attempts to obstruct, prevent, pervert, or defeat
the course of justice is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 115
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 17 Escapes—obstructing officers of courts
[s 141]

Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented

without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

Chapter 17 Escapes—obstructing officers

of courts

141 Aiding persons to escape from lawful custody

A person who—
(a) aids a person in lawful custody to escape, or to attempt
to escape, from lawful custody; or
(b) conveys anything to a person in lawful custody, or to a
place where a person is or will be in lawful custody,
with the intention of aiding a person to escape from
lawful custody; or
(c) frees a person from lawful custody without authority;
is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for 7 years.

142 Escape by persons in lawful custody

A person who escapes from lawful custody is guilty of a
crime.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for 7 years.

143 Permitting escape

A person who is responsible for keeping another person in
lawful custody and permits the other person to escape is guilty
of a crime.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for 7 years.

Page 116 Current as at 29 January 2018

144 Harbouring escaped prisoners etc.

A person who harbours, maintains or employs another person
knowing that the other person has escaped from lawful
custody is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for 2 years.

145A Sections 141 to 144 do not apply to certain types of

custody
Sections 141 to 144 do not apply to—
(a) the custody of a patient mentioned in the Mental Health
Act 2016; or
(b) the custody of a child under the Child Protection Act
1999; or
(c) the custody of a forensic disability client mentioned in
the Forensic Disability Act 2011;
unless the person is held in a corrective services facility within
the meaning of the Corrective Services Act 2006.

145B Evidence of lawful custody

Evidence given by a person authorised by the chief executive
(corrective services) to give the evidence that a person is, or
on a particular date was, in lawful custody is to be admitted as
prima facie evidence of the custody.

147 Removing etc. 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 a misdemeanour, and is liable to
imprisonment for 3 years.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 117

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 20 Miscellaneous offences against public authority
[s 148]

148 Obstructing officers of courts of justice

Any person who wilfully obstructs or resists any person
lawfully charged with the execution of an order or warrant of
any court of justice commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.

Chapter 20 Miscellaneous offences against

public authority

193 False verified statements

(1) A person who makes a verified statement that the person
knows is false in a material particular when the person is
required by law to make the statement in the form of a verified
statement commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) The person can not be arrested without a warrant.
(3) In this section—
verified statement means—
(a) a statement made on oath or under another sanction that
may by law be substituted for an oath; or
(b) a statement verified by solemn declaration or
affirmation.

194 False declarations

(1) A person who makes a declaration that the person knows is
false in a material particular, whether or not the person is
permitted or required by law to make the declaration, before a
person authorised by law to take or receive declarations,
commits a misdemeanour.

Page 118 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 20 Miscellaneous offences against public authority
[s 195]

Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.

(2) In this section—
declaration includes a statement and an affidavit.

195 Evidence
A person can not be convicted of any of the offences defined
in sections 193 and 194 upon the uncorroborated testimony of
1 witness.

195A Contradictory statements—false statements or

declarations
If, on the trial of a person for an offence defined in
section 193 or 194, the jury is satisfied that—
(a) the accused has made 2 statements or declarations and 1
is irreconcilably in conflict with the other; and
(b) the accused made 1 of the statements or declarations
knowing it to be false;
but the jury is unable to say which statement or declaration
was falsely made, the jury may make a special finding to that
effect and find the accused guilty of the offence.

199 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 or her office under any statute, or obstructs
or resists any person while engaged in the discharge or
attempted discharge of any duty imposed on the person by any
statute, is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to
imprisonment for 2 years.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 119

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 3 Offences against the administration of law and justice, against office and against
public authority
Chapter 20 Miscellaneous offences against public authority
[s 200]

200 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
lawful excuse omits or refuses to do any act which it is his or
her duty to do by virtue of his or her employment is guilty of a
misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 2 years, and
to be fined at the discretion of the court.

204 Disobedience to statute law

(1) Any person who without lawful excuse, the proof of which
lies on the person, does any act which the person is, by the
provisions of any public statute in force in Queensland,
forbidden to do, or omits to do any act which the person is, by
the provisions of any such statute, required to do, is guilty of a
misdemeanour, unless some mode of proceeding against the
person for such disobedience is expressly provided by statute,
and is intended to be exclusive of all other punishment.
(2) The offender is liable to imprisonment for 1 year.

205 Disobedience to lawful order issued by statutory

authority
(1) Any person who without lawful excuse, the proof of which
lies on the person, disobeys any lawful order issued by any
court of justice, or by any person authorised by any public
statute in force in Queensland to make the order, is guilty of a
misdemeanour, unless some mode of proceeding against the
person for such disobedience is expressly provided by statute,
and is intended to be exclusive of all other punishment.
(2) The offender is liable to imprisonment for 1 year.

205A Contravening order about information necessary to

access information stored electronically
A person who contravenes—

Page 120 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 21 Offences relating to religious worship

[s 206]

(a) an order made under the Police Powers and

Responsibilities Act 2000, section 154(1) or (2) or
154A(2); or
(b) an order made under the Crime and Corruption Act
2001, section 88A(1) or (2) or 88B(2);
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—5 years imprisonment.

Part 4 Acts injurious to the public

in general

Chapter 21 Offences relating to religious

worship

206 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 the
minister’s duty in the lawful burial of the dead in any
cemetery or other burial place; or
(b) by threats or force obstructs or attempts to obstruct any
minister of religion while so officiating or performing
the minister’s 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 aforesaid,
or who is, to the knowledge of the offender, going to

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 121

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 207]

perform the same or returning from the performance

thereof;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
2 years.

207 Disturbing religious worship

Any person who wilfully and without lawful justification or
excuse, the proof of which lies on the person, disquiets or
disturbs any meeting of persons lawfully assembled for
religious worship, or assaults any person lawfully officiating
at any such meeting, or any of the persons there assembled, is
guilty of an offence, and is liable on summary conviction to
imprisonment for 2 months, or to a fine of $10.

Chapter 22 Offences against morality

207A Definitions for this chapter

In this chapter—
anonymising service means a device or other thing, or a
physical, digital or other measure, used to hide—
(a) the identity or location of a person who administers,
accesses or uses a network, computer or other device; or
(b) information stored on a network, computer or other
device; or
(c) communication, including the exchange of information,
between 2 or more persons using a network, computer
or other device; or
(d) the location of a network, computer or other device.

Page 122 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 207A]

Examples of physical, digital or other measures—

software, password or other authorisation, encryption, routing systems,
communications ports
child exploitation material means material that, in a way
likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult, describes or
depicts a person, or a representation of a person, who is, or
apparently is, a child under 16 years—
(a) in a sexual context, including for example, engaging in a
sexual activity; or
(b) in an offensive or demeaning context; or
(c) being subjected to abuse, cruelty or torture.
classified—
(a) for a computer game—see the Classification of
Computer Games and Images Act 1995; or
(b) for a film—see the Classification of Films Act 1991; or
(c) for a publication—see the Classification of Publications
Act 1991.
Commonwealth Classification Act means the Classification
(Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (Cwlth).
computer game see the Classification of Computer Games
and Images Act 1995.
distribute includes—
(a) communicate, exhibit, send, supply or transmit to
someone, whether to a particular person or not; and
(b) make available for access by someone, whether by a
particular person or not; and
(c) enter into an agreement or arrangement to do something
in paragraph (a) or (b); and
(d) attempt to distribute.
film see the Classification of Films Act 1991.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 123

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 207A]

hidden network means a network of computers or other

devices (whether or not part of the internet) that has, or uses,
digital, physical or other measures to do, or that are designed
to do, any of the following—
(a) restrict access to the network;
(b) make the network undiscoverable when searched for in
a way that is generally used to search for networks,
including, for example, by using an internet search
engine;
(c) hide the identity or location of persons who administer,
access or use the network;
(d) hide information stored on the network;
(e) hide communication, including the exchange of
information, between—
(i) the network and a person who administers,
accesses or uses the network; or
(ii) 2 or more persons who administer, access or use
the network;
(f) hide the location of the network.
Examples of physical, digital or other measures—
software, password or other authorisation, encryption, routing systems,
communications ports
information includes a photograph, picture, videotape, digital
image and any other visual representation.
material includes anything that contains data from which text,
images or sound can be generated.
network, of computers or other devices, includes part of a
network of computers or other devices.
observe means observe by any means.
private act, for a person, means—
(a) showering or bathing; or
(b) using a toilet; or
Page 124 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 210]

(c) another activity when the person is in a state of undress;

or
(d) intimate sexual activity that is not ordinarily done in
public.
private place means a place where a person might reasonably
be expected to be engaging in a private act.
publication see the Classification of Publications Act 1991.
someone, in the context of a description or depiction, includes
the body parts of someone, including for example, someone’s
breast or genitalia.
state of undress, for a person, means—
(a) the person is naked or the person’s genital or anal region
is bare or, if the person is female, the person’s breasts
are bare; or
(b) the person is wearing only underwear; or
(c) the person is wearing only some outer garments so that
some of the person’s underwear is not covered by an
outer garment.
visually record, a person, means record, or transmit, by any
means, moving or still images of the person or part of the
person.

210 Indecent treatment of children under 16

(1) Any person who—
(a) unlawfully and indecently deals with a child under the
age of 16 years; or
(b) unlawfully procures a child under the age of 16 years to
commit an indecent act; or
(c) unlawfully permits himself or herself to be indecently
dealt with by a child under the age of 16 years; or

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 125

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 210]

(d) wilfully and unlawfully exposes a child under the age of

16 years to an indecent act by the offender or any other
person; or
(e) without legitimate reason, wilfully exposes a child
under the age of 16 years to any indecent object or any
indecent film, videotape, audiotape, picture, photograph
or printed or written matter; or
(f) without legitimate reason, takes any indecent
photograph or records, by means of any device, any
indecent visual image of a child under the age of 16
years;
is guilty of an indictable offence.
(2) If the child is of or above the age of 12 years, the offender is
guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
(3) If the child is under the age of 12 years, the offender is guilty
of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 20 years.
(4) If the child is, to the knowledge of the offender, his or her
lineal descendant or if the offender is the guardian of the child
or, for the time being, has the child under his or her care, the
offender is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for
20 years.
(4A) If the child is a person with an impairment of the mind, the
offender is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for
20 years.
(4B) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(4C) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(5) If the offence is alleged to have been committed in respect of a
child of or above the age of 12 years, it is a defence to prove
Page 126 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 211]

that the accused person believed, on reasonable grounds, that

the child was of or above the age of 16 years.
(5A) If the offence is alleged to have been committed with the
circumstance of aggravation mentioned in subsection (4A), it
is a defence to the circumstance of aggravation to prove that
the accused person believed on reasonable grounds that the
child was not a person with an impairment of the mind.
(6) In this section—
deals with includes doing any act which, if done without
consent, would constitute an assault as defined in this Code.

211 Bestiality
Any person who has carnal knowledge with or of an animal is
guilty of a crime and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.

213 Owner etc. permitting abuse of children on premises

(1) Any person who, being the owner or occupier of any
premises, or having, or acting or assisting in, the management
or control of any premises, induces or knowingly permits any
child under the age of 16 years to be in or upon the premises
for the purpose of any person, whether a particular person or
not, doing an act in relation to the child (a proscribed act)
defined to constitute an offence in section 210 or 215 is guilty
of an indictable offence.
(2) If the child is of or above the age of 12 years, the offender is
guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
(3) If the child is under the age of 12 years, the offender is guilty
of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment—
(a) for life, where the proscribed act is one defined to
constitute an offence in section 215; or
(b) for 14 years in any other case.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 127

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 215]

(3A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(3B) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(4) If the proscribed act is one defined to constitute an offence in
section 210 or 215 and the child is of or above 12 years, it is a
defence to prove that the accused person believed, on
reasonable grounds, that the child was of or above 16 years.

215 Carnal knowledge with or of children under 16

(1) Any person who has or attempts to have unlawful carnal
knowledge with or of a child under the age of 16 years is
guilty of an indictable offence.
(2) If the child is of or above the age of 12 years, the offender is
guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
(3) If the child is under the age of 12 years, the offender is guilty
of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for life or, in the case
of an attempt to have unlawful carnal knowledge, to
imprisonment for 14 years.
(4) If the child is not the lineal descendant of the offender but the
offender is the child’s guardian or, for the time being, has the
child under the offender’s care, the offender is guilty of a
crime, and is liable to imprisonment for life or, in the case of
an attempt to have unlawful carnal knowledge, to
imprisonment for 14 years.
(4A) If the child is a person with an impairment of the mind, the
offender is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for
life.
(4B) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
Page 128 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 216]

(4C) An indictment charging an offence against this section with

the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(5) If the offence is alleged to have been committed in respect of a
child of or above the age of 12 years, it is a defence to prove
that the accused person believed, on reasonable grounds, that
the child was of or above the age of 16 years.
(5A) If the offence is alleged to have been committed with the
circumstance of aggravation mentioned in subsection (4A), it
is a defence to the circumstance of aggravation to prove that
the accused person believed on reasonable grounds that the
child was not a person with an impairment of the mind.

216 Abuse of persons with an impairment of the mind

(1) Any person who has or attempts to have unlawful carnal
knowledge with or of a person with an impairment of the
mind is, subject to subsection (3)(a) and (b), guilty of a crime,
and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) Any person who—
(a) unlawfully and indecently deals with a person with an
impairment of the mind; or
(b) unlawfully procures a person with an impairment of the
mind to commit an indecent act; or
(c) unlawfully permits himself or herself to be indecently
dealt with by a person with an impairment of the mind;
or
(d) wilfully and unlawfully exposes a person with an
impairment of the mind to an indecent act by the
offender or any other person; or
(e) without legitimate reason, wilfully exposes a person
with an impairment of the mind to any indecent object
or any indecent film, videotape, audiotape, picture,
photograph or printed or written matter; or
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 129
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 216]

(f) without legitimate reason, takes any indecent

photograph or records, by means of any device, any
indecent visual image of a person with an impairment of
the mind;
is, subject to subsections (3)(c) and (3A), guilty of a crime,
and is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
(3) If the person with an impairment of the mind is not the lineal
descendant of the offender but the offender is the guardian of
that person or, for the time being, has that person under the
offender’s care, the offender is guilty of a crime, and is
liable—
(a) in the case of the offence of having unlawful carnal
knowledge—to imprisonment for life; or
(b) in the case of an attempt to have unlawful carnal
knowledge—to imprisonment for life; or
(c) in the case of an offence defined in subsection (2)—to
imprisonment for 14 years.
(3A) In the case of an offence defined in subsection (2), if the
person with an impairment of the mind is, to the knowledge of
the offender, the offender’s lineal descendant, the offender is
guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
(4) It is a defence to a charge of an offence defined in this section
to prove—
(a) that the accused person believed on reasonable grounds
that the person was not a person with an impairment of
the mind; or
(b) that the doing of the act or the making of the omission
which, in either case, constitutes the offence did not in
the circumstances constitute sexual exploitation of the
person with an impairment of the mind.
(5) In this section—
deals with includes doing any act that, if done without
consent, would constitute an assault.
Page 130 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 217]

217 Procuring young person etc. for carnal knowledge

(1) A person who procures a person who is not an adult or is a
person with an impairment of the mind to engage in carnal
knowledge (either in Queensland or elsewhere) commits a
crime.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for 14 years.
(1A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(1B) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(2) In this section—
procure means knowingly entice or recruit for the purposes of
sexual exploitation.

218 Procuring sexual acts by coercion etc.

(1) A person who—
(a) by threats or intimidation of any kind, procures a person
to engage in a sexual act, either in Queensland or
elsewhere; or
(b) by a false pretence, procures a person to engage in a
sexual act, either in Queensland or elsewhere; or
(c) administers to a person, or causes a person to take, a
drug or other thing with intent to stupefy or overpower
the person to enable a sexual act to be engaged in with
the person;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) For subsection (1), a person engages in a sexual act if the
person—
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 131
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 218A]

(a) allows a sexual act to be done to the person’s body; or

(b) does a sexual act to the person’s own body or the body
of another person; or
(c) otherwise engages in an act of an indecent nature with
another person.
(3) Subsection (2) is not limited to sexual intercourse or acts
involving physical contact.
(3A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(3B) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(4) In this section—
procure means knowingly entice or recruit for the purposes of
sexual exploitation.

218A Using internet etc. to procure children under 16

(1) Any adult who uses electronic communication with intent to
procure a person under the age of 16 years, or a person the
adult believes is under the age of 16 years, to engage in a
sexual act, either in Queensland or elsewhere, commits a
crime.
Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.
(2) The adult is liable to 14 years imprisonment if—
(a) the person is—
(i) a person under 12 years; or
(ii) a person the adult believes is under 12 years; or
(b) the offence involves the adult—
(i) intentionally meeting the person; or
Page 132 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 218A]

(ii) going to a place with the intention of meeting the

person.
(2A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(2B) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(3) For subsection (1), a person engages in a sexual act if the
person—
(a) allows a sexual act to be done to the person’s body; or
(b) does a sexual act to the person’s own body or the body
of another person; or
(c) otherwise engages in an act of an indecent nature.
(4) Subsection (3) is not limited to sexual intercourse or acts
involving physical contact.
(5) For subsection (1), it is not necessary to prove that the adult
intended to procure the person to engage in any particular
sexual act.
(6) Also, for subsection (1), it does not matter that, by reason of
circumstances not known to the adult, it is impossible in fact
for the person to engage in the sexual act.
(7) For subsection (1), it does not matter that the person is a
fictitious person represented to the adult as a real person.
(8) Evidence that the person was represented to the adult as being
under the age of 16 years, or 12 years, as the case may be, is,
in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof that the adult
believed the person was under that age.
(9) It is a defence to a charge under this section to prove the adult
believed on reasonable grounds that the person was at least 16
years.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 133

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 218B]

(9A) For an offence defined in subsection (1) alleged to have been

committed with the circumstance of aggravation mentioned in
subsection (2)(a)(i), it is a defence to the circumstance of
aggravation to prove that the adult believed on reasonable
grounds that the person was at least 12 years.
(10) In this section—
electronic communication means email, internet chat rooms,
SMS messages, real time audio/video or other similar
communication.
meeting means meeting in person.
procure means knowingly entice or recruit for the purposes of
sexual exploitation.

218B Grooming children under 16

(1) Any adult who engages in any conduct in relation to a person
under the age of 16 years, or a person the adult believes is
under the age of 16 years, with intent to—
(a) facilitate the procurement of the person to engage in a
sexual act, either in Queensland or elsewhere; or
(b) expose, without legitimate reason, the person to any
indecent matter, either in Queensland or elsewhere;
commits a crime.
Note—
See section 1 for the definition indecent matter.
Maximum penalty—5 years imprisonment.
(2) The adult is liable to 10 years imprisonment if the person is—
(a) a person under 12 years; or
(b) a person the adult believes is under 12 years.
(2A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.

Page 134 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 218B]

(2B) An indictment charging an offence against this section with

the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(3) For subsection (1)(a), a person engages in a sexual act if the
person—
(a) allows a sexual act to be done to the person’s body; or
(b) does a sexual act to the person’s own body or the body
of another person; or
(c) otherwise engages in an act of an indecent nature.
(4) Subsection (3) is not limited to sexual intercourse or acts
involving physical contact.
(5) For subsection (1)(a)—
(a) it is not necessary to prove that the adult intended to
facilitate the procurement of the person to engage in any
particular sexual act; and
(b) it does not matter that, by reason of circumstances not
known to the adult, it is impossible in fact for the person
to engage in the sexual act; and
(c) it does not matter when the adult intended the person
would be procured to engage in a sexual act.
(6) For subsection (1), it does not matter that the person is a
fictitious person represented to the adult as a real person.
(7) Evidence that the person was represented to the adult as being
under the age of 16 years, or 12 years, as the case may be, is,
in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof that the adult
believed the person was under that age.
(8) It is a defence to a charge under this section to prove the adult
believed on reasonable grounds that the person was at least 16
years.
(9) For an offence defined in subsection (1) alleged to have been
committed with the circumstance of aggravation mentioned in
subsection (2)(a), it is a defence to the circumstance of
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 135
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 219]

aggravation to prove that the adult believed on reasonable

grounds that the person was at least 12 years.
(10) In this section—
procure means knowingly entice or recruit for the purposes of
sexual exploitation.

219 Taking child for immoral purposes

(1) Any person who takes or entices away, or detains a child who
is under the age of 16 years and is not the husband or wife of
that person for the purpose of any person, whether a particular
person or not, doing an act in relation to the child (a
proscribed act) defined to constitute an offence in section 210
or 215 is guilty of a crime.
(2) If the child is of or above the age of 12 years, the offender is
liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
(3) If the child is under the age of 12 years, the offender is liable
to imprisonment—
(a) for life, where the proscribed act is one defined to
constitute an offence in section 215; or
(b) for 14 years in any other case.
(3A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(3B) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(4) If the proscribed act is one defined to constitute an offence
defined in section 210 or 215 and the child is of or above 12
years, it is a defence to prove that the accused person believed,
on reasonable grounds, the child was of or above 16 years.

Page 136 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 221]

221 Conspiracy to defile

Any person who conspires with another to induce any person,
by any false pretence or other fraudulent means, to permit any
person to have unlawful carnal knowledge with or of him or
her commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.

222 Incest
(1) Any person who—
(a) has carnal knowledge with or of the person’s offspring
or other lineal descendant, or sibling, parent,
grandparent, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece; and
(b) knows that the other person bears that relationship to
him or her, or some relationship of that type to him or
her;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for life.
(2) Any person who attempts to commit the crime of incest is
liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
(3) It is immaterial that the act or attempted act of carnal
knowledge happened with the consent of either person.
(4) It is a defence to a charge under this section to prove that the
accused person was, at the time when the act or attempted act
of carnal knowledge happened, acting under the coercion of
the other person.
(5) A reference in this section to an offspring or other lineal
descendant, or a sibling or a parent includes a relationship of
that type that is a half, adoptive or step relationship.
(6) For subsection (5), a reference to a step relationship includes a
relationship corresponding to a step relationship arising
because of cohabitation in a de facto relationship or because
of a foster relationship or a legal arrangement.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 137
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 224]

(7) Also, for subsection (5), a reference to a step relationship does

not include a step relationship that first arose after the relevant
persons became adults.
(7A) Also, if a parentage order is made under the Surrogacy Act
2010, a reference in this section to an offspring or other lineal
descendant, or a sibling or a parent includes a relationship of
that type that—
(a) existed before the making of the order; or
(b) came into existence as a result of the making of the
order regardless of whether the order has been
discharged.
(8) This section does not apply to carnal knowledge between
persons who are—
(a) lawfully married; or
(b) if both persons are adults—entitled to be lawfully
married.

224 Attempts to procure abortion

Any person who, with intent to procure the miscarriage of a
woman, whether she is or is not with child, unlawfully
administers to her or causes her to take any poison or other
noxious thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any other
means whatever, is guilty of a crime, and is liable to
imprisonment for 14 years.

225 The like by women with child

Any woman who, with intent to procure her own miscarriage,
whether she is or is not with child, unlawfully administers to
herself any poison or other noxious thing, or uses any force of
any kind, or uses any other means whatever, or permits any
such thing or means to be administered or used to her, is guilty
of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.

Page 138 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 226]

226 Supplying drugs or instruments to procure abortion

Any person who unlawfully supplies to or procures for any
person anything whatever, knowing that it is intended to be
unlawfully used to procure the miscarriage of a woman,
whether she is or is not with child, is guilty of a
misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.

227 Indecent acts

(1) Any person who—
(a) wilfully and without lawful excuse does any indecent
act in any place to which the public are permitted to
have access, whether on payment of a charge for
admission or not; or
(b) wilfully does any indecent act in any place with intent to
insult or offend any person;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
2 years.
(2) The offender may be arrested without warrant.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who does an
indecent act under the authority of an adult entertainment
permit.

227A Observations or recordings in breach of privacy

(1) A person who observes or visually records another person, in
circumstances where a reasonable adult would expect to be
afforded privacy—
(a) without the other person’s consent; and
(b) when the other person—
(i) is in a private place; or
(ii) is engaging in a private act and the observation or
visual recording is made for the purpose of
observing or visually recording a private act;
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 139
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 227B]

commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
Examples of circumstances where a reasonable adult would expect to be
afforded privacy—
1 A person changing in a communal change room at a swimming
pool may expect to be observed by another person who is also
changing in the room but may not expect to be visually recorded.
2 A person who needs help to dress or use a toilet may expect to be
observed by the person giving the help but may not expect to be
observed by another person.
(2) A person who observes or visually records another person’s
genital or anal region, in circumstances where a reasonable
adult would expect to be afforded privacy in relation to that
region—
(a) without the other person’s consent; and
(b) when the observation or visual recording is made for the
purpose of observing or visually recording the other
person’s genital or anal region;
commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
Example for subsection (2)—
using a mobile phone in a public place to take photos of women’s
underwear under their skirts without their consent
(3) In subsection (2)—
genital or anal region, of a person, means the person’s genital
or anal region when the region is covered by underwear or
bare.

227B Distributing prohibited visual recordings

(1) A person who distributes a prohibited visual recording of
another person having reason to believe it to be a prohibited
visual recording, without the other person’s consent, commits
a misdemeanour.
Page 140 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 227C]

Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.

(2) In this section—
prohibited visual recording, of another person, means—
(a) a visual recording of the person in a private place or
engaging in a private act made in circumstances where a
reasonable adult would expect to be afforded privacy; or
(b) a visual recording of the person’s genital or anal region,
when it is covered by underwear or bare, made in
circumstances where a reasonable adult would expect to
be afforded privacy in relation to that region.

227C Persons who are not criminally responsible for offences

against ss 227A and 227B
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against
section 227A(1) or (2) or 227B(1) if—
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, a law
enforcement officer acting in the course of the person’s
duties; and
(b) the person’s conduct is reasonable in the circumstances
for the performance of the duties.
(2) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against
section 227A(1) or (2) or 227B(1) in relation to an
observation or visual recording of another person who is in
lawful custody or subject to a supervision order if—
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, acting in the
course of the person’s duties in relation to the other
person’s lawful custody or supervision order; and
(b) the person’s conduct is reasonable in the circumstances
for the performance of the duties.
Examples of conduct that may be reasonable for the performance of
duties—
• the observation of a person for the safety of the person or
another person

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 141

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 228]

• the observation of a person providing a urine sample for a

drug test
(3) In this section—
lawful custody includes detention under the Mental Health
Act 2016 in—
(a) an authorised mental health service or a high security
unit within the meaning of that Act; or
(b) the forensic disability service within the meaning of the
Forensic Disability Act 2011.
supervision order, for a person, means an order under an Act
or a law of the Commonwealth or another State or made by an
Australian court that subjects the person to supervision
including, for example, the following orders—
(a) a community based order, or drug and alcohol treatment
order, under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992;
(b) a community based order or supervised release order
under the Youth Justice Act 1992;
(c) a parole order or a conditional release order under the
Corrective Services Act 2006;
(d) a supervision order or an interim supervision order
under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act
2003.

228 Obscene publications and exhibitions

(1) Any person who knowingly, and without lawful justification
or excuse—
(a) publicly sells, distributes or exposes for sale any
obscene book or other obscene printed or written matter,
any obscene computer generated image or any obscene
picture, photograph, drawing, or model, or any other
object tending to corrupt morals; or
(b) exposes to view in any place to which the public are
permitted to have access, whether on payment of a
Page 142 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 228]

charge for admission or not, any obscene picture,

photograph, drawing, or model, or any other object
tending to corrupt morals; or
(c) publicly exhibits any indecent show or performance,
whether on payment of a charge for admission to see the
show or performance or not;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
2 years.
(2) In the case of an offence defined in subsection (1)(a) or (b), if
the matter or thing is obscene or tends to corrupt morals by
reason of depicting a person who is or is represented to be—
(a) a child under the age of 16 years—the offender is liable
to imprisonment for 5 years; or
(b) a child under the age of 12 years—the offender is liable
to imprisonment for 10 years.
(3) In the case of an offence defined in subsection (1)(c), if a
person appearing in the indecent show or performance is or is
represented to be—
(a) a child under the age of 16 years—the offender is liable
to imprisonment for 5 years; or
(b) a child under the age of 12 years—the offender is liable
to imprisonment for 10 years.
(4) It is a defence to a charge of any of the offences defined in this
section to prove that it was for the public benefit that the act
complained of should be done.
(5) Whether the doing of any such act is or is not for the public
benefit is a question of fact.
(5A) Section 207A, definition distribute, does not apply to this
section.
(6) In this section—
computer generated image means electronically recorded
data capable, by way of an electronic device, of being
produced on a computer monitor, television screen, liquid
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 143
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 228A]

crystal display or similar medium as an image, including an

image in the form of text.

228A Involving child in making child exploitation material

(1) A person who involves a child in the making of child
exploitation material commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) if the offender uses a hidden network or an anonymising
service in committing the offence—25 years
imprisonment; or
(b) otherwise—20 years imprisonment.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(4) In this section—
involves a child in the making of child exploitation material
includes—
(a) in any way concerns a child in the making of child
exploitation material; and
(b) attempts to involve a child in the making of child
exploitation material.

228B Making child exploitation material

(1) A person who makes child exploitation material commits a
crime.
Maximum penalty—

Page 144 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 228C]

(a) if the offender uses a hidden network or an anonymising

service in committing the offence—25 years
imprisonment; or
(b) otherwise—20 years imprisonment.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(4) In this section—
make child exploitation material includes—
(a) produce child exploitation material; and
(b) attempt to make child exploitation material.

228C Distributing child exploitation material

(1) A person who distributes child exploitation material commits
a crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) if the offender uses a hidden network or an anonymising
service in committing the offence—20 years
imprisonment; or
(b) otherwise—14 years imprisonment.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 145

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 228D]

228D Possessing child exploitation material

(1) A person who knowingly possesses child exploitation material
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) if the offender uses a hidden network or an anonymising
service in committing the offence—20 years
imprisonment; or
(b) otherwise—14 years imprisonment.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

228DA Administering child exploitation material website

(1) A person who administers a website knowing the website is
used to distribute child exploitation material commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) if the offender uses a hidden network or an anonymising
service in committing the offence—20 years
imprisonment; or
(b) otherwise—14 years imprisonment.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

Page 146 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 228DB]

(4) It is a defence to a charge under this section to prove that the

person, on becoming aware the website was being used to
distribute child exploitation material, took all reasonable steps
in the circumstances to prevent other persons from being able
to use the website to access child exploitation material.
Examples of steps that may be reasonable in the circumstances—
• telling a police officer the website is being used to distribute child
exploitation material and complying with any reasonable direction
given by the police officer about what to do in relation to the
website
• shutting the website down
• modifying the operation of the website so it can not be used to
distribute or access child exploitation material
(5) In this section—
administer, a website, includes—
(a) design, create, manage or maintain the website, part of
the website or a function of the website; or
(b) provide a device to host the website, part of the website
or a function of the website; or
(c) facilitate the operation and use of the website, part of the
website or a function of the website.

228DB Encouraging use of child exploitation material website

(1) A person who, knowing a website is used to distribute child
exploitation material, distributes information—
(a) to encourage someone, whether a particular person or
not, to use the website; or
(b) to advertise or promote the website to someone, whether
a particular person or not;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 147

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 228DC]

(a) if the offender uses a hidden network or an anonymising

service in committing the offence—20 years
imprisonment; or
(b) otherwise—14 years imprisonment.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

228DC Distributing information about avoiding detection

(1) A person who distributes information about how to avoid
detection of, or prosecution for, conduct that involves the
commission of a child exploitation material offence commits a
crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) if the offender uses a hidden network or an anonymising
service in committing the offence—20 years
imprisonment; or
(b) otherwise—14 years imprisonment.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(4) In this section—
child exploitation material offence means an offence against
section 228A, 228B, 228C, 228D, 228DA, 228DB or this
section.
Page 148 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 228E]

228E Defences for ss 228A–228DC

(1) Subsections (2), (3) and (5) prescribe defences available to a
person charged with an offence against section 228A, 228B,
228C, 228D, 228DA, 228DB or 228DC.
(2) It is a defence for the person to prove that—
(a) the person engaged in the conduct that is alleged to
constitute the offence for a genuine artistic, educational,
legal, medical, scientific or public benefit purpose; and
(b) the person’s conduct was, in the circumstances,
reasonable for that purpose.
Example of something made for a public benefit—
a current affairs television program showing children being tortured
during a civil war
(3) It is a defence for the person to prove that, at the time of the
alleged offence—
(a) the material that is alleged to be child exploitation
material was subject to a conditional cultural exemption
in relation to a relevant showing; and
(b) the person engaged in the conduct that is alleged to
constitute the offence for the purpose of the relevant
showing.
(4) Whether conduct was engaged in for a purpose mentioned in
subsection (2)(a) or (3)(b) is a question of fact.
(5) It is a defence for the person to prove that the material alleged
to be child exploitation material is a computer game, film or
publication that is classified as something other than RC.
(6) For subsection (5), the material may have been classified
before, or may be classified after, the offence is alleged to
have been committed.
(7) A certificate that states any of the following facts is evidence
of that fact—
(a) whether a stated computer game, film or publication has
been classified;
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 149
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 228F]

(b) if a stated computer game, film or publication has been

classified—the classification given to the computer
game, film or publication.
(8) In this section—
certificate means a certificate under the Commonwealth
Classification Act, section 25 or 87.
relevant showing has the meaning given by the
Commonwealth Classification Act, sections 6C and 6E.
subject to a conditional cultural exemption has the meaning
given by the Commonwealth Classification Act, section 5.

228F Excluding non-essential persons from court when child

exploitation material displayed
(1) When material alleged to be child exploitation material is on
display in a courtroom, the court must exclude from the
courtroom anyone who is not an essential person.
(2) An essential person is—
(a) a party, or a person representing a party, to the
proceeding; or
(b) a Crown Law Officer or a person authorised by a Crown
Law Officer; or
(c) the prosecutor; or
(d) a witness giving evidence; or
(e) a person who a witness is entitled to have present in
court under the Evidence Act 1977, section 21A(2)(d) or
21AV or the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1978,
section 5(1)(f); or
(f) a person whose presence is, in the court’s opinion,
necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of the
proceeding; or
(g) a person who applies to the court to be present and
whose presence, in the court’s opinion—
Page 150 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 228G]

(i) would serve a proper interest of the person; and

(ii) would not be prejudicial to the interests of any
child described or depicted in the child exploitation
material, whether or not any child can be identified
from the child exploitation material.
(3) When forming an opinion under subsection (2)(f) or (g), the
court must consider the public benefit of limiting the number
of people with access to child exploitation material.

228G Forfeiture of child exploitation material etc.

(1) This section applies if a person is prosecuted for an offence
against—
(a) section 210(1)(e) or (f), 218A or 218B; or
(b) section 228A, 228B, 228C, 228D, 228DA, 228DB or
228DC.
(2) Whether or not the person is convicted of the offence, the
court may order the photograph, visual image, or material that
is the subject of the offence be forfeited to the State.
(3) If the person is convicted of the offence, the court may also
order that anything used to commit the offence be forfeited to
the State.
Example of a thing used to commit the offence—
a computer, camera or sound recording device
(4) Subsections (2) and (3) apply whether the thing to be forfeited
has been seized or is in its owner’s possession.
(5) The court may also make any order that it considers
appropriate to enforce the forfeiture.
(6) This section does not limit the court’s powers under the
Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, the Criminal Proceeds
Confiscation Act 2002 or another law.
(7) When forfeited to the State, the thing becomes the State’s
property and may be dealt with as directed by the chief
executive.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 151
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 228H]

228H Possession etc. of child exploitation material by law

enforcement officer
(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against
section 228B, 228C, 228D, 228DA, 228DB or 228DC if—
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, a law
enforcement officer acting in the course of the person’s
duties; and
(b) the person’s conduct is reasonable in the circumstances
for the performance of the duties.
Examples of conduct that may be reasonable for the performance of
a law enforcement officer’s duties—
• copying child exploitation material for the purposes of
preparing a brief for police prosecutors
• supplying child exploitation material to the Classification
Board established under the Commonwealth Classification
Act for classification under that Act or to the Office of the
Director of Public Prosecutions for use during the
prosecution of a person for an offence
• keeping child exploitation material obtained during an
investigation for legitimate intelligence purposes
(2) However, subsection (1) does not apply to the extent that the
person’s conduct consists of engaging in conduct or an
activity that—
(a) is authorised under—
(i) the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000,
chapter 10 or 11; or
(ii) the Crime and Corruption Act 2001, chapter 3, part
6A; or
(b) is otherwise directed to gaining evidence of the
commission of an offence against a particular person.
(3) In this section—
law enforcement officer includes an inspector under any of
the following Acts—

Page 152 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 229]

(a) the Classification of Computer Games and Images Act

1995;
(b) the Classification of Films Act 1991;
(c) the Classification of Publications Act 1991.

229 Knowledge of age immaterial

Except as otherwise expressly stated, it is immaterial, in the
case of any of the offences defined in this chapter committed
with respect to a person under a specified age, that the accused
person did not know that the person was under that age, or
believed that the person was not under that age.

229B Maintaining a sexual relationship with a child

(1) Any adult who maintains an unlawful sexual relationship with
a child under the age of 16 years commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—life imprisonment.
(2) An unlawful sexual relationship is a relationship that involves
more than 1 unlawful sexual act over any period.
(3) For an adult to be convicted of the offence of maintaining an
unlawful sexual relationship with a child, all the members of
the jury must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the
evidence establishes that an unlawful sexual relationship with
the child involving unlawful sexual acts existed.
(4) However, in relation to the unlawful sexual acts involved in an
unlawful sexual relationship—
(a) the prosecution is not required to allege the particulars
of any unlawful sexual act that would be necessary if the
act were charged as a separate offence; and
(b) the jury is not required to be satisfied of the particulars
of any unlawful sexual act that it would have to be
satisfied of if the act were charged as a separate offence;
and
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 153
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22 Offences against morality

[s 229B]

(c) all the members of the jury are not required to be

satisfied about the same unlawful sexual acts.
(5) If the child was at least 12 years when the crime was alleged
to have been committed, it is a defence to prove the adult
believed on reasonable grounds the child was at least the age
of 16 years.
(6) An adult can not be prosecuted for the crime without a Crown
Law Officer’s consent.
(6A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for the crime.
(7) An adult may be charged in 1 indictment with—
(a) the offence of maintaining an unlawful sexual
relationship with a child (the maintaining offence); and
(b) 1 or more other offences of a sexual nature alleged to
have been committed by the adult in relation to the child
in the course of the alleged unlawful sexual relationship
(the other offence or offences).
(8) The adult charged in 1 indictment as mentioned in
subsection (7) may be convicted of and punished for any or all
of the offences charged.
(9) However, if the adult is—
(a) charged in 1 indictment as mentioned in subsection (7);
and
(b) sentenced to imprisonment for the maintaining offence
and for the other offence or offences;
the court imposing imprisonment may not order that the
sentence for the maintaining offence be served cumulatively
with the sentence or sentences for the other offence or
offences.
Note—
See the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 155 (Imprisonment
to be served concurrently unless otherwise ordered).
(10) In this section—
Page 154 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229C]

offence of a sexual nature means an offence defined in

section 210 (other than section 210(1)(e) or (f)), 215, 222,
349, 350 or 352.
unlawful sexual act means an act that constitutes, or would
constitute (if it were sufficiently particularised), an offence of
a sexual nature.

Chapter 22A Prostitution

229C Definitions for ch 22A

In this chapter—
address means current place of residence.
arrangement includes scheme, agreement, understanding,
promise or undertaking, whether express or implied.
capacity means ability or power (whether direct or indirect),
and includes ability or power that is exercisable because of, by
way of, in breach of, or by revocation of, any of, or any
combination of, the following (whether or not they are
enforceable)—
(a) trusts;
(b) arrangements;
(c) practices.
carry on a business see section 229F.
control means the capacity of an entity to dominate, whether
directly or indirectly, decision making in relation to the
financial and operating policies of another entity so as to
enable the other entity to operate with the first entity in
pursuing the first entity’s objectives.
entity means any legal, administrative or fiduciary
arrangement, organisational structure or other party (including
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 155
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229D]

a person) having the capacity to deploy scarce resources in

order to achieve objectives.
participate means enable, aid, facilitate, organise or control.
place includes—
(a) vacant land (which may be held under more than 1 title
or owner); and
(b) a place in Queensland waters; and
(c) premises.
premises includes—
(a) a building or structure, or a part of a building or
structure, of any type; and
(b) a group of buildings or structures, or a part of a group of
buildings or structures, of any type (which may be held
under more than 1 title or owner); and
(c) the land or water on which a building or structure is, or a
group of buildings or structures are, situated (which may
be held under more than 1 title or owner); and
(d) a vehicle, caravan, vessel or aircraft.
prostitution see section 229E.
publishing means publishing in Queensland or elsewhere by
way of television, newspaper, radio or another form of
communication.
unlawful prostitution means prostitution by 2 or more
prostitutes, other than at a licensed brothel in accordance with
the brothel licence for the brothel.

229D Meaning of sexual intercourse for ch 22A

(1) For this chapter, sexual intercourse includes either or both of
the following activities—

Page 156 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229E]

(a) the penetration, to any extent, of the vagina, vulva or

anus of a person by any part of the body of another
person;
(b) the penetration, to any extent, of the vagina, vulva or
anus of a person, carried out by another person using an
object.
(2) In this section—
penetration does not include penetration carried out for a
proper medical, hygienic or law enforcement purpose.

229E Meaning of prostitution

(1) A person engages in prostitution if the person engages, or
offers to engage, in the provision to another person, under an
arrangement of a commercial character, of any of the
following activities—
(a) sexual intercourse;
(b) masturbation;
(c) oral sex;
(d) any activity, other than sexual intercourse, masturbation
or oral sex, that involves the use of 1 person by another
for his or her sexual satisfaction involving physical
contact.
(2) However, a person does not engage in prostitution if—
(a) the activity is an activity mentioned in subsection (1)(d);
and
(b) the person is providing adult entertainment under an
adult entertainment permit and is an adult and is not a
person with an impairment of the mind; and
(c) the activity is authorised under the permit.
(3) Subsection (1) applies equally to males and females.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 157

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229F]

(4) It does not matter, in relation to an arrangement for the

provision of an activity mentioned in subsection (1)(a), (b),
(c) or (d), whether—
(a) the arrangement is initiated with the person engaging in
the provision of the activity or a third person; or
(b) the pecuniary or other reward under the arrangement is
to be received by the person engaging in the provision of
the activity or a third person.
(5) In this section—
oral sex means the bringing into contact of any part of the
genitalia or anus of a person with any part of the mouth of
another person.

229F Meaning of carry on a business

To carry on a business, a person must at least—
(a) provide finance for the business; and
(b) either—
(i) take part in the management of the business; or
(ii) control the business.

229FA Obtaining prostitution from person who is not an adult

(1) A person (a client) who obtains prostitution from a person
who is not an adult and who the client knows, or ought
reasonably to know, is not an adult, commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) If the person who provides the prostitution is under 16 years,
the offender is liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years
imprisonment.

229G Procuring engagement in prostitution

(1) A person who—
Page 158 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229G]

(a) procures another person to engage in prostitution, either

in Queensland or elsewhere; or
(b) procures another person—
(i) to leave Queensland for the purpose of engaging in
prostitution elsewhere; or
(ii) to come to Queensland for the purpose of engaging
in prostitution; or
(iii) to leave the other person’s usual place of residence
in Queensland for the purpose of engaging in
prostitution, either in Queensland or elsewhere;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) If the procured person is not an adult or is a person with an
impairment of the mind, the offender is liable to a maximum
penalty of 20 years imprisonment.
(2A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(2B) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(3) A licensee or approved manager of a licensed brothel, or his
or her agent, does not contravene subsection (1) only because
the licensee, manager or agent has employed an adult who is
not a person with an impairment of the mind to work as a
prostitute at the brothel in accordance with the brothel licence
for the brothel.
(4) For subsection (3), it does not matter whether the prostitute is
employed under a contract of service or a contract for service.
(5) In this section—
procure includes knowingly entice or recruit for the purposes
of sexual exploitation.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 159
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229H]

229H Knowingly participating in provision of prostitution

(1) A person who knowingly participates, directly or indirectly, in
the provision of prostitution by another person commits a
crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) for a first offence—imprisonment for 3 years; or
(b) for a second offence—imprisonment for 5 years; or
(c) for a third or subsequent offence—imprisonment for 7
years.
Examples of the crime—
Example 1—
a person who knowingly participates in the provision of prostitution by
another person through a company, or other entity, or through another
individual
Example 2—
a person who provides financial or other resources to enable the
establishment of premises from which prostitution is carried out or
coordinated knowing that the premises will be so used
Example 3—
a person who receives financial or other benefit from another person
engaging in prostitution in return for the procuring of clients
Example 4—
drivers, operators and hirers of vehicles who provide transport, or the
means of transport, for prostitutes or clients knowing that the transport
provided is assisting prostitution unless section 229HA(4)(b)(ii) applies
Example 5—
a person who receives, directs or redirects telephone calls or other
forms of messages, or who takes bookings or receives money, knowing
that the action is in connection with the engaging in of prostitution by
another person unless section 229HA(5) applies
Example 6—
a person who participates, directly or indirectly, in any service, action
or matter for the purpose of knowingly enabling another person to
engage in prostitution

Page 160 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229HA]

Note—
Some of these examples may also illustrate the offence defined in
section 229HB.
(2) However, if a person who is not an adult or is a person with an
impairment of the mind is, to the offender’s knowledge,
engaged in the provision of the prostitution, the offender is
liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.
(3) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(4) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

229HA When section 229H does not apply to a person

(1) Subsections (2) to (5) set out particular circumstances in
which section 229H does not apply to a person.
(2) Section 229H does not apply to a person (the participant)
who knowingly participates, directly or indirectly, in the
provision of prostitution by another person if—
(a) the provision of the prostitution by the other person
happens at a licensed brothel in accordance with the
brothel licence for the brothel; and
(b) the other person is an adult and is not a person with an
impairment of the mind.
(3) Section 229H does not apply to a person (also the participant)
who knowingly participates, directly or indirectly, in the
provision of prostitution by another person if—
(a) the activity constituting the prostitution is an activity
mentioned in section 229E(1)(d); and
(b) the person engaging in the activity is providing adult
entertainment under an adult entertainment permit and
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 161
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229HA]

is an adult and is not a person with an impairment of the

mind; and
(c) the activity is authorised under the permit.
(4) Section 229H does not apply to a person (also the participant)
who knowingly participates, directly or indirectly, in the
provision of prostitution by another person if—
(a) the provision of the prostitution by the other person does
not take place at a licensed brothel, and the prostitution
is not unlawful prostitution; and
(b) either—
(i) the participant—
(A) is the holder of a current licence issued under
the Security Providers Act 1993 for carrying
out the functions of a bodyguard under that
Act; and
(B) participates in the provision of the
prostitution no more than the extent
necessary for providing services as a
bodyguard; and
(C) participates in the provision of the
prostitution by the other person and no one
else; or
(ii) the participant—
(A) is the holder of a current licence issued under
the Security Providers Act 1993 for carrying
out the functions of a crowd controller under
that Act; and
(B) participates in the provision of the
prostitution no more than the extent
necessary for providing services as a driver;
and

Page 162 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229HB]

(C) participates in the provision of the

prostitution by the other person and no one
else; and
(c) the other person is an adult and is not a person with an
impairment of the mind.
(5) Section 229H does not apply to a person (also the participant)
who knowingly participates, directly or indirectly, in the
provision of prostitution by another person if—
(a) the provision of the prostitution by the other person does
not take place at a licensed brothel, and the prostitution
is not unlawful prostitution; and
(b) the participant directly receives a message from the
other person about the other person’s location, or the
activity being undertaken by the other person, in relation
to the provision of prostitution by the other person; and
(c) the participant participates in the provision of the
prostitution no more than the extent necessary for
ensuring the safety of the other person; and
(d) the participant participates in the provision of the
prostitution by the other person and no one else; and
(e) the participant does not engage in prostitution.

229HB Carrying on business of providing unlawful prostitution

(1) A person who knowingly carries on the business of providing
unlawful prostitution commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) However, if a person who is not an adult or is a person with an
impairment of the mind is, to the offender’s knowledge,
engaged in the provision of the prostitution, the offender is
liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.
(2A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 163
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229HC]

(2B) An indictment charging an offence against this section with

the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(3) This section and section 229H do not limit each other.

229HC Persons engaging in or obtaining prostitution through

unlawful prostitution business
(1) A person who engages in prostitution through a business
suspected on reasonable grounds of providing unlawful
prostitution commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) for a first offence—imprisonment for 3 years; or
(b) for a second offence—imprisonment for 5 years; or
(c) for a third or subsequent offence—imprisonment for 7
years.
(2) A person who, without reasonable excuse, obtains prostitution
through a business suspected on reasonable grounds of
providing unlawful prostitution commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) for a first offence—imprisonment for 3 years; or
(b) for a second offence—imprisonment for 5 years; or
(c) for a third or subsequent offence—imprisonment for 7
years.

229I Persons found in places reasonably suspected of being

used for prostitution etc.
(1) A person who, without reasonable excuse, is found in, or
leaving after having been in, a place suspected on reasonable
grounds of being used for the purposes of prostitution by 2 or
more prostitutes commits a crime.

Page 164 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229J]

Maximum penalty—
(a) for a first offence—imprisonment for 3 years; or
(b) for a second offence—imprisonment for 5 years; or
(c) for a third or subsequent offence—imprisonment for 7
years.
(2) However, if a person who is not an adult or is a person with an
impairment of the mind is, to the offender’s knowledge, in the
place at the time of the offence, the offender is liable to a
maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.
(3) In sentencing an offender who is a prostitute or client, the
court may, in mitigation of sentence, have regard to evidence
of an appropriate sexual health check undergone by the
offender within 3 months before the offence.
(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person (the relevant
person) if the place is a licensed brothel, unless—
(a) if the relevant person, without reasonable excuse, is
found in the place—a person who is not an adult or who
is a person with an impairment of the mind is, to the
relevant person’s knowledge, also in the place; or
(b) if the relevant person, without reasonable excuse, is
found leaving after having been in the place—a person
who is not an adult or who is a person with an
impairment of the mind was, to the relevant person’s
knowledge, also in the place when the relevant person
was in the place.

229J Certificate of discharge for particular offences

(1) In this section—
defendant means a person charged with an unlawful
prostitution offence or an unlawful presence offence.
identifying matter means—

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 165

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229J]

(a) the name, address, place of employment or another

particular of the defendant or another person that is
likely to lead to the identification of the defendant; or
(b) any photograph, picture, videotape or other visual
representation of the defendant or another person that is
likely to lead to the identification of the defendant.
the court means a court before which is brought a charge
against a defendant for an unlawful prostitution offence or an
unlawful presence offence, and includes a justice conducting
an examination of witnesses in relation to an unlawful
prostitution offence or an unlawful presence offence charged
against a defendant.
unlawful presence offence means an offence against section
229I.
unlawful prostitution offence means an offence against
section 229HC(1) or (2).
(2) At any time before being found guilty of the unlawful
prostitution offence or the unlawful presence offence, the
defendant—
(a) may apply to the court for the issue of the certificate of
discharge mentioned in subsection (6) in relation to the
unlawful prostitution offence or the unlawful presence
offence; and
(b) may apply to the court for an order prohibiting
publication of identifying matter in relation to the
defendant if the certificate is granted.
(3) The application may be heard in court or in chambers.
(4) If the defendant has been charged on indictment, the
application is to be heard and determined by a judge sitting
alone without a jury.
(5) On making the application the defendant must give evidence,
and may be cross-examined, in relation to all matters relevant
to—
Page 166 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229K]

(a) the commission, by the defendant, of the unlawful

prostitution offence or the unlawful presence offence;
and
(b) the commission, by any other person, of an offence
against this Code—
(i) if the offence is an unlawful prostitution offence—
in relation to carrying on the business of providing
unlawful prostitution; or
(ii) if the offence is an unlawful presence offence—in
relation to the premises.
(6) If the court is satisfied that the evidence is a full and true
disclosure by the defendant of all material particulars within
the defendant’s knowledge relevant to the application, the
court must immediately give the defendant a certificate stating
that the defendant is discharged on the unlawful prostitution
offence or the unlawful presence offence.
(7) The defendant can not afterwards be convicted or further
prosecuted for the unlawful prostitution offence or the
unlawful presence offence.
(8) If the court grants an application under subsection (2)(b), the
court may make an order prohibiting the publishing of any
identifying matter in relation to the defendant either
indefinitely or until further order.
(9) A police officer or other person may serve a copy of the order
on any person.
(10) A person who knowingly contravenes an order under
subsection (8) commits a crime.
Maximum penalty for subsection (10)—2,000 penalty units,
imprisonment for 5 years or both.

229K Having an interest in premises used for prostitution etc.

(1) In this section—

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 167

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229K]

interested person, in relation to premises, means a person

who—
(a) owns, leases, rents or otherwise has an interest in
premises; or
(b) is entitled to occupy or use premises; or
(c) controls an entity that—
(i) owns, leases, rents or otherwise has an interest in
premises; or
(ii) is entitled to occupy or use premises.
(2) A person who—
(a) is an interested person in relation to premises; and
(b) knowingly allows the premises to be used for the
purposes of prostitution by 2 or more prostitutes;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) for a first offence—imprisonment for 3 years; or
(b) for a second offence—imprisonment for 5 years; or
(c) for a third or subsequent offence—imprisonment for 7
years.
(3) However, if a person who is not an adult or is a person with an
impairment of the mind is, to the offender’s knowledge, in the
premises at a time of the offence, the offender is liable to a
maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.
(3A) Subsection (2) does not apply to an interested person in
relation to a licensed brothel.
(3B) However, subsection (3A) does not apply if, to the interested
person’s knowledge, a person who was not an adult or who
was a person with an impairment of the mind was in the
premises when the interested person was allowing the person
to be using the premises for prostitution.

Page 168 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229K]

(4) A person allows premises to be used for the purposes of

prostitution if the person—
(a) knowingly permits the premises to be used for the
purposes of prostitution; or
(b) knowing that the premises are being used for the
purposes of prostitution, fails to take every reasonable
step to stop that use.
(5) A police officer may serve on a person who is an interested
person in relation to premises a written warning to the effect
that the premises are being used for the purposes of
prostitution by 2 or more prostitutes.
(6) In a prosecution against the interested person mentioned in
subsection (5), or another person aware of the warning, for an
offence against subsection (2), evidence of the warning and its
contents are admissible against the defendant.
(7) If a person who is an interested person in relation to
premises—
(a) is served with a warning under subsection (5) in relation
to the premises; or
(b) otherwise has reasonable grounds to suspect that the
premises are being used for the purposes of prostitution
by 2 or more prostitutes;
the person may, by writing served on an occupier or user of
the premises, require the occupier or user to leave the
premises not later than 7 days after the service of the notice
and not return.
(8) A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes a
requirement made of the person under subsection (7) commits
a crime.
Example of reasonable excuse—
If the premises concerned were not used for the purposes of prostitution
by 2 or more prostitutes, the person has a reasonable excuse for failing
to comply with the requirement.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for 7 years.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 169
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229L]

(9) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(10) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

229L Permitting young person etc. to be at place used for

prostitution
(1) A person who knowingly causes or permits a person who is
not an adult or is a person with an impairment of the mind to
be at a place used for the purposes of prostitution by 2 or more
prostitutes commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

229M Evidence that business of prostitution is being carried on

(1) The fact that a business of prostitution is being carried on may
be inferred from employment records, business records,
telephone records, advertisements and other relevant factors
and circumstances.
(2) However, evidence of condoms and other material for safe sex
practices is not admissible against a defendant.

Page 170 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 22A Prostitution

[s 229N]

229N Evidence that place is being used for prostitution

(1) The fact that a place is being used for the purposes of
prostitution may be inferred from evidence of the condition of
the place, material found at the place and other relevant
factors and circumstances.
(2) However, evidence of condoms and other material for safe sex
practices is not admissible against a defendant.

229O Non-compellability of health service providers

(1) In this section—
health service means a service genuinely provided to a person
for the benefit of human health, and includes a health service
under the Health Ombudsman Act 2013.
health services provider means—
(a) a health practitioner under the Health Practitioner
Regulation National Law (Queensland); or
(b) another person who provides a health service; or
(c) an employee of a person mentioned in paragraph (a) or
(b).
(2) A health services provider is entitled to refuse to provide any
document or information, or answer any question, in relation
to an investigation of, or prosecution for, an offence against
this chapter on the ground that it would disclose information
gained in providing a health service.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 171

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 23 Nuisances—misconduct relating to corpses

[s 230A]

Chapter 23 Nuisances—misconduct
relating to corpses

230A Definitions for ch 23

In this chapter—
conduct means conduct, promote, organise, control or
operate.
occupier, of a place, means any of the following—
(a) the owner, lessee or person apparently in charge of the
place;
(b) the person who has the care, management or supervision
of the place or who is conducting a business at the place.
place includes land, premises and a vehicle.
public place means—
(a) a place, or part of a place, that the public is entitled to
use, is open to members of the public or is used by the
public, whether or not on payment of money; or
(b) a place, or part of a place, the occupier of which allows,
whether or not on payment of money, members of the
public to enter.
unlawful game means a game of chance, or mixed chance and
skill, that—
(a) is not authorised under an Act; and
(b) is played by 1 or more persons (players) who gamble or
bet on an outcome of the game for the purpose of
winning money or another consideration; and
(c) has at least 1 of the following characteristics—
(i) the game is conducted or played in a public place;
(ii) the game is played in a place, or part of a place, the
occupier of which allows, on payment of money or

Page 172 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 23 Nuisances—misconduct relating to corpses

[s 230]

for other consideration, players to enter and use for

playing the game;
(iii) a percentage of the amount gambled or bet is—
(A) kept by 1 or more of the players, or another
person; and
(B) not included in the winnings of the players.

230 Common nuisances

Any person who—
(a) without lawful justification or excuse, the proof of
which lies on the person, does any act, or omits to do
any act with respect to any property under the person’s
control, by which act or omission danger is caused to the
lives, safety, or health, of the public; or
(b) without lawful justification or excuse, the proof of
which lies on the person, does any act, or omits to do
any act with respect to any property under the person’s
control, by which act or omission danger is caused to the
property or comfort of the public, or the public are
obstructed in the exercise or enjoyment of any right
common to all Her Majesty’s subjects, and by which
injury is caused to the person of some person;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
2 years.

232 Operating a place for unlawful games

(1) A person who operates a place—
(a) for the purpose of conducting an unlawful game, by the
person or another person; or
(b) for the purpose of playing an unlawful game;
commits a misdemeanour.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 173

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 23 Nuisances—misconduct relating to corpses

[s 233]

Maximum penalty—600 penalty units or 3 years

imprisonment.
(2) In this section—
operates includes owns, leases, manages, controls and
maintains.

233 Possession of thing used to play an unlawful game

(1) A person who possesses gaming equipment that has been
used, or is intended to be used, for playing an unlawful game
commits an offence.
Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
(2) In this section—
gaming equipment means a machine or other device (whether
electronic, electrical or mechanical), computer software, or
another thing, used or suitable for use, for playing an unlawful
game.
Example of another thing, used or suitable for use, for playing an unlawful
game—
implements for playing two-up

234 Conducting or playing unlawful games

(1) A person who conducts an unlawful game commits an
offence.
Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
(2) A person who plays an unlawful game commits an offence.
Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.

236 Misconduct with regard to corpses

(1) A person who, without lawful justification or excuse, the
proof of which lies on the person, neglects to perform any
duty imposed on the person by law, or undertaken by the
Page 174 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 24 Offences against public health

[s 238]

person, whether for reward or otherwise, touching the burial

or other disposition of a human body or human remains is
guilty of a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(2) A person who, without lawful justification or excuse, the
proof of which lies on the person, improperly or indecently
interferes with, or offers any indignity to, any dead human
body or human remains, whether buried or not, is guilty of a
crime.
Maximum penalty—5 years imprisonment.

Chapter 24 Offences against public health

238 Contamination of goods

(1) A person who contaminates or interferes with goods, or
makes it appear that goods have been contaminated or
interfered with, commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.
(2) If the person commits the offence with intent to cause—
(a) public alarm or anxiety; or
(b) members of the public who are aware of the
contamination or interference or apparent contamination
or interference to refrain from purchasing those goods
or goods of that or any similar class; or
(c) any person to suffer economic loss through taking steps
to avoid public alarm or anxiety; or
(d) members of the public to refrain from purchasing those
goods or goods of that or any similar class;
the person commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 175
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 24 Offences against public health

[s 239]

(3) A person who, with any intent mentioned in subsection (2),

threatens that he or she or any other person will contaminate
or interfere with goods or make it appear that goods have been
contaminated or interfered with, commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(4) If the threat is accompanied by the making of a demand, the
person commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—14 years imprisonment.

239 Hoax contamination of goods

A person who makes a statement or conveys information to
another person that he or she knows or believes to be false
with the intention of inducing in that person or another person
a belief that goods have been contaminated or interfered with
and causes—
(a) public alarm or anxiety; or
(b) that person or that other person to refrain from
purchasing those goods or goods of that or any similar
class; or
(c) any person to suffer economic loss through taking steps
to avoid public alarm or anxiety; or
(d) members of the public to refrain from purchasing those
goods or goods of that or any similar class;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.

240 Dealing in contaminated goods

A person who knowingly—
(a) sells or exposes for sale as goods for human
consumption, or has in the person’s possession with
intent to sell it as goods for human consumption, any

Page 176 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 4 Acts injurious to the public in general
Chapter 25 Cruelty to animals

[s 241]

article that the person knows to be contaminated or

otherwise unfit as goods for human consumption; or
(b) takes into a slaughter house used for the slaughter of any
animals intended for human consumption the whole or
any part of the carcass of an animal that has died of a
disease; or
(c) sells or exposes for sale the whole or part of the carcass
of an animal that has died of a disease or that was
diseased when slaughtered;
commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.

241 Definitions for ch 24

In this chapter—
contaminate includes to add, mix or put in a deleterious or
poisonous substance.
goods includes beverage and food for human consumption
and any substances whether natural or manufactured and
whether or not incorporated in or mixed with other goods.

Chapter 25 Cruelty to animals

242 Serious animal cruelty

(1) A person who, with the intention of inflicting severe pain or
suffering, unlawfully kills, or causes serious injury or
prolonged suffering to, an animal commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) An act or omission that causes the death of, or serious injury
or prolonged suffering to, an animal is unlawful unless it is
authorised, justified or excused by—
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 177
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 26 Assaults and violence to the person generally—justification and excuse

[s 245]

(a) the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001; or

(b) another law, other than section 458 of this Code.
(3) In this section—
serious injury means—
(a) the loss of a distinct part or an organ of the body; or
(b) a bodily injury of such a nature that, if left untreated,
would—
(i) endanger, or be likely to endanger, life; or
(ii) cause, or be likely to cause, permanent injury to
health.

Part 5 Offences against the person

and relating to marriage and
parental rights and duties

Chapter 26 Assaults and violence to the

person generally—justification
and excuse

245 Definition of assault

(1) A person who strikes, touches, or moves, or otherwise applies
force of any kind to, the person of another, either directly or
indirectly, without the other person’s consent, or with the
other person’s consent if the consent is obtained by fraud, or
who by any bodily act or gesture attempts or threatens to
apply force of any kind to the person of another without the
other person’s consent, under such circumstances that the
person making the attempt or threat has actually or apparently

Page 178 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 26 Assaults and violence to the person generally—justification and excuse

[s 246]

a present ability to effect the person’s purpose, is said to

assault that other person, and the act is called an assault.
(2) In this section—
applies force includes the case of applying heat, light,
electrical force, gas, odour, or any other substance or thing
whatever if applied in such a degree as to cause injury or
personal discomfort.

246 Assaults unlawful

(1) An assault is unlawful and constitutes an offence unless it is
authorised or justified or excused by law.
(2) The application of force by one person to the person of
another may be unlawful, although it is done with the consent
of that other person.

247 Execution of sentence

It is lawful for a person who is charged by law with the duty
of executing or giving effect to the lawful sentence of a court
to execute or give effect to that sentence.

248 Execution of process

It is lawful for a person who is charged by law with the duty
of executing the lawful process of a court, and who is required
to arrest or detain another person under such process, and for
every person lawfully assisting a person so charged, to arrest
or detain that other person according to the terms of the
process.

249 Execution of warrants

It is lawful for a person who is charged by law with the duty
of executing a lawful warrant issued by any court or justice or
other person having jurisdiction to issue it, and who is
required to arrest or detain another person under such warrant,
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 179
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 26 Assaults and violence to the person generally—justification and excuse

[s 250]

and for every person lawfully assisting a person so charged, to

arrest or detain that other person according to the directions of
the warrant.

250 Erroneous sentence or process or warrant

If the sentence was passed, or the process was issued, by a
court having jurisdiction under any circumstances to pass
such a sentence or to issue such process, or if the warrant was
issued by a court or justice or other person having authority
under any circumstances to issue such a warrant, it is
immaterial whether the court or justice or person had or had
not authority to pass the sentence or issue the process or
warrant in the particular case; unless the person executing the
same knows that the sentence or process or warrant was in fact
passed or issued without authority.

251 Sentence or process or warrant without jurisdiction

A person who executes or assists in executing any sentence,
process, or warrant, which purports to be passed or issued by a
court, justice, or other person, and who would be justified,
under the provisions of sections 247 to 250, in executing the
same if it had been passed or issued by a court, justice, or
person having authority to pass or issue it, is not criminally
responsible for any act done in such execution,
notwithstanding that the court, justice, or person, had no
authority to pass the sentence or issue the process or warrant,
if in such execution the person acted in good faith and in the
belief that the sentence, process, or warrant, was that of a
court, justice, or other person, having such authority.

252 Arrest of wrong person

(1) A person who, being duly authorised to execute a warrant to
arrest one person, arrests another person, believing in good
faith and on reasonable grounds that the person arrested is the
person named in the warrant, is not criminally responsible for
Page 180 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 26 Assaults and violence to the person generally—justification and excuse

[s 253]

doing so to any greater extent than if the person arrested had

been the person named in the warrant.
(2) Any person who lawfully assists in making such an arrest,
believing that the person arrested is the person named in the
warrant, or who, being required by the warrant to receive and
detain the person named in it, receives and detains the person
so arrested, is not criminally responsible for doing so to any
greater extent than if the person arrested had been the person
named in the warrant.

253 Irregular process or warrant

When any process or warrant is bad in law by reason of some
defect in substance or in form apparent on the face of it, a
person who, in good faith and believing that it is good in law,
acts in the execution of the process or warrant, is not
criminally responsible for anything done in such execution to
any greater extent than if the process or warrant were good in
law.

254 Force used in executing process or in arrest

It is lawful for a person who is engaged in the lawful
execution of any sentence, process, or warrant, or in making
any arrest, and for any person lawfully assisting the person, to
use such force as may be reasonably necessary to overcome
any force used in resisting such execution or arrest.

255 Duty of persons arresting

(1) It is the duty of a person executing any process or warrant to
have it with him or her, if reasonably practicable, and to
produce it if required.
(2) It is the duty of a person arresting another, whether with or
without warrant, to give notice, if practicable, of the process
or warrant under which the person is acting or of the cause of
the arrest.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 181
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 26 Assaults and violence to the person generally—justification and excuse

[s 257]

(3) A failure to fulfil either of the aforesaid duties does not of

itself make the execution of the process or warrant or the
arrest unlawful, but is relevant to the inquiry whether the
process or warrant might not have been executed or the arrest
made by reasonable means in a less forcible manner.

257 Other cases of preventing escape from arrest

(1) When a person who is not a police officer is proceeding
lawfully to arrest, without warrant, another person for an
offence which is such that the offender may be arrested
without warrant, and when any person is proceeding lawfully
to arrest another person for any cause other than such an
offence, and, in either case, the person sought to be arrested
takes to flight in order to avoid arrest, it is lawful for the
person seeking to arrest the other person to use such force as
may be reasonably necessary to prevent the other person’s
escape.
(2) But this section does not authorise the use of force which is
intended or is likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm.

258 Preventing escape or rescue after arrest

(1) When any person has lawfully arrested another person for any
offence, it is lawful for the person to use such force as the
person believes, on reasonable grounds, to be necessary to
prevent the escape or rescue of the person arrested.
(2) But, if the offence is not a crime which is such that the
offender may be arrested without warrant, this section does
not authorise the use of force which is intended or is likely to
cause death or grievous bodily harm.
(3) This section does not limit the powers a police officer has
under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000.

Page 182 Current as at 29 January 2018

[s 260]

260 Preventing a breach of the peace

It is lawful for any person who witnesses a breach of the peace
to interfere to prevent the continuance or renewal of it, and to
use such force as is reasonably necessary for such prevention
and is reasonably proportioned to the danger to be
apprehended from such continuance or renewal, and to detain
any person who is committing or who is about to join in or to
renew the breach of the peace for such time as may be
reasonably necessary in order to give the person into the
custody of a police officer.

261 Suppression of riot

It is lawful for any person to use such force as is necessary to
suppress a riot, and is reasonably proportioned to the danger
to be apprehended from its continuance.

262 Suppression of riot by magistrates

It is lawful for a justice to use or order to be used such force as
the justice believes, on reasonable grounds, to be necessary in
order to suppress a riot, and is reasonably proportioned to the
danger which the justice believes, on reasonable grounds, is to
be apprehended from its continuance.

263 Suppression of riot by person acting under lawful orders

(1) It is lawful for any person acting in good faith in obedience to
orders, not manifestly unlawful, given by a justice for the
suppression of a riot, to use such force as the person believes,
on reasonable grounds, to be necessary for carrying such
orders into effect.
(2) Whether any particular order so given is or is not manifestly
unlawful is a question of law.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 183

[s 264]

264 Suppression of riot by person acting without order in

case of emergency
When any person, whether subject to military law or not,
believes, on reasonable grounds, that serious mischief will
arise from a riot before there is time to procure the
intervention of a justice, it is lawful for the person to use such
force as the person believes, on reasonable grounds, to be
necessary for the suppression of the riot, and as is reasonably
proportioned to the danger which the person believes, on
reasonable grounds, is to be apprehended from its
continuance.

265 Riot—persons subject to military law

(1) It is lawful for a person who is bound by military law to obey
the lawful commands of the person’s superior officer to obey
any command given to the person by his or her superior
officer in order to the suppression of a riot, unless the
command is manifestly unlawful.
(2) Whether any particular command is or is not manifestly
unlawful is a question of law.

266 Prevention of crimes and offences for which an offender

may be arrested without warrant—prevention of violence
by particular persons
It is lawful for any person to use such force as is reasonably
necessary in order to prevent the commission of an offence
which is such that the offender may be arrested without
warrant; or in order to prevent any act from being done as to
which the person believes, on reasonable grounds, that it
would, if done, amount to any such offence; or in order to
prevent a person whom the person believes, on reasonable
grounds, to be an involuntary patient under the Mental Health
Act 2016 or a forensic disability client under the Forensic
Disability Act 2011 from doing violence to any person or
property.
Page 184 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 26 Assaults and violence to the person generally—justification and excuse

[s 267]

267 Defence of dwelling

It is lawful for a person who is in peaceable possession of a
dwelling, and any person lawfully assisting him or her or
acting by his or her authority, to use force to prevent or repel
another person from unlawfully entering or remaining in the
dwelling, if the person using the force believes on reasonable
grounds—
(a) the other person is attempting to enter or to remain in
the dwelling with intent to commit an indictable offence
in the dwelling; and
(b) it is necessary to use that force.

268 Provocation
(1) The term provocation, used with reference to an offence of
which an assault is an element, means and includes, except as
hereinafter stated, any wrongful act or insult of such a nature
as to be likely, when done to an ordinary person, or in the
presence of an ordinary person to another person who is under
the person’s immediate care, or to whom the person stands in
a conjugal, parental, filial, or fraternal, relation, or in the
relation of master or servant, to deprive the person of the
power of self-control, and to induce the person to assault the
person by whom the act or insult is done or offered.
(2) When such an act or insult is done or offered by one person to
another, or in the presence of another to a person who is under
the immediate care of that other, or to whom the latter stands
in any such relation as aforesaid, the former is said to give to
the latter provocation for an assault.
(3) A lawful act is not provocation to any person for an assault.
(4) An act which a person does in consequence of incitement
given by another person in order to induce the person to do the
act, and thereby to furnish an excuse for committing an
assault, is not provocation to that other person for an assault.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 185

[s 269]

(5) An arrest which is unlawful is not necessarily provocation for

an assault, but it may be evidence of provocation to a person
who knows of the illegality.

269 Defence of provocation

(1) A person is not criminally responsible for an assault
committed upon a person who gives the person provocation
for the assault, if the person is in fact deprived by the
provocation of the power of self-control, and acts upon it on
the sudden and before there is time for the person’s passion to
cool, and if the force used is not disproportionate to the
provocation and is not intended, and is not such as is likely, to
cause death or grievous bodily harm.
(2) Whether any particular act or insult is such as to be likely to
deprive an ordinary person of the power of self-control and to
induce the ordinary person to assault the person by whom the
act or insult is done or offered, and whether, in any particular
case, the person provoked was actually deprived by the
provocation of the power of self-control, and whether any
force used is or is not disproportionate to the provocation, are
questions of fact.

270 Prevention of repetition of insult

It is lawful for any person to use such force as is reasonably
necessary to prevent the repetition of an act or insult of such a
nature as to be provocation to the person for an assault, if the
force used is not intended, and is not such as is likely, to cause
death or grievous bodily harm.

271 Self-defence against unprovoked assault

(1) When a person is unlawfully assaulted, and has not provoked
the assault, it is lawful for the person to use such force to the
assailant as is reasonably necessary to make effectual defence
against the assault, if the force used is not intended, and is not
such as is likely, to cause death or grievous bodily harm.
Page 186 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 26 Assaults and violence to the person generally—justification and excuse

[s 272]

(2) If the nature of the assault is such as to cause reasonable

apprehension of death or grievous bodily harm, and the person
using force by way of defence believes, on reasonable
grounds, that the person can not otherwise preserve the person
defended from death or grievous bodily harm, it is lawful for
the person to use any such force to the assailant as is
necessary for defence, even though such force may cause
death or grievous bodily harm.

272 Self-defence against provoked assault

(1) When a person has unlawfully assaulted another or has
provoked an assault from another, and that other assaults the
person with such violence as to cause reasonable
apprehension of death or grievous bodily harm, and to induce
the person to believe, on reasonable grounds, that it is
necessary for the person’s preservation from death or grievous
bodily harm to use force in self-defence, the person is not
criminally responsible for using any such force as is
reasonably necessary for such preservation, although such
force may cause death or grievous bodily harm.
(2) This protection does not extend to a case in which the person
using force which causes death or grievous bodily harm first
begun the assault with intent to kill or to do grievous bodily
harm to some person; nor to a case in which the person using
force which causes death or grievous bodily harm
endeavoured to kill or to do grievous bodily harm to some
person before the necessity of so preserving himself or herself
arose; nor, in either case, unless, before such necessity arose,
the person using such force declined further conflict, and
quitted it or retreated from it as far as was practicable.

273 Aiding in self-defence

In any case in which it is lawful for any person to use force of
any degree for the purpose of defending himself or herself
against an assault, it is lawful for any other person acting in
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 187
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 26 Assaults and violence to the person generally—justification and excuse

[s 274]

good faith in the first person’s aid to use a like degree of force
for the purpose of defending the first person.

274 Defence of moveable property against trespassers

It is lawful for any person who is in peaceable possession of
any moveable property, and for any person lawfully assisting
him or her or acting by his or her authority, to use such force
as is reasonably necessary in order to resist the taking of such
property by a trespasser, or in order to retake it from a
trespasser, provided that the person does not do grievous
bodily harm to the trespasser.

275 Defence of moveable property with claim of right

When a person is in peaceable possession of any moveable
property under a claim of right, it is lawful for the person, and
for any person lawfully assisting him or her or acting by his or
her authority, to use such force as is reasonably necessary in
order to defend the person’s possession of the property, even
against a person who is entitled by law to possession of the
property, provided that he or she does not do grievous bodily
harm to such other person.

276 Defence of moveable property without claim of right

When a person who is entitled by law to the possession of
moveable property attempts to take it from another person
who is in possession of the property, but who neither claims
right to it, nor acts by the authority of a person who claims
right, and the person in possession resists him or her, it is
lawful for the person so entitled to possession to use the force
that is reasonably necessary in order to obtain possession of
the property, provided that he or she does not do grievous
bodily harm to the person in possession.

Page 188 Current as at 29 January 2018

[s 277]

277 Defence of premises against trespassers—removal of

disorderly persons
(1) It is lawful for a person who is in peaceable possession of any
land, structure, vessel, or place, or who is entitled to the
control or management of any land, structure, vessel, or place,
and for any person lawfully assisting him or her or acting by
his or her authority, to use such force as is reasonably
necessary in order to prevent any person from wrongfully
entering upon such land, structure, vessel, or place, or in order
to remove therefrom a person who wrongfully remains
therein, provided that he or she does not do grievous bodily
harm to such person.
(2) It is lawful for a person who is in peaceable possession of any
land, structure, vessel, or place, or who is entitled to the
control or management of any land, structure, vessel, or place,
and for any person acting by his or her authority, to use the
force that is reasonably necessary in order to remove
therefrom any person who conducts himself or herself in a
disorderly manner therein, provided that he or she does not do
the person grievous bodily harm.
(3) In this section—
place includes any part of an enclosure or structure, whether
separated from the rest of the enclosure or structure by a
partition, fence, rope, or any other means, or not.

278 Defence of possession of real property or vessel with

claim of right
When a person is in peaceable possession of any land,
structure, or vessel, with a claim of right, it is lawful for the
person, and for any person lawfully assisting him or her or
acting by his or her authority, to use such force as is
reasonably necessary in order to defend the person’s
possession, even against a person who is entitled by law to the
possession of the property, provided that he or she does not do
grievous bodily harm to such person.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 189
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 26 Assaults and violence to the person generally—justification and excuse

[s 279]

279 Exercise of right of way or easement

When a person who is lawfully entitled to enter upon land for
the exercise of a right of way or other easement or profit
enters upon the land for the purpose of exercising such right
of way, easement, or profit, after notice that right to use such
way or easement or to take such profit is disputed by the
person in possession of the land, or having entered persists in
entry after such notice, it is lawful for the person in
possession, and for any person lawfully assisting him or her or
acting by his or her authority, to use such force as is
reasonably necessary for the purpose of making the person so
entering desist from the entry, provided that he or she does not
do the person entering grievous bodily harm.

280 Domestic discipline

It is lawful for a parent or a person in the place of a parent, or
for a schoolteacher or master, to use, by way of correction,
discipline, management or control, towards a child or pupil,
under the person’s care such force as is reasonable under the
circumstances.

281 Discipline of vehicle

It is lawful for a person in charge of a vehicle on a journey and
for any person acting by his or her authority to use, for the
purpose of maintaining good order and discipline on board the
vehicle, such force as the person or such person acting by his
or her authority believes, on reasonable grounds, to be
necessary, and as is reasonable under the circumstances.

282 Surgical operations and medical treatment

(1) A person is not criminally responsible for performing or
providing, in good faith and with reasonable care and skill, a
surgical operation on or medical treatment of—
(a) a person or an unborn child for the patient’s benefit; or
Page 190 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 26 Assaults and violence to the person generally—justification and excuse

[s 282A]

(b) a person or an unborn child to preserve the mother’s life;

if performing the operation or providing the medical treatment
is reasonable, having regard to the patient’s state at the time
and to all the circumstances of the case.
(2) If the administration by a health professional of a substance to
a patient would be lawful under this section, the health
professional may lawfully direct or advise another person,
whether the patient or another person, to administer the
substance to the patient or procure or supply the substance for
that purpose.
(3) It is lawful for a person acting under the lawful direction or
advice, or in the reasonable belief that the advice or direction
was lawful, to administer the substance, or supply or procure
the substance, in accordance with the direction or advice.
(4) In this section—
health professional see the Hospital and Health Boards Act
2011, schedule 2.
medical treatment, for subsection (1)(a), does not include
medical treatment intended to adversely affect an unborn
child.
patient means the person or unborn child on whom the
surgical operation is performed or of whom the medical
treatment is provided.
surgical operation, for subsection (1)(a), does not include a
surgical operation intended to adversely affect an unborn
child.

282A Palliative care

(1) A person is not criminally responsible for providing palliative
care to another person if—
(a) the person provides the palliative care in good faith and
with reasonable care and skill; and

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 191

[s 283]

(b) the provision of the palliative care is reasonable, having

regard to the other person’s state at the time and all the
circumstances of the case; and
(c) the person is a doctor or, if the person is not a doctor, the
palliative care is ordered by a doctor who confirms the
order in writing.
(2) Subsection (1) applies even if an incidental effect of providing
the palliative care is to hasten the other person’s death.
(3) However, nothing in this section authorises, justifies or
excuses—
(a) an act done or omission made with intent to kill another
person; or
(b) aiding another person to kill himself or herself.
(4) To remove any doubt, it is declared that the provision of the
palliative care is reasonable only if it is reasonable in the
context of good medical practice.
(5) In this section—
good medical practice means good medical practice for the
medical profession in Australia having regard to—
(a) the recognised medical standards, practices and
procedures of the medical profession in Australia; and
(b) the recognised ethical standards of the medical
profession in Australia.
palliative care means care, whether by doing an act or making
an omission, directed at maintaining or improving the comfort
of a person who is, or would otherwise be, subject to pain and
suffering.

283 Excessive force

In any case in which the use of force by one person to another
is lawful the use of more force than is justified by law under
the circumstances is unlawful.
Page 192 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 27 Duties relating to the preservation of human life

[s 284]

284 Consent to death immaterial

Consent by a person to the causing of the person’s own death
does not affect the criminal responsibility of any person by
whom such death is caused.

Chapter 27 Duties relating to the

preservation of human life

285 Duty to provide necessaries

It is the duty of every person having charge of another who is
unable by reason of age, sickness, unsoundness of mind,
detention, or any other cause, to withdraw himself or herself
from such charge, and who is unable to provide himself or
herself with the necessaries of life, whether the charge is
undertaken under a contract, or is imposed by law, or arises by
reason of any act, whether lawful or unlawful, of the person
who has such charge, to provide for that other person the
necessaries of life; and the person is held to have caused any
consequences which result to the life or health of the other
person by reason of any omission to perform that duty.

286 Duty of person who has care of child

(1) It is the duty of every person who has care of a child under 16
years to—
(a) provide the necessaries of life for the child; and
(b) take the precautions that are reasonable in all the
circumstances to avoid danger to the child’s life, health
or safety; and
(c) take the action that is reasonable in all the circumstances
to remove the child from any such danger;

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 193

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 27 Duties relating to the preservation of human life

[s 288]

and he or she is held to have caused any consequences that

result to the life and health of the child because of any
omission to perform that duty, whether the child is helpless or
not.
(2) In this section—
person who has care of a child includes a parent, foster
parent, step parent, guardian or other adult in charge of the
child, whether or not the person has lawful custody of the
child.

288 Duty of persons doing dangerous acts

It is the duty of every person who, except in a case of
necessity, undertakes to administer surgical or medical
treatment to any other person, or to do any other lawful act
which is or may be dangerous to human life or health, to have
reasonable skill and to use reasonable care in doing such act,
and the person is held to have caused any consequences which
result to the life or health of any person by reason of any
omission to observe or perform that duty.

289 Duty of persons in charge of dangerous things

It is the duty of every person who has in the person’s charge or
under the person’s control anything, whether living or
inanimate, and whether moving or stationary, of such a nature
that, in the absence of care or precaution in its use or
management, the life, safety, or health, of any person may be
endangered, to use reasonable care and take reasonable
precautions to avoid such danger, and the person is held to
have caused any consequences which result to the life or
health of any person by reason of any omission to perform
that duty.

Page 194 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 28 Homicide—suicide— concealment of birth

[s 290]

290 Duty to do certain acts

When a person undertakes to do any act the omission to do
which is or may be dangerous to human life or health, it is the
person’s duty to do that act: and the person is held to have
caused any consequences which result to the life or health of
any person by reason of any omission to perform that duty.

Chapter 28 Homicide—suicide—
concealment of birth

291 Killing of a human being unlawful

It is unlawful to kill any person unless such killing is
authorised or justified or excused by law.

292 When a child becomes a human being

A child becomes a person capable of being killed when it has
completely proceeded in a living state from the body of its
mother, whether it has breathed or not, and whether it has an
independent circulation or not, and whether the navel-string is
severed or not.

293 Definition of killing

Except as hereinafter set forth, any person who causes the
death of another, directly or indirectly, by any means
whatever, is deemed to have killed that other person.

294 Death by acts done at childbirth

When a child dies in consequence of an act done or omitted to
be done by any person before or during its birth, the person

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 195

[s 295]

who did or omitted to do such act is deemed to have killed the

child.

295 Causing death by threats

A person who, by threats or intimidation of any kind, or by
deceit, causes another person to do an act or make an
omission which results in the death of that other person, is
deemed to have killed the other person.

296 Acceleration of death

A person who does any act or makes any omission which
hastens the death of another person who, when the act is done
or the omission is made, is labouring under some disorder or
disease arising from another cause, is deemed to have killed
that other person.

297 When injury or death might be prevented by proper

precaution
When a person causes a bodily injury to another from which
death results, it is immaterial that the injury might have been
avoided by proper precaution on the part of the person injured,
or that the injured person’s death from that injury might have
been prevented by proper care or treatment.

298 Injuries causing death in consequence of subsequent

treatment
When a person does grievous bodily harm to another, and
such other person has recourse to surgical or medical
treatment, and death results either from the injury or the
treatment, the person is deemed to have killed that other
person, although the immediate cause of death was the
surgical or medical treatment, provided that the treatment was
reasonably proper under the circumstances, and was applied
in good faith.
Page 196 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 28 Homicide—suicide— concealment of birth

[s 300]

300 Unlawful homicide

Any person who unlawfully kills another is guilty of a crime,
which is called murder or manslaughter, according to the
circumstances of the case.

302 Definition of murder

(1) Except as hereinafter set forth, a person who unlawfully kills
another under any of the following circumstances, that is to
say—
(a) if the offender intends to cause the death of the person
killed or that of some other person or if the offender
intends to do to the person killed or to some other
person some grievous bodily harm;
(b) if death is caused by means of an act done in the
prosecution of an unlawful purpose, which act is of such
a nature as to be likely to endanger human life;
(c) if the offender intends to do grievous bodily harm to
some person for the purpose of facilitating the
commission of a crime which is such that the offender
may be arrested without warrant, or for the purpose of
facilitating the flight of an offender who has committed
or attempted to commit any such crime;
(d) if death is caused by administering any stupefying or
overpowering thing for either of the purposes mentioned
in paragraph (c);
(e) if death is caused by wilfully stopping the breath of any
person for either of such purposes;
is guilty of murder.
(2) Under subsection (1)(a) it is immaterial that the offender did
not intend to hurt the particular person who is killed.
(3) Under subsection (1)(b) it is immaterial that the offender did
not intend to hurt any person.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 197

[s 303]

(4) Under subsection (1)(c) to (e) it is immaterial that the offender

did not intend to cause death or did not know that death was
likely to result.
(5) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

303 Definition of manslaughter

(1) A person who unlawfully kills another under such
circumstances as not to constitute murder is guilty of
manslaughter.
(2) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

304 Killing on provocation

(1) When a person who unlawfully kills another under
circumstances which, but for the provisions of this section,
would constitute murder, does the act which causes death in
the heat of passion caused by sudden provocation, and before
there is time for the person’s passion to cool, the person is
guilty of manslaughter only.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the sudden provocation is
based on words alone, other than in circumstances of an
exceptional character.
(3) Also, subsection (1) does not apply, other than in
circumstances of an exceptional character, if—
(a) a domestic relationship exists between 2 persons; and
(b) one person unlawfully kills the other person (the
deceased); and

Page 198 Current as at 29 January 2018

[s 304]

(c) the sudden provocation is based on anything done by the

deceased or anything the person believes the deceased
has done—
(i) to end the relationship; or
(ii) to change the nature of the relationship; or
(iii) to indicate in any way that the relationship may,
should or will end, or that there may, should or will
be a change to the nature of the relationship.
(4) Further, subsection (1) does not apply, other than in
circumstances of an exceptional character, if the sudden
provocation is based on an unwanted sexual advance to the
person.
(5) For subsection (3)(a), despite the Domestic and Family
Violence Protection Act 2012, section 18(6), a domestic
relationship includes a relationship in which 2 persons date or
dated each other on a number of occasions.
(6) Subsection (3)(c)(i) applies even if the relationship has ended
before the sudden provocation and killing happens.
(7) For proof of circumstances of an exceptional character
mentioned in subsection (2) or (3) regard may be had to any
history of violence that is relevant in all the circumstances.
(8) For proof of circumstances of an exceptional character
mentioned in subsection (4), regard may be had to any history
of violence, or of sexual conduct, between the person and the
person who is unlawfully killed that is relevant in all the
circumstances.
(9) On a charge of murder, it is for the defence to prove that the
person charged is, under this section, liable to be convicted of
manslaughter only.
(10) When 2 or more persons unlawfully kill another, the fact that
1 of the persons is, under this section, guilty of manslaughter
only does not affect the question whether the unlawful killing
amounted to murder in the case of the other person or persons.
(11) In this section—
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 199
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 28 Homicide—suicide— concealment of birth

[s 304A]

unwanted sexual advance, to a person, means a sexual

advance that—
(a) is unwanted by the person; and
(b) if the sexual advance involves touching the person—
involves only minor touching.
Examples of what may be minor touching depending on all the
relevant circumstances—
patting, pinching, grabbing or brushing against the person, even
if the touching is an offence against section 352(1)(a) or another
provision of this Code or another Act

304A Diminished responsibility

(1) When a person who unlawfully kills another under
circumstances which, but for the provisions of this section,
would constitute murder, is at the time of doing the act or
making the omission which causes death in such a state of
abnormality of mind (whether arising from a condition of
arrested or retarded development of mind or inherent causes
or induced by disease or injury) as substantially to impair the
person’s capacity to understand what the person is doing, or
the person’s capacity to control the person’s actions, or the
person’s capacity to know that the person ought not to do the
act or make the omission, the person is guilty of manslaughter
only.
(2) On a charge of murder, it shall be for the defence to prove that
the person charged is by virtue of this section liable to be
convicted of manslaughter only.
(3) When 2 or more persons unlawfully kill another, the fact that
1 of such persons is by virtue of this section guilty of
manslaughter only shall not affect the question whether the
unlawful killing amounted to murder in the case of any other
such person or persons.

Page 200 Current as at 29 January 2018

[s 304B]

304B Killing for preservation in an abusive domestic

relationship
(1) A person who unlawfully kills another (the deceased) under
circumstances that, but for the provisions of this section,
would constitute murder, is guilty of manslaughter only, if—
(a) the deceased has committed acts of serious domestic
violence against the person in the course of an abusive
domestic relationship; and
(b) the person believes that it is necessary for the person’s
preservation from death or grievous bodily harm to do
the act or make the omission that causes the death; and
(c) the person has reasonable grounds for the belief having
regard to the abusive domestic relationship and all the
circumstances of the case.
(2) An abusive domestic relationship is a domestic relationship
existing between 2 persons in which there is a history of acts
of serious domestic violence committed by either person
against the other.
(3) A history of acts of serious domestic violence may include
acts that appear minor or trivial when considered in isolation.
(4) Subsection (1) may apply even if the act or omission causing
the death (the response) was done or made in response to a
particular act of domestic violence committed by the deceased
that would not, if the history of acts of serious domestic
violence were disregarded, warrant the response.
(5) Subsection (1)(a) may apply even if the person has sometimes
committed acts of domestic violence in the relationship.
(6) For subsection (1)(c), without limiting the circumstances to
which regard may be had for the purposes of the subsection,
those circumstances include acts of the deceased that were not
acts of domestic violence.
(7) In this section—
domestic violence see the Domestic and Family Violence
Protection Act 2012, section 8.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 201
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 28 Homicide—suicide— concealment of birth

[s 305]

305 Punishment of murder

(1) Any person who commits the crime of murder is liable to
imprisonment for life, which can not be mitigated or varied
under this Code or any other law or is liable to an indefinite
sentence under part 10 of the Penalties and Sentences Act
1992.
(2) If the person is being sentenced—
(a) on more than 1 conviction of murder; or
(b) on 1 conviction of murder and another offence of
murder is taken into account; or
(c) on a conviction of murder and the person has on a
previous occasion been sentenced for another offence of
murder;
the court sentencing the person must make an order that the
person must not be released from imprisonment until the
person has served a minimum of 30 or more specified years of
imprisonment, unless released sooner under exceptional
circumstances parole under the Corrective Services Act 2006.
(3) Subsection (2)(c) applies whether the crime for which the
person is being sentenced was committed before or after the
conviction for the other offence of murder mentioned in the
paragraph.
(4) If—
(a) the person killed was a police officer at the time the act
or omission that caused the person’s death was done or
made; and
(b) the person being sentenced did the act or made the
omission that caused the police officer’s death—
(i) when—
(A) the police officer was performing the
officer’s duty; and
(B) the person knew or ought reasonably to have
known that he or she was a police officer; or
Page 202 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 28 Homicide—suicide— concealment of birth

[s 306]

(ii) because the police officer was a police officer; or

(iii) because of, or in retaliation for, the actions of the
police officer or another police officer in the
performance of the officer’s duty;
the court sentencing the person must make an order that the
person must not be released from imprisonment until the
person has served a minimum of 25 or more specified years of
imprisonment, unless released sooner under exceptional
circumstances parole under the Corrective Services Act 2006.
(5) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for the crime of murder.

306 Attempt to murder

(1) 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 which it is the person’s duty to do,
such act or omission being of such a nature as to be
likely to endanger human life;
is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for life.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

307 Accessory after the fact to murder

(1) Any person who becomes an accessory after the fact to
murder is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for
life.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 203
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 28 Homicide—suicide— concealment of birth

[s 308]

(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

308 Threats to murder in document

(1) Any person who, knowing the contents thereof, directly or
indirectly causes any person to receive any document
threatening to kill any person, is guilty of a crime, and is liable
to imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

309 Conspiring to murder

(1) Any person who conspires with any other person to kill any
person, whether such person is in Queensland or elsewhere, is
guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

Page 204 Current as at 29 January 2018

[s 310]

310 Punishment of manslaughter

(1) Any person who commits the crime of manslaughter is liable
to imprisonment for life.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for the crime of manslaughter.

311 Aiding suicide

Any person who—
(a) procures another to kill himself or herself; or
(b) counsels another to kill himself or herself and thereby
induces the other person to do so; or
(c) aids another in killing himself or herself;
is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for life.

313 Killing unborn child

(1) Any person who, when a female is about to be delivered of a
child, prevents the child from being born alive by any act or
omission of such a nature that, if the child had been born alive
and had then died, the person would be deemed to have
unlawfully killed the child, is guilty of a crime, and is liable to
imprisonment for life.
(2) Any person who unlawfully assaults a female pregnant with a
child and destroys the life of, or does grievous bodily harm to,
or transmits a serious disease to, the child before its birth,
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for life.

314 Concealing the birth of children

Any person who, when a woman is delivered of a child,
endeavours, by any secret disposition of the dead body of the
child, to conceal the birth, whether the child died before, at, or

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 205

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 28A Unlawful striking causing death

[s 314A]

after, its birth, is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to

imprisonment for 2 years.

Chapter 28A Unlawful striking causing death

314A Unlawful striking causing death

(1) A person who unlawfully strikes another person to the head or
neck and causes the death of the other person is guilty of a
crime.
Maximum penalty—life imprisonment.
(1A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(1B) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(2) Sections 23(1)(b) and 270 do not apply to an offence against
subsection (1).
(3) An assault is not an element of an offence against subsection
(1).
(3A) For subsection (1), the striking of another person is unlawful
unless it is authorised or justified or excused by law.
(4) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against
subsection (1) if the act of striking the other person is—
(a) done as part of a socially acceptable function or activity;
and
(b) reasonable in the circumstances.
(5) If a court sentences a person to a term of imprisonment for an
offence mentioned in subsection (1), the court must make an
Page 206 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 28A Unlawful striking causing death

[s 314A]

order that the person must not be released from imprisonment

until the person has served the lesser of—
(a) 80% of the person’s term of imprisonment for the
offence; or
(b) 15 years.
(6) Subsection (5) does not apply if the court sentences the person
to—
(a) a term of imprisonment for life; or
Note—
See the Corrective Services Act 2006, section 181 for the parole
eligibility date for a prisoner serving a term of imprisonment for
life for an offence mentioned in subsection (1).
(b) an indefinite sentence under the Penalties and Sentences
Act 1992; or
Note—
See the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 171 for the
time of the earliest review of an indefinite sentence being served
by a prisoner serving an indefinite sentence for an offence
mentioned in subsection (1).
(c) a term of imprisonment and makes either of the
following orders under the Penalties and Sentences Act
1992 for the person—
(i) an intensive correction order;
(ii) an order that the whole or a part of the term of
imprisonment be suspended.
(7) In this section—
causing means causing directly or indirectly.
function or activity includes a sporting event.
strike, a person, means directly apply force to the person by
punching or kicking, or by otherwise hitting using any part of
the body, with or without the use of a dangerous or offensive
weapon or instrument.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 207

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 29 Offences endangering life or health

[s 315]

Chapter 29 Offences endangering life or

health

315 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 a crime, and is
liable to imprisonment for life.

315A Choking, suffocation or strangulation in a domestic

setting
(1) A person commits a crime if—
(a) the person unlawfully chokes, suffocates or strangles
another person, without the other person’s consent; and
(b) either—
(i) the person is in a domestic relationship with the
other person; or
(ii) the choking, suffocation or strangulation is
associated domestic violence under the Domestic
and Family Violence Protection Act 2012.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) An assault is not an element of an offence against subsection
(1).

316 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
Page 208 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 29 Offences endangering life or health

[s 316A]

administer, any stupefying or overpowering drug or thing to

any person, is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment
for life.

316A Unlawful drink spiking

(1) A person who administers, or attempts to administer, in drink
a substance to another person (the other person) without the
other person having knowledge of the substance with intent to
cause the other person to be stupefied or overpowered is guilty
of a crime and is liable to imprisonment for 5 years.
(2) If the substance is alcohol, for section 24 only, the
circumstances in which the other person is taken to have
knowledge of the alcohol include where the other person
would not object to the administration of the alcohol if the
other person had actual knowledge of it.
(3) The following matters are immaterial—
(a) whether the lack of knowledge of the substance is lack
of knowledge of the presence at all of the substance or
of the particular quantity of the substance;
(b) whether the substance is capable of having the effect
intended;
(c) whether a particular person is intended to be the person
to whom the substance is administered or attempted to
be administered.
(4) A reference to causing the other person to be stupefied or
overpowered is—
(a) a reference to causing the other person to be stupefied or
overpowered in circumstances where the other person is
not intending to be stupefied or overpowered at all; or
(b) a reference to causing the other person to be further
stupefied or overpowered in circumstances where the
other person is not intending to be further stupefied or
overpowered at all or to the extent intended by the
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 209
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 29 Offences endangering life or health

[s 316A]

person who administers, or attempts to administer, the

substance.
(5) This section does not apply to an act lawfully done in the
course of the practice of a health professional, the carrying out
of a function under an Act or the performance of the
responsibilities of a parent or carer.
(6) In relation to an attempt to administer a substance, for this
section and section 4, attempt includes adding a substance to
drink in preparation for the administration of the substance.
(7) In this section—
adding a substance, to drink, includes, without limiting
section 7, the following—
(a) cause to be added to drink;
(b) substitute drink with other drink containing the
substance;
(c) take any step to provide drink containing the substance
instead of other drink.
circumstances, where the other person is not intending to be
stupefied or overpowered, includes any circumstance of
timing, place, condition, or way of stupefaction or
overpowering.
dangerous drug see the Drugs Misuse Act 1986, section 4.
drink includes water, beverage, or other liquid, intended or
prepared for human consumption.
health professional see the Hospital and Health Boards Act
2011, schedule 2.
stupefied or overpowered includes—
(a) a state of intoxication caused by alcohol, a drug or
another substance; and
(b) behavioural change caused by a dangerous drug,
whether or not the mind is otherwise affected.

Page 210 Current as at 29 January 2018

[s 317]

317 Acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm and other

malicious acts
(1) Any person who, with intent—
(a) to maim, disfigure or disable, any person; or
(b) to do some grievous bodily harm or transmit a serious
disease to any person; or
(c) to resist or prevent the lawful arrest or detention of any
person; or
(d) to resist or prevent a public officer from acting in
accordance with lawful authority—
either—
(e) in any way unlawfully wounds, does grievous bodily
harm, or transmits a serious disease to, any person; or
(f) unlawfully strikes, or attempts in any way to strike, any
person with any kind of projectile or anything else
capable of achieving the intention; or
(g) unlawfully causes any explosive substance to explode;
or
(h) sends or delivers any explosive substance or other
dangerous or noxious thing to any person; or
(i) causes any such substance or thing to be taken or
received by any person; or
(j) puts any corrosive fluid or any destructive or explosive
substance in any place; or
(k) unlawfully 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 a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for life.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 211

[s 317A]

(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with

the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

317A Carrying or sending dangerous goods in a vehicle

(1) Any person who—
(a) carries or places dangerous goods in or on a vehicle; or
(b) delivers dangerous goods to another person for the
purpose of such goods being placed in or on a vehicle;
or
(c) has dangerous goods in his or her possession in or on a
vehicle;
is guilty of a crime and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) A person who knowingly sends by a vehicle any dangerous
goods under a false description of the goods or with a false
description of the sender of the goods commits a
misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.
(2A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(2B) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(3) It is a defence to a charge of any offence defined in
subsection (1) to prove that the act was done by authority or
permission of or under a law of the Commonwealth or of the
State.
(4) For the purposes of this section—
dangerous goods means—
Page 212 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 29 Offences endangering life or health

[s 318]

(a) firearms, ammunition, weapons and explosive

substances; and
(b) an explosive or noxious substance, acid or other thing of
a dangerous or destructive nature that because of its
nature or condition may endanger the safety of a
vehicle, a person in, on or in the vicinity of the vehicle.

318 Obstructing rescue or escape from unsafe premises

(1) Any person who unlawfully obstructs anyone in the other
person’s efforts to save the life of someone who is in, or
escaping from, dangerous, destroyed or other unsafe premises
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for life.
(2) In this section—
obstruct includes hinder and attempt to obstruct.

319 Endangering the safety of a person in a vehicle with

intent
(1) A person who does anything that endangers, or is likely to
endanger, the safe use of a vehicle, with intent to injure or
endanger the safety of any person in the vehicle, whether a
particular person or not, commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—life imprisonment.
(2) In this section—
do anything, for a person who has a duty to do the thing,
includes omit to do the thing.
in includes on.

320 Grievous bodily harm

(1) Any person who unlawfully does grievous bodily harm to
another is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for
14 years.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 213
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 29 Offences endangering life or health

[s 320A]

(3A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, sections 108B and
161Q state a circumstance of aggravation for an offence
against this section.
(4) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

320A Torture
(1) A person who tortures another person commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—14 years imprisonment.
(1A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(1B) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(2) In this section—
pain or suffering includes physical, mental, psychological or
emotional pain or suffering, whether temporary or permanent.
torture means the intentional infliction of severe pain or
suffering on a person by an act or series of acts done on 1 or
more than 1 occasion.

321 Attempting to injure by explosive or noxious substances

(1) Any person who unlawfully, and with intent to do any bodily
harm to another, puts any explosive or noxious substance in
any place whatever, is guilty of a crime, and is liable to
imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
Page 214 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 29 Offences endangering life or health

[s 321A]

(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with

the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

321A Bomb hoaxes

(1) Any person who—
(a) places an article or substance in any place; or
(b) sends an article or substance in any way;
with the intention of inducing in another person a belief that
the article or substance is likely to explode, ignite, or
discharge a dangerous or noxious substance, commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) Any person who, in Queensland or elsewhere, makes a
statement or conveys information to another person that he or
she knows or believes to be false, with the intention of
inducing in that person or another person a belief that an
explosive or noxious substance, acid or other thing of a
dangerous or destructive nature is present in a place in
Queensland, commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—5 years imprisonment.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply whether or not the accused had
any particular person in mind as the person in whom he or she
intended to induce the belief mentioned in the subsections.

322 Administering poison with intent to harm

A person who unlawfully, and with intent to injure or annoy
another person, causes a poison or another noxious thing to be
administered to, or taken by, any person commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) if the poison or other noxious thing endangers the life
of, or does grievous bodily harm to, the person to whom
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 215
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 29 Offences endangering life or health

[s 323]

it is administered or by whom it is taken—14 years

imprisonment; or
(b) otherwise—7 years imprisonment.

323 Wounding
(1) A person who unlawfully wounds anyone else commits a
misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) The offender may be arrested without warrant.
(3) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 108B states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.

323A Female genital mutilation

(1) Any person who performs female genital mutilation on
another person is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—14 years imprisonment.
(2) It is not a defence that the other person, or, if the other person
is a child, a parent or guardian of the other person, consented
to the mutilation.
(3) In this section—
female genital mutilation means—
(a) clitoridectomy; or
(b) excision of any other part of the female genitalia; or
(c) a procedure to narrow or close the vaginal opening; or
(d) any other mutilation of the female genitalia;
but does not include—
(e) a sexual reassignment procedure; or
(f) a medical procedure for a genuine therapeutic purpose.

Page 216 Current as at 29 January 2018

[s 323B]

medical procedure for a genuine therapeutic purpose means

a medical procedure that is—
(a) directed only at curing or alleviating a physiological
disability, physical abnormality, psychological disorder
or pathological condition; or
(b) performed on a person in labour or who has just given
birth and directed only at alleviating physical symptoms
in relation to the labour or birth or for other medical
purposes; or
(c) performed on a person who has been subjected to
female genital mutilation and directed only at treating
the effects, or to reversing the effects, of the previous
mutilation.
sexual reassignment procedure means a surgical procedure
to give a person the genital appearance of a particular sex,
whether male or female.

323B Removal of child from State for female genital mutilation

(1) Any person who takes a child from the State, or arranges for a
child to be taken from the State, with the intention of having
female genital mutilation performed on the child is guilty of a
crime.
Maximum penalty—14 years imprisonment.
(2) In the absence of proof to the contrary, it is to be presumed
that a person took a child, or arranged for a child to be taken,
from the State with the intention of having female genital
mutilation performed on the child if it is proved—
(a) the person took the child, or arranged for the child to be
taken, from the State; and
(b) female genital mutilation was performed on the child
while outside the State.
(3) In this section—
child means a person under 18 years.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 217
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 29 Offences endangering life or health

[s 324]

female genital mutilation see section 323A.

324 Failure to supply necessaries

Any person who, being charged with the duty of providing for
another the necessaries of life, without lawful excuse fails to
do so, whereby the life of that other person is or is likely to be
endangered or the other person’s health is or is likely to be
permanently injured, is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is
liable to imprisonment for 3 years.

326 Endangering life of children by exposure

Any person who unlawfully abandons or exposes a child
under the age of 7 years, whereby the life of such child is or is
likely to be endangered, or the child’s health is or is likely to
be permanently injured, commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.

327 Setting mantraps

(1) Any person who sets or places any spring gun, mantrap, or
other engine calculated to destroy human life or to inflict
grievous bodily harm, or causes any such thing to be set or
placed, in any place with the intent that it may kill or inflict
grievous bodily 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 a misdemeanour, and is liable to
imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) Any person who knowingly permits any such spring gun,
mantrap, or other engine, which 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 which is then in, or afterwards comes into,
the person’s possession or occupation, is deemed to have set
and placed the gun, trap, or engine, with the intent aforesaid.
Page 218 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 29 Offences endangering life or health

[s 328]

(3) This section does not make it unlawful to set any gin or trap
such as is usually set for the purpose of destroying vermin; or
to set any spring gun, mantrap, or engine, at night in a
dwelling house for the protection of the dwelling house.

328 Negligent acts causing harm

(1) Any person who unlawfully does any act, or omits to do any
act which it is the person’s duty to do, by which act or
omission bodily harm is actually caused to any person, is
guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 2
years.
(2) The offender may be arrested without warrant.

328A Dangerous operation of a vehicle

(1) A person who operates, or in any way interferes with the
operation of, a vehicle dangerously in any place commits a
misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—200 penalty units or 3 years
imprisonment.
(2) If the offender—
(a) at the time of committing the offence is adversely
affected by an intoxicating substance; or
(b) at the time of committing the offence is excessively
speeding or taking part in an unlawful race or unlawful
speed trial; or
(c) has been previously convicted either upon indictment or
summarily of an offence against this section;
the person commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—400 penalty units or 5 years
imprisonment.
(3) If the offender has been—

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 219

[s 328A]

(a) previously convicted either upon indictment or

summarily of an offence against this section committed
while the offender was adversely affected by an
intoxicating substance; or
(b) twice previously convicted either upon indictment or
summarily (or once upon indictment and once
summarily) of the same prescribed offence or different
prescribed offences;
the court or justices shall, upon conviction, impose as the
whole or part of the punishment, imprisonment.
(4) A person who operates, or in any way interferes with the
operation of, a vehicle dangerously in any place and causes
the death of or grievous bodily harm to another person
commits a crime and is liable on conviction on indictment—
(a) to imprisonment for 10 years, if neither paragraph (b)
nor (c) applies; or
(b) to imprisonment for 14 years if, at the time of
committing the offence, the offender is—
(i) adversely affected by an intoxicating substance; or
(ii) excessively speeding; or
(iii) taking part in an unlawful race or unlawful speed
trial; or
(c) to imprisonment for 14 years, if the offender knows, or
ought reasonably know, the other person has been killed
or injured, and the offender leaves the scene of the
incident, other than to obtain medical or other help for
the other person, before a police officer arrives.
(5) The offender may be arrested without warrant.
(6) In this section—
excessively speeding means driving or operating a vehicle at a
speed more than 40km/h over the speed limit applying to the
driver under the Transport Operations (Road Use
Management) Act 1995.
Page 220 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 29 Offences endangering life or health

[s 328A]

operates, or in any way interferes with the operation of, a

vehicle dangerously means operate, or in any way interfere
with the operation of, a vehicle at a speed or in a way that is
dangerous to the public, having regard to all the
circumstances, including—
(a) the nature, condition and use of the place; and
(b) the nature and condition of the vehicle; and
(c) the number of persons, vehicles or other objects that are,
or might reasonably be expected to be, in the place; and
(d) the concentration of alcohol in the operator’s blood or
breath; and
(e) the presence of any other substance in the operator’s
body.
place does not include a place being lawfully used to race or
test vehicles under a licence or another authority under an Act
and from which other traffic is excluded at the time.
prescribed offence means—
(a) an offence against this section; or
(b) an offence charged on indictment involving the driving
or operation of a vehicle at a speed causing or likely to
cause injury to anyone; or
(c) an offence against the Transport Operations (Road Use
Management) Act 1995, section 79(1), (1F), (2), (2AA),
(2A), (2B), (2D) or (2J).
the public includes passengers in a vehicle whether in a public
or private place.
unlawful race means a race involving a vehicle in
contravention of the Transport Operations (Road Use
Management) Act 1995, section 85.
unlawful speed trial mean a trial of the speed of a vehicle in
contravention of the Transport Operations (Road Use
Management) Act 1995, section 85.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 221
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 29 Offences endangering life or health

[s 328B]

328B Additional power to convict for dangerous operation of a

vehicle
(1) Upon an indictment charging a person with any offence in
connection with or arising out of the operation, or interference
in any way with the operation, of a vehicle by the person (not
being the offence defined in section 328A), the person may be
convicted of the offence defined in section 328A with or
without a circumstance of aggravation specified in
section 328A(4), if such offence is established by the
evidence.
(2) The provisions of this section shall apply notwithstanding the
provisions of section 576.

329 Endangering safety of persons travelling by railway

Any person who by any unlawful act, or by any omission to
do any act which it is the person’s duty to do, causes the safety
of any person travelling by any railway to be endangered, is
guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 2
years.

330 Sending or taking unseaworthy ships to sea

(1) Any person who—
(a) sends or attempts to send a ship to sea in such an
unseaworthy state that the life of any person is likely to
be thereby endangered; or
Editor’s note—
Subsection (1)(a) as originally enacted was numbered as (1) and
subsection (1)(b) was numbered as (2).
(b) being a master of a British ship, knowingly takes or
attempts to take the ship to sea in such an unseaworthy
state that the life of any person is likely to be thereby
endangered;
is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
Page 222 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 29 Offences endangering life or health

[s 333]

(2) It is a defence to a charge of any of the offences defined in this

section to prove that the going of the ship to sea in such
unseaworthy state was, under the circumstances, reasonable
and justifiable.
(3) It is a defence to a charge of either of the offences firstly
defined in this section to show that the accused person used all
reasonable means to ensure the ship being sent to sea in a
seaworthy state.

333 Evading laws as to equipment of ships

Any person who, being a person having actual control over a
vessel on board of which any article has been placed with the
person’s knowledge or consent in order to the obtaining of
permission or authority to leave a port, removes or allows the
removal of such article from the vessel after such permission
or authority has been obtained is guilty of a misdemeanour,
and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.

334 Landing explosives

Any person who—
(a) being charged by law with any duty respecting the
landing or delivery of any explosive substance or of any
acid or other thing of a dangerous or destructive nature,
from any vessel, fails to perform that duty; or
(b) being concerned in the landing of any such substance or
thing from any vessel, violates the provisions of the laws
relating to such landing;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 223

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 30 Assaults

[s 335]

Chapter 30 Assaults

335 Common assault

(1) Any person who unlawfully assaults another is guilty of a
misdemeanour, and is liable, if no greater punishment is
provided, to imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 108B states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.

338A Assaults of member of crew on 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 or detriment of any kind to be
caused to the member 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 the member’s
functions or duties in connection with the operation of the
aircraft or with the intention of lessening the member’s ability
to perform those functions or duties is guilty of a crime and is
liable to imprisonment for 14 years.

339 Assaults occasioning bodily harm

(1) Any person who unlawfully assaults another and thereby does
the other person bodily harm is guilty of a crime, and is liable
to imprisonment for 7 years.
(3) If the offender does bodily harm, and is or pretends to be
armed with any dangerous or offensive weapon or instrument
or is in company with 1 or more other person or persons, the
offender is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
(4) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, sections 108B and
161Q also state a circumstance of aggravation for an offence
against this section.
Page 224 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 30 Assaults

[s 340]

(5) An indictment charging an offence against this section with

the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

340 Serious assaults

(1) Any person who—
(a) assaults another with intent to commit a crime, or with
intent to resist or prevent the lawful arrest or detention
of himself or herself or of any other person; or
(b) assaults, resists, or wilfully obstructs, a police officer
while acting in the execution of the officer’s duty, or any
person acting in aid of a police officer while so acting;
or
(c) unlawfully assaults any person while the person is
performing a duty imposed on the person by law; or
(d) assaults any person because the person has performed a
duty imposed on the person by law; or
(f) assaults any person in pursuance of any unlawful
conspiracy respecting any manufacture, trade, business,
or occupation, or respecting any person or persons
concerned or employed in any manufacture, trade,
business, or occupation, or the wages of any such person
or persons; or
(g) unlawfully assaults any person who is 60 years or more;
or
(h) unlawfully assaults any person who relies on a guide,
hearing or assistance dog, wheelchair or other remedial
device;
is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) for subsection (1)(b), if the offender assaults a police
officer in any of the following circumstances—
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 225
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 30 Assaults

[s 340]

(i) the offender bites or spits on the police officer or

throws at, or in any way applies to, the police
officer a bodily fluid or faeces;
(ii) the offender causes bodily harm to the police
officer;
(iii) the offender is, or pretends to be, armed with a
dangerous or offensive weapon or instrument—14
years imprisonment; or
(b) otherwise—7 years imprisonment.
Examples of remedial device for paragraph (h)—
walking frame, caliper, walking stick and artificial limb
(1C) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, sections 108B and
161Q also state a circumstance of aggravation for an offence
against subsection (1)(b).
(1D) An indictment charging an offence against subsection (1)(b)
with the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties
and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(2) A prisoner who unlawfully assaults a working corrective
services officer is guilty of a crime, and is liable to
imprisonment for 7 years.
(2AA) A person who—
(a) unlawfully assaults, or resists or wilfully obstructs, a
public officer while the officer is performing a function
of the officer’s office; or
Example—
A person unlawfully assaults an authorised officer under the
Child Protection Act 1999 while the officer is investigating an
allegation of harm to a child under that Act.
(b) assaults a public officer because the officer has
performed a function of the officer’s office;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—
Page 226 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 30 Assaults

[s 340]

(a) if the offender assaults a public officer in any of the

following circumstances—
(i) the offender bites or spits on the public officer or
throws at, or in any way applies to, the public
officer a bodily fluid or faeces;
(ii) the offender causes bodily harm to the public
officer;
(iii) the offender is, or pretends to be, armed with a
dangerous or offensive weapon or instrument—14
years imprisonment; or
(b) otherwise—7 years imprisonment.
(2B) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 108B also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
subsection (2AA).
(3) In this section—
corrective services facility see the Corrective Services Act
2006, schedule 4.
corrective services officer see the Corrective Services Act
2006, schedule 4.
office includes appointment and employment.
prisoner see the Corrective Services Act 2006, schedule 4.
public officer includes—
(a) a member, officer or employee of a service established
for a public purpose under an Act; and
Example of a service—
Queensland Ambulance Service established under the
Ambulance Service Act 1991
(b) a health service employee under the Hospital and
Health Boards Act 2011; and
(c) an authorised officer under the Child Protection Act
1999; and

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 227

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 32 Rape and sexual assaults

[s 346]

(d) a transit officer under the Transport Operations

(Passenger Transport) Act 1994.
working corrective services officer means a corrective
services officer present at a corrective services facility in his
or her capacity as a corrective services officer.

346 Assaults in interference with freedom of trade or work

Any person who assaults another with intent to hinder or
prevent the other person from working at or exercising the
other person’s lawful trade, business, or occupation, or from
buying, selling, or otherwise dealing, with any property
intended for sale, commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—5 years imprisonment.

Chapter 32 Rape and sexual assaults

347 Definitions for ch 32

In this chapter—
consent see section 348.
penetrate does not include penetrate for a proper medical,
hygienic or law enforcement purpose only.

348 Meaning of consent

(1) In this chapter, consent means consent freely and voluntarily
given by a person with the cognitive capacity to give the
consent.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), a person’s consent to an act is
not freely and voluntarily given if it is obtained—
(a) by force; or

Page 228 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 32 Rape and sexual assaults

[s 349]

(b) by threat or intimidation; or

(c) by fear of bodily harm; or
(d) by exercise of authority; or
(e) by false and fraudulent representations about the nature
or purpose of the act; or
(f) by a mistaken belief induced by the accused person that
the accused person was the person’s sexual partner.

349 Rape
(1) Any person who rapes another person is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—life imprisonment.
(2) A person rapes another person if—
(a) the person has carnal knowledge with or of the other
person without the other person’s consent; or
(b) the person penetrates the vulva, vagina or anus of the
other person to any extent with a thing or a part of the
person’s body that is not a penis without the other
person’s consent; or
(c) the person penetrates the mouth of the other person to
any extent with the person’s penis without the other
person’s consent.
(3) For this section, a child under the age of 12 years is incapable
of giving consent.
(4) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(5) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 229

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 32 Rape and sexual assaults

[s 350]

350 Attempt to commit rape

(1) Any person who attempts to commit the crime of rape is
guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

351 Assault with intent to commit rape

(1) Any person who assaults another with intent to commit rape is
guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(3) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

352 Sexual assaults

(1) Any person who—
(a) unlawfully and indecently assaults another person; or
(b) procures another person, without the person’s consent—
(i) to commit an act of gross indecency; or
(ii) to witness an act of gross indecency by the person
or any other person;
is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.
Page 230 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 32 Rape and sexual assaults

[s 352]

(2) However, the offender is liable to a maximum penalty of 14

years imprisonment for an offence defined in
subsection (1)(a) or (1)(b)(i) if the indecent assault or act of
gross indecency includes bringing into contact any part of the
genitalia or the anus of a person with any part of the mouth of
a person.
(3) Further, the offender is liable to a maximum penalty of life
imprisonment if—
(a) immediately before, during, or immediately after, the
offence, the offender is, or pretends to be, armed with a
dangerous or offensive weapon, or is in company with
any other person; or
(b) for an offence defined in subsection (1)(a), the indecent
assault includes the person who is assaulted penetrating
the offender’s vagina, vulva or anus to any extent with a
thing or a part of the person’s body that is not a penis; or
(c) for an offence defined in subsection (1)(b)(i), the act of
gross indecency includes the person who is procured by
the offender penetrating the vagina, vulva or anus of the
person who is procured or another person to any extent
with a thing or a part of the body of the person who is
procured that is not a penis.
(4) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(5) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 231

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 33 Offences against liberty

[s 354]

Chapter 33 Offences against liberty

354 Kidnapping
(1) Any person who kidnaps another person is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) A person kidnaps another person if the person unlawfully and
forcibly takes or detains the other person with intent to gain
anything from any person or to procure anything to be done or
omitted to be done by any person.
(3) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(4) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

354A 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 any person
by a demand containing threats of detriment of any kind
to be caused to any person, either by the offender or any
other 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 or harbours the said person in respect of whom
the threats are made, knowing such person to have been
so taken or enticed away, or detained;
is guilty of a crime which is called kidnapping for ransom.
(2) Any person who commits the crime of kidnapping for ransom
is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
Page 232 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 33 Offences against liberty

[s 355]

(3) If the person kidnapped has been unconditionally set at liberty

without such person having suffered any grievous bodily
harm, the offender is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
(4) Any person who attempts to commit the crime of kidnapping
for ransom is guilty of a crime and is liable to imprisonment
for 7 years.
(5) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(6) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

355 Deprivation of liberty

Any person who unlawfully confines or detains another in any
place against the other person’s will, or otherwise unlawfully
deprives another of the other person’s personal liberty, is
guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 3
years.

356 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 which, in any
material particular, is to the person’s knowledge false; or
(b) not being a person authorised by law to give such a
certificate as aforesaid, gives such a certificate, and
represents himself or herself to be a person authorised to
give the same;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 233
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 33 Offences against liberty

[s 357]

357 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 which, in any material particular, is to the person’s
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
the person is so required to give the information or
show the person or place; or
(ii) gives to any person to whom the person is so
required to give it, information touching any such
matter which, in any material particular, is to the
person’s knowledge false;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.

358 Unlawful custody of particular persons

Any person who detains or assumes the custody of an
involuntary patient under the Mental Health Act 2016 or a
forensic disability client under the Forensic Disability Act
2011 contrary to the provisions of the laws relating to such
persons is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to
imprisonment for 2 years.

359 Threats
(1) A person (the first person) who threatens to cause a detriment
to a second person with intent to prevent or hinder any person
(the other person) other than the first person from doing any
Page 234 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 33A Unlawful stalking

[s 359A]

act which the other person is lawfully entitled to do, or with

intent to compel the other person to do any act which the other
person is lawfully entitled to abstain from doing, or with
intent to cause public alarm or anxiety, commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—5 years imprisonment.
(2) The offender is liable to a maximum penalty of 10 years
imprisonment if the threat is made to a law enforcement
officer, or a person helping a law enforcement officer, when or
because the officer is investigating the activities of a criminal
organisation.
(3) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(4) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

Chapter 33A Unlawful stalking

359A Definitions for ch 33A

In this chapter—
circumstances means the following circumstances—
(a) the alleged stalker’s circumstances;
(b) the circumstances of the stalked person known, foreseen
or reasonably foreseeable by the alleged stalker;
(c) the circumstances surrounding the unlawful stalking;
(d) any other relevant circumstances.
detriment includes the following—

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 235

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 33A Unlawful stalking

[s 359A]

(a) apprehension or fear of violence to, or against property

of, the stalked person or another person;
(b) serious mental, psychological or emotional harm;
(c) prevention or hindrance from doing an act a person is
lawfully entitled to do;
(d) compulsion to do an act a person is lawfully entitled to
abstain from doing.
Examples of paragraph (c)—
A person no longer walks outside the person’s place of residence
or employment.
A person significantly changes the route or form of transport the
person would ordinarily use to travel to work or other places.
Example of paragraph (d)—
A person sells a property the person would not otherwise sell.
property, of a person, means—
(a) property in which the person has an interest, whether or
not the defendant also has an interest in the property; or
Note—
Under the Acts Interpretation Act 1954, schedule 1—
interest, in relation to land or other property, means—
(a) a legal or equitable estate in the land or other property; or
(b) a right, power or privilege over, or in relation to, the land or
other property.
(b) property that is otherwise—
(i) used and enjoyed by the person; or
(ii) available for the person’s use or enjoyment; or
(iii) in the person’s care or custody; or
(iv) at the premises at which the person is residing.
stalked person see section 359B.
unlawful stalking see section 359B.
violence—
Page 236 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 33A Unlawful stalking

[s 359B]

(a) does not include any force or impact within the limits of
what is acceptable as incidental to social interaction or
to life in the community; and
(b) against a person includes an act depriving a person of
liberty; and
(c) against property includes an act of damaging,
destroying, removing, using or interfering with the
property.

359B What is unlawful stalking

Unlawful stalking is conduct—
(a) intentionally directed at a person (the stalked person);
and
(b) engaged in on any 1 occasion if the conduct is protracted
or on more than 1 occasion; and
(c) consisting of 1 or more acts of the following, or a
similar, type—
(i) following, loitering near, watching or approaching
a person;
(ii) contacting a person in any way, including, for
example, by telephone, mail, fax, email or through
the use of any technology;
(iii) loitering near, watching, approaching or entering a
place where a person lives, works or visits;
(iv) leaving offensive material where it will be found
by, given to or brought to the attention of, a person;
(v) giving offensive material to a person, directly or
indirectly;
(vi) an intimidating, harassing or threatening act
against a person, whether or not involving violence
or a threat of violence;

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 237

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 33A Unlawful stalking

[s 359C]

(vii) an act of violence, or a threat of violence, against,

or against property of, anyone, including the
defendant; and
(d) that—
(i) would cause the stalked person apprehension or
fear, reasonably arising in all the circumstances, of
violence to, or against property of, the stalked
person or another person; or
(ii) causes detriment, reasonably arising in all the
circumstances, to the stalked person or another
person.

359C What is immaterial for unlawful stalking

(1) For section 359B(a), it is immaterial whether the person doing
the unlawful stalking—
(a) intends that the stalked person be aware the conduct is
directed at the stalked person; or
(b) has a mistaken belief about the identity of the person at
whom the conduct is intentionally directed.
(2) For section 359B(a) and (c), it is immaterial whether the
conduct directed at the stalked person consists of conduct
carried out in relation to another person or property of another
person.
(3) For section 359B(b), it is immaterial whether the conduct
throughout the occasion on which the conduct is protracted, or
the conduct on each of a number of occasions, consists of the
same or different acts.
(4) For section 359B(d), it is immaterial whether the person doing
the unlawful stalking intended to cause the apprehension or
fear, or the detriment, mentioned in the section.
(5) For section 359B(d)(i), it is immaterial whether the
apprehension or fear, or the violence, mentioned in the section
is actually caused.
Page 238 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 33A Unlawful stalking

[s 359D]

359D Particular conduct that is not unlawful stalking

Unlawful stalking does not include the following acts—
(a) acts done in the execution of a law or administration of
an Act or for a purpose authorised by an Act;
(b) acts done for the purposes of a genuine industrial
dispute;
(c) acts done for the purposes of a genuine political or other
genuine public dispute or issue carried on in the public
interest;
(d) reasonable conduct engaged in by a person for the
person’s lawful trade, business or occupation;
(e) reasonable conduct engaged in by a person to obtain or
give information that the person has a legitimate interest
in obtaining or giving.

359E Punishment of unlawful stalking

(1) A person who unlawfully stalks another person is guilty of a
crime.
(2) A person who commits the crime of unlawful stalking is liable
to a maximum penalty of imprisonment for 5 years.
(3) However, a person is liable to a maximum penalty of
imprisonment for 7 years if, for any of the acts constituting
the unlawful stalking, the person—
(a) uses or intentionally threatens to use, violence against
anyone or anyone’s property; or
(b) possesses a weapon within the meaning of the Weapons
Act 1990; or
(c) contravenes or intentionally threatens to contravene an
injunction or order imposed or made by a court or
tribunal under a law of the Commonwealth or a State.
(4) Also, a person is liable to a maximum penalty of
imprisonment for 10 years if any of the acts constituting the
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 239
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 33A Unlawful stalking

[s 359F]

unlawful stalking are done when or because the officer is

investigating the activities of a criminal organisation.
(5) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(6) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

359F Court may restrain unlawful stalking

(1) This section applies on the hearing before a court of a charge
against a person of unlawful stalking.
(2) Whether the person is found guilty or not guilty or the
prosecution ends in another way, if the presiding judge or
magistrate considers it desirable, the judge or magistrate may
constitute the court to consider whether a restraining order
should be made against the person.
(3) The judge or magistrate may act under subsection (2) on
application by the Crown or an interested person or on the
judge’s or magistrate’s own initiative.
(4) Also, if the restraining order proceeding is started before the
Supreme Court or the District Court, the court may order the
proceeding to be transferred to a Magistrates Court.
(5) If a court makes an order under subsection (4), the registrar of
the court must send to the clerk of the relevant Magistrates
Court a copy of the order and the record of proceedings of the
hearing of the charge and any application mentioned in
subsection (3).
(6) The court hearing the restraining order proceeding may make
a restraining order against the person in relation to any person
or any property if it considers it desirable to do so having
regard to the evidence given at the hearing of the charge and

Page 240 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 33A Unlawful stalking

[s 359F]

any application under subsection (3) and any further evidence

the court may admit.
(7) A restraining order may be varied or revoked at any time by
the court, and, if the order provides, by another court.
(8) A person who knowingly contravenes a restraining order
commits an offence.
Maximum penalty—40 penalty units or 1 year’s
imprisonment.
(9) A restraining order may be made against a person whether or
not another order is made against the person in the proceeding
for the charge.
(10) A restraining order proceeding is not a criminal proceeding.
(11) A question of fact for a decision under subsection (2) and in a
restraining order proceeding must be decided on the balance
of probabilities.
(12) In this section—
charge means the charge of unlawful stalking mentioned in
subsection (1).
restraining order against a person means any order
considered appropriate for the purpose of prohibiting
particular conduct, including, for example, contact for a stated
period by the person with a stated person or the property of a
stated person.
restraining order proceeding means a proceeding started
under subsection (2).

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 241

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 34 Offences relating to marriage and parental rights and duties

[s 360]

Chapter 34 Offences relating to marriage

and parental rights and duties

360 Bigamy
(1) Any person who—
(a) being married, goes through the form of marriage with
any other person during the life of his or her wife or
husband; or
(b) goes through the form of marriage with any person
whom he or she knows to be married;
is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) It is a defence to a charge of either of the offences defined in
this section to prove that at the time of committing the alleged
offence the wife or husband of the person already married had
been continually absent from him or her for the space of 7
years then last past, unless it is shown that the accused person
knew that such wife or husband was living within that time.

361 Unlawful celebration of marriage

Any person who—
(a) celebrates, or attempts or professes to celebrate, the
marriage of any person who, to the person’s knowledge,
is under the age of 18 years, and is not a widower or
widow, without the written consent of some person
authorised by law to give such consent, or with a written
consent which, to the person’s knowledge, is not given
by a person authorised by law to give it; or
(b) celebrates, or attempts or professes to celebrate, any
marriage contrary to the provisions of the laws relating
to the solemnisation of marriage; or
(c) celebrates, or attempts or professes to celebrate, any
marriage in any case in which any provision of those
Page 242 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 34 Offences relating to marriage and parental rights and duties

[s 362]

laws has not been complied with, knowing that it has not
been complied with; or
(d) induces, or attempts to induce, any person to celebrate
the marriage of any person who is to the knowledge of
the offender under the age of 18 years, and is not a
widower or widow, without the consent mentioned in
paragraph (a), or with a consent which, to the person’s
knowledge, is not given by a person authorised by law to
give it, or to celebrate any marriage contrary to or
without compliance with the laws relating to the
solemnisation of marriage; or
(e) marries a person who is, to his or her knowledge, under
the age of 18 years, and is not a widow or widower,
without the consent mentioned in paragraph (a), or with
a consent which, to his or her knowledge, is not given by
a person authorised by law to give it;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.

362 Unqualified persons procuring registration as persons

qualified to celebrate marriages
Any person who, not being a person entitled to be registered
under the laws relating to the solemnisation of marriage as a
person authorised to celebrate marriages, and knowing that
the person is not such a person, procures the person’s name to
be registered as a person so entitled, is guilty of a
misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 2 years, and
to a fine of $400.

363 Child-stealing
(1) Any person who, with intent to deprive any parent, guardian,
or other person who has the lawful care or charge, of a child
under the age of 16 years, of the possession of such child, or
with intent to steal any article upon or about the person of any
such child—
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 243
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 34 Offences relating to marriage and parental rights and duties

[s 363A]

(a) forcibly or fraudulently takes or entices away, or

detains, the child; or
(b) receives or harbours the child, knowing it to have been
so taken or enticed away or detained;
is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) It is a defence to a charge of any of the offences defined in this
section to prove that the accused person claimed in good faith
a right to the possession of the child, or, in the case of a child
whose parents were not married to each other at the time of its
conception and have not since married each other, not being a
child who has been adopted as aforesaid, is its mother or
claimed in good faith to be its father.
(3) In this section—
corresponding parentage order means an order under a law
of another State that provides for a parentage order similar to
a parentage order under the Surrogacy Act 2010.
parent includes—
(a) for a child who has been legally adopted in Queensland
or in another State—a person who has adopted the child;
or
(b) for a child whose parentage has been transferred by a
parentage order under the Surrogacy Act 2010 or a
corresponding parentage order—a person who is a
parent of the child under the order;
but does not include a natural parent of the child.

363A Abduction of child under 16

(1) Any person who unlawfully takes an unmarried child under
the age of 16 years out of the custody or protection of the
child’s father or mother, or other person having the lawful care
or charge of the child, and against the will of the father,
mother or other person, is guilty of a crime, and is liable to
imprisonment for 7 years.
Page 244 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 34 Offences relating to marriage and parental rights and duties

[s 364]

(2) It is immaterial that the offender believed the child to be of or

above the age of 16 years.
(3) It is immaterial that the child was taken with the consent of or
at the suggestion of the child.

364 Cruelty to children under 16

(1) A person who, having the lawful care or charge of a child
under 16 years, causes harm to the child by any prescribed
conduct that the person knew or ought reasonably to have
known would be likely to cause harm to the child commits a
crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) In this section—
harm, to a child, means any detrimental effect of a significant
nature on the child’s physical, psychological or emotional
wellbeing, whether temporary or permanent.
prescribed conduct means—
(a) failing to provide the child with adequate food, clothing,
medical treatment, accommodation or care when it is
available to the person from his or her own resources; or
(b) failing to take all lawful steps to obtain adequate food,
clothing, medical treatment, accommodation or care
when it is not available to the person from his or her
own resources; or
(c) deserting the child; or
(d) leaving the child without means of support.

364A Leaving a child under 12 unattended

(1) A person who, having the lawful care or charge of a child
under 12 years, leaves the child for an unreasonable time
without making reasonable provision for the supervision and
care of the child during that time commits a misdemeanour.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 245
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 35 Criminal defamation

[s 365]

Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.

(2) Whether the time is unreasonable depends on all the relevant
circumstances.

Chapter 35 Criminal defamation

365 Criminal defamation

(1) Any person who, without lawful excuse, publishes matter
defamatory of another living person (the relevant person)—
(a) knowing the matter to be false or without having regard
to whether the matter is true or false; and
(b) intending to cause serious harm to the relevant person or
any other person or without having regard to whether
serious harm to the relevant person or any other person
is caused;
commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.
(2) In a proceeding for an offence defined in this section, the
accused person has a lawful excuse for the publication of
defamatory matter about the relevant person if, and only if,
subsection (3) applies.
(3) This subsection applies if the accused person would, having
regard only to the circumstances happening before or at the
time of the publication, have had a relevant defence for the
publication if the relevant person had brought civil
proceedings for defamation against the accused person.
(4) The prosecution has the burden of negativing the existence of
a lawful excuse if, and only if, evidence directed to
establishing the excuse is first adduced by or on behalf of the
accused person.

Page 246 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 35 Criminal defamation

[s 365]

(5) Whether the matter complained of is capable of bearing a

defamatory meaning is a question of law.
(6) Whether the matter complained of does bear a defamatory
meaning is a question of fact.
(7) A person can not be prosecuted for an offence defined in this
section without the consent of the director of public
prosecutions.
(8) In this section—
defamatory has the meaning that it has in the law of tort (as
modified by the Defamation Act 2005) relating to defamation.
modified statutory defence of justification means the defence
stated in the Defamation Act 2005, section 25 as if that section
provided that it is a defence to the publication of defamatory
matter if the defendant proves that—
(a) the defamatory imputations carried by the matter of
which the relevant person complains are substantially
true; and
(b) it was for the public benefit that the publication should
be made.
publish has the meaning that it has in the law of tort (as
modified by the Defamation Act 2005) relating to defamation.
relevant defence means—
(a) a defence available under the Defamation Act 2005
other than—
(i) the statutory defence of justification; or
(ii) the statutory defence of failure to accept
reasonable offer; or
(b) the modified statutory defence of justification; or
(c) a defence available other than under the Defamation Act
2005, including under the general law.
statutory defence of failure to accept reasonable offer means
the defence stated in the Defamation Act 2005, section 18(1).
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 247
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 35A Circumstance of aggravation for particular offences

[s 365A]

statutory defence of justification means the defence stated in

the Defamation Act 2005, section 25.

Chapter 35A Circumstance of aggravation

for particular offences

365A Application of ch 35A

(1) This chapter applies to an offence against—
(a) section 320; or
(b) section 323; or
(c) section 340(1)(b), if the circumstances mentioned in
section 340(1), penalty, paragraph (a) apply; or
(d) section 340(2AA), if the circumstances mentioned in
section 340(2AA), penalty, paragraph (a) apply.
(2) This chapter applies in relation to proof of the circumstance of
aggravation that the offence was committed in a public place
while the person was adversely affected by an intoxicating
substance.
Notes—
1 The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, part 5, division 2,
subdivision 2 provides for the making of a community service
order for the person if the offence is committed in a public place
while the person is adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.
2 The Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, chapter 18A
applies the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act
1995, section 80 to allow evidentiary certificates about breath,
saliva, blood or urine specimens taken from the person to be used
in proceedings for the offence.

Page 248 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 5 Offences against the person and relating to marriage and parental rights and duties
Chapter 35A Circumstance of aggravation for particular offences

[s 365B]

365B Application of defences

(1) Section 24 does not apply in relation to a belief of the person
that the person is not adversely affected by an intoxicating
substance.
(2) A person is taken to be not adversely affected by an
intoxicating substance at the relevant time if the person
proves—
(a) the person ingested an intoxicating substance that the
person did not know the person was ingesting; and
(b) an ordinary person would not reasonably have known
the person was ingesting the intoxicating substance; and
(c) the person would not be adversely affected by an
intoxicating substance at the relevant time apart from
that ingestion.
(3) In this section—
ingest includes drink, administer, inhale and smoke.

365C Proof of being adversely affected by an intoxicating

substance
(1) A person is taken to be adversely affected by an intoxicating
substance if—
(a) the concentration of alcohol in the person’s blood is at
least 150mg of alcohol in 100mL of blood; or
(b) the concentration of alcohol in the person’s breath is at
least 0.150g of alcohol in 210L of breath; or
(c) any amount of a drug prescribed by regulation is present
in the person’s saliva; or
(d) the person fails to provide a specimen as required under
the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act
1995, section 80 as applied under the Police Powers and
Responsibilities Act 2000, chapter 18A.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 249

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 36 Stealing

[s 390]

(2) However, subsection (1)(c) or (d) does not apply if the person
proves he or she was not adversely affected by an intoxicating
substance at the relevant time.
(3) Subsection (1) does not limit the circumstances in which a
person may be adversely affected by an intoxicating
substance.

Part 6 Offences relating to

property and contracts

Division 1 Stealing and like offences

Chapter 36 Stealing

390 Things capable of being stolen

Anything that is the property of any person is capable of being
stolen if it is—
(a) moveable; or
(b) capable of being made moveable, even if it is made
moveable in order to steal it.

391 Definition of stealing

(1) A person who fraudulently takes anything capable of being
stolen, or fraudulently converts to the person’s own use or to
the use of any other person anything capable of being stolen,
is said to steal that thing.
(2) A person who takes or converts anything capable of being
stolen is deemed to do so fraudulently if the person does so
with any of the following intents, that is to say—
Page 250 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 36 Stealing

[s 391]

(a) an intent to permanently deprive the owner of the thing

of it;
(b) an intent to permanently deprive any person who has
any special property in the thing of such property;
(c) an intent to use the thing as a pledge or security;
(d) an intent to part with it on a condition as to its return
which the person taking or converting it may be unable
to perform;
(e) an intent to deal with it in such a manner that it can not
be returned in the condition in which it was at the time
of the taking or conversion;
(f) in the case of money—an intent to use it at the will of
the person who takes or converts it, although the person
may intend to afterwards repay the amount to the owner.
(2AA) In this section—
special property includes any charge or lien upon the thing in
question, and any right arising from or dependent upon
holding possession of the thing in question, whether by the
person entitled to such right or by some other person for the
other person’s benefit.
(2A) A person who has taken possession of anything capable of
being stolen in such circumstances that the thing thereupon is
not identifiable is deemed to have taken or converted the thing
fraudulently notwithstanding that the property in the thing has
passed to the person if, at the time the person transports the
thing away, the person has not discharged or made
arrangements with the owner or previous owner of the thing
for discharging the person’s indebtedness in respect of the
thing.
(2B) The presumption provided for by subsection (2A) is
rebuttable.
(3) The taking or conversion may be fraudulent, although it is
effected without secrecy or attempt at concealment.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 251
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 36 Stealing

[s 392]

(4) In the case of conversion, it is immaterial whether the thing

converted is taken for the purpose of conversion, or whether it
is at the time of the conversion in the possession of the person
who converts it.
(4A) It is also immaterial that the person who converts the property
is the holder of a power of attorney for the disposition of it, or
is otherwise authorised to dispose of the property.
(5) When a thing converted has been lost by the owner and found
by the person who converts it, the conversion is not deemed to
be fraudulent if at the time of the conversion the person taking
or converting the thing does not know who is the owner, and
believes, on reasonable grounds, that the owner can not be
discovered.
(6) The act of stealing is not complete until the person taking or
converting the thing actually moves it or otherwise actually
deals with it by some physical act.
(7) In this section—
owner includes the owner, any part owner, or any person
having possession or control of, or a special property in, the
thing in question.

392 Special cases

(1) When a wild animal in the enjoyment of its natural liberty has
been killed by any person, the taking of the dead body of the
animal by that person, or by any person acting under the
person’s orders, before it has been reduced into actual
possession by the owner of the land on which the animal was
killed or on which it died, is not deemed to be stealing.
(2) When a factor or agent pledges or gives a lien on any goods or
document of title to goods entrusted to the factor or agent for
the purpose of sale or otherwise for any sum of money not
greater than the amount due to the factor or agent from his or
her principal at the time of pledging or giving the lien,
together with the amount of any bill of exchange or
promissory note accepted or made by the factor or agent for or
Page 252 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 36 Stealing

[s 393]

on account of his or her principal, such dealing with the goods

or document of title is not deemed to be stealing.

393 Funds etc. held under direction

(1) When a person receives, either alone or jointly with another
person, any money or valuable security, or a power of attorney
for the sale, mortgage, pledge, or other disposition, of any
property, whether capable of being stolen or not, with a
direction in either case that such money or any part thereof, or
any other money received in exchange for it, or any part
thereof, or the proceeds or any part of the proceeds of such
security, or of such mortgage, pledge, or other disposition,
shall be applied to any purpose or paid to any person specified
in the direction, such money and proceeds are deemed to be
the property of the person from whom the money, security, or
power of attorney, was received until the direction has been
complied with.
(2) However, if the person receiving the money, security or power
of attorney, and the person from whom the person receives it
ordinarily deal with each other on such terms that in the
absence of any special direction all money paid to the former
on account of the latter would be properly treated as an item in
a debtor and creditor account between them, the former can
not be charged with stealing the money or any such proceeds
unless the direction is in writing.

394 Funds etc. received by agents for sale

When a person receives, either alone or jointly with another
person, any property from another on terms authorising or
requiring the person to sell it or otherwise dispose of it, and
requiring the person to pay or account for the proceeds of the
property, or any part of such proceeds, or to deliver anything
received in exchange for the property, to the person from
whom it is received, or some other person, then the proceeds
of the property, and anything so received in exchange for it,
are deemed to be the property of the person from whom the
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 253
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 36 Stealing

[s 395]

property was so received, until they have been disposed of in

accordance with the terms on which the property was
received, unless it is a part of those terms that the proceeds (if
any) shall form an item in a debtor and creditor account
between the person and the person to whom the person is to
pay them or account for them, and that the relation of debtor
and creditor only shall exist between them in respect thereof.

395 Money received for another

When a person receives, either alone or jointly with another
person, any money on behalf of another, the money is deemed
to be the property of the person on whose behalf it is received,
unless the money is received on the terms that it shall form an
item in a debtor and creditor account, and that the relation of
debtor and creditor only shall exist between the parties in
respect of it.

396 Stealing by persons having an interest in the thing stolen

When any person takes or converts anything capable of being
stolen, under such circumstances as would otherwise amount
to stealing, it is immaterial that the person has a special
property or interest therein, or that the person is the owner of
the thing taken or converted subject to some special property
or interest of some other person therein; or that the person is
lessee of the thing, or that the person is 1 of 2 or more joint
owners of the thing; or that the person is a director or officer
of a corporation or company or society who are the owners of
it.

398 Punishment of stealing

(1) Any person who steals anything capable of being stolen is
guilty of a crime, and is liable, if no other punishment is
provided, to imprisonment for 5 years.

Page 254 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 36 Stealing

[s 1]

Punishment in special cases

1 Stealing wills
If the thing stolen is a testamentary instrument, whether the
testator is living or dead, the offender is liable to 14 years
imprisonment.

2 Stealing stock
(1) If the thing stolen is 1 or more animals and the offender is
sentenced to pay a fine, the fine must be at least the following
amount for each animal—
(a) if the animal’s value is determined under a regulation
under section 450F—that value or 10 penalty units,
whichever is higher;
(b) otherwise—10 penalty units.
(2) Subclause (1) applies whether the person is sentenced to pay
the fine in addition to, or instead of, imprisonment.
(3) Subclause (1) applies whether the person is liable to
imprisonment for 5 years or a longer period under this section.
(4) In this clause—
animal means an animal that is stock.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 255
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 36 Stealing

[s 4]

4 Stealing from the person—stealing goods in transit etc.

If the offence is committed under any of the circumstances
following, that is to say—
(a) if the thing is stolen from the person of another;
(b) if the thing is stolen in a dwelling, and its value exceeds
$1,000, or the offender at or immediately before or after
the time of stealing uses or threatens to use violence to
any person in the dwelling;
(c) if the thing is stolen from any kind of vehicle or place of
deposit used for the conveyance or custody of goods in
transit from 1 place to another;
(d) if the thing is stolen from a vehicle which is in distress
or wrecked or stranded;
(e) if the thing is stolen from a public office in which it is
deposited or kept;
(f) if the offender, in order to commit the offence, opens
any locked room, box, or other receptacle, by means of a
key or other instrument;
the offender is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.

5 Stealing by persons in the public service

If the offender is a person employed in the public service, and
the thing stolen is the property of Her Majesty, or came into
the possession of the offender by virtue of the offender’s
employment, the offender is liable to imprisonment for 10
years.

6 Stealing by clerks and servants

If the offender is a clerk or servant, and the thing stolen is the
property of the offender’s employer, or came into the
possession of the offender on account of the offender’s
employer, the offender is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
Page 256 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 36 Stealing

[s 7]

7 Stealing by directors or officers of companies

If the offender is a director or officer of a corporation or
company, and the thing stolen is the property of the
corporation or company, the offender is liable to
imprisonment for 10 years.

8 Stealing by agents etc.

If the thing stolen is any of the things following, that is to
say—
(a) property which has been received by the offender with a
power of attorney for the disposition thereof;
(b) money received by the offender with a direction that the
same should be applied to any purpose or paid to any
person specified in the direction;
(c) the whole or part of the proceeds of any valuable
security which has been received by the offender with a
direction that the proceeds thereof should be applied to
any purpose or paid to any person specified in the
direction;
(d) the whole or part of the proceeds arising from any
disposition of any property which have been received by
the offender by virtue of a power of attorney or other
authority for the disposition of the property received by
the offender with a direction that such proceeds should
be applied to any purpose or paid to any person
specified in the direction;
the offender is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.

9 Stealing property valued at more than $5,000

If the thing stolen is property, including an animal that is
stock, and its value is more than $5,000, the offender is liable
to imprisonment for 10 years.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 257

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 36 Stealing

[s 10]

10 Stealing by tenants or lodgers

If the thing stolen is a fixture or chattel let to the offender to
be used by him or her with a house or lodging, and its value
exceeds $1,000, the offender is liable to imprisonment for 10
years.

11 Stealing after previous conviction

If the offender, before committing the offence, had been
convicted upon indictment of any of the indictable offences
defined in this division, or had been twice previously
summarily convicted of an offence punishable on summary
conviction under this division, whether each of the
convictions was in respect of an offence of the same character
or not, the offender is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.

12 Stealing of a vehicle
If the thing stolen is a vehicle the offender is liable to
imprisonment for 14 years.

13 Stealing by looting
If—
(a) the offence is committed during a natural disaster, civil
unrest or an industrial dispute; or
(b) the thing stolen is left unattended by the death or
incapacity of the person in possession of the property; or
(c) the offence is committed in an area that—
(i) is a declared area for a disaster situation under the
Disaster Management Act 2003; or
(ii) was, immediately before the offence was
committed, a declared area for a disaster situation
under the Disaster Management Act 2003;
the offender is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
Page 258 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 37 Offences analogous to stealing

[s 14]

14 Stealing firearm for use in another indictable offence

If—
(a) the thing stolen is a firearm; and
(b) the offender steals the firearm intending that it be used
by anyone to commit an indictable offence;
the offender is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.

15 Stealing firearm or ammunition

If the thing stolen is a firearm or ammunition, the offender is
liable to imprisonment for 10 years.

Chapter 37 Offences analogous to stealing

399 Fraudulent concealment of particular documents

A person who, with intent to defraud, conceals the whole or
part of—
(a) a register or record kept by lawful authority; or
(b) a document recording title to property; or
(c) a testamentary instrument (whether the testator is living
or dead);
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) if the offence is committed in relation to a document
recording title to property—3 years imprisonment; or
(b) otherwise—14 years imprisonment.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 259

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 37 Offences analogous to stealing

[s 403]

403 Severing with intent to steal

Any person who makes anything moveable with intent to steal
it is guilty of a crime, and is liable to the same punishment as
if the person had stolen the thing after it became moveable.

406 Bringing stolen goods into Queensland

Any person who, having at any place not in Queensland
obtained any property by any act which if it had been done in
Queensland would have constituted the crime of stealing, and
which is an offence under the laws in force in the place where
it was done, brings such property into Queensland, or has it in
the person’s possession in Queensland, is guilty of a crime,
and is liable to the same punishment as if the person had
stolen it in Queensland; but so that the punishment does not
exceed that which would be incurred for the same act under
the laws in force in the place where the act by which the
person obtained the property was done.

408A Unlawful use or possession of motor vehicles, aircraft or

vessels
(1) A person who—
(a) unlawfully uses any motor vehicle, aircraft or vessel
without the consent of the person in lawful possession
thereof; or
(b) has in the person’s possession any motor vehicle,
aircraft or vessel without the consent of the person in
lawful possession thereof with intent to deprive the
owner or person in lawful possession thereof of the use
and possession thereof either temporarily or
permanently;
is guilty of a crime and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
(1A) If the offender uses or intends to use the motor vehicle,
aircraft or vessel for the purpose of facilitating the

Page 260 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 37 Offences analogous to stealing

[s 408C]

commission of an indictable offence, the offender is liable to

imprisonment for 10 years.
(1B) If the offender—
(a) wilfully destroys, damages, removes or otherwise
interferes with the mechanism (or part thereof) or other
part of or equipment attached to the motor vehicle,
aircraft or vessel; or
(b) intends to destroy, damage, remove or otherwise
interfere with the mechanism (or part thereof) or other
part of or equipment attached to the motor vehicle,
aircraft or vessel;
the offender is liable to imprisonment for 12 years.
(1C) It is a defence to a charge of an offence defined in
subsections (1) to (1B) to prove that the accused person had
the lawful consent of the owner of the motor vehicle, aircraft
or vessel to its use or possession by the accused person.
(2) This section applies without prejudice to any provision of any
other Act relating to the unlawful use or possession of motor
vehicles, aircraft or vessels save that an offender shall not be
liable to be convicted under both this section and such other
provision in respect of any one and the same unlawful use or
possession of any motor vehicle, aircraft or vessel.
(3) In this section—
vessel means every kind of vessel designed for use on or in
water, not propelled exclusively by oars.

408C Fraud
(1) A person who dishonestly—
(a) applies to his or her own use or to the use of any
person—
(i) property belonging to another; or
(ii) property belonging to the person, or which is in the
person’s possession, either solely or jointly with
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 261
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 37 Offences analogous to stealing

[s 408C]

another person, subject to a trust, direction or

condition or on account of any other person; or
(b) obtains property from any person; or
(c) induces any person to deliver property to any person; or
(d) gains a benefit or advantage, pecuniary or otherwise, for
any person; or
(e) causes a detriment, pecuniary or otherwise, to any
person; or
(f) induces any person to do any act which the person is
lawfully entitled to abstain from doing; or
(g) induces any person to abstain from doing any act which
that person is lawfully entitled to do; or
(h) makes off, knowing that payment on the spot is required
or expected for any property lawfully supplied or
returned or for any service lawfully provided, without
having paid and with intent to avoid payment;
commits the crime of fraud.
Maximum penalty—5 years imprisonment.
(2) The offender is liable to imprisonment for 14 years if, for an
offence against subsection (1)—
(a) the offender is a director or officer of a corporation, and
the victim is the corporation; or
(b) the offender is an employee of the victim; or
(c) any property in relation to which the offence is
committed came into the possession or control of the
offender subject to a trust, direction or condition that it
should be applied to any purpose or be paid to any
person specified in the terms of trust, direction or
condition or came into the offender’s possession on
account of any other person; or

Page 262 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 37 Offences analogous to stealing

[s 408C]

(d) the property, or the yield to the offender from the

dishonesty, or the detriment caused, is of a value of at
least $30,000 but less than $100,000.
(2A) The offender is liable to imprisonment for 20 years, if, for an
offence against subsection (1)—
(a) the property, or the yield to the offender from the
dishonesty, or the detriment caused, is of a value of at
least $100,000; or
(b) the offender carries on the business of committing the
offence.
(2B) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(2C) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(3) For the purposes of this section—
(a) property, without limiting the definition of property in
section 1, includes credit, service, any benefit or
advantage, anything evidencing a right to incur a debt or
to recover or receive a benefit, and releases of
obligations; and
(b) a person’s act or omission in relation to property may be
dishonest even though—
(i) he or she is willing to pay for the property; or
(ii) he or she intends to afterwards restore the property
or to make restitution for the property or to
afterwards fulfil his or her obligations or to make
good any detriment; or
(iii) an owner or other person consents to doing any act
or to making any omission; or
(iv) a mistake is made by another person; and
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 263
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 37 Offences analogous to stealing

[s 408D]

(c) a person’s act or omission in relation to property is not

taken to be dishonest, if when the person does the act or
makes the omission, he or she does not know to whom
the property belongs and believes on reasonable grounds
that the owner can not be discovered by taking
reasonable steps, unless the property came into his or
her possession or control as trustee or personal
representative; and
(d) persons to whom property belongs include the owner,
any joint or part owner or owner in common, any person
having a legal or equitable interest in or claim to the
property and any person who, immediately before the
offender’s application of the property, had control of it;
and
(e) obtain includes to get, gain, receive or acquire in any
way; and
(f) if a person obtains property from any person or induces
any person to deliver property to any person it is
immaterial in either case whether the owner passes or
intends to pass ownership in the property or whether he
or she intends to pass ownership in the property to any
person.

408D Obtaining or dealing with identification information

(1) A person who obtains or deals with another entity’s
identification information for the purpose of committing, or
facilitating the commission of, an indictable offence commits
a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—5 years imprisonment.
(1A) A person who possesses equipment for the purpose of
committing, or facilitating the commission of, an offence
against subsection (1), commits a misdemeanour.
Maximum penalty—5 years imprisonment.

Page 264 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 37 Offences analogous to stealing

[s 408D]

(1B) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q states a
circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(1C) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(2) For subsection (1), it is immaterial whether the other entity is
alive or dead, or exists or does not exist, or consents or does
not consent to the obtaining or dealing.
(3) When a court is sentencing a person for an offence against
subsection (1), the court may order that the court’s certificate
be issued to the other entity stating the offence, the entity’s
name and anything else the court considers relevant for the
entity’s benefit.
(4) The order may be made on the court’s own initiative or on
application by the entity or the prosecutor.
(5) If the person is sentenced on a plea of guilty, the certificate
may be given to the entity immediately.
(6) If subsection (5) does not apply, the certificate must not be
given to the entity until the later of the following—
(a) the end of any period allowed for appeal against
conviction;
(b) if an appeal is started—the end of any proceedings on
the appeal.
(7) In this section—
dealing, with identification information, includes supplying
or using the information.
digital signature means encrypted electronic or computer data
intended for the exclusive use of a particular person as a
means of identifying himself or herself as the sender of an
electronic communication.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 265

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 37 Offences analogous to stealing

[s 408E]

identification information, of another entity, means

information about, or identifying particulars of, the entity that
is capable of being used, whether alone or in conjunction with
other information, to identify or purportedly identify the
entity.
Examples for an entity that is an individual—
• information about the individual or the individual’s relatives
including name, address, date of birth, marital status and similar
information
• the individual’s driver licence or driver licence number
• the individual’s passport or passport number
• anything commonly used by an individual to identify himself or
herself, including a digital signature
• the individual’s financial account numbers, user names and
passwords
• a series of numbers or letters (or a combination of both) intended
for use as a means of personal identification
• any data stored or encrypted on the individual’s credit or debit card
• biometric data relating to the individual
• the individual’s voice print
• a false driver licence or other false form of identification for a
fictitious individual
Examples for an entity that is a body corporate—
• the body corporate’s name
• the body corporate’s ABN
• the body corporate’s financial account numbers
• any data stored or encrypted on a credit or debit card issued to the
body corporate
obtaining, identification information, includes possessing or
making the information.

408E Computer hacking and misuse

(1) A person who uses a restricted computer without the consent
of the computer’s controller commits an offence.

Page 266 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 37 Offences analogous to stealing

[s 408E]

Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.

(2) If the person causes or intends to cause detriment or damage,
or gains or intends to gain a benefit, the person commits a
crime and is liable to imprisonment for 5 years.
(3) If the person causes a detriment or damage or obtains a benefit
for any person to the value of more than $5,000, or intends to
commit an indictable offence, the person commits a crime and
is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
(4) It is a defence to a charge under this section to prove that the
use of the restricted computer was authorised, justified or
excused by law.
(5) In this section—
benefit includes a benefit obtained by or delivered to any
person.
computer means all or part of a computer, computer system or
computer network and includes, for example, all external
devices connected to the computer in any way or capable of
communicating with each other as part of a system or
network.
controller means a person who has a right to control the
computer’s use.
damage includes—
(a) damage to any computer hardware or software; and
(b) for information—any alteration, addition, removal or
loss of, or other damage to, information.
detriment includes any detriment, pecuniary or otherwise, to
any person.
information includes data, file, document, or computer
language or coding.
restricted computer means a computer for which—

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 267

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 38 Stealing with violence—extortion by threats

[s 409]

(a) a device, code or a particular sequence of electronic

impulses is necessary in order to gain access to or to use
the computer; and
(b) the controller—
(i) withholds or takes steps to withhold access to the
device, or knowledge of the code or of the
sequence or of the way of producing the code or
the sequence, from other persons; or
(ii) restricts access or takes steps to restrict access to
the device or knowledge of the code or of the
sequence, or to the way of producing the sequence,
to a person or a class of person authorised by the
controller.
use, of a restricted computer, includes accessing or altering
any information stored in, or communicate information
directly or indirectly to or from, the restricted computer, or
cause a virus to become installed on or to otherwise affect, the
computer.

Chapter 38 Stealing with violence—

extortion by threats

409 Definition of robbery

(1) Any person who steals anything, and, at or immediately
before or immediately after the time of stealing it, uses or
threatens to use actual violence to any person or property in
order to obtain the thing stolen or to prevent or overcome
resistance to its being stolen, is said to be guilty of robbery.
(2) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
Page 268 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 38 Stealing with violence—extortion by threats

[s 411]

411 Punishment of robbery

(1) Any person who commits the crime of robbery is liable to
imprisonment for 14 years.
(2) If the offender is or pretends to be armed with any dangerous
or offensive weapon or instrument, or is in company with 1 or
more other person or persons, or if, at or immediately before
or immediately after the time of the robbery, the offender
wounds or uses any other personal violence to any person, the
offender is liable to imprisonment for life.
(3) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for the crime of robbery.

412 Attempted robbery

(1) Any person who assaults any person with intent to steal
anything, and, at or immediately before or immediately after
the time of the assault, uses or threatens to use actual violence
to any person or property in order to obtain the thing intended
to be stolen, or to prevent or overcome resistance to its being
stolen, is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7
years.
(2) If the offender is or pretends to be armed with any dangerous
or offensive weapon or instrument, or is in company with 1 or
more other person or persons, the offender is liable to
imprisonment for 14 years.
(3) If the offender is armed with any dangerous or offensive
weapon, instrument or noxious substance, and at or
immediately before or immediately after the time of the
assault the offender wounds, or uses other personal violence
to, any person by the weapon, instrument or noxious
substance, the offender is liable to imprisonment for life.
(4) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 269

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 38 Stealing with violence—extortion by threats

[s 413]

(5) An indictment charging an offence against this section with

the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

413 Assault with intent to steal

Any person who assaults any person with intent to steal
anything is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.

414 Demanding property with menaces with intent to steal

Any person who, with intent to steal anything, demands it
from any person with threats of any injury or detriment of any
kind to be caused to the other person, either by the offender or
by any other person, if the demand is not complied with, is
guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.

415 Extortion
(1) A person (the demander) who, without reasonable cause,
makes a demand—
(a) with intent to—
(i) gain a benefit for any person (whether or not the
demander); or
(ii) cause a detriment to any person other than the
demander; and
(b) with a threat to cause a detriment to any person other
than the demander;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) if carrying out the threat causes, or would be likely to
cause, serious personal injury to a person other than the
offender—life imprisonment; or
Page 270 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 38 Stealing with violence—extortion by threats

[s 415]

(b) if carrying out the threat causes, or would be likely to

cause, substantial economic loss in an industrial or
commercial activity conducted by a person or entity
other than the offender (whether the activity is
conducted by a public authority or as a private
enterprise)—life imprisonment; or
(c) otherwise—14 years imprisonment.
(1A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(2) It is immaterial that—
(a) the demand or threat is made in a way ordinarily used to
inform the public rather than a particular person; or
(b) the threat does not specify the detriment to be caused; or
(c) the threat does not specify the person to whom the
detriment is to be caused or specifies this in a general
way; or
Example—
a threat to cause a detriment to the public or any members of the
public
(d) the detriment is to be caused by someone other than the
demander.
(3) A reference to making a demand includes causing someone to
receive a demand.
(4) A reference to a threat to cause a detriment to any person
other than the demander includes a statement that gives rise to
a threat of detriment to the other person.
(5) A prosecution for an offence in which it is intended to rely on
a circumstance of aggravation mentioned in paragraph (a) or
(b) of the penalty can not be commenced without the consent
of the Attorney-General.
(5A) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 271
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 39 Burglary—housebreaking—and like offences

[s 417A]

Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented

without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(6) In this section—
threat includes a statement that may reasonably be interpreted
as a threat.

417A Taking control of aircraft

(1) Any person who unlawfully either directly or indirectly takes
or exercises control of any aircraft is guilty of a crime and is
liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) If another person not being an accomplice of the offender is
on board the aircraft the offender is liable to imprisonment for
14 years.
(3) If the offender at or immediately before or immediately after
the time of taking or exercising such control uses or threatens
to use actual violence to any person or property in order to
take or exercise control of the aircraft or to prevent or
overcome resistance to such control being taken or exercised
or is armed with any dangerous or offensive weapon or
instrument or is in company with one or more other person or
persons or takes or exercises such control by any fraudulent
representation trick device or other means the offender is
liable to imprisonment for life.

Chapter 39 Burglary—housebreaking—and
like offences

418 Definitions
(1) A person who breaks any part, whether external or internal, of
a dwelling or any premises, or opens, by unlocking, pulling,
pushing, lifting, or any other means whatever, any door,
Page 272 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 39 Burglary—housebreaking—and like offences

[s 419]

window, shutter, cellar, flap, or other thing, intended to close

or cover an opening in a dwelling or any premises, or an
opening giving passage from one part of a dwelling or any
premises to another, is said to break the dwelling or premises.
(2) A person is said to enter a dwelling or premises as soon as any
part of the person’s body or any part of any instrument used
by the person is within the dwelling or premises.
(3) A person who obtains entrance into a dwelling or premises by
means of any threat or artifice used for that purpose, or by
collusion with any person in the dwelling or premises, or who
enters any chimney or other aperture of the dwelling or
premises permanently left open for any necessary purpose, but
not intended to be ordinarily used as a means of entrance, is
deemed to have broken and entered the dwelling or premises.
(4) In this chapter—
premises includes—
(a) a building or structure and a part of a building or
structure other than a dwelling; and
(b) a tent, caravan, or vehicle; and
(c) any similar place.

419 Burglary
(1) Any person who enters or is in the dwelling of another with
intent to commit an indictable offence in the dwelling
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—14 years imprisonment.
(2) If the offender enters the dwelling by means of any break, he
or she is liable to imprisonment for life.
(3) If—
(a) the offence is committed in the night; or
(b) the offender—
(i) uses or threatens to use actual violence; or
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 273
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 39 Burglary—housebreaking—and like offences

[s 421]

(ii) is or pretends to be armed with a dangerous or

offensive weapon, instrument or noxious
substance; or
(iii) is in company with 1 or more persons; or
(iv) damages, or threatens or attempts to damage, any
property;
the offender is liable to imprisonment for life.
(4) Any person who enters or is in the dwelling of another and
commits an indictable offence in the dwelling commits a
crime.
Maximum penalty—imprisonment for life.
(5) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(6) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

421 Entering or being in premises and committing indictable

offences
(1) Any person who enters or is in any premises with intent to
commit an indictable offence in the premises commits a
crime.
Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.
(2) Any person who enters or is in any premises and commits an
indictable offence in the premises commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—14 years imprisonment.
(3) If the offender gains entry to the premises by any break and
commits an indictable offence in the premises, he or she is
liable to imprisonment for life.

Page 274 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 39 Burglary—housebreaking—and like offences

[s 425]

425 Possession of things used in connection with unlawful

entry
(1) Any person who is found under any of the circumstances
following, that is to say—
(a) being armed with any dangerous or offensive weapon or
instrument, or a noxious substance, and being so armed
with intent to break or enter a dwelling or premises, and
to commit an indictable offence therein;
(b) having in his or her possession anything intended for use
in or in connection with the commission of an offence
defined in section 419 or 421;
(c) having in the person’s possession by night without
lawful excuse, the proof of which lies on the person, any
instrument of housebreaking;
(d) having in the person’s possession by day any such
instrument with intent to commit an indictable offence;
(e) having his or her face masked or blackened or being
otherwise disguised, with intent to commit an indictable
offence;
is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) If the offender has been previously convicted of a crime
relating to property, the offender is liable to imprisonment for
7 years.

427 Unlawful entry of vehicle for committing indictable

offence
(1) A person who unlawfully enters another person’s vehicle with
intent to commit an indictable offence commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.
(2) If—
(a) the offence is committed in the night; or
(b) the offender—
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 275
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 40 Other fraudulent practices

[s 427A]

(i) uses or threatens to use actual violence; or

(ii) is or pretends to be armed with a dangerous or
offensive weapon, instrument or noxious
substance; or
(iii) is in company with 1 or more persons; or
(iv) damages, or threatens or attempts to damage, any
property;
the offender is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.

Chapter 40 Other fraudulent practices

427A Obtaining property by passing valueless cheques

(1) Any person who—
(a) obtains from any other person any chattel, money,
valuable security, credit, benefit or advantage by passing
a cheque that is not paid on presentation for payment; or
(b) passes a cheque in the discharge or attempted discharge
of any debt, liability or obligation, which cheque is not
paid on presentation for payment;
is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for
2 years.
(2) It is a defence to a charge of an offence defined in this section
to prove that the accused person—
(a) had reasonable grounds for believing that the cheque
would be paid in full on presentation for payment; and
(b) had no intent to defraud.
(3) The fact that at the time when the cheque was passed there
were some funds to the credit of the account on which the
cheque was drawn is not of itself a defence to a charge of an
offence defined in this section.
Page 276 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 41 Receiving property stolen or fraudulently obtained and like offences

[s 430]

430 Fraudulent falsification of records

Any person who with intent to defraud—
(a) makes a false entry in any record; or
(b) omits to make an entry in any record; or
(c) gives any certificate or information that is false in a
material particular; or
(d) in any way falsifies, destroys, alters or damages any
record; or
(e) produces or makes use of any record the person knows
is false in a material particular;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.

431 False accounting by public officer

Any person who, being an officer charged with the receipt,
custody, or management of any part of the public revenue or
property, knowingly furnishes any false statement or return of
any money or property received by the person or entrusted to
the person’s care, or of any balance of money or property in
the person’s possession or under the person’s control, is guilty
of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 2 years.

Chapter 41 Receiving property stolen or

fraudulently obtained and like
offences

432 What is tainted property for ch 41

(1) In this chapter—
tainted property means—
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 277
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 41 Receiving property stolen or fraudulently obtained and like offences

[s 433]

(a) a thing that has been obtained by way of an act

constituting an indictable offence; or
(b) if tainted property mentioned in paragraph (a) is
converted into other property—any of the other
property; or
(c) if tainted property mentioned in paragraph (a) is
mortgaged, pledged or exchanged for other property—
any of the proceeds of the mortgage, pledge, or
exchange.
(2) However, a thing stops being tainted property after a person
acquires a lawful title to it.

433 Receiving tainted property

(1) A person who receives tainted property, and has reason to
believe it is tainted property, commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) if the property was obtained by way of an act
constituting a crime—14 years imprisonment; or
(b) if the property is a firearm or ammunition—14 years
imprisonment; or
(c) if the offender received the property while acting as a
pawnbroker or dealer in second hand goods, under a
licence or otherwise—14 years imprisonment; or
(d) otherwise—7 years imprisonment.
(1A) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q also
states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against
this section.
(1B) An indictment charging an offence against this section with
the circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and
Sentences Act 1992, section 161Q may not be presented
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.
(2) For the purpose of proving the receiving of anything it is
sufficient to show that the accused person has, either alone or
Page 278 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 42A Secret commissions

[s 435]

jointly with some other person, had the thing in his or her
possession, or has aided in concealing it or disposing of it.

435 Taking reward for recovery of property obtained by way

of indictable offences
If—
(a) a thing is obtained by way of any act constituting an
indictable offence; and
(b) a person dishonestly receives, or dishonestly agrees to
receive, any benefit on an agreement or understanding
that the person will help anyone to recover the thing;
then, unless the person has used all due diligence to cause the
offender to be brought to trial for the offence, the person
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.

Chapter 42A Secret commissions

442A Definitions
(1) In this chapter—
advice given or words to the like effect includes every report,
certificate, statement, and suggestion intended to influence the
person to whom the same is made or given, and every
influence deliberately or expressly exercised by one person
over another.
agent includes any corporation, firm, or person acting or
having been acting, or desirous or intending to act, for or on
behalf of any corporation, firm, or person, whether as agent,
partner, co-owner, clerk, servant, employee, banker, broker,
auctioneer, architect, clerk of works, charterer, master
mariner, purser, or any member of the crew of a vessel,
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 279
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 42A Secret commissions

[s 442A]

engineer, barrister, solicitor, legal practitioner, conveyancer,

surveyor, buyer, salesperson, supervisor, trustee, official
assignee, executor, administrator, liquidator, trustee in
bankruptcy or of a deed of assignment, receiver, director,
manager, or other officer or member of the committee or
governing body of any corporation, club, partnership, or
association, or in any other capacity, either alone or jointly
with any other corporation, firm, or person, and whether in the
person’s own name or in the name of the person’s principal or
otherwise, and also includes a Minister of the Crown, and a
person serving under the Crown or a Minister of the Crown, or
corporation representing the Crown, and a person serving
under any local government, harbour board, water authority,
or any other local or public body constituted by or under any
Act.
contract includes contract of sale or of employment, or any
other contract whatever including an order for any
commodity.
court means the Supreme Court or a judge thereof, or
magistrate or justices having jurisdiction with respect to an
offence against this chapter.
in relation to his or her principal’s affairs or business
implies the additional words ‘whether within the scope of his
or her authority or course of his or her employment as agent or
not’.
person having business relations with the principal includes
the Crown, a Minister of the Crown, or corporation
representing the Crown, or any local government, harbour
board, water authority, or any other local or public body
constituted by or under any Act; also every corporation, firm,
or other person, whether as principal or agent, carrying on or
having carried on or desirous or intending to carry on any
negotiation or business with any principal, or engaged or
interested or having been engaged or interested in the
performance of any contract with or in the execution of any
work or business for or in the supply of any goods or chattels
to any principal; and also includes any agent or employee of
Page 280 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 42A Secret commissions

[s 442A]

the Crown, a Minister of the Crown, or corporation

representing the Crown, or of any local government, harbour
board, water authority, or any other local or public body
constituted by or under any Act, or of any such corporation,
firm, or other person.
principal includes a corporation, firm, or other person for or
on behalf of whom the agent acts, has acted, or is desirous or
intending to act; the term also includes the Crown, a Minister
of the Crown, or corporation representing the Crown, or any
local government, harbour board, water authority, or any other
local or public body constituted by or under any Act for or on
behalf of whom the agent acts, has acted, or is desirous or
intending to act.
solicit any valuable consideration and valuable
consideration solicited, and words to the like effect, shall be
construed with the following directions, namely, that every
agent who diverts, obstructs, gives untruthful reports, or
interferes with the proper course of business or manufacture,
or impedes or obstructs, or fails to use due diligence in the
prosecution of any negotiation or business with the intent to
obtain the gift of any valuable consideration from any other
person interested in the said negotiation or business, or with
intent to injure any such person, shall be deemed to have
solicited a valuable consideration from a person having
business relations with the principal of such agent.
trustee includes the public trustee, an executor, administrator,
liquidator, official assignee, or trustee in bankruptcy, receiver,
administrator appointed under the Guardianship and
Administration Act 2000, person having power to appoint a
trustee, or person entitled to obtain probate of the will or
letters of administration to the estate of a deceased person, or
any other person occupying a fiduciary position.
valuable consideration includes any real or personal
property; also money, loan, office, place, employment,
agreement to give employment, benefit, or advantage
whatsoever, and any commission or rebate, payment in excess
of actual value of the goods or service, deduction or
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 281
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 42A Secret commissions

[s 442B]

percentage, bonus or discount, or any forbearance to demand

any moneys or moneys’ worth or valuable thing; also some
detriment, loss or responsibility given, suffered, or taken, or
the refraining from carrying out or doing something which
lawfully should be done; and the acceptance of any of the said
things shall be deemed the receipt of a valuable consideration.
The offer of any valuable consideration includes any offer of
any agreement or promise to give, and every holding out of
any expectation of valuable consideration.
The receipt of any valuable consideration includes any
acceptance of any agreement, promise, or offer to give, or of
any holding out of any expectation of valuable consideration.
Prohibition of indirect acts
(2) Any act or thing prohibited by this chapter is prohibited
whether done directly or indirectly by the person mentioned
or by or through any other person.

442B Receipt or solicitation of secret commission by an agent

Any agent who corruptly receives or solicits from any person
for himself or herself or for any other person any valuable
consideration—
(a) as an inducement or reward for or otherwise on account
of doing or forbearing to do, or having done or forborne
to do, any act in relation to his or her principal’s affairs
or business; or
(b) the receipt or any expectation of which would in any
way tend to influence the agent to show, or to forbear to
show, favour or disfavour to any person in relation to his
or her principal’s affairs or business;
commits a crime.

Page 282 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 42A Secret commissions

[s 442BA]

442BA Gift or offer of secret commission to an agent

Any person who corruptly gives or offers to any agent any
valuable consideration—
(a) as an inducement or reward for or otherwise on account
of the agent doing or forbearing to do, or having done or
forborne to do, any act in relation to his or her
principal’s affairs or business; or
(b) the receipt or any expectation of which would in any
way tend to influence the agent to show, or to forbear to
show, favour or disfavour to any person in relation to his
or her principal’s affairs or business;
commits a crime.

442C Secret gifts received by parent, spouse, child, partner

etc. of agent
(1) Any valuable consideration received or solicited by any
parent, spouse, or child of any agent, or by his or her partner,
clerk, or employee, from any person having business relations
with the principal of such agent, shall be deemed to have been
received or solicited by the agent unless it be proved that the
valuable consideration was so received or solicited without
the consent, knowledge, or privity of the agent.
Secret gifts to parent, spouse, child, partner etc. of agent
(2) Any valuable consideration—
(a) given or offered to any parent, spouse, or child of any
agent, or to his or her partner, clerk, or employee, and so
given or offered with the consent, knowledge, or privity
of the agent; or
(b) given or offered, at the agent’s request, to any person by
any person having business relations with the principal
of such agent;
shall be deemed to have been given or offered to the agent.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 283

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 42A Secret commissions

[s 442D]

442D False or misleading receipt or account

Any person who with intent to deceive or defraud the
principal gives to any agent, or any agent who receives or uses
or gives to the principal any receipt, invoice, account, or
document in respect of which or in relation to a dealing
transaction or matter in which the principal is interested, and
which—
(a) contains any statement which is false or erroneous or
defective in any important particular, or contains an
overcharge or is in any way likely to mislead the
principal; or
(b) omits to state explicitly and fully the fact of any
commission, percentage, bonus, discount, rebate,
repayment, gratuity, or deduction having been made,
given, or allowed, or agreed to be made, given, or
allowed;
commits a crime.

442E Secret commission for advice given

Whenever any advice is given by one person to another, and
such advice is in any way intended or likely to induce or
influence the person advised—
(a) to enter into a contract with any third person; or
(b) to appoint or join with another in the appointment, or to
vote for or to aid in obtaining the election or
appointment, or to authorise or join with another in
authorising the appointment of any third person as
trustee, director, manager, or official;
and any valuable consideration is, without the assent of the
person advised, given by such third person to the person
giving the advice, the gift or receipt of the valuable
consideration is a crime; but this subsection shall not apply
when the person giving the advice was, to the knowledge of
the person advised, the agent of such third person, or when the
Page 284 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 42A Secret commissions

[s 442EA]

valuable consideration was not given in respect of such

advice.

442EA Offer or solicitation of secret commission in return for

advice given or to be given
Any offer or solicitation of a valuable consideration in respect
of any advice given, or to be given, by one person to another
with a view to induce or influence the person advised—
(a) to enter into a contract with the person offering or
solicited; or
(b) to appoint or join with another in appointing, or to vote
for or to aid in obtaining the election or appointment, or
to authorise or join with another in authorising the
appointment of the person offering or solicited as
trustee, director, manager, or official;
and with the intent that the gift or receipt of such valuable
consideration is not to be made known to the person advised,
is a crime; but this subsection shall not apply when such first
mentioned person is the agent of the person offering or
solicited.

442F Secret commission to trustee in return for substituted

appointment
Any person who offers or gives any valuable consideration to
a trustee, or any trustee who receives or solicits any valuable
consideration for himself or herself or for any other person,
without the assent of the persons beneficially entitled to the
estate or of a judge of the Supreme Court, as an inducement or
reward for appointing or having appointed, or for joining or
having joined with another in appointing, or for authorising or
having authorised, or for joining or having joined with another
in authorising, any person to be appointed in the person’s
stead or instead of the person and any other person as trustee,
commits a crime.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 285
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 42A Secret commissions

[s 442G]

442G Liability of director etc. acting without authority

Any director, manager, or officer of a company, or any officer
or member of the crew of any vessel, or any person acting for
another, who knowingly takes part in or is in any way privy to
doing, or attempts to do, any act or thing without authority
which, if authorised, would be in contravention of any of the
provisions of this chapter, commits a crime.

442I Penalty on conviction

Any person guilty of a crime against any of the provisions of
this chapter is—
(a) liable, if a corporation, to a penalty of 3400 penalty
units, and if an individual, to 7 years imprisonment; and
(b) in addition, liable to be ordered to pay to such person
and in such manner as the court directs the amount or
value, according to the estimation of the court, of any
valuable consideration received or given by the person,
or any part thereof, and such order shall be enforceable
in the same manner as an order of the court.

442J Court may order withdrawal of trifling or technical cases

If in any prosecution under this chapter it appears to the court
that the offence charged is, in the particular case, of a trifling
or merely technical nature, or that in the particular
circumstances it is inexpedient to proceed to a conviction, the
court may in its discretion, and for reason stated on the
application of the accused, dismiss the case; but the court
may, if it thinks fit, make the order mentioned in section 442I.

442K Witness giving answers criminating himself or herself

(1) A person who is called as a witness in any proceeding under
this chapter shall not be excused from answering any question
relating to any offence against this chapter on the ground that
Page 286 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 42A Secret commissions

[s 442L]

the answer thereto may criminate or tend to criminate the

person.
(2) An answer to a question in any such proceeding shall not,
except in the said proceeding or in the case of any prosecution
for perjury in respect of such answer, be in any proceeding,
civil or criminal, admissible in evidence against the person so
answering.

442L Certificate to witness

(1) A witness in any proceeding under this chapter who, in the
judgment of the court, answers truly all questions which the
witness is required by the court to answer shall be entitled to
receive a certificate from the court stating that such witness
has so answered.
Stay of proceedings against such witness
(2) When a person has received a certificate as aforesaid, and any
criminal proceeding is at any time instituted against the
person in respect of the offence which was in question in the
proceeding in which the said person was called as a witness,
the court having cognisance of the case shall, on proof of the
certificate and of the identity of the offence in question in the
2 cases, stay the proceedings.

442M Custom of itself no defence

(1) In any prosecution under this chapter it does not amount to a
defence to show that the receiving, soliciting, giving, or
offering of any valuable consideration therein mentioned or
referred to is customary in any trade, business, or calling.
Burden of proof that gift not secret commission
(2) If in any prosecution under this chapter it is proved that any
valuable consideration has been received or solicited by an
agent from or given or offered to an agent by any person
having business relations with the principal, without the
assent of the principal, the burden of proving that such
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 287
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 43 Match-fixing

[s 443]

valuable consideration was not received, solicited, given, or

offered in contravention of any of the provisions of this
chapter shall be on the accused.
Consent to prosecution
(3) No prosecution under this chapter shall be commenced
without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.

Chapter 43 Match-fixing

443 Definitions for ch 43

In this chapter—
bet or make a bet includes—
(a) place, change, accept or withdraw a bet; and
(b) cause a bet to be placed, changed, accepted or
withdrawn.
encourage includes ask, counsel, incite, induce, persuade,
pressure (by threats or otherwise), procure or urge.
match-fixing arrangement, in relation to a sporting event or
sporting contingency, means an agreement between 2 or more
persons relating to any person engaging in match-fixing
conduct in relation to the event or contingency for the purpose
of—
(a) obtaining a pecuniary benefit for any person; or
(b) causing a pecuniary detriment to any person.
match-fixing conduct, in relation to a sporting event or the
happening of a sporting contingency, means conduct that—
(a) affects, or if engaged in could reasonably be expected to
affect, the outcome of the event or the happening of the
contingency; and

Page 288 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 43 Match-fixing

[s 443A]

(b) is contrary to the standards of integrity that an ordinary

person would reasonably expect of persons in a position
to affect or influence the outcome of the event or the
happening of the contingency.
sporting contingency means a contingency—
(a) associated with a sporting event; and
(b) on the happening of which a person may make a bet
under a law of the Commonwealth or a State.
sporting event means a sporting competition or activity,
whether taking place in Queensland or elsewhere, on the
outcome of which a person may make a bet under a law of the
Commonwealth or a State.

443A Engaging in match-fixing conduct

(1) A person who engages in match-fixing conduct in relation to a
sporting event or the happening of a sporting contingency for
the purpose of—
(a) obtaining or receiving a pecuniary benefit for any
person; or
(b) causing a pecuniary detriment to another person;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.
(2) For subsection (1), it does not matter whether any person—
(a) obtains or receives a pecuniary benefit; or
(b) causes or suffers a pecuniary detriment.

443B Facilitating match-fixing conduct or match-fixing

arrangement
(1) A person who facilitates match-fixing conduct or a
match-fixing arrangement in relation to a sporting event or the
happening of a sporting contingency for the purpose of—
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 289
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 43 Match-fixing

[s 443C]

(a) obtaining or receiving a pecuniary benefit for any

person; or
(b) causing a pecuniary detriment to any person;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.
(2) For subsection (1), a person facilitates match-fixing conduct
or a match-fixing arrangement if the person agrees or offers
to—
(a) engage in the match-fixing conduct; or
(b) participate in the match-fixing arrangement; or
(c) encourage another person to—
(i) engage in the match-fixing conduct; or
(ii) participate in the match-fixing arrangement.
(3) For subsection (1), it does not matter whether any person—
(a) engages in the match-fixing conduct; or
(b) obtains or receives a pecuniary benefit; or
(c) causes or suffers a pecuniary detriment.

443C Offering or giving benefit, or causing or threatening

detriment, to engage in match-fixing conduct or
match-fixing arrangement
(1) A person who, as an inducement for any person to engage in,
or to procure any other person to engage in, match-fixing
conduct or participate in a match-fixing arrangement in
relation to a sporting event or the happening of a sporting
contingency—
(a) offers or gives any person a pecuniary benefit; or
(b) causes, or offers or threatens to cause, a pecuniary
detriment to any person;
commits a crime.

Page 290 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 43 Match-fixing

[s 443D]

Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.

(2) For subsection (1), it does not matter whether any person
engages in the match-fixing conduct.

443D Using or disclosing knowledge of match-fixing conduct

or match-fixing arrangement for betting
(1) A person who has knowledge of match-fixing conduct or a
match-fixing arrangement in relation to a sporting event or
sporting contingency and—
(a) makes a relevant bet in relation to the event or
contingency; or
(b) encourages another person to make a relevant bet in
relation to the event or contingency; or
(c) discloses the knowledge to another person who the first
person knows, or ought reasonably to know, would be
likely to make a relevant bet in relation to the event or
contingency;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.
(2) For subsection (1)(b) or (c), it does not matter whether a
person mentioned in that paragraph makes a relevant bet in
relation to the event or contingency.
(3) In this section—
relevant bet, in relation to a sporting event or a sporting
contingency, means a bet on the outcome of the event or the
happening of the sporting contingency on behalf of any
person.

443E Encouraging person not to disclose match-fixing

conduct or match-fixing arrangement
(1) A person who—

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 291

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 43 Match-fixing

[s 443F]

(a) encourages another person to conceal any information

about match-fixing conduct or a match-fixing
arrangement in relation to a sporting event or the
happening of a sporting contingency from any of the
following—
(i) a law enforcement agency;
(ii) a law enforcement officer;
(iii) the chief executive of the department in which the
Wagering Act 1998 is administered;
(iv) a responsible entity for the sporting event; and
(b) for encouraging the other person to conceal the
information mentioned in subsection (1)(a)—
(i) receives or obtains, or offers to receive or obtain, a
pecuniary benefit from any person; or
(ii) gives, or offers to give, a pecuniary benefit to any
person; or
(iii) causes, or offers, threatens or agrees to cause, a
pecuniary detriment to any person;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.
(2) In this section—
responsible entity, for a sporting event, means an entity
responsible for the administration, conduct or management of
the event.

443F Using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting

(1) For this section, information or knowledge that a person has
about a sporting event or sporting contingency is inside
knowledge if—
(a) a person possesses the information or knowledge
because the person—

Page 292 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 43 Match-fixing

[s 443F]

(i) is or was involved in, or connected to, the conduct,

management or organisation of the sporting event
or any part of the event; or
(ii) has or had a connection to an entity that is, or will
be, a participant in the sporting event or any part of
the event; and
(b) the information or knowledge is not publicly available
information; and
(c) if the information or knowledge were publicly available
information, would, or would be likely to, influence
persons betting on the event or contingency in deciding
whether to bet on the event or contingency; and
(d) use of the information by the person to make a relevant
bet would be contrary to the standards of integrity that
an ordinary person would reasonably expect of persons
in possession of the knowledge or information.
(2) A person who has inside knowledge in relation to a sporting
event or sporting contingency and—
(a) makes a relevant bet in relation to the event or
contingency; or
(b) encourages another person to make a relevant bet in
relation to the event or contingency;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(3) A person who—
(a) has inside knowledge in relation to a sporting event or
sporting contingency; and
(b) discloses the inside knowledge to another person for the
purpose of the other person making a relevant bet in
relation to the event or contingency;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 293
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 43 Match-fixing

[s 443F]

(4) A person who—

(a) receives information in relation to a sporting event or
sporting contingency from another person; and
(b) knows, or ought reasonably to know, the information is
inside knowledge in relation to the event or contingency;
and
(c) after receiving the inside knowledge—
(i) makes a relevant bet in relation to the event or
contingency; or
(ii) encourages another person to make a relevant bet
in relation to the event or contingency;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.
(5) For subsection (2)(b), (3)(b) or (4)(c)(ii), it does not matter
whether a person mentioned in that provision makes a relevant
bet in relation to the event or contingency.
(6) In this section—
publicly available information means information that—
(a) is readily available to the public; or
(b) has been made known in a manner that would, or would
be likely to, bring it to the attention of the public; or
(c) consists of deductions, conclusions or inferences made
or drawn from information mentioned in paragraph (a)
or (b).
relevant bet, in relation to a sporting event or a sporting
contingency, means a bet on the outcome of the event or the
happening of the sporting contingency on behalf of any
person.

Page 294 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44 Offences analogous to stealing relating to animals

[s 443G]

443G Evidentiary provision

For a proceeding for an offence under this chapter, it does not
matter whether any person is successful in affecting the
outcome of the sporting event or the happening of the sporting
contingency.

Chapter 44 Offences analogous to stealing

relating to animals

Chapter division 1 Offences relating to animals

generally

444A Killing animals with intent to steal

(1) Any person who kills any animal capable of being stolen with
intent to steal the skin or carcass, or any part of the skin or
carcass, is guilty of a crime, and is liable to the same
punishment as if the person had stolen the animal.
(2) If the offender is sentenced to pay a fine in addition to, or
instead of, imprisonment, the fine shall be not less than 10
penalty units or, where in respect of the animal in question a
value is determined in accordance with the provisions of the
regulations made pursuant to section 450F, not less than that
value, whichever is the higher amount, for every animal
killed.
(3) However, the fine imposed in respect of the offence shall not
exceed 455 penalty units.

444B Using registered brands with criminal intention

(1) Any person who, with intent to facilitate the commission of a
crime, brands or marks any animal with a registered brand or
registered mark without the permission of the owner of the
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 295
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44 Offences analogous to stealing relating to animals

[s 445]

brand or mark is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to

imprisonment for 5 years.
(2) If the offender is sentenced to pay a fine in addition to, or
instead of, imprisonment, the fine shall be not less than 4
penalty units or, where in respect of the animal in question a
value is determined in accordance with the provisions of the
regulations made pursuant to section 450F, not less than that
value, whichever is the higher amount, for every animal
branded or marked.
(3) However, the fine imposed in respect of the offence shall not
exceed 455 penalty units.

Chapter division 2 Offences relating to stock

445 Unlawfully using stock

(1) Any person who unlawfully uses an animal that is stock,
without the consent of the person in lawful possession thereof,
is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for
5 years, or to a fine of not less than 4 penalty units or, where in
respect of the animal in question a value is determined in
accordance with the provisions of the regulations made
pursuant to section 450F, of not less than that value,
whichever is the higher amount, for every animal so used.
(2) However, the fine imposed in respect of the offence shall not
exceed 455 penalty units.
(3) Without in any wise limiting the meaning of the term
unlawfully uses, such term shall, for the purposes of this
section, also mean and include the unlawful possession, by
any person, of any animal that is stock, without the consent of
the person in lawful possession thereof, and with intent to
deprive the owner or person in lawful possession thereof of
the use and/or possession of the animal, either temporarily or
permanently.

Page 296 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44 Offences analogous to stealing relating to animals

[s 446]

(4) It is a defence to a charge of an offence defined in this section

to prove that the accused person had the lawful consent of the
owner to the use or possession by the person of the animal in
question.

446 Suspicion of stealing stock

(1) When any animal that is stock is suspected, on reasonable
grounds, to have been stolen, any person in whose possession
or custody the animal or the skin or carcass, or any part of the
skin or carcass, of the animal so suspected to have been
stolen, is found, is guilty of a misdemeanour, unless the
person proves that the person came lawfully by the thing in
question; and the person is liable to imprisonment for 5 years
or to a fine of not less than 4 penalty units or, where in respect
of the animal in question a value is determined in accordance
with the provisions of the regulations made pursuant to
section 450F, of not less than that value, whichever is the
higher amount, for every animal or skin or carcass or part of
skin or carcass so found.
(2) However, the fine imposed in respect of the offence shall not
exceed 455 penalty units.
(3) It is a defence to a charge of the offence defined in this section
to prove that the accused person came lawfully by the thing in
question.

447 Illegal branding

(1) Any person who, knowing that the person is not the owner of
an animal that is stock, brands or marks it, or knowingly
permits it to be branded or marked, with the person’s
registered brand or the person’s registered mark, is guilty of a
misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 5 years or to
a fine of not less than 4 penalty units or, where in respect of
the animal in question a value is determined in accordance
with the provisions of the regulations made pursuant to

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 297

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44 Offences analogous to stealing relating to animals

[s 448]

section 450F, of not less than that value, whichever is the

higher amount, for every animal so branded or marked.
(2) However, the fine imposed in respect of the offence shall not
exceed 455 penalty units.

448 Defacing brands

(1) Any person who—
(a) alters, defaces, or otherwise renders undistinguishable,
any registered brand or registered mark on an animal
that is stock; or
(b) knowingly permits any such act to be done by any
person over whom the person has control;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
5 years or to a fine of not less than 4 penalty units or, where in
respect of the animal in question a value is determined in
accordance with the provisions of the regulations made
pursuant to section 450F, of not less than that value,
whichever is the higher amount, for every animal with respect
to which the act is done.
(2) However, the fine imposed in respect of the offence shall not
exceed 455 penalty units.

448A Having in possession stock with defaced brand

(1) Any person in whose possession or custody any animal that is
stock on which any registered brand or registered mark has
been altered, defaced, or otherwise rendered
indistinguishable, or reasonably suspected to have been
altered, defaced, or otherwise rendered indistinguishable, is
found, is guilty of a misdemeanour, unless the person proves
that the person came lawfully by the animal in question; and
the person is liable to imprisonment for 5 years or to a fine of
not less than 4 penalty units or, where in respect of the animal
in question a value is determined in accordance with the
provisions of the regulations made pursuant to section 450F,
Page 298 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44A Special provisions in respect of offences relating to stock

[s 450A]

of not less than that value, whichever is the higher amount, for
every animal so found.
(2) However, the fine imposed in respect of the offence shall not
exceed 455 penalty units.
(3) It is a defence to a charge of the offence defined in this section
to prove that the accused person came lawfully by the animal
in question.

Chapter division 3 Arrest

450A Arrest without warrant

A person found committing any of the offences defined in
chapter division 2 may be arrested without warrant by the
owner of the property in question or the owner’s servant or by
any person authorised by such owner or servant.

450B Warrant in first instance

A justice may issue a warrant in the first instance for the arrest
of any person charged with any of the offences defined in
chapter division 2.

Chapter 44A Special provisions in respect of

offences relating to stock

Chapter division 1 Preliminary

450D Definitions for ch 44A

In this chapter—

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 299

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44A Special provisions in respect of offences relating to stock

[s 450E]

adequate prescribed record, of an animal, means a prescribed

record that is a true representation of the animal.
animal means any animal that is stock.
prescribed record, of an animal, means a record of the animal
(including of any brands, permitted brand imprinting
positions, ear marks, or tags on the animal) consisting of
photographs, tapes, films, digital imagery or any other means
of visual reproduction (or any combination of them).
stock disposal order see section 450EB(1).

Chapter division 2 Prescribed records

450E Duty of police officer who seizes an animal connected

with a charge
(1) A police officer who seizes an animal connected with a
charge—
(a) must as soon as reasonably practicable after the seizure
cause an adequate prescribed record of the animal to be
made; and
(b) if an adequate prescribed record of the animal is caused
to be made by the police officer or is otherwise available
to a police officer, may cause the animal to be returned
to its owner if the defendant does not object to its return.
(2) However, subsection (1)(a) does not apply if an adequate
prescribed record of the animal is already available to a police
officer.

450EA Admissibility of adequate prescribed record

(1) An adequate prescribed record of an animal is admissible in a
proceeding on the charge in relation to which the prescribed
record was made by, or made available to, a police officer or
on a related charge, as evidence of the matters it depicts,
including any of the following—
Page 300 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44A Special provisions in respect of offences relating to stock

[s 450EB]

(a) the existence of the animal when the prescribed record

was made;
(b) the condition of the animal at that time;
(c) a brand or other mark or feature of identification on the
animal at that time.
(2) Subsection (3) applies if an adequate prescribed record of an
animal connected with a charge and seized by a police officer
is tendered as evidence of matters depicted by the record in a
proceeding on the charge or a related charge.
(3) No objection can be taken or allowed to the admission as
evidence of matters depicted by the adequate prescribed
record.
(4) Subsections (1) and (3) apply in relation to a proceeding
whether it is started before or after the commencement of this
section.
(5) In this section—
related charge, for a charge, means a charge based on the
same act or omission as the act or omission that charge is
based on.

Chapter division 3 Stock disposal orders

450EB Application for stock disposal order

(1) A police officer or Crown prosecutor may apply to the District
Court or a Magistrates Court for an order (a stock disposal
order) for the sale of an animal that is—
(a) seized; and
(b) connected with a charge that has not finally been
disposed of.
(2) An application for a stock disposal order for an animal may be
made only if—

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 301

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44A Special provisions in respect of offences relating to stock

[s 450EC]

(a) a police officer has caused an adequate prescribed

record of the animal to be made, or an adequate
prescribed record of the animal is otherwise available to
a police officer; and
(b) either—
(i) the defendant objects to the animal’s return to its
owner; or
(ii) all of the following apply—
(A) the defendant has indicated to a police
officer that the defendant does not object to
the animal’s return to its owner;
(B) a police officer has offered the owner the
return of the animal;
(C) the owner declined the offer.
(3) However, subsection (2)(b) does not apply if the defendant
and the person claiming ownership of the animal can not
reasonably be located.
(4) The applicant must, at least 28 days before the hearing of the
application, give each person who has a legal or equitable
interest in the animal a copy of the application, unless the
person can not reasonably be located.
(5) Each person who has a legal or equitable interest in the animal
may be a party to the application.

450EC Affidavit to accompany application

An application for a stock disposal order for an animal must
be accompanied by 1 or more affidavits stating the
following—
(a) a description of the animal;
(b) the charge with which the animal is connected;
(c) the name of the defendant, the police officer or Crown
prosecutor, and the person claiming to own the animal;
Page 302 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44A Special provisions in respect of offences relating to stock

[s 450ED]

(d) details of the adequate prescribed record of the animal;

(e) the value of the animal as valued under section 450F;
(f) the number of animals connected with the charge;
(g) the date and place of the animal’s seizure;
(h) the persons to whom the applicant gave a copy of the
application under section 450EB(4);
(i) the persons to whom the applicant could not give a copy
of the application under section 450EB(4) because the
person could not reasonably be located.

450ED When order may be made if party disputes making of

order
If a party to an application for a stock disposal order for an
animal disputes the making of the order, the court may make
the order only if it is satisfied of the following—
(a) section 450EB(2) is satisfied in relation to the
application;
(b) the applicant gave each person who has a legal or
equitable interest in the animal a copy of the application
as required under section 450EB(4);
(c) the animal has been valued under section 450F;
(d) the animal is not registered breeding stock;
(e) the defendant has had a reasonable time to conduct his
or her own inquiries about the identification and value of
the animal;
(f) there is no good reason for not making the order.

450EE Order if no dispute

If no party to an application for a stock disposal order for an
animal disputes the making of the order, the court may make

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 303

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44A Special provisions in respect of offences relating to stock

[s 450EF]

the order, unless there is a good reason for not making the
order.

450EF Content of order

(1) A stock disposal order for an animal must—
(a) identify the animal; and
(b) direct the commissioner of the police service to sell the
animal—
(i) by auction at market value; or
(ii) in another stated way; and
(c) direct that the net proceeds of the sale be paid into the
court.
(2) Subsection (3) applies if—
(a) the defendant is acquitted or convicted of the charge
with which the animal is connected; or
(b) the prosecution of the defendant in relation to the charge
with which the animal is connected is discontinued.
(3) The prosecutor or the defendant may apply for, or the court in
which the charge was heard or to be heard may on its own
initiative make, an order that the net proceeds of the sale be
paid out of the court, in which the proceeds are held, in a
stated way.
(4) In deciding how the net proceeds of sale are to be paid out of
the court, the court must give priority to any amount owing,
immediately before the sale, to an entity under a security
interest registered for the animal under the Personal Property
Securities Act 2009 (Cwlth).
(5) Payment out of court under an order under subsection (3) is
stayed—
(a) for 1 month after the making of the order; or
(b) if an appeal against the defendant’s conviction is started,
until the end of the appeal.
Page 304 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44A Special provisions in respect of offences relating to stock

[s 450EG]

(6) The appeal court may vary an order made under

subsection (3).

450EG Security for costs of keeping animal

(1) Subsection (2) applies if—
(a) a party to an application for a stock disposal order for an
animal disputes the making of the order; and
(b) no stock disposal order is made.
(2) The court may order the party to provide security, for the
benefit of the person keeping the animal, for the amount of the
costs decided by the court of keeping the animal for the
relevant period.
(3) In this section—
relevant period means the period—
(a) starting on the day the hearing of the application starts;
and
(b) ending on the later of the following—
(i) the day judgment is delivered in an appeal relating
to the charge with which the animal is connected;
(ii) the day on which any right to appeal relating to the
charge with which the animal is connected expires.

450EH Clear title to animal for sale under order

A stock disposal order for an animal is sufficient authority for
the commissioner of the police service to convey clear title to
the animal to any buyer under the order.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 305

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44A Special provisions in respect of offences relating to stock

[s 450EI]

Chapter division 4 Other provisions

450EI Unavailability of animal at trial

(1) An animal connected with a charge and seized by a police
officer is not required to be made available at the defendant’s
trial if an adequate prescribed record of the animal is available
to the prosecutor for the trial.
(2) A defendant’s trial is not unfair merely because an animal is
unavailable at trial because it has been—
(a) sold under a stock disposal order; or
(b) returned to its owner under section 450E(1)(b) after its
seizure.

450EJ Effect of defendant not objecting to animal’s return to its

owner
(1) This section applies if a police officer seizes an animal
connected with a charge and the defendant does not object to
the return of the animal to its owner.
(2) In a proceeding on the charge the court can not draw an
inference adverse to the defendant from the fact that the
defendant does not object to the animal’s return to its owner.

450F Animal valuers and valuations

(1) This section is applicable in every case in which a provision of
this Code relates the amount of a fine to the value of an animal
determined in accordance with the provisions of the
regulations made pursuant to this section.
(2) The chief executive may appoint a person as an animal valuer.
(3) The Governor in Council may make regulations, not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Code, for or with
respect to the following—
(a) terms and conditions of appointment of animal valuers;
Page 306 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44A Special provisions in respect of offences relating to stock

[s 450F]

(b) qualifications, eligibility and experience of persons to be

animal valuers;
(c) fees and allowances payable to animal valuers;
(d) appointment of animal valuers;
(e) valuation of animals by animal valuers;
(f) the selection of panels of animal valuers;
(g) the constitution and operation of panels, including the
number of animal valuers constituting a panel;
(h) functions and duties of animal valuers;
(i) the keeping of a register of animal valuers;
(j) method of determination of valuation of animals in
cases where animals available for inspection and in
cases where animals not available for inspection and, in
the latter case, use of hides, skins, ears, photographs or
tapes, films or any other means of visual reproduction,
books, records and comparable prices for comparable
animals;
(k) method of determination of valuation of animals where
animal valuers constituting a panel are not in agreement
as to value;
(l) procedures in relation to meetings of panels and making
of valuations of animals in conjunction with court
proceedings and adjournments of proceedings;
(m) identification of animals by panels;
(n) issue and use of valuation certificates with respect to
valuation of animals;
(o) form of valuation certificates;
(p) regulating matters and procedures relating to the
initiation of the making of valuations of animals, times
within which valuations are to be made in relation to any
proceedings, adjournments of proceedings in connection
with the making of animal valuations, use of valuation
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 307
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44A Special provisions in respect of offences relating to stock

[s 450H]

certificates in proceedings and receipt of valuation

certificates as evidence in proceedings;
(q) sufficiency of evidence of value of animals by tender of
valuation certificates in proceedings until contrary value
is proved, determination of value where contrary value
is so proved, and application of such determined value;
(r) facilitation of proof of—
(i) appointments of animal valuers; and
(ii) selection of animal valuers to panels; and
(iii) signatures of animal valuers;
(s) such other matters as may be convenient for the
operation of this section and its application in
accordance with subsection (1) or that may be necessary
or expedient to achieve the objects and purposes with
respect to such operation and application.

450H Licence disqualification where commission of offence

facilitated by licence or use of vehicle
(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence under section 242,
398 (where the offence relates to the stealing of an animal),
444A, 444B, 445, 446, 447, 448, 448A or 468 and the court or
magistrate is satisfied that the commission of the offence by
that person was facilitated by the holding by the person of a
driver licence or by the use by the person of a motor vehicle,
the court or magistrate may order and direct in addition to any
sentence that may be passed or penalty that may be imposed
that the offender shall, from the date of conviction, be
disqualified absolutely from holding or obtaining a driver
licence to operate a motor vehicle or be so disqualified for
such period as the court or magistrate shall specify in the
order.
(2) A copy of the order shall be transmitted to the chief executive
of the department in which the Transport Operations (Road
Use Management) Act 1995 is administered by the officer or
Page 308 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 44A Special provisions in respect of offences relating to stock

[s 450I]

clerk having custody of the records of the court wherein the

conviction was recorded.
(3) In this section—
driver licence includes any driving licence or driving permit
deemed to be equivalent in Queensland to and accepted in lieu
of a driver licence for the purpose of authorising the holder
thereof to drive in Queensland any vehicle of the type or class
to the driving of which the driving licence or driving permit is
applicable.
(4) Nothing contained in this section limits the operation of any
other provision of any Act under which the court or magistrate
is empowered to do any act or thing in respect of the driving,
or the driver licence, of any offender.

450I Forfeiture in cases of conviction for offences under

specified sections
(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence under section 242,
398 (where the offence relates to the stealing of an animal),
444A, 444B, 445, 446, 447, 448, 448A or 468, the court or
magistrate may order to be forfeited to Her Majesty any
vehicle, vessel, animal, equipment or other property or thing
used in connection with or to facilitate the commission of the
offence of which the person has been convicted.
(2) Anything forfeited to Her Majesty pursuant to this section
shall be dealt with or disposed of in such manner as the
Attorney-General directs.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 309

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 45 Definitions

[s 458]

Division 2 Injuries to property

Chapter 45 Definitions

458 Unlawful acts

(1) An act which causes injury to the property of another, and
which is done without the owner’s consent, is unlawful unless
it is authorised or justified or excused by law.
(2) For section 469, punishment in special cases, clause 11, the
destruction or damage by a person of property fixed in a
cemetery or at a crematorium is unlawful unless the person is
acting—
(a) with the owner’s consent; or
(b) with the lawful consent of the entity (if any) responsible
for managing and administering the cemetery or
crematorium; or
(c) in the reasonable belief that lawful consent mentioned in
paragraph (b) has been given.
(3) It is immaterial that the person who does the injury is in
possession of the property injured, or has a partial interest in
it, or an interest in it as joint or part owner or owner in
common.
(4) A person is not criminally responsible for an injury caused to
property by the use of such force as is reasonably necessary
for the purpose of defending or protecting himself, herself, or
any other person, or any property, from injury which the
person believes, on reasonable grounds, to be imminent.

459 Acts done with intent to defraud

(1) When an act which causes injury to property, and which
would be otherwise lawful, is done with intent to defraud any
person, it is unlawful.
Page 310 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 46 Offences

[s 461]

(2) When an act which causes injury to property is done with

intent to defraud any person, it is immaterial that the property
in question is the property of the offender.

Chapter 46 Offences

461 Arson
(1) Any person who wilfully and unlawfully sets fire to any of the
things following, that is to say—
(a) a building or structure;
(b) a motor vehicle, train, aircraft or vessel;
(c) any stack of cultivated vegetable produce, or of mineral
or vegetable fuel;
(d) a mine, or the workings, fittings, or appliances of a
mine;
is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for life.
(2) It is immaterial whether or not a thing mentioned in
subsection (1)(a) or (b) is complete.

462 Endangering particular property by fire

A person who wilfully and unlawfully sets fire to anything
situated so that a thing mentioned in section 461(1)(a) to (d) is
likely to catch fire from it commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—14 years imprisonment.

463 Setting fire to crops and growing plants

Any person who wilfully and unlawfully sets fire to any of the
things following, that is to say—

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 311

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 46 Offences

[s 467]

(a) a crop of cultivated vegetable produce, whether standing

or cut;
(b) a crop of hay or grass, whether the natural or indigenous
product of the soil or not, and whether under cultivation
or not, and whether standing or cut;
(c) any standing trees, saplings, or shrubs, whether
indigenous or cultivated;
(d) any heath, gorse, furze, or fern;
is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.

467 Endangering the safe use of vehicles and related

transport infrastructure
(1) A person who, with intent to prejudice the safe use of a
vehicle or related transport infrastructure or to injure property
in a vehicle or related transport infrastructure, does anything
that endangers, or is likely to endanger, the safe use of the
vehicle or related transport infrastructure commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—life imprisonment.
(2) In this section—
do anything, for a person who has a duty to do the thing,
includes omit to do the thing.
in includes on.
related transport infrastructure includes a road, railway,
runway, station, airport, terminal, wharf, jetty or other
structure used by a vehicle to travel or by persons using a
vehicle to travel.

468 Injuring animals

(1) Any person who wilfully and unlawfully kills, maims, or
wounds, any animal capable of being stolen is guilty of an
indictable offence.

Page 312 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 46 Offences

[s 469]

(2) If the animal in question is stock, the offender is guilty of a

crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
(3) In any other case the offender is guilty of a misdemeanour,
and is liable to imprisonment for 2 years, or, if the offence is
committed by night, to imprisonment for 3 years.
(4) If the offender (whether guilty of a crime or a misdemeanour)
kills or maims the animal and is sentenced to pay a fine in
addition to, or instead of imprisonment, the fine shall be not
less than the prescribed penalty units or, where in respect of
the animal in question a value is determined in accordance
with the provisions of the regulations made pursuant to
section 450F, not less than that value, whichever is the higher
amount, for every animal killed or maimed.
(5) However, the fine imposed in respect of the offence shall not
exceed 500 penalty units.
(6) In this section—
prescribed penalty units means—
(a) for stock—10 penalty units; or
(b) otherwise—8 penalty units.

469 Wilful damage

(1) Any person who wilfully and unlawfully destroys or damages
any property is guilty of an offence which, unless otherwise
stated, is a misdemeanour, and the person is liable, if no other
punishment is provided, to imprisonment for 5 years.
(2) For this section, other than punishment in special cases, clause
11, the destruction or damage of property that is a thing
mentioned in section 566(11) is presumed to be done without
the owner’s consent until the contrary is proved.
(3) For this section, punishment in special cases, clause 11, the
destruction or damage of property is, until the contrary is
proved, presumed to be done—
(a) without the owner’s consent; and
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 313
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 46 Offences

[s 1]

(b) if the property is fixed in a cemetery or at a

crematorium—
(i) without the lawful consent of the entity (if any)
responsible for managing and administering the
cemetery or crematorium; and
(ii) not in the reasonable belief that lawful consent
mentioned in subparagraph (i) has been given.

Punishment in special cases

1 Destroying or damaging premises by explosion

If—
(a) the property in question is premises; and
(b) the destruction or damage is caused by an explosion;
and
(c) either—
(i) anyone is in or on the premises when the explosion
happens; or
(ii) the destruction or damage actually endangers
anyone’s life;
the offender commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—life imprisonment.

2 Sea walls and other property

If—
(a) the property in question is—
(i) a bank or wall of the sea or inland water; or

Page 314 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 46 Offences

[s 3]

(ii) a work relating to a port or inland water; and

(b) the destruction or damage causes an actual danger of
inundation or of damage to land or a building;
the offender commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—life imprisonment.

3 Wills and registers

If the property in question is a testamentary instrument,
whether the testator is living or dead, or a register which is
authorised or required by law to be kept for authenticating or
recording the title to any property, or for recording births,
baptisms, marriages, deaths, or burials, or a copy of any part
of any such register which is required by law to be sent to any
public officer, the offender is guilty of a crime, and is liable to
imprisonment for 14 years.

4 Wrecks
If the property in question is a vessel in distress, or wrecked,
or stranded, or anything which belongs to such a vessel, the
offender is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for
7 years.

5 Railways
If the property in question is any part of a railway, or any work
connected with a railway, the offender is guilty of a crime, and
is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.

6 Aircraft
If the property in question is an aircraft or anything whatever
either directly or indirectly connected with the guidance
control or operation of an aircraft, the offender is guilty of a
crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 315
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 46 Offences

[s 7]

7 Other things of special value

If—
(a) the property in question—
(i) is a vessel, whether complete or not; and
(ii) is destroyed or rendered useless; or
(b) the property in question—
(i) is a light, beacon, buoy, mark or signal; and
(ii) is used for navigation or for the guidance of
sailors; or
(c) the property in question is—
(i) a bank or wall of the sea or inland water; or
(ii) a work relating to a port or inland water; or
(d) the property in question—
(i) is a manufacturing or agricultural machine or
another thing used, or intended for use, for
manufacture or for performing a process connected
with the preparation of agricultural produce; and
(ii) is destroyed or rendered useless; or
(e) the property in question is—
(i) a well or bore for water; or
(ii) the dam, bank, wall, or floodgate of a millpond or
pool;
the offender commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.

8 Deeds and records

If the property in question is a document which is deposited or
kept in a public office, or which is evidence of title to any land

Page 316 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 46 Offences

[s 9]

or estate in land, the offender is guilty of a crime, and is liable

to imprisonment for 7 years.

9 Graffiti
(1) If the property in question is in a public place, or is visible
from a public place, and the destruction or damage is caused
by—
(a) spraying, writing, drawing, marking or otherwise
applying paint or another marking substance; or
(b) scratching or etching;
the offender commits a crime and is liable to imprisonment
for 7 years.
(2) The court may—
(a) whether or not it imposes any other penalty for the
offence, order the offender to perform community
service under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, part
5, division 2, including for example, removing graffiti
from property; and
(b) whether or not it imposes any penalty for the offence,
order the offender to pay compensation to any person
under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, part 3,
division 4.
Note—
1 For the requirement for the court to make a graffiti removal
order see the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, part 5A and
the Youth Justice Act 1992, part 7, division 7A.
2 For the discretion of the court to order the forfeiture of a
thing used to record, store or transmit an image of, or
related to, the commission of the offence see
section 469AA.

10 Educational institutions
(1) If the property in question is part of a school, education
centre, college, university, or another educational institution,
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 317
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 46 Offences

[s 11]

the offender commits a crime and is liable to imprisonment

for 7 years.
(2) The court may—
(a) whether or not it imposes any other penalty for the
offence, order the offender to perform community
service work under the Penalties and Sentences Act
1992, part 5, division 2 including for example, cleaning
or repairing any damaged property that is part of an
educational institution; and
(b) whether or not it imposes any penalty for the offence,
order the offender to pay compensation to any person
under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, part 3,
division 4.

11 Cemeteries etc.
(1) If the property in question is—
(a) a grave, vault, niche or memorial in a cemetery or at a
crematorium; or
(b) a war memorial; or
(c) at a place of religious worship;
the offender commits a crime and is liable to imprisonment
for 7 years.
(2) In this clause—
memorial, in a cemetery or at a crematorium, includes the
following—
(a) a headstone;
(b) an inscribed plaque or commemorative plate;
(c) a monumental, ornamental or other structure;
(d) another thing erected or placed—
(i) to mark the site where human remains have been
buried or placed; or
Page 318 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 46 Offences

[s 469AA]

(ii) to commemorate a deceased person.

469AA Forfeiture of thing used to record, store or transmit

image of graffiti
(1) This section applies if—
(a) a person is convicted, whether on indictment or
summarily, of an offence against section 469 that is
punishable under section 469, item 9; and
(b) the person was an adult at the time of the commission of
the offence; and
(c) the court is satisfied that a thing owned or possessed by
the person was used to record, store or transmit an
image of, or related to, the commission of the offence.
Example of a thing used to record, store or transmit an image—
a camera, mobile phone or computer
(2) When the court is imposing a sentence on the person for the
offence, the court may order the thing be forfeited to the State.
(3) Subsection (2) applies whether the thing to be forfeited has
been seized or is in its owner’s possession.
(4) The court may also make any order that it considers
appropriate to enforce the forfeiture.
(5) This section does not limit the court’s powers under the
Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, the Criminal Proceeds
Confiscation Act 2002 or another law.
(6) When forfeited to the State, the thing becomes the State’s
property and may be dealt with as directed by the chief
executive.

469A Sabotage and threatening sabotage

(1) A person who wilfully and unlawfully destroys or damages a
public facility with intent to cause—
(a) major disruption to government functions; or
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 319
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 46 Offences

[s 469A]

(b) major disruption to the use of services by the public; or

(c) major economic loss;
is guilty of a crime.
Maximum penalty—25 years imprisonment.
(2) A person who threatens to commit sabotage is guilty of a
crime.
Maximum penalty—14 years imprisonment.
(3) For subsection (2), a person threatens to commit sabotage if—
(a) the person threatens to unlawfully destroy or damage a
public facility; and
(b) the threat is made with the intention of inducing in
someone else a belief that the threat will be carried out;
and
(c) if the threat were to be carried out, the threatened
destruction or damage would be likely 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.
(4) A person can not be prosecuted for an offence against
subsection (1) or (2) without a Crown Law Officer’s consent.
(5) In this section—
damage, a public facility, includes disrupt the operation or use
of the facility.
government entity means—
(a) the State; or
(b) a State instrumentality, agency, authority or entity; or
(c) a corporate entity established by an Act or that is of a
description of a corporate entity provided for by an Act

Page 320 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 46 Offences

[s 470]

that, in either case, collects revenues or raises funds

under the authority of an Act; or
(d) a government owned corporation; or
(e) another State, the Commonwealth, a local government
or a local government of another State; or
(f) another entity performing a government function.
government functions means functions of the State, another
State, the Commonwealth, a local government or a local
government of another State.
public facility means any of the following, whether publicly
or privately owned—
(a) premises or another place occupied by a government
entity;
(b) a public infrastructure facility, including—
(i) infrastructure for a water or sewerage service; and
(ii) a facility for supplying energy or fuel to the public;
and
(iii) a facility for a telecommunication system; and
(iv) roads, railways, equipment, vehicles and other
infrastructure for public transport; and
(v) other infrastructure for a community service;
(c) a public place.

470 Attempts to destroy property by explosives

Any person who, unlawfully, and with intent to destroy or
damage any property, puts any explosive substance in any
place whatever, is guilty of a crime, and is liable to
imprisonment for 14 years.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 321

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 46 Offences

[s 470A]

470A Unlawful deposition of explosive or noxious substances

(1) Any person who wilfully and unlawfully throws, leaves down,
or otherwise deposits any explosive or noxious substance in
any place whatsoever under such circumstances that it may
cause injury to any person or damage to the property of any
person, is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to
imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) The offender may be arrested without warrant.

471 Damaging mines

(1) A person who unlawfully and with intent to damage a mine—
(a) damages a mine; or
Example—
obstructing the working of a mine by running water into the
mine or into an underground passage leading into the mine
(b) interferes with equipment or infrastructure, whether
complete or not, connected or used with a mine;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—7 years imprisonment.
(2) In this section—
damage, a mine, includes obstruct the working of the mine.
equipment includes machinery, appliance, cable and
apparatus.
infrastructure means a road, building or other structure.
interfere, with equipment or infrastructure, means
detrimentally interfere with its effective or efficient operation.

472 Interfering with marine signals

Any person who wilfully and unlawfully removes, defaces, or
renders invisible, any light, beacon, buoy, mark, or signal,
used for purposes of navigation, or for the guidance of sailors,
Page 322 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 46 Offences

[s 473]

or unlawfully attempts to remove, deface, or render invisible,

any such thing, is guilty of a crime, and is liable to
imprisonment for 7 years.

473 Interfering with navigation works

Any person who—
(a) wilfully and unlawfully removes or disturbs any fixed
object or materials used for securing a bank or wall of
the sea, or of a river, canal, aqueduct, reservoir, or inland
water, or for securing any work which appertains to a
port, harbour, dock, canal, aqueduct, reservoir, or inland
water, or which is used for purposes of navigation or
lading or unlading goods; or
(b) unlawfully does any act with intent to obstruct the
carrying on, completion, or maintenance, of the
navigation of a navigable river or canal, and thereby
obstructs such carrying on, completion, or maintenance;
is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.

474 Communicating infectious diseases to animals

Any person who wilfully and unlawfully causes, or is
concerned in causing, or attempts to cause, any infectious or
contagious disease to be communicated to or among any
animal or animals capable of being stolen, is guilty of a crime,
and is liable to imprisonment for life.

475 Travelling with infected animals

Any person who causes any animal which is infected with an
infectious or contagious disease to travel, or, being the owner
or 1 of 2 or more joint owners of any animal which is infected
with an infectious or contagious disease, permits or connives
at the travelling of any such animal, contrary to the provisions
of any statute relating to infected animals of that kind, is
guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 323
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 48 Forgery in general—definitions

[s 477]

477 Obstructing railways

Any person who, by any unlawful act, or by any intentional
omission to do any act which it is the person’s duty to do,
causes any engine or vehicle in use upon a railway to be
obstructed in its passage on the railway, is guilty of a
misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 2 years.

478 Sending letters threatening to burn or destroy

Any person who, knowing the contents of the document,
causes any person to receive any document threatening that
any building or vessel, whether complete or not, or any stack
of cultivated vegetable produce, or any such produce that is in
or under a building, shall be burnt or destroyed, is guilty of a
crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.

479 Arrest without warrant

Any person found committing a misdemeanour defined in this
chapter may be arrested without warrant by the owner of the
property injured or the owner’s employee or a person
authorised by the owner or employee.

Division 3 Forgery and like offences—

personation

Chapter 48 Forgery in general—definitions

484 Definitions
In this division—
bank note includes any negotiable instrument issued by or on
behalf of any person or corporation in any part of the world, or
issued by the authority of any state, prince, or government,
and intended to be used as equivalent to money, either
Page 324 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 49 Punishment of forgery and like offences

[s 488]

immediately on issue or at any time afterwards, and also

includes a bank bill or bank post bill.
document does not include trademarks on articles of
commerce.
seal includes any stamp, die, or other thing, of whatever
material, from which an impression can be taken by means of
pressure or of ink, or by any other means.

Chapter 49 Punishment of forgery and like

offences

488 Forgery and uttering

(1) A person who, with intent to defraud—
(a) forges a document; or
(b) utters a forged document;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—
(a) if the document is a valuable security, insurance policy,
testamentary instrument (whether the testator is living or
dead) or registration document or is evidence of an
interest in land—14 years imprisonment; or
(b) if the document is a power of attorney, contract or
document kept or issued by lawful authority other than a
document mentioned in paragraph (a)—7 years
imprisonment; or
(c) otherwise—3 years imprisonment.
(2) Subsection (1) applies whether or not the document is
complete and even though it is not, or does not purport to be,
binding in law.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 325

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 49 Punishment of forgery and like offences

[s 498]

(3) In this section—

registration document means a document kept or issued by
the registrar under the Births, Deaths and Marriages
Registration Act 2003 or an equivalent document kept or
issued under a law of another jurisdiction, inside or outside
Australia.

498 Falsifying warrants for money payable under public

authority
Any person, who, being employed in the public service,
knowingly and with intent to defraud makes out or delivers to
any person a warrant for the payment of any money payable
by public authority for a greater or less amount than that to
which the person on whose behalf the warrant is made out is
entitled is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for
7 years.

499 Falsification of registers

(1) Any person who, having the actual custody of any register or
record kept by lawful authority, knowingly permits any entry
which, in any material particular, is to the person’s knowledge
false, to be made in the register or record is guilty of a crime,
and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
(2) The offender can not be arrested without warrant.

500 Sending false certificate of marriage to registrar

Any person who signs or transmits to a person authorised by
law to register marriages a certificate of marriage, or any
document purporting to be a certificate of marriage, which, in
any material particular, is to the person’s knowledge false, is
guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.

Page 326 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 49 Punishment of forgery and like offences

[s 501]

501 False statements for the purpose of registers of births,

deaths, and marriages
Any person who knowingly, and with intent to procure the
same to be inserted in a register of births, deaths, or
marriages, makes any false statement touching any matter
required by law to be registered in any such register, is guilty
of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.

501A Contradictory statements

If, on the trial for a person under section 501, the jury is
satisfied—
(a) the accused has made 2 statements and 1 is
irreconcilably in conflict with the other; and
(b) the accused made 1 of the statements knowing it to be
false;
but the jury is unable to say which statement was falsely
made, the jury may make a special finding to that effect and
find the accused guilty of the offence.

502 Procuring or claiming unauthorised status

Any person who—
(a) by any false representation procures any authority
authorised by any statute to issue certificates testifying
that the holders thereof are entitled to any right or
privilege, or to enjoy any rank or status, to issue to
himself, herself or any other person any such certificate;
or
(b) falsely represents to any person that the person has
obtained any certificate issued by any such authority; or
(c) by any false representation procures himself, herself or
any other person to be registered on any register kept by
lawful authority as a person entitled to such a certificate,

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 327

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 51 Preparation for forgery

[s 510]

or as a person entitled to any right or privilege, or to

enjoy any rank or status;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.

Chapter 51 Preparation for forgery

510 Instruments and materials for forgery

Any person who unlawfully—
(a) makes, or starts or prepares to make, a thing with intent
to use it to forge a document; or
(b) possesses a thing with intent to use it to forge a
document; or
(c) uses a thing to forge a document; or
(d) disposes of a thing that has been used to forge a
document;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—14 years imprisonment.

Chapter 52 Personation

514 Personation in general

(1) Any person who, with intent to defraud any person, falsely
represents himself or herself to be some other person, living or
dead, real or fictitious, is guilty of an offence which, unless
otherwise stated, is a misdemeanour, and the person is liable
to imprisonment for 3 years.
Page 328 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 6 Offences relating to property and contracts
Chapter 54 Other offences

[s 515]

(2) If the representation is that the offender is a person entitled by

will or operation of law to any specific property, and the
person commits the offence with intent to obtain such
property or possession thereof, the person is guilty of a crime,
and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.

515 Falsely acknowledging deeds, recognisances etc.

Any person who, without lawful authority or excuse, the proof
of which lies on the person, makes, in the name of any other
person, before any court or person lawfully authorised to take
such an acknowledgement, an acknowledgement of liability
of any kind, or an acknowledgement of a deed or other
instrument, is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment
for 7 years.

Division 4 Offences connected with trade

and breach of contract

Chapter 54 Other offences

533 Mixing uncertified with certified articles

When a mark has been attached to any article, or a certificate
has been given with respect to any article, under the authority
of any statute, for the purpose of denoting the quality of the
article, or the fact that it has been examined or approved by or
under the authority of some public body or public officer, any
person who mixes with the article so marked or certified any
other article which has not been so examined or approved, is
guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 3
years.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 329

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 7 Preparation to commit offences—conspiracy— accessories after the fact
Chapter 55 Attempts and preparation to commit offences

[s 535]

Part 7 Preparation to commit

offences—conspiracy—
accessories after the fact

Chapter 55 Attempts and preparation to

commit offences

535 Attempts to commit indictable offences

(1) If a person attempts to commit a crime, the person commits a
crime.
(2) If a person attempts to commit a misdemeanour, the person
commits a misdemeanour.

536 Punishment of attempts to commit indictable offences

(1) A person who attempts to commit an indictable offence
punishable by mandatory life imprisonment is liable, if no
other punishment is provided, to life imprisonment.
(2) A person who attempts to commit an indictable offence
punishable by life imprisonment but not mandatory life
imprisonment is liable, if no other punishment is provided, to
14 years imprisonment.
(3) A person who attempts to commit any other indictable offence
is liable, if no other punishment is provided, to a punishment
equal to one-half of the greatest punishment to which an
offender convicted of the offence is liable.
(4) In this section—
mandatory life imprisonment means a penalty of life
imprisonment that can not be mitigated or varied under this
Code or any other law.

Page 330 Current as at 29 January 2018

[s 538]

538 Reduction of punishment

(1) When a person is convicted of attempting to commit an
offence, if it is proved that the person desisted of the person’s
own motion from the further prosecution of the person’s
intention, without its fulfilment being prevented by
circumstances independent of the person’s will, the person is
liable to one-half only of the punishment to which the person
would otherwise be liable.
(2) If the punishment to which the person would otherwise be
liable for the attempt is imprisonment for life, the greatest
punishment to which the person is liable is imprisonment for
14 years.

539 Attempts to procure commission of criminal acts

(1) Any person who attempts to procure another—
(a) to do an act or make an omission in Queensland; or
(b) to do an act or make an omission outside Queensland;
being an act or omission of such a nature that, if the act were
done or the omission made, an offence would thereby be
committed—
(c) in the case referred to in paragraph (a)—under the laws
of Queensland; or
(d) in the case referred to in paragraph (b)—under the laws
in force in the place where the act or omission is
proposed to be done or made;
whether by himself, herself or by the other person, is guilty of
an offence of the same kind and is liable to the same
punishment as if the person had attempted to do the same act
or make the same omission in Queensland.
(1A) However, in the case referred to in subsection (1)(b), the
punishment can not exceed that which the person would have
incurred under the laws in force where the act or omission was
proposed to be done or made, if the person had attempted to
do the proposed act or make the proposed omission.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 331
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 7 Preparation to commit offences—conspiracy— accessories after the fact
Chapter 56 Conspiracy

[s 540]

(2) Any person who, while out of Queensland, attempts to

procure another to do an act or make an omission in
Queensland of such a nature that, if the person had done the
act or made the omission in Queensland, the person would
have been guilty of an offence is guilty of an offence of the
same kind and is liable to the same punishment as if the
person had attempted to do the act or make the omission in
Queensland.

540 Preparation to commit crimes with dangerous things

A person who makes, or knowingly has possession of, an
explosive substance or other dangerous or noxious thing—
(a) with intent to commit a crime by using the thing; or
(b) to enable anyone to commit a crime by using the thing;
commits a crime.
Maximum penalty—3 years imprisonment.

Chapter 56 Conspiracy

541 Conspiracy to commit crime

(1) Any person who conspires with another to commit any crime,
or to do any act in any part of the world which if done in
Queensland would be a crime, and which is an offence under
the laws in force in the place where it is proposed to be done,
is guilty of a crime, and is liable, if no other punishment is
provided, to imprisonment for 7 years; or, if the greatest
punishment to which a person convicted of the crime in
question is liable is less than imprisonment for 7 years, then to
such lesser punishment.
(2) A prosecution for an offence defined in this section shall not
be instituted without the consent of the Attorney-General.
Page 332 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 7 Preparation to commit offences—conspiracy— accessories after the fact
Chapter 56 Conspiracy

[s 542]

542 Conspiracy to commit other offences

(1) Any person who conspires with another to commit any
offence which is not a crime, or to do any act in any part of the
world which if done in Queensland would be an offence but
not a crime, and which is an offence under the laws in force in
the place where it is proposed to be done, is guilty of a
misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for 3 years.
(2) A prosecution for an offence defined in this section shall not
be instituted without the consent of the Attorney-General.

543 Other conspiracies

(1) Any person who conspires with another to effect any of the
purposes following, that is to say—
(a) to prevent or defeat the execution or enforcement of any
statute law;
(b) to cause any injury to the person or reputation of any
person, or to depreciate the value of any property of any
person;
(c) to prevent or obstruct the free and lawful disposition of
any property by the owner thereof for its fair value;
(d) to injure any person in the person’s trade or profession;
(e) to prevent or obstruct, by means of any act or acts which
if done by an individual person would constitute an
offence on the person’s part, the free and lawful exercise
by any person of the person’s trade, profession, or
occupation;
(f) to effect any unlawful purpose;
(g) to effect any lawful purpose by any unlawful means;
is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for
3 years.
(2) A prosecution for an offence defined in this section shall not
be instituted without the consent of the Attorney-General.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 333
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 7 Preparation to commit offences—conspiracy— accessories after the fact
Chapter 57 Accessories after the fact

[s 543A]

543A Industrial disputes

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 543, no act
done or omission made 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 or make any omission or to procure any act to be done or
omission to be made in contemplation or furtherance of any
industrial dispute, shall render any of such persons guilty of
any offence if such act or omission when done or made by an
individual person would not have rendered such person guilty
of an offence.
(2) For the purposes of this section—
industrial dispute has the same meaning as in the Industrial
Relations Act 2016.

Chapter 57 Accessories after the fact

544 Accessories after the fact to offences

(1) If a person becomes an accessory after the fact to a crime, the
person commits a crime.
(2) If a person becomes an accessory after the fact to a
misdemeanour, the person commits a misdemeanour.
(3) If a person becomes an accessory after the fact to a simple
offence, the person commits a simple offence.

545 Punishment of accessories after the fact to offences

(1) A person who becomes an accessory after the fact to an
indictable offence punishable by mandatory life imprisonment
is liable, if no other punishment is provided, to life
imprisonment.

Page 334 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 58 Arrest

[s 545A]

(2) A person who becomes an accessory after the fact to an

indictable offence punishable by life imprisonment but not
mandatory life imprisonment is liable, if no other punishment
is provided, to 14 years imprisonment.
(3) A person who becomes an accessory after the fact to any other
indictable offence or a simple offence is liable, if no other
punishment is provided, to a punishment equal to one-half of
the greatest punishment to which an offender convicted of the
offence is liable.
(4) In this section—
mandatory life imprisonment means a penalty of life
imprisonment that can not be mitigated or varied under this
Code or any other law.

Part 8 Procedure

Chapter 58 Arrest

545A Chapter does not apply to police officers

This chapter does not apply to a police officer.

546 Arrest without warrant generally

When an offence is such that the offender may be arrested
without warrant generally—
(b) it is lawful for any person who is called upon to assist a
police officer in the arrest of a person suspected of
having committed the offence, and who knows that the
person calling upon the person to assist is a police
officer, to assist the officer, unless the person knows that
there is no reasonable ground for the suspicion; and
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 335
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 58 Arrest

[s 547]

(c) it is lawful for any person who finds another committing

the offence to arrest the other person without warrant;
and
(d) if the offence has been actually committed—it is lawful
for any person who believes on reasonable ground that
another person has committed the offence to arrest that
person without warrant, whether that other person has
committed the offence or not; and
(e) it is lawful for any person who finds another by night,
under such circumstances as to afford reasonable
grounds for believing that the other person is
committing the offence, and who does in fact so believe,
to arrest the other person without warrant.

547 Arrest without warrant in special cases

Where it is provided with respect to an offence that the
offender may be arrested without warrant subject to certain
conditions, the provisions of section 546 apply to the offence
in question, subject to those conditions.

547A Arrest of persons found committing offences on aircraft

It is lawful for the person in command of an aircraft, on board
the aircraft, and for persons acting with the person’s authority
to arrest or cause to be arrested without warrant any person
whom the person finds committing, or whom on reasonable
grounds the person suspects of having committed, or of
having attempted to commit, or of being about to commit, an
offence on or in relation to or affecting the use of the aircraft
and for that purpose to use such force as the person or the
person arresting believes, on reasonable grounds, to be
necessary and is reasonable under the circumstances.

Page 336 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 58 Arrest

[s 548]

548 Arrest of persons found committing offences

(1) It is lawful for a justice to arrest without warrant any person
whom the justice finds committing any indictable offence or
committing any simple offence with respect to which it is
provided that a person found committing it may be arrested
without warrant.
(2) When it is provided with respect to an offence that a person
found committing the offence may be arrested without
warrant generally, it is lawful for any person who finds
another committing the offence to arrest the other person
without warrant.
(3) When it is provided with respect to an offence that a person
found committing the offence may be arrested without
warrant by a specified person, or specified persons, it is lawful
for any such person who finds another committing the offence
to arrest the other person without warrant.

549 Arrest of offender committing indictable offences by

night
It is lawful for any person who finds another person by night
committing any indictable offence to arrest the other person
without warrant.

550 Arrest during flight

It is lawful for any person to arrest without warrant any other
person whom the person believes, on reasonable grounds, to
have committed an offence and to be escaping from, and to be
freshly pursued by, some person whom, on reasonable
grounds, the person believes to have authority to arrest the
other person for that offence.

551 Arrest of persons offering stolen property for sale etc.

It is lawful for any person to whom another offers to sell,
pawn, or deliver, any property, and who believes, on
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 337
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 58A Indictable offences dealt with summarily

[s 552]

reasonable grounds, that the property has been acquired by

means of an offence with respect to which it is provided that a
person found committing it may be arrested without warrant,
to arrest that other person without warrant.

552 Duty of persons arresting

(1) It is the duty of a person who has arrested another upon a
charge of an offence to take the other person forthwith before
a justice to be dealt with according to law.
(2) However, it is sufficient for subsection (1) if the person
immediately delivers the arrested person into the custody of a
police officer.
(3) The police officer may receive the arrested person into
custody.
Note—
See also section 137 for a relevant offence and the Police Powers and
Responsibilities Act 2000, section 393 for the duties of the police
officer.

Chapter 58A Indictable offences dealt with

summarily

552A Charges of indictable offences that must be heard and

decided summarily on prosecution election
(1) This section applies to a charge before a Magistrates Court of
any of the following indictable offences—
(a) an offence against any of the following provisions—
• section 141
• section 142
• section 143
Page 338 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 58A Indictable offences dealt with summarily

[s 552B]

• section 205A
• section 340;
(b) any offence involving an assault, not being of a sexual
nature or accompanied by an attempt to commit a crime,
if the maximum term of imprisonment for which the
defendant is liable is more than 3 years but not more
than 5 years;
(c) the offence of counselling or procuring the commission
of an offence mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b);
(d) the offence of attempting to commit an offence
mentioned in paragraph (a);
(e) the offence of becoming an accessory after the fact to an
offence mentioned in paragraph (a).
(2) A charge to which this section applies must be heard and
decided summarily if the prosecution elects to have the charge
heard and decided summarily.
(3) This section is subject to section 552D.

552B Charges of indictable offences that must be heard and

decided summarily unless defendant elects for jury trial
(1) This section applies to a charge before a Magistrates Court of
any of the following indictable offences—
(a) an offence of a sexual nature without a circumstance of
aggravation if—
(i) the complainant was 14 years of age or over at the
time of the alleged offence; and
(ii) the defendant has pleaded guilty; and
(iii) the maximum term of imprisonment for which the
defendant is liable is more than 3 years;
(b) an offence against section 339(1);
(c) an offence involving an assault, other than an offence
against section 339(1), if—
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 339
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 58A Indictable offences dealt with summarily

[s 552B]

(i) the assault is—

(A) without a circumstance of aggravation; and
(B) is not of a sexual nature; and
(ii) the maximum term of imprisonment for which the
defendant is liable is more than 3 years but not
more than 7 years; and
(iii) a charge of the offence is not a charge to which
section 552A applies;
(ca) an offence against section 60A, 60B, 76 or 77B;
(d) an offence against section 316A;
(e) an offence against section 328A(2);
(f) an offence against section 359E if the maximum term of
imprisonment for which the defendant is liable is not
more than 5 years;
(g) an offence against chapter 14, chapter division 2, if the
maximum term of imprisonment for which the
defendant is liable is more than 3 years;
(h) an offence against chapter 22A, if the maximum term of
imprisonment for which the defendant is liable is more
than 3 years;
(i) an offence against chapter 42A;
(j) the offence of counselling or procuring the commission
of an offence mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (i);
(k) the offence of attempting to commit an offence
mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (i), unless the
offence is a relevant offence under section 552BA(4),
definition relevant offence, paragraph (a);
(l) the offence of becoming an accessory after the fact to an
offence mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (i), unless
the offence is a relevant offence under
section 552BA(4), definition relevant offence, paragraph
(a).
Page 340 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 58A Indictable offences dealt with summarily

[s 552BA]

(2) A charge to which this section applies must be heard and

decided summarily unless the defendant informs the
Magistrates Court that he or she wants to be tried by jury.
(3) This section is subject to section 552D.

552BA Charges of indictable offences that must be heard and

decided summarily
(1) This section applies to a charge before a Magistrates Court of
any indictable offence against this Code if the offence is a
relevant offence.
(2) A charge to which this section applies must be heard and
decided summarily.
(3) This section is subject to section 552D.
(4) In this section—
relevant offence means—
(a) an offence against this Code, if the maximum term of
imprisonment for which the defendant is liable is not
more than 3 years; or
(b) an offence against part 6, other than—
(i) an offence mentioned in paragraph (a); or
(ii) an offence against chapter 42A; or
(iii) an offence that, under section 552BB, is an
excluded offence.

552BB Excluded offences

(1) An offence is an excluded offence if the offence is—
(a) an offence against a provision listed in column 1 of the
following table and—
(i) no relevant circumstance is listed for the provision
in column 3; or

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 341

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 58A Indictable offences dealt with summarily

[s 552BB]

(ii) both of the following apply—

(A) 1 or more relevant circumstances are listed
for the provision in column 3;
(B) at least 1 of the relevant circumstances, or
the relevant circumstance if only 1 relevant
circumstance is listed, applies in relation to
the offence; or
(b) the offence of—
(i) counselling or procuring the commission of an
offence that is an excluded offence under
paragraph (a); or
(ii) attempting to commit an offence that is an
excluded offence under paragraph (a), unless the
offence is a relevant offence under
section 552BA(4), definition relevant offence,
paragraph (a); or
(iii) becoming an accessory after the fact to an offence
that is an excluded offence under paragraph (a),
unless the offence is a relevant offence under
section 552BA(4), definition relevant offence,
paragraph (a).
(2) Column 2 of the following table gives the headings of the
provisions mentioned in column 1, and is for information
only.
(3) In this section—
prescribed value means $30,000.

Page 342 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 58A Indictable offences dealt with summarily

Provision of Code Provision heading Relevant circumstance
section 514 Personation in general The offender is liable to
imprisonment for 14 years, the value
of the property mentioned in
section 514(2) is equal to or more
than the prescribed value and the
offender does not plead guilty.

552C Constitution of Magistrates Court

(1) A Magistrates Court that summarily deals with an indictable
offence under this chapter must be constituted by—
(a) a magistrate; or
(b) justices appointed under subsection (3) for the place at
which the Magistrates Court is being held.
(2) Jurisdiction of the justices mentioned in subsection (1)(b) is
limited to an offence—
(a) that is dealt with on a plea of guilty; and
(b) that the justices consider they may adequately punish by
the imposition of a penalty not more than the maximum
penalty they may impose under section 552H; and
(c) for an offence involving property—that involves
property, or property damage or destruction, of a value
not more than $2,500.
(3) For subsection (1)(b), the Attorney-General may by gazette
notice appoint a justice for a place specified in the gazette
notice.
(4) A justice appointed under subsection (3) must be a justice of
the peace (magistrates court) who the Attorney-General is
satisfied has appropriate qualifications.
(5) A gazette notice may only specify a place appointed for
holding a Magistrates Court—

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 349

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 58A Indictable offences dealt with summarily

[s 552D]

(a) that is within a local government area of an indigenous

local government under the Local Government Act
2009; or
(b) that the Attorney-General considers is remote.
(6) The Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for
Declarations Act 1991, section 29(4)(a) is subject to
subsections (1) to (3).

552D When Magistrates Court must abstain from jurisdiction

(1) A Magistrates Court must abstain from dealing summarily
with a charge under section 552A, 552B or 552BA if satisfied,
at any stage, and after hearing any submissions by the
prosecution and defence, that because of the nature or
seriousness of the offence or any other relevant consideration
the defendant, if convicted, may not be adequately punished
on summary conviction.
(2) A Magistrates Court must abstain from dealing summarily
with a charge under section 552BA if satisfied, on an
application made by the defence, that because of exceptional
circumstances the charge should not be heard and decided
summarily.
Examples of exceptional circumstances—
1 There is sufficient connection between the offence the subject of
the charge, and other offences allegedly committed by the
defendant and to be tried on indictment, to allow all the offences to
be tried together.
2 There is an important issue of law involved.
3 An issue of general community importance or public interest is
involved, or the holding of a trial by jury is justified in order to
establish contemporary community standards.
(2A) A Magistrates Court must abstain from dealing summarily
with a charge of a prescribed offence if the defendant is
alleged to have committed the offence with the circumstance
of aggravation stated in the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992,
section 161Q.
Page 350 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 58A Indictable offences dealt with summarily

[s 552E]

(3) If the court abstains from jurisdiction, the proceeding for the
charge must be conducted as a committal proceeding.
(4) In this section—
prescribed offence see the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992,
section 161N.

552E Charge may be heard and decided where defendant

arrested or served
Without limiting the places a charge may be heard summarily
under section 552A, 552B or 552BA, the charge may also be
heard and decided at a place appointed for holding magistrates
courts within the district in which the accused person was
arrested on the charge or served with the summons for the
charge under the Justices Act 1886.

552F Time for prosecution

If a Magistrates Court hears and decides a charge summarily
under section 552A, 552B or 552BA, the Magistrates Court
has jurisdiction despite the time that has elapsed from the time
when the matter of complaint of the charge arose.

552G Value of property affecting jurisdiction to be decided by

Magistrates Court
For section 552BB, the value of property or of damage to
property is the value as decided by the Magistrates Court.

552H Maximum penalty for indictable offences dealt with

summarily
(1) A person is liable on summary conviction under section 552A,
552B or 552BA to a maximum penalty of—
(a) if the Magistrates Court is a court constituted by a
magistrate imposing a drug and alcohol treatment order

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 351

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 58A Indictable offences dealt with summarily

[s 552I]

under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, part 8A—

100 penalty units or 4 years imprisonment; or
(b) if the Magistrates Court is constituted by a magistrate
other than a magistrate mentioned in paragraph (a)—
100 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or
(c) if the Magistrates Court is constituted by justices under
section 552C(1)(b)—100 penalty units or 6 months
imprisonment.
(2) However, in no case may the person be punished more than if
the offence had been dealt with on indictment.

552I Procedure under s 552B

(1) This section applies to any charge for an offence to which
section 552B applies.
(2) If the defendant is not legally represented, the Magistrates
Court is required—
(a) to state the substance of the charge to the defendant; and
(b) to explain to the defendant that he or she is entitled to be
tried by a jury and is not obliged to make any defence;
and
(c) to ask the defendant whether he or she wants the charge
to be dealt with summarily.
(3) Whether or not the defendant is legally represented, unless the
defendant informs the Magistrates Court that he or she wants
to be tried by a jury, the Magistrates Court must ask whether
the defendant is guilty or not guilty of the offence.
(4) If the defendant is legally represented and there is more than 1
charge before the Magistrates Court, a plea to any number of
the charges may, with the consent of the defendant, be taken at
the same time on the basis that the plea to 1 charge will be
treated as a plea to any number of the charges if the court is
satisfied—

Page 352 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 58A Indictable offences dealt with summarily

[s 552J]

(a) the defendant has obtained legal advice in relation to

each of the charges; and
(b) the defendant is aware of the substance of each of the
charges.
(5) If the Magistrates Court takes a plea under subsection (4), the
court is not required to state the substance of any charge
before the court to the defendant.
(6) If the defendant says ‘guilty’ the Magistrates Court must
convict.
(7) If the defendant says ‘not guilty’ the Magistrates Court must
hear the defence.
(8) After the defendant enters a plea, the Magistrates Court must
then deal with the charge summarily.
(9) Unless a defendant’s criminal history is admissible in
evidence, the Magistrates Court must not have any regard to
the defendant’s criminal history—
(a) before receiving a plea of guilty or making any decision
of guilt; or
(b) for deciding whether the defendant may be adequately
punished on summary conviction.

552J Appeals against decision to decide charge summarily

(1) This section applies if a person is summarily convicted or
sentenced under section 552A, 552B or 552BA.
(2) The grounds on which the person may appeal include that the
Magistrates Court erred by deciding the conviction or
sentence summarily.
(3) The grounds on which the Attorney-General may appeal
against sentence include that the Magistrates Court erred by
deciding the sentence summarily.
(4) On an appeal against sentence relying on a ground that the
Magistrates Court erred by proceeding summarily, the court
deciding the appeal may, if it decides to vary the sentence,
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 353
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 59 Jurisdiction—preliminary proceedings—bail

[s 553]

impose the sentence the court considers appropriate up to the

maximum sentence that could have been imposed if the matter
had been dealt with on indictment.

Chapter 59 Jurisdiction—preliminary
proceedings—bail

553 Jurisdiction
The jurisdiction of courts of justice with respect to the trial of
offenders is set forth in the laws relating to the constitution
and jurisdiction of those courts respectively.

554 Preliminary proceedings on charges of indictable

offences
The practice and procedure relating to the examination and
committal for trial of persons charged with indictable offences
are set forth in the laws relating to justices of the peace, their
powers and authorities.

557 Place of trial

(1) A person charged with committing an offence may be tried in
any jurisdiction within which any act or omission or event
which is an element of the offence takes place.
(2) A person charged with stealing any property may also be tried
in any jurisdiction within which the person has the stolen
property in the person’s possession.
(3) A person charged with stealing anything while employed in
the public service may also be tried in any jurisdiction within
which the person is arrested or is in custody.
(4) A person charged with an offence which involves the
receiving of any property by the person may also be tried in
Page 354 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 59 Jurisdiction—preliminary proceedings—bail

[s 558]

any jurisdiction within which the person has the property in

the person’s possession.
(5) A person charged with forging anything, or with uttering any
false document or writing or anything counterfeit, may also be
tried in any jurisdiction within which the person is arrested or
is in custody.
(6) A person who is charged with counselling or procuring the
commission of an offence, or with becoming an accessory
after the fact to an offence, may also be tried in any
jurisdiction within which the principal offender might be
tried.
(7) A person who is charged with an offence committed out of
Queensland, and who may lawfully be tried in Queensland,
may be tried in any jurisdiction within which the person is
arrested or is in custody.
(8) If a person is charged with committing an offence for which
the person may lawfully be tried in Queensland and it is
uncertain where the offence was committed, the person may
be tried in any jurisdiction within which the person is arrested
or is in custody.
(9) A person charged with committing an offence can be tried
with the person’s consent in any jurisdiction.

558 Persons brought before wrong court

(1) If on the trial of a person charged with any offence before any
court it appears that the person is not properly triable before
that court under any of the provisions of section 557, the
person is not by reason thereof entitled to be acquitted, but the
court may, at the request of the accused person, discharge the
jury from giving a verdict, and direct that the person be tried
before some proper court, and may remand the person for trial
accordingly.
(2) If the person does not make such request, the trial is to
proceed, and the verdict and judgment have the same effect in
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 355
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 59 Jurisdiction—preliminary proceedings—bail

[s 559]

all respects as if the court had originally had jurisdiction to try

the accused person.
(3) This section does not affect the right of an accused person to
plead to the jurisdiction of a court.

559 Change of place of trial

(1) When a person has been committed for trial for an indictable
offence at a court held at any place, whether the person has
been granted bail or not, the Supreme Court or a judge thereof
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, either before the same court or before some
other court of competent jurisdiction, at a time to be named in
the order.
(2) When an indictment has been presented against any person in
the Supreme Court, the court may, on the application of the
Crown or the accused person, order that the trial shall be held
at some place other than that named in the margin of the
indictment and at a time to be named in the order.
(3) An application for a change of the place of trial for an
indictable offence shall be granted if based upon the facts—
(a) that the accused person has been committed for trial for
another indictable offence at a court held at any other
place or that an indictment has been presented to a court
held at any other place charging the accused person with
another offence; and
(b) that the charge for the offence in respect of which the
application is made and the charge for the offence
referred to in paragraph (a) could have been joined in
the same indictment, had the offences been committed
at the same place;
unless good cause is shown for not granting the application.
(4) When an order is made under the provisions of this section,
the consequences are the same in all respects, and with regard
Page 356 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 60 Indictments

[s 559A]

to all persons, as if the accused person had been committed

for trial at the place named in the order and at the sittings
named therein; and, if the person has been granted bail, the
undertakings as to bail are to be deemed to be enlarged to that
time and place accordingly.

Chapter 60 Indictments

559A Definition for ch 60

In this chapter—
DPP presenter means a person, other than a Crown
prosecutor, appointed or employed in, or engaged by, the
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions who is
authorised in writing by the director of public prosecutions to
present an indictment for the director.

560 Presenting indictments

(1) When a person charged with an indictable offence has been
committed for trial and it is intended to put the person on trial
for the offence, the charge is to be reduced to writing in a
document which is called an indictment.
(2) The indictment is to be signed and presented to the court by a
Crown Law Officer, a Crown prosecutor or some other person
appointed in that behalf by the Governor in Council.
(3) If a person has been committed for trial for an indictable
offence that may be tried in the District Court, a Crown Law
Officer or a Crown prosecutor may present the indictment to
either the Supreme Court or District Court.
(4) In deciding the court to which the indictment is to be
presented, the Crown Law Officer or Crown prosecutor must
have regard to—
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 357
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 60 Indictments

[s 560A]

(a) the complexity of the case; and

(b) the seriousness of the alleged offence; and
(c) any particular importance attaching to the case; and
(d) any other relevant consideration.
(5) Also, if an indictment is signed by a person authorised to sign
the indictment under this section, a DPP presenter may
present the indictment to the court stated in the indictment.

560A Place where indictment is presented

(1) An indictment may be presented to the court at the place of
trial named in the margin of the indictment (the place of trial)
or at another place.
(2) If an indictment is presented to the court at a place other than
the place of trial—
(a) the indictment is taken to have been presented to the
court at the place of trial; and
(b) anything that may be done by, or in relation to, the court
at the place of trial may also be done by, or in relation
to, the court at the other place; and
Example—
An application under section 590AA may be made to, and dealt
with by, the court at the other place or at the place of trial.
(c) as soon as practicable after the indictment is presented,
the proper officer of the court at the other place must
transfer the indictment to the court at the place of trial.

561 Ex officio indictments

(1) A Crown Law Officer may sign and present an indictment in
any court of criminal jurisdiction against any person for any
indictable offence, whether the accused person has been
committed for trial or not.

Page 358 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 60 Indictments

[s 562]

(2) A Crown prosecutor or a person appointed by the Governor in

Council to sign and present indictments in any court of
criminal jurisdiction may sign and present an indictment in
that court against any person for any indictable offence within
the jurisdiction of the court, whether the accused person has
been committed for trial or not and against any person for an
indictable offence who with the person’s prior consent has
been committed for trial or for sentence for an offence before
that court.
(3) Also, if an indictment is signed by a person authorised to sign
the indictment under this section, a DPP presenter may
present the indictment to the court stated in the indictment.

562 Arrest of person charged in ex officio indictment

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 the judge’s
hand to arrest the accused person and bring the person before
a justice of the peace; and the justice before whom the person
is brought may commit the person to prison until the person
can be tried on the indictment, or may, in a proper case, grant
bail.

563 Nolle prosequi

(1) A Crown Law Officer may inform any court, by writing under
the officer’s hand, that the Crown will not further proceed
upon any indictment, or in relation to any charge contained in
any indictment, then pending in the court.
(2) A Crown prosecutor or a person appointed by the Governor in
Council to present indictments in any court of criminal
jurisdiction may inform that court, by signed writing, that the
Crown will not further proceed upon any indictment, or in
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 359
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 60 Indictments

[s 564]

relation to any charge contained in any indictment, then

pending in that court.
(3) When such information is given to the court the accused
person is to be discharged from any further proceedings upon
that indictment or charge.

564 Form of indictment

(1) An indictment is to be intituled with the name of the court in
which it is presented, and must, subject to the provisions
hereinafter contained, set forth the offence with which the
accused person is charged in such a manner, and with such
particulars as to the alleged time and place of committing the
offence, and as to the person (if any) alleged to be aggrieved,
and as to the property (if any) in question, as may be
necessary to inform the accused person of the nature of the
charge.
(2) If any circumstance of aggravation is intended to be relied
upon, it must be charged in the indictment.
(2A) Despite subsection (2), a relevant circumstance of aggravation
may be relied on for the purposes of sentencing an offender
for the offence charged in the indictment despite the relevant
circumstance of aggravation not being charged in the
indictment for the offence.
(3) It is sufficient to describe an offence in the words of this Code
or of the statute defining it.
(3A) An indictment for an offence may also state the offence is a
domestic violence offence.
Note—
See the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 12A for when a
conviction for the offence must also be recorded as a conviction for a
domestic violence offence or entered in the offender’s criminal history
as a domestic violence offence.
(4) The place of trial is to be named in the margin of the
indictment.
Page 360 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 60 Indictments

[s 565]

(5) In this section—

relevant circumstance of aggravation means a circumstance
of aggravation that is a previous conviction of the offender.

565 General rules applicable to indictments

The following rules are applicable to all indictments—
(a) any document or other thing may be described by any
name or designation by which it is usually known, and
any document may be described by its purport without
setting out a copy or facsimile of the whole or any part
of it;
(b) a trademark may be described by that name, and any
other mark may be described in any way which will
indicate its nature, without setting out a copy or
facsimile of it;
(c) it is not necessary to set forth the value of anything
mentioned in an indictment unless the value is an
essential element of the offence;
(d) it is not necessary to set forth the means or instrument
by which any act is done, unless the means or
instrument are an essential element of the offence;
(e) it is not necessary to set forth any particulars as to any
person or thing which need not be proved, nor any other
matter which need not be proved.

566 Particular indictments

(1) In an indictment for an offence relating to giving information
or a document that a person knows is false or misleading, it is
enough to state the information or document was ‘false or
misleading’ to the person’s knowledge, without specifying
whether it was false or whether it was misleading.
(2) In an indictment for an offence which relates to taking or
administering an oath or engagement, or to giving false
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 361
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 60 Indictments

[s 566]

testimony or to making a false statement on solemn

declaration or otherwise, or to procuring the giving of false
testimony or the making of a false statement, it is not
necessary to set forth the words of the oath or engagement or
testimony or statement, but it is sufficient to set forth the
purport thereof, or so much of the purport as is material.
(3) In an indictment for an offence which relates to giving false
testimony, or procuring or attempting to procure the giving of
false testimony, it is not necessary to allege the jurisdiction of
the court or tribunal before which the false testimony was
given, or intended or proposed to be given.
(5) In an indictment in which it is necessary to mention money,
such money may be described simply as money, without
specifying any particular form of money.
(5A) Such an averment, so far as regards the description of the
property, will be sustained by proof that the offender obtained
or dealt with anything which is included in the term ‘money’,
or any portion of the value, in such a manner as to constitute
the offence, although the thing was delivered to the offender
in order that some part of the value thereof should be returned
to the person who delivered the same or to some other person,
and has been returned accordingly.
(6) In an indictment in which it is necessary to mention any
co-owners of property it is sufficient to name 1 of such
persons, adding the words ‘and another’ or ‘and others’, as the
case may be, and to state that the property belonged to the
person so named and another or others, as the case may be.
(7) In an indictment against a man for an offence committed by
him with respect to his wife’s separate property, the property
may be alleged to be the property of the wife.
(8) In an indictment for an offence relating to any property of a
company which is authorised to sue and be sued in the name
of a public officer, the property may be alleged to be the
property of the public officer.
(9) In an indictment for an offence relating to any property which
by any statute is to be deemed to be the property of any officer
Page 362 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 60 Indictments

[s 566]

of any institution, the property in question may be alleged to

be the property of the officer of the institution for the time
being by the officer’s name of office.
(10) In an indictment for an offence relating to a testamentary
instrument, it is not necessary to allege that the instrument is
the property of any person.
(11) In an indictment for an offence relating to anything fixed in a
square, street or cemetery or at a crematorium, or in a place
dedicated to public use or ornament, or to anything in or taken
from a public office, it is not necessary to allege that the thing
in respect of which the offence is committed is the property of
any person.
(12) In an indictment for an offence relating to a document which
is evidence of title to land or an estate in land, the document
may be described as being evidence of the title of the person
or some 1 of the persons having an estate in the land to which
the document relates, the land or some part thereof being
described in some manner sufficient to identify it.
(13) In an indictment for stealing a chattel or fixture let to the
offender, the chattel or fixture may be described as the
property of the person who actually let it to hire.
(14) In an indictment against a person employed in the public
service for an offence committed with respect to anything
which came into the person’s possession by virtue of the
person’s employment, the thing in question may be described
as the property of Her Majesty.
(15) In an indictment for an offence respecting any property
(whether within the meaning of section 1 or section 408C), if
it is uncertain to which of 2 or more persons the property
belonged at the time when the offence was committed, the
property may be described as being the property of one or
other of such persons, naming each of them, but without
specifying which of them; and the indictment will be
sustained, so far as regards the allegation of ownership, upon
proof that at the time when the offence was committed the
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 363
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 60 Indictments

[s 567]

property belonged to one or other of such persons without

ascertaining which of them.
(16) In an indictment for the offence of obtaining or inducing the
delivery of anything dishonestly, or of attempting to commit,
or to procure the commission of, any such offence, it is not
necessary to mention the owner of the property in question.
(17) In an indictment for an offence which involves any fraud or
fraudulent pretence, it is not necessary to set forth the details
of the fraud or pretence or trick or device.

indictment and tried together.

569 Accessories
A person who counsels or procures another person to commit
an offence, or who aids another person in committing an
offence, or who does or omits to do any act for the purpose of
enabling or aiding another person to commit the offence, or
who becomes an accessory after the fact to an offence, may be
charged in the same indictment with the principal offender,
and may be tried with the principal offender or separately, or
may be indicted and tried separately, whether the principal
offender has or has not been convicted, or is or is not
amenable to justice.

570 Statement of previous conviction

In an indictment for an offence charged to have been
committed after a conviction for any offence, it is sufficient,
after charging the subsequent offence, to state the substance
and effect of the indictment or complaint, and the conviction,
for the previous offence, and the time and place of such
conviction.

571 Formal defects

(1) An indictment is not open to objection by reason of the
designation of any person by a name of office or other
descriptive appellation instead of by the person’s proper
name, nor for omitting to state the time at which the offence
was committed, unless the time is an essential element of the
offence, nor for stating imperfectly the time at which the
offence was committed, nor for stating the offence to have
been committed on an impossible day, or on a day that never
happened or has not yet happened.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 369

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 60 Indictments

[s 572]

(2) An objection to an indictment for a formal defect apparent on

its face must be taken by motion to quash the indictment
before the jury is sworn, and not afterwards.

572 Amendment of indictments

(1) If, on the trial of a person charged with an indictable offence,
there appears to be a variance between the indictment and the
evidence, or it appears that any words that ought to have been
inserted in the indictment have been omitted, or any count that
ought to have been included in the indictment has been
omitted, or that any words that ought to have been omitted
have been inserted, the court may, if it considers that the
variance, omission, or insertion, is not material to the merits
of the case, and that the accused person will not be prejudiced
thereby in the person’s defence on the merits, order the
indictment to be amended, so far as it is necessary, on such
terms (if any) as to postponing the trial, and directing it to be
had before the same jury or another jury, as the court may
think reasonable.
(1A) Without limiting subsection (1), if the court considers the
offence charged in the indictment is also a domestic violence
offence, the court may order that the indictment be amended
to state the offence is also a domestic violence offence.
(2) The indictment is thereupon to be amended in accordance
with the order of the court.
(3) If the court is satisfied no injustice will be done by amending
the indictment, the court may make the order at any time
before, or at any stage of, the trial on the indictment, or after
verdict.
(4) When an indictment has been amended, the trial is to proceed,
at the appointed time, upon the amended indictment, and the
same consequences ensue, in all respects and as to all persons,
as if the indictment had been originally in its amended form.
(5) If it becomes necessary to draw up a formal record in any case
in which an amendment has been made, the record is to be
Page 370 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 61 Effect of indictment

[s 573]

drawn up setting out the indictment as amended, and without

taking any notice of the fact of the amendment having been
made.

573 Particulars
The court may, in any case, if it thinks fit, direct particulars to
be delivered to the accused person of any matter alleged in the
indictment, and may adjourn the trial for the purpose of such
delivery.

574 Summary convictions

The provisions of this chapter relating to indictments apply to
complaints preferred against offenders upon their trial before
justices in order to their summary conviction of an indictable
offence.

Chapter 61 Effect of indictment

575 Offences involving circumstances of aggravation

Except as hereinafter stated, upon an indictment charging a
person with an offence committed with circumstances of
aggravation, the person may be convicted of any offence
which is established by the evidence, and which is constituted
by any act or omission which is an element of the offence
charged, with or without any of the circumstances of
aggravation charged in the indictment.

576 Indictment containing count of murder or manslaughter

(1) Upon an indictment against a person containing a count of the
crime of murder, the person may be convicted on that count of
the crime of manslaughter if that crime is established by the
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 371
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 61 Effect of indictment

[s 577]

evidence but not on that count of any other offence than that
with which the person is charged except as otherwise
expressly provided.
(2) Upon an indictment against a person containing a count of the
crime of manslaughter the person can not on that count be
convicted of any other offence except as otherwise expressly
provided.

577 Charge of homicide of child

However, upon an indictment charging a person with the
murder of any person, or with unlawfully killing any person, if
upon the evidence it appears that the person alleged to have
been killed was a child of which a female had recently been
delivered, the accused person may be convicted of an offence
defined in section 313 or 314, if any offence under either of
those sections is established by the evidence.

578 Charge of offence of a sexual nature

(1) Upon an indictment charging a person with the crime of rape,
the person may be convicted of any offence, if established by
the evidence, defined in section 210(1), 215, 216, 217(1), 218,
222 or 352.
(2) Upon an indictment charging a person with having unlawful
carnal knowledge with or of a child under the age of 16 years,
the person may be convicted of any offence, if established by
the evidence, defined in section 210(1), 217 or 218.
(3) Upon an indictment charging a person with unlawfully and
indecently assaulting another, the person may be convicted of
any offence, if established by the evidence, defined in
section 210(1).
(4) Upon an indictment charging a person with incest or an
attempt to commit incest, the person may be convicted of any
offence, if established by the evidence, defined in section
210(1), 215, 216, 217, 218, 349, 350 or 352.
Page 372 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 61 Effect of indictment

[s 579]

(5) A person convicted of any offence pursuant to this section

may be convicted of that offence with any circumstance of
aggravation established by the evidence.

579 Charge of specific injury—charge of injury with specific

intent
(1) Upon an indictment charging a person with an offence of
which the causing of some specific result is an element, the
person may be convicted of any offence which is established
by the evidence, and of which an intent to cause that result, or
a result 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 some specific result is an element, the
person may be convicted of any offence which is established
by the evidence and of which the unlawful causing of that
result is an element.

580 Charge of injury to property

Upon an indictment charging a person with an offence of
which destruction of property, or wilfully and unlawfully
doing any specific damage to property, is an element, the
person may be convicted of wilfully and unlawfully damaging
the property, or of wilfully and unlawfully damaging the
property in any lesser degree, if either of such offences is
established by the evidence.

581 Offences of dishonesty

Upon an indictment charging a person with any of the
offences following, that is to say—
(a) stealing, with or without a circumstance of aggravation;
(b) fraud, with or without a circumstance of aggravation;

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 373

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 61 Effect of indictment

[s 582]

(c) obtaining from any other person any chattel, money or

valuable security by passing a cheque that is not paid on
presentation for payment;
(d) unlawful use or possession of a vehicle, with or without
a circumstance of aggravation;
(e) unlawfully receiving anything under section 433;
(f) counselling or procuring any other person to commit
any of such offences;
the person may be convicted of any other of such offences
committed with respect to the same property, if such other
offence is established by the evidence.

582 Charge of procuring commission of offence or wrongful

act
(1) Upon an indictment charging a person with procuring the
commission of any offence, the person may be convicted of
procuring the commission of any other offence of such a
nature that a person may be convicted of it upon an indictment
charging the person with committing the offence of which the
accused person is alleged to have procured the commission.
(2) Upon an indictment charging a person with procuring another
to do an act or make an omission of such a nature that if the
accused person had done the act or made the omission, the
person would have been guilty of an offence, the person may
be convicted of procuring that other person to do any other act
or make any other omission which is established by the
evidence, and which is of such a nature that if the accused
person had done that act or made that omission the person
would have been guilty of an offence, such last-named offence
being itself of such a nature that a person may be convicted of
it upon an indictment charging the person with committing the
offence of which the accused person would have been guilty if
the person had done the act or made the omission which the
person is alleged to have procured to be done or made.
Page 374 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 61 Effect of indictment

[s 583]

583 Conviction for attempt to commit offence

(1) Upon an indictment charging a person with committing any
offence, the person may be convicted of attempting to commit
that offence, or of attempting to commit any other offence of
which the person might be convicted upon the indictment.
(2) Upon an indictment charging a person with procuring the
commission of any offence, the person may be convicted 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 convicted of it upon an
indictment charging the person 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 any offence, the person may be convicted of
attempting to commit any other offence of such a nature that a
person may be convicted of it upon an indictment charging the
person with committing the offence which the accused person
is alleged to have attempted to commit.
(4) Upon an indictment charging a person with attempting to
procure the commission of any offence, the person may be
convicted of attempting to procure the commission of any
other offence of such a nature that a person may be convicted
of it upon an indictment charging the person 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 or make an omission of such a
nature that if the act had been done or the omission had been
made, an offence would thereby have been committed the
person may be convicted of attempting to procure that other
person to do any other act or make any other omission of such
a nature that if the act had been done or the omission had been
made an offence would thereby have been committed, such
last mentioned offence being itself of such a nature that a
person may be convicted of it upon an indictment charging the
person with doing the act or making the omission which the
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 375
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 61 Effect of indictment

[s 584]

accused person is alleged in the indictment to have attempted

to procure that other person to do or make.

584 When evidence shows offence of similar nature

(1) If, on the trial of a person charged with any indictable offence,
the evidence establishes that the person is guilty of another
indictable offence of such a nature that upon an indictment
charging the person with it the person might have been
convicted of the offence with which the person is actually
charged, the person may be convicted of the offence with
which the person 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 court
before which the trial is had thinks fit to discharge the jury
from giving any verdict, and to direct the accused person to be
indicted for that offence; in which case the person may be
dealt with in all respects as if the person had not been put
upon trial for the offence with which the person is actually
charged.

585 Effect of conviction

A person convicted under any of the provisions of
sections 575 to 584 is liable to the same punishment as if the
person had been convicted on an indictment charging the
person with the offence of which the person is actually
convicted.

586 Corrupt practices

If, on the trial of a person charged with an indictable offence
relating to elections the evidence establishes that the person is
not guilty of the offence charged, but is guilty of an offence
relating to elections and punishable on summary conviction,
the person may be convicted of such last mentioned offence,
and is liable to the same punishment as if the person had been
summarily convicted of that offence.
Page 376 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 61 Effect of indictment

[s 587]

587 Illegal practices

If, on the trial of a person charged with an offence relating to
elections and punishable on summary conviction, the evidence
establishes that the person is guilty of an indictable offence
relating to elections, the person is not entitled to have the
charge dismissed if the evidence also establishes that the
person did any act or acts such as to constitute the offence
with which the person is actually charged.

588 Charge of stealing stock

If, on the trial of a person charged with stealing an animal that
is stock, the evidence establishes that the person is not guilty
of the offence charged, but is guilty of any of the offences
following, that is to say—
(a) unlawfully using the animal without the consent of the
owner, or of the person in lawful possession thereof;
(b) branding or marking the animal, or knowingly
permitting it to be branded or marked, with the person’s
registered brand or registered mark, knowing that the
person is not the owner of the animal;
(c) altering or defacing, or otherwise rendering
undistinguishable, any registered brand or registered
mark upon the animal;
(d) knowingly permitting any act as mentioned in paragraph
(c) to be done by any person over whom the person has
control;
the person may be convicted of the offence so established by
the evidence, and is liable to the same punishment as if the
person had been convicted of that offence.

588A Charges of stealing certain animals and of killing certain

animals with intent to steal
(1) If on the trial of a person charged with stealing an animal that
is stock the evidence establishes that the person is not guilty
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 377
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 61 Effect of indictment

[s 589]

of the offence charged but is guilty of the offence of killing an

animal with intent to steal the skin or carcass or any part of the
skin or carcass, the person may be convicted of the latter
offence and is liable to the punishment prescribed in respect
of that offence.
(2) If on the trial of a person charged with killing an animal with
intent to steal the skin or carcass or any part of the skin or
carcass the evidence establishes that the person is not guilty of
the offence charged but is guilty of the offence of stealing an
animal, the person may be convicted of the latter offence and
is liable to the punishment prescribed in respect of that
offence.
(3) A reference in this section to the offence of killing an animal
with intent to steal the skin or carcass or any part of the skin or
carcass is a reference to the offence of killing an animal with
intent to steal the skin or, as the case may be, the carcass or, as
the case may be, part of the skin or, as the case may be, part of
the carcass.

589 Indictment for joint receiving

Upon an indictment charging 2 or more persons jointly with
an offence of which the receiving of any property is an
element, if the evidence establishes that 1 or more of them
separately received any part or parts of the property under
such circumstances as to constitute an offence, such 1 or more
of the accused persons may be convicted of the offence or
offences so established by the evidence.

589A Indictment for using or disclosing knowledge of

match-fixing conduct or match-fixing arrangement for
betting
If, on the trial of a person charged with an indictable offence
under section 443D, the evidence establishes that the person is
not guilty of the offence charged but is guilty of any offence
under section 443F, the person may be convicted of the
offence under section 443F.
Page 378 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590]

Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas—
practice

Chapter division 1 Bringing accused person to

trial

590 Bringing accused to trial

(1) Subject to section 561, when a person charged with an
indictable offence has been committed for trial and it is
intended to put the person upon his or her trial for the offence,
the director of public prosecutions or a Crown prosecutor
must present the indictment no later than 6 months after the
date on which the person was committed for trial.
(2) If—
(a) an indictment is not so presented; or
(b) it becomes apparent that evidence necessary to establish
the offence is not going to be available; or
(c) the accused has absconded and is not likely to be found
before the expiry of the period; or
(d) for any other reason it is impracticable to present the
indictment;
the director of public prosecutions or a Crown prosecutor may
apply to the court at any time before or after the expiry of the
period for an extension of time within which to present an
indictment.
(3) The court hearing the application may, if satisfied that good
cause is shown and no miscarriage of justice is likely to result,
grant the extension of time the court considers just.
(4) If an indictment is not presented before the expiry of the
period or any extension of the period, the person is entitled to
be discharged from the consequences of his or her committal.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 379

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AA]

Chapter division 2 Directions and rulings

before trial

590AA Pre-trial directions and rulings

(1) If the Crown has presented an indictment before a court
against a person, a party may apply for a direction or ruling, or
a judge of the court may on his or her initiative direct the
parties to attend before the court for directions or rulings, as to
the conduct of the trial or any pre-trial hearing.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1) a direction or ruling may be
given in relation to—
(a) the quashing or staying of the indictment; or
(b) the joinder of accused or joinder of charges; or
(ba) disclosure under chapter division 3 or 4; or
(c) the provision of a statement, report, proof of evidence or
other information; or
(d) noting of admissions and issues the parties agree are
relevant to the trial or sentence; or
(da) an application for trial by a judge sitting without a jury;
or
(e) deciding questions of law including the admissibility of
evidence and any step that must be taken if any evidence
is not to be admitted; or
(f) ascertaining whether a defence of insanity or diminished
responsibility or any other question of a psychiatric
nature is to be raised; or
(g) the psychiatric or other medical examination of the
accused; or
(h) the exchange of medical, psychiatric and other expert
reports; or
(i) the reference of the accused to the Mental Health Court;
or
Page 380 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AAA]

(j) the date of trial and directing that a date for trial is not to
be fixed until it is known whether the accused proposes
to rely on a defence of insanity or diminished
responsibility or any other question of a psychiatric
nature; or
(k) the return of subpoenas; or
(ka) matters relating to protected counselling
communications under the Evidence Act 1977, part 2,
division 2A; or
(l) the Evidence Act 1977, part 2, division 4A or 6; or
(m) encouraging the parties to narrow the issues and any
other administrative arrangement to assist the speedy
disposition of the trial.
(3) A direction or ruling is binding unless the judge presiding at
the trial or pre-trial hearing, for special reason, gives leave to
reopen the direction or ruling.
(4) A direction or ruling must not be subject to interlocutory
appeal but may be raised as a ground of appeal against
conviction or sentence.

590AAA Noncompliance with direction about disclosure

(1) If it appears to the court that a person (the directed person)
has not complied with a direction given under
section 590AA(2)(ba), the court may order the directed
person to file an affidavit, or give evidence in court,
explaining and justifying the failure to comply.
(2) If the court requires the directed person to file an affidavit, a
copy of the affidavit must be served on the person for whose
benefit the direction was given (the affected person).
(3) An order under subsection (1) may be made—
(a) on the court’s own initiative; or
(b) on the application of the affected person.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 381

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AAA]

(4) If the court is not satisfied the directed person’s affidavit or

evidence satisfactorily explains and justifies the
noncompliance, the court may—
(a) adjourn the proceeding to allow enough time for—
(i) the directed person to comply with the direction;
and
(ii) the affected person to consider anything disclosed
under the direction and take any necessary further
action; and
(b) if the court is satisfied that the noncompliance was
unjustified, unreasonable or deliberate—make, in
relation to the adjournment, an award in favour of the
affected person of an amount of costs the court
considers just and reasonable; and
(c) if an award of costs is made under paragraph (b)—fix a
time for the amount to be paid.
(5) This section does not limit the court’s power otherwise to deal
with a failure to comply with a direction, including, for
example, any power in the court to punish for contempt.
(6) The directed person is not excused from failing to file an
affidavit or give evidence under this section on the ground that
an affidavit or evidence explaining and justifying a failure to
comply with the direction given under section 590AA(2)(ba)
might tend to incriminate the directed person because the
directed person would be required to admit to the failure to
comply.
(7) However, the affidavit or evidence is not admissible against
the directed person in a criminal proceeding or a proceeding
for contempt.
(8) Subsection (7) does not stop the affidavit or evidence from
being admissible against the person—
(a) in a perjury proceeding in relation to the affidavit or
evidence; or
Page 382 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AB]

(b) for the purposes of making an order under

subsection (4).
(9) In this section—
direction includes ruling.
perjury proceeding, in relation to an affidavit or evidence,
means a proceeding in which the falsity or misleading nature
of the affidavit or evidence is relevant.

Chapter division 3 Disclosure by the

prosecution

Chapter subdivision A Preliminary provisions

590AB Disclosure obligation

(1) This chapter division acknowledges that it is a fundamental
obligation of the prosecution to ensure criminal proceedings
are conducted fairly with the single aim of determining and
establishing truth.
(2) Without limiting the scope of the obligation, in relation to
disclosure in a relevant proceeding, the obligation includes an
ongoing obligation for the prosecution to give an accused
person full and early disclosure of—
(a) all evidence the prosecution proposes to rely on in the
proceeding; and
(b) all things in the possession of the prosecution, other than
things the disclosure of which would be unlawful or
contrary to public interest, that would tend to help the
case for the accused person.

590AC Chapter division does not have particular consequences

(1) Nothing in this chapter division—
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 383
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AD]

(a) requires disclosure that is unlawful under this or another

law; or
(b) affects an accused person’s right to anything under
another law.
(2) Failure to comply with this chapter division in a proceeding
does not affect the validity of the proceeding.

Chapter subdivision B Interpretation

590AD Definitions for ch div 3

In this chapter division—
affected child see the Evidence Act 1977, section 21AC.
arresting officer, for a person charged with an offence,
means—
(a) the police officer who arrested the person or, if the
person was not arrested, the police officer who brought
the charge against the person; or
(b) at any time the person mentioned in paragraph (a) is
unavailable, another police officer the police
commissioner, or a delegate of the police commissioner,
designates as the arresting officer for the person.
court means the court for the relevant proceeding.
criminal history of a person includes every finding of guilt, or
acceptance of a plea of guilty, whether or not a conviction was
recorded, other than a spent conviction.
Evidence Act section 93A device statement see section
590AFA.
exculpatory thing, in relation to an accused person, means
reliable evidence of a nature to cause a jury to entertain a
reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the accused person.
original evidence means a thing that may be tendered as an
exhibit in a relevant proceeding.
Page 384 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AD]

possession of the prosecution see section 590AE.

prescribed summary trial means a summary trial of—
(a) a charge for an indictable offence that must be heard and
decided summarily under section 552BA; or
(b) a charge for an indictable offence if, under
section 552A, the prosecution has elected that the
charge be heard and decided summarily; or
(c) a charge for an indictable offence to which section 552B
applies unless the defendant has informed the
Magistrates Court that he or she wants to be tried by
jury; or
(d) a charge for an indictable offence against a provision of
the Drugs Misuse Act 1986, if—
(i) under that Act, proceedings for the charge may be
taken summarily; and
(ii) the prosecution has elected that proceedings for the
charge be taken summarily; or
(e) a charge for an offence prescribed under a regulation for
this definition.
prosecution means the person in charge of the prosecution or
a person appearing for the prosecution.
relevant proceeding means—
(a) a committal proceeding; or
(b) a prescribed summary trial; or
(c) a trial on indictment.
sensitive evidence see section 590AF.
statement of a person means—
(a) a statement signed by the person; or
(b) a statement of the person that is potentially admissible
under the Evidence Act 1977, section 93A; or

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 385

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AE]

(c) any other representation of fact, whether in words or

otherwise, made by the person.
view includes listen to.

590AE Meaning of possession of the prosecution

(1) For a relevant proceeding, a thing is in the possession of the
prosecution only if the thing is in the possession of the
prosecution under subsection (2) or (3).
(2) A thing is in the possession of the prosecution if it is in the
possession of the arresting officer or a person appearing for
the prosecution.
(3) A thing is also in the possession of the prosecution if—
(a) the thing is in the possession of—
(i) for a prosecution conducted by the director of
public prosecutions—the director; or
(ii) for a prosecution conducted by the police
service—the police service; and
(b) the arresting officer or a person appearing for the
prosecution—
(i) is aware of the existence of the thing; and
(ii) is, or would be, able to locate the thing without
unreasonable effort.

590AF Meaning of sensitive evidence

(1) Sensitive evidence means anything containing or displaying
an image of a person (the imaged person)—
(a) that, disregarding the fact the thing was brought into
existence, or is in the possession of the prosecution, for
the purpose of providing evidence of an offence, is
obscene or indecent; or

Page 386 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AFA]

(b) the disclosure of which to another person, without the

imaged person’s consent, would interfere with the
imaged person’s privacy.
Examples—
• a computer hard drive containing obscene or indecent images
• a photo of a naked rape victim taken to preserve evidence of the
victim’s condition at a particular time
(2) Child exploitation material under chapter 22, or material
alleged to be child exploitation material, is sensitive evidence.

590AFA Meaning of Evidence Act section 93A device statement

An Evidence Act section 93A device statement means a
statement—
(a) made to a person investigating an alleged offence; and
(b) contained in—
(i) any disc, tape, sound track or other device
mentioned in paragraph (e) of the definition
document in the Evidence Act 1977, schedule 3
capable of reproducing sounds; or
(ii) any film, negative, tape or other device mentioned
in paragraph (f) of the definition document in the
Evidence Act 1977, schedule 3; and
(c) given in, or in anticipation of, a criminal proceeding
about the alleged offence; and
(d) that is potentially admissible under the Evidence Act
1977, section 93A.

590AG Particular references to an accused person include

references to a lawyer acting for the accused person
(1) A reference in this chapter division to giving or disclosing a
thing to an accused person includes a reference to giving or
disclosing the thing to a lawyer acting for the accused person.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 387

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AH]

(2) A reference in this chapter division to an accused person

viewing a thing includes a reference to a lawyer acting for the
accused person viewing the thing.

Chapter subdivision C Disclosure

590AH Disclosure that must always be made

(1) This section applies—
(a) without limiting the prosecution’s obligation mentioned
in section 590AB(1); and
(b) subject to section 590AC(1)(a) and chapter subdivision
D.
(2) For a relevant proceeding, the prosecution must give the
accused person each of the following—
(a) a copy of the bench charge sheet, complaint or
indictment containing the charge against the person;
(b) a copy of the accused person’s criminal history in the
possession of the prosecution;
(c) a copy of any statement of the accused person in the
possession of the prosecution;
(d) for each proposed witness for the prosecution who is, or
may be, an affected child—a written notice naming the
witness and describing why the proposed witness is, or
may be, an affected child;
(e) for each proposed witness for the prosecution other than
a proposed witness mentioned in paragraph (d)—
(i) a copy of any statement of the witness in the
possession of the prosecution; or
Example—
a statement made by a proposed witness for the
prosecution in an audio recording of an interview

Page 388 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AI]

(ii) if there is no statement of the witness in the

possession of the prosecution—a written notice
naming the witness;
(f) if the prosecution intends to adduce evidence of a
representation under the Evidence Act 1977,
section 93B, a written notice stating that intention and
the matters mentioned in section 590C(2)(b) to (d);
(g) a copy of any report of any test or forensic procedure
relevant to the proceeding in the possession of the
prosecution;
Examples of a forensic procedure—
DNA, fingerprint or another scientific identification procedure
(h) a written notice describing any test or forensic
procedure, including a test or forensic procedure that is
not yet completed, on which the prosecution intends to
rely at the proceeding;
(i) a written notice describing any original evidence on
which the prosecution intends to rely at the proceeding;
(j) a copy of anything else on which the prosecution intends
to rely at the proceeding;
(k) a written notice or copy of anything else in possession of
the prosecution prescribed under a regulation.

590AI When mandatory disclosure must be made

(1) This section applies if—
(a) the prosecution must give an accused person a written
notice or copy of a thing under section 590AH(2); or
(b) the prosecution must give an accused person a written
notice of a thing under section 590AO(2) and, apart
from section 590AO, the prosecution would have to give
the accused person a copy of the thing under
section 590AH(2); or

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 389

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AI]

(c) the prosecution must give an accused person a written

notice of a thing under section 590AOA(2) and, apart
from section 590AOA, the prosecution would have to
give the person a copy of the thing under
section 590AH(2).
(2) The prosecution must give the accused person the written
notice or copy—
(a) for a committal proceeding or prescribed summary
trial—at least 14 days before the date set by the court for
the commencement of the hearing of evidence; or
(b) for a trial on indictment—no more than 28 days after
presentation of the indictment, or if the trial starts less
than 28 days after presentation of the indictment, before
evidence starts to be heard at the trial.
(3) Subsection (2) is not intended to discourage the prosecution
from voluntarily giving the accused person the written notice
or copy at a time before the latest time the subsection may be
complied with.
Note—
An administrative arrangement made under section 706A
(Development of administrative arrangements) might provide for the
prosecution’s agreement to a form of staged disclosure that will ensure
an accused person is provided with at least part of the material that must
be disclosed under section 590AH within a period stated in the
arrangement that is shorter than the period stated in subsection (2).
(4) The court may, at any time, shorten the period mentioned in
subsection (2)(a) or extend the period mentioned in
subsection (2)(b).
(5) If the relevant proceeding is a committal proceeding, the court
may set a date to have effect under subsection (2)(a) as the
date for the commencement of hearing of evidence in the
proceeding even if, having regard to the Justices Act 1886,
section 110A, it will or may be the case that no witness will
appear at the proceeding to give oral evidence.

Page 390 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AJ]

590AJ Disclosure that must be made on request

(1) This section applies—
(a) without limiting the prosecution’s obligation mentioned
in section 590AB(1); and
(b) subject to section 590AC(1)(a) and chapter subdivision
D.
(2) For a relevant proceeding, the prosecution must, on request,
give the accused person—
(a) particulars if a proposed witness for the prosecution is,
or may be, an affected child; and
(b) a copy of the criminal history of a proposed witness for
the prosecution in the possession of the prosecution; and
(c) a copy or notice of any thing in the possession of the
prosecution that may reasonably be considered to be
adverse to the reliability or credibility of a proposed
witness for the prosecution; and
(d) notice of any thing in the possession of the prosecution
that may tend to raise an issue about the competence of
a proposed witness for the prosecution to give evidence
in the proceeding; and
(e) a copy of any statement of any person relevant to the
proceeding and in the possession of the prosecution but
on which the prosecution does not intend to rely at the
proceeding; and
(f) a copy or notice of any other thing in the possession of
the prosecution that is relevant to the proceeding but on
which the prosecution does not intend to rely at the
proceeding.
(3) If the prosecution gives notice of a thing under subsection (2)
that is not original evidence, the prosecution must advise the
accused person that the thing may be viewed on request by the
accused person at a stated place.
(4) In this section—
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 391
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AK]

particulars means particulars of a matter alleged in the bench

charge sheet, complaint or indictment containing the charge
against the accused person.

590AK When requested disclosure must be made

(1) This section applies if—
(a) an accused person requests particulars or a copy or
notice of a thing under section 590AJ(2); and
(b) either—
(i) the prosecution must give the accused person
particulars or a copy or notice of the thing under
section 590AJ(2); or
(ii) the prosecution must give the accused person
written notice of the thing under section 590AO(2)
and, apart from section 590AO, the prosecution
would have to give the accused person a copy of
the thing under section 590AJ(2); or
(iii) the prosecution must give the accused person
written notice of the thing under
section 590AOA(2) and, apart from
section 590AOA, the prosecution would have to
give the person a copy of the thing on request
under section 590AJ(2).
(2) The prosecution must give the accused person the particulars,
copy or notice as soon as practicable after the request is made.

590AL Ongoing obligation to disclose

(1) If the prosecution can not comply with a time requirement
because the thing to be disclosed was not in the possession of
the prosecution in sufficient time, including, for example,
because the thing did not exist at the time, the prosecution
must disclose the thing to the accused person as soon as
practicable after it comes into the possession of the
prosecution.
Page 392 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AM]

(2) The obligation to disclose a thing, other than an exculpatory

thing, to the accused person continues despite a failure to
comply with a time requirement or subsection (1) until the
prosecution ends, whether by the accused person being
discharged, acquitted or convicted, or in another way.
(3) If a thing is an exculpatory thing, the obligation to disclose it
to the accused person continues despite a failure to comply
with a time requirement or subsection (1) until 1 of the
following happens—
(a) the accused person is discharged or acquitted;
(b) the accused person dies.
(4) In this section—
time requirement means a requirement under section 590AI
or 590AK.

590AM How disclosure may be made

(1) If a written notice or copy of a thing must or may be given to
the accused person under this chapter division, it is sufficient
for—
(a) a document advising that the written notice or copy of
the thing is available for collection at a stated place to be
served on the accused person—
(i) if a lawyer acts for the accused person—at the
lawyer’s address for service; or
(ii) otherwise—at the accused person’s place of
business, or residential address, last known to the
prosecution; and
(b) the written notice or copy of the thing to be available for
collection at the stated place.
(2) If notice of a thing must or may be given to the accused
person under this chapter division, it is sufficient for notice to
be given in a way the prosecution considers appropriate.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 393

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AN]

Example—
If the prosecution considers it appropriate, notice may be given by
phone to the lawyer acting for the accused person or in writing made
available under subsection (1).

Chapter subdivision D Limitations on disclosure

590AN Limit on disclosure of things accused person already has

The prosecution is not, for a relevant proceeding, required
under this chapter division to give the accused person
anything the accused person or a lawyer acting for the accused
person already possesses or has already been given by the
prosecution.
Example—
The prosecution is not required to give the accused person a copy of a
complaint or indictment already given to the accused person or a copy
of depositions already given to the accused person under section 705.

590AO Limit on disclosure of sensitive evidence

(1AA) This section does not apply to an Evidence Act section 93A
device statement.
(1) The prosecution is not, for a relevant proceeding, required
under this chapter division to give the accused person a copy
of a thing the prosecution reasonably considers to be sensitive
evidence other than as required under this section.
(2) If—
(a) apart from this section, the prosecution would have to
give the accused person a copy of the thing; and
(b) the prosecution does not give the accused person a copy
of the thing;
then the prosecution must give the accused person a written
notice—
(c) describing the thing; and
Page 394 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AO]

(d) stating that the prosecution—

(i) considers the thing to be sensitive evidence; and
(ii) is not required to give the accused person a copy of
the thing other than as required under this section;
and
(e) if the thing is not original evidence, stating the place
where the accused person may, on request, view the
thing for the purposes of the relevant proceeding; and
(f) if the thing is original evidence, stating that the
prosecution may, on request, allow an appropriate
person to view and examine the thing for the purposes of
the relevant proceeding at a stated place—
(i) under the supervision of the prosecution; and
(ii) subject to any other conditions the prosecution
considers appropriate to ensure—
(A) the thing will only be viewed and examined
for a legitimate purpose connected with the
relevant proceeding; and
(B) there is no unauthorised reproduction or
circulation of the thing; and
(C) the integrity of the thing is protected.
(3) If the thing is original evidence, the court may direct that the
prosecution allow an appropriate person to view and examine
the thing for the purposes of the proceeding subject to the
conditions the court considers appropriate.
(4) The court may make the direction under subsection (3) only if
the court is satisfied the terms of the direction can ensure—
(a) the thing will only be viewed and examined for a
legitimate purpose connected with the relevant
proceeding; and
(b) there is no unauthorised reproduction or circulation of
the thing; and
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 395
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AOA]

(c) the integrity of the thing is protected.

(5) Also, the court may direct that the prosecution give the
accused person a copy of the thing (whether or not the thing is
original evidence).
(6) The court may make the direction under subsection (5) only
if—
(a) the accused person satisfies the court a legitimate
purpose is achieved by the accused person being given a
copy of the thing; and
(b) the court is satisfied the terms of the direction can
ensure there is no unauthorised reproduction or
circulation of the thing.
(7) If, under subsection (5), the court directs the prosecution to
give the accused person a copy of the thing, the court may also
direct that the accused person return the copy of the thing to
the prosecution within the period stated in the direction to the
accused person.
(8) In this section—
appropriate person means—
(a) the accused person; or
(b) a lawyer acting for the accused person; or
(c) another person engaged by the accused person if the
prosecution or court considers it is appropriate for the
other person to view or examine the thing.

590AOA Evidence Act section 93A device statement

(1) The prosecution is not, for a relevant proceeding, required
under this chapter division to give the accused person a copy
of an Evidence Act section 93A device statement (the
statement) other than as required under this section.
(2) If—

Page 396 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AOA]

(a) apart from this section, the prosecution would have to

give the accused person a copy of the statement; and
(b) the prosecution does not give the accused person a copy
of the statement;
then the prosecution must give the accused person a written
notice—
(c) describing the statement; and
(d) stating that the prosecution—
(i) considers the statement to be an Evidence Act
section 93A device statement; and
(ii) is not required to give the accused person a copy of
the statement other than as required under this
section; and
(e) stating the matters mentioned in subsection (3) or (6),
whichever is applicable.
(3) If the accused person has a lawyer acting for him or her, the
notice must state that the prosecution will give a lawyer acting
for the accused person a copy of the statement (the copy) on
the following conditions—
(a) that the lawyer must not give the copy to the accused
person or anyone else other than the following—
(i) a lawyer acting for the accused person or to whom
the copy is referred for particular advice;
(ii) a person, other than a lawyer, to whom the copy is
referred for particular expert advice;
(iii) an associate of the lawyer to the extent necessary
for work to be done for the lawyer in relation to the
relevant proceeding or a proceeding for a relevant
charge in the ordinary practice of the law;
(b) that any lawyer acting for the accused person, other than
the lawyer to whom the prosecution gives the copy, must
not give the copy to the accused person or anyone else
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 397
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AOA]

other than the persons mentioned in paragraph (a)(ii) or

(a)(iii);
(c) that a person who is given the copy under paragraph (a)
or (b), other than a lawyer mentioned in the paragraph,
must not give the copy to the accused person or anyone
else who is not a lawyer acting for the accused person;
(d) that the copy held by the lawyer to whom it was given
by the prosecution, or held by anyone else to whom the
copy has been given under this section—
(i) must not be copied; and
(ii) must be returned to the prosecution within 14 days
after—
(A) the lawyer or other person stops being
someone who may be given the copy under
this section; or
Example—
A lawyer may stop acting for the accused person.
(B) the end of the proceedings for the relevant
charge;
(e) that the copy may only be given to another person in
accordance with the conditions mentioned in paragraphs
(a) to (d) for a legitimate purpose connected with the
relevant proceeding or a proceeding for a relevant
charge.
(4) If the original statement is a visual image device and the copy
to be given by the prosecution under the notice is only a sound
device, the court may direct the prosecution to give a copy that
is a visual image device.
(5) The court may make a direction under subsection (4) only if it
is satisfied the terms of the direction can ensure—
(a) the copy will only be viewed for a legitimate purpose
connected with the relevant proceeding; and

Page 398 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AOA]

(b) there is no unauthorised copying or circulation of the

copy.
(6) If the accused person does not have a lawyer acting for him or
her, the notice must state that—
(a) the prosecution will not give the statement (whether the
original or copy) to the accused person; and
(b) the prosecution will, on request, allow an appropriate
person to view the statement, either the original or a
copy as stated in the notice for the purposes of the
relevant proceeding at a stated place.
(7) If the prosecution refuses to accept a person, nominated by the
accused person under paragraph (c) of the definition
appropriate person, as an appropriate person for
subsection (6)(b), the court may direct the prosecution to
accept the person as an appropriate person for
subsection (6)(b), subject to the conditions the court considers
appropriate.
(8) The court may make the direction under subsection (7) only if
the court is satisfied the terms of the direction can ensure—
(a) the statement will only be viewed for a legitimate
purpose connected with the relevant proceeding; and
(b) there is no unauthorised copying or circulation of the
statement; and
(c) if the original statement is to be viewed—the integrity of
the statement is protected.
(9) A person who does an act mentioned in the Evidence Act
1977, section 93AA(1)(a) to (c) in contravention of a
condition imposed by a notice under subsection (3) or a
direction under subsection (5) or (7)—
(a) does the act without authority; and
(b) commits an offence against that section.
(10) For subsection (3)(d)(i) or (8)(b), it is declared that the
making of a transcript of the contents of the statement is not
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 399
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AOA]

the making of a copy of the statement to which the Evidence

Act 1977, section 93AA(1)(c) applies.
(11) In this section—
appropriate person means—
(a) the accused person; or
(b) a lawyer mentioned in the Evidence Act 1977,
section 21O(4); or
(c) another person engaged by the accused person if the
prosecution or court considers it is appropriate for the
other person to view the thing.
Examples of persons prosecution may consider appropriate—
• interpreter
• expert
associate of a lawyer means an associate of the law practice,
of the lawyer, as defined under the Legal Profession Act 2007,
section 7(1)(a) or (c).
copy, of the statement, in subsections (3) and (6) means a
copy of the original statement in the form of—
(a) a device of similar function to the original device
containing a copy of the statement; or
(b) if the original statement is in the form of a visual image
device—any sound device capable of reproducing a
soundtrack of the visual image device;
and includes any additional copy provided by the prosecution
for convenience.
end of proceedings, in relation to a relevant charge, means the
latest of the following—
(a) if a trial is not conducted that disposes of the charge—
the discharge, striking out, withdrawal, entry of nolle
prosequi, quashing, staying or other event by which the
proceedings end;
(b) if a trial is conducted that disposes of the charge—
Page 400 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AP]

(i) if the trial ends without a finding of guilt—the end

of the trial; or
(ii) if the trial ends with a finding of guilt—the end of
any period allowed for appeal against the finding
of guilt; or
(iii) if an appeal is started against the finding of guilt—
the end of the appeal and the end of any further
proceedings.
Note—
This definition covers circumstances where a copy of a statement is
held beyond committal to the resulting trial and beyond any mistrial or
appeal to later trial.
relevant charge means the charge against the accused in the
relevant proceeding, and includes any replacement or further
charge arising out of the proceeding or the same, or same set
of, circumstances.
sound device means a device mentioned in section
590AFA(b)(i).
visual image device means a device mentioned in section
590AFA(b)(ii).

590AP Limit on disclosure of witness contact details

(1) The prosecution is not, for a relevant proceeding, required
under this chapter division to give the accused person a
witness contact detail other than as required under this
section.
(2) The prosecution must give the accused person a witness
contact detail that is materially relevant as part of the evidence
for the relevant proceeding.
Example 1—
If the alleged offence is breaking and entering a dwelling and a
proposed witness was the occupant of the dwelling when the offence
allegedly happened, the address of the proposed witness when the
offence allegedly happened would be materially relevant as part of the
evidence.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 401

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590APA]

Example 2—
If the alleged offence is unlawful stalking involving contacting the
stalked person by telephone, the telephone number of the stalked
person when the offence allegedly happened would be materially
relevant as part of the evidence.
(3) However, the court may direct that another witness contact
detail be given to the accused person.
(4) The court may make the direction only if—
(a) the accused person satisfies the court a legitimate
purpose is achieved by the witness contact detail being
given to the accused person; and
(b) the court is satisfied that giving the detail is not likely to
present a reasonably ascertainable risk to the welfare or
protection of any person.
(5) A witness contact detail the prosecution is not required to give
the accused person may be deleted from, or rendered illegible
in, a thing that is to be disclosed to, or may be viewed by, the
accused person.
(6) Although it is acknowledged that a person is not obliged to
have contact with the defence, nothing in this section is
intended to discourage the prosecution, at the request of the
defence, from voluntarily passing on to a person a request
from the defence that the person contact the defence.
(7) In this section—
witness contact details include details of the address and
telephone and facsimile number of a proposed witness for the
prosecution or a person a copy of whose statement may be
given to the accused person under section 590AJ(2)(e).

590APA Protected counselling communications

(1) The prosecution is not, for a relevant proceeding, required
under this chapter division to give the accused person a copy
of a document if the prosecution reasonably considers the
document is a protected counselling communication.
Page 402 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590APA]

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if—

(a) for a relevant proceeding to which the Evidence Act
1977, part 2, division 2A, subdivision 3 applies—the
document is produced by leave of the court under that
subdivision; or
(b) the counselled person to whom the protected
counselling communication relates has consented to the
production of the document in the proceeding under the
Evidence Act 1977, section 14I; or
(c) the document may be produced under the Evidence Act
1977, section 14J.
(3) If the prosecution reasonably considers subsection (1) applies
to a document and, apart from this section, the prosecution
would have to give the accused person a copy of the
document, the prosecution must give the accused person a
written notice stating—
(a) that the prosecution is in possession of a document that
it considers is a protected counselling communication
the disclosure of which is prevented by the Evidence Act
1977, part 2, division 2A; and
(b) a description of the nature and particulars of the
document (other than particulars disclosing the content
of the protected counselling communication); and
Example of particulars—
the fact the document contains a counsellor’s notes, the identity
of the counsellor and the date the notes were made
(c) that the counselled person to whom the document
relates has not consented to the production of the
document; and
(d) if the relevant proceeding is a proceeding to which the
Evidence Act 1977, part 2, division 2A, subdivision 3
applies—that the accused person may apply to the court
for leave under that subdivision enabling the document
to be produced.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 403
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AQ]

(4) In this section—

counselled person see the Evidence Act 1977, section 14B.
protected counselling communication see the Evidence Act
1977, section 14A.

590AQ Limit on disclosure contrary to the public interest

(1) The prosecution is not, for a relevant proceeding, required
under this chapter division to disclose to the accused person a
thing, other than as required under this section, if the
prosecution—
(a) considers the disclosure would be contrary to the public
interest; and
(b) gives the accused person a written notice stating that the
prosecution—
(i) considers the disclosure would be contrary to the
public interest; and
(ii) is not required to disclose the thing to the accused
person other than as required under this section.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1)(a), the prosecution is not
required to disclose the thing to the accused person if—
(a) there are reasonable grounds for considering disclosure
of the thing would—
(i) prejudice the security, defence or international
relations of Australia; or
(ii) damage relations between the Commonwealth and
a State or between 2 or more States; or
(iii) facilitate the commission of another offence; or
(iv) prejudice the prevention, investigation or
prosecution of an offence; or
(v) prejudice the usefulness of surveillance or other
detection methods; or

Page 404 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AQ]

(vi) disclose, or enable a person to find out, the

existence or identity of a confidential source of
information relating to the enforcement or
administration of a law of the Commonwealth or a
State; or
(vii) cause unlawful or dishonest interference with
potential witnesses; or
(viii) prejudice the proper functioning of the government
of the Commonwealth or a State; or
(b) disclosure of the thing to the accused person is
prohibited by law.
Example for paragraph (b)—
disclosure of an informer’s identity under the Drugs Misuse Act
1986, section 119
(3) However, unless disclosure to the accused person of the thing
is prohibited by law, the court may direct that the thing be
disclosed to the accused person.
(4) The court may make a direction only if the court is satisfied,
on balance, that disclosing the thing to the accused person is
not contrary to the public interest.
(5) In deciding whether to make a direction, the court may inform
itself in any way it considers appropriate.
(6) Without limiting the matters the court may take into account
in deciding whether to make a direction, the court must take
into account the following matters—
(a) the importance of the thing in the relevant proceeding,
including, for example, whether the thing is an
exculpatory thing;
(b) the nature of the offence;
(c) the likely effect of disclosing the thing and how
publication of the thing may be limited;
(d) whether the substance of the thing has already been
published.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 405
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AR]

(7) In this section—

State includes a Territory.

Chapter subdivision E Viewing

590AR Viewing evidence that is not original evidence

If—
(a) advice is given under section 590AJ(3); or
(b) notice is given under section 590AO(2)(e) or
590AOA(6);
of a place where the accused person or appropriate person
may, on request, view a thing, the prosecution must allow the
accused person or appropriate person, on request, to view the
thing at the place for the purposes of the relevant proceeding.

590AS Viewing particular evidence

(1) This section applies if a thing that is original evidence and that
is not sensitive evidence or an Evidence Act section 93A
device statement is disclosed to an accused person under
section 590AH(2)(i) or 590AJ.
Note—
For viewing of original evidence that is sensitive evidence, see
section 590AO(2)(f), (3) and (4).
(2) The prosecution is not required to allow the accused person to
view or examine the thing for the relevant proceeding other
than as required under this section.
(3) The prosecution may, on request, allow an appropriate person
to view or examine the thing for the purposes of the relevant
proceeding—
(a) under the supervision of the prosecution; and

Page 406 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AT]

(b) subject to any other conditions the prosecution considers

appropriate to protect the integrity of the thing.
(4) Also, the court may direct that the prosecution allow an
appropriate person to view and examine the thing for the
purposes of the proceeding subject to the conditions the court
considers appropriate to protect the integrity of the thing.
(5) The court may make the direction only if the court is satisfied
the terms of the direction can ensure the integrity of the thing
is protected.
(6) In this section—
appropriate person means—
(a) the accused person; or
(b) a lawyer acting for the accused person; or
(c) another person engaged by the accused person if the
prosecution or court considers it is appropriate for the
other person to view or examine the thing.

Chapter subdivision F Miscellaneous provisions

590AT Accused person may waive entitlement

(1) An accused person may waive any or all entitlements the
accused person would otherwise have under this chapter
division.
(2) The waiver must be in writing and be given to the prosecution.

590AU Court may waive requirement

A court may waive any requirement imposed by this chapter
division in relation to a relevant proceeding if it is satisfied
there is a good reason for waiving the requirement and that
waiving the requirement will not result in a miscarriage of
justice.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 407

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590AV]

590AV Disclosure directions under particular provisions

(1) The court may make a disclosure direction on the court’s own
initiative or on an application made by the accused person.
(2) The court may make a disclosure direction on the conditions,
whether about the circumstances of disclosure or otherwise, it
considers appropriate.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the court may make a
disclosure direction on condition that—
(a) partial disclosure only be made; or
(b) disclosure only be made to a lawyer acting for the
accused person; or
(c) particular persons are excluded from the room in which
the court is sitting for all or part of the proceedings; or
(d) reporting of the proceedings be limited in a particular
way.
(4) In this section—
disclosure direction means a direction for a relevant
proceeding under section 590AO, 590AOA, 590AP, 590AQ or
590AS.

590AW When issues about disclosure must be resolved

Any issue about compliance with this chapter division must, if
possible, be resolved before evidence starts to be heard at the
relevant proceeding.

590AX Unauthorised copying of sensitive evidence

(1) A person in possession of sensitive evidence for the purposes
of a relevant proceeding commits an offence if, without
authority, the person copies or permits a person to copy the
sensitive evidence.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units or 2 years
imprisonment.
Page 408 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590A]

(2) A person has possession of sensitive evidence for the purposes

of a relevant proceeding only if—
(a) the sensitive evidence was given to the person under this
chapter division; or
(b) the sensitive evidence came into the person’s possession
directly or incidentally, including by an opportunity
given, because the person is a public official.
(3) A person has authority only if the person copies or permits a
person to copy sensitive evidence for a legitimate purpose
connected with a proceeding.
(4) In this section—
public official includes—
(a) a police officer; and
(b) a person appointed, engaged or employed under the
Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1984.

Chapter division 4 Disclosure by an accused

person

590A Notice of alibi

(1) An accused person shall not upon the person’s trial on
indictment, without the leave of the court, adduce evidence in
support of an alibi unless, before the expiration of the
prescribed period, the person gives notice of particulars of the
alibi.
(2) An accused person shall not upon the person’s trial on
indictment, without the leave of the court, call any other
person to give evidence in support of an alibi unless—
(a) the notice under subsection (1) includes the name and
address of the person or, if the name or address is not
known to the accused person at the time the accused
person gives the notice, any information in the accused
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 409
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590A]

person’s possession that may be of material assistance in

locating the person; or
(b) where the name or address is not included in the notice,
the court is satisfied that the accused person, before
giving the notice, took and thereafter continued to take
all reasonable steps to secure that the name or address
would be ascertained; or
(c) where the name or address is not included in the notice
and the accused person subsequently discovers the name
or address or receives other information that may be of
material assistance in locating the person, the accused
person gives notice forthwith of the name, address or, as
the case may be, other information; or
(d) where the accused person is notified by or on behalf of
the director of public prosecutions that the person has
not been traced by the name or located at the address
given, the accused person gives notice forthwith of any
information then in the accused person’s possession or
subsequently received by the accused person that may
be of material assistance in locating the person.
(3) The court shall not refuse leave under this section if it appears
to the court that the accused person was not, upon the accused
person’s committal for trial, informed by the justices of the
requirements of this section.
(4) Evidence tendered 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 the person’s solicitor shall, until the
contrary is proved, be deemed to be given with the authority
of the accused person.
(6) A notice under this section—
(a) shall be in writing; and
(b) shall be given to the director of public prosecutions; and
Page 410 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590B]

(c) 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 the director of public
prosecutions at the director’s office.
(7) In this section—
evidence in support 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 the
accused person 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.

590B Advance notice of expert evidence

(1) If an accused person intends to adduce expert evidence in
relation to an issue in the person’s trial, the person must—
(a) as soon as practicable—give the other parties to the trial
written notice of the name of the expert, and any finding
or opinion he or she proposes to adduce; and
(b) as soon as practicable before the trial date—give the
other parties to the proceeding a copy of the expert
report on which the finding or opinion is based.
(2) The directions judge under section 590AA or trial judge may
fix times for compliance with subsection (1).

590C Advance notice of representation if person who made it is

unavailable
(1) If an accused person intends to adduce evidence of a
representation under the Evidence Act 1977, section 93B, the
accused person must, as soon as practicable before the
person’s trial date, give each of the other parties to the trial
written notice of the person’s intention.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 411
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590D]

(2) The notice must state—

(a) the accused person intends to adduce evidence of a
representation under the Evidence Act 1977,
section 93B; and
(b) the name of the person with personal knowledge of an
asserted fact who made a representation and the reason
the person is unavailable to give evidence about the
asserted fact; and
(c) the name of the person who saw, heard or otherwise
perceived the representation; and
(d) details of the representation and the circumstances in
which it was made.
(3) The directions judge under section 590AA or trial judge may
fix a time for compliance with subsection (1).

Chapter division 4A Disclosure obligation

directions

590D Purpose and scope of ch div 4A

(1) This chapter division makes particular provision for
disclosure obligation directions.
(2) This chapter division does not affect—
(a) any other power a court has in relation to a failure to
comply with a disclosure obligation, including, for
example, to exclude evidence if it would be unfair to an
accused person to admit the evidence; or
(b) any other action that may be taken against a party in
relation to a failure to comply with a disclosure
obligation.
(3) This chapter division does not limit the making of practice
directions by the Chief Justice or Chief Judge about disclosure
in a proceeding.
Page 412 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590E]

590E Definitions for ch div 4A

In this chapter division—
arresting officer has the same meaning it has in chapter
division 3.
disclosure obligation means—
(a) the obligation of the prosecution, for the purposes of a
relevant proceeding under chapter division 3, to comply
with the requirements of that chapter division for
disclosure, other than the obligation to comply with a
disclosure direction as defined in section 590AV; or
(b) the obligation of an accused person to comply with
requirements of chapter division 4 for disclosure.
disclosure obligation direction means a direction or ruling
under section 590AA(2)(ba), to the extent it relates to
compliance with a disclosure obligation.
party, to a proceeding, means—
(a) an accused person who is charged with an offence the
subject of the proceeding; or
(b) the prosecution in relation to an offence the subject of
the proceeding.
prosecution has the same meaning it has in chapter division 3.

590F Subject matter for disclosure obligation direction

(1) A disclosure obligation direction may provide for any of the
following—
(a) whether a party to a proceeding has a disclosure
obligation in relation to another party to the proceeding;
(b) requiring that a particular thing must be disclosed;
(c) allowing the court to inspect a particular thing to decide
whether the court should further direct that a party has a
disclosure obligation in relation to the thing;

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 413

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590F]

(d) allowing the court to examine the arresting officer to

decide whether the prosecution has a disclosure
obligation in relation to a particular thing;
(e) requiring that the arresting officer file an affidavit to
allow the court to decide whether the prosecution has a
disclosure obligation in relation to a particular thing;
(f) allowing the accused person or a lawyer acting for the
accused person to cross-examine the arresting officer on
an affidavit mentioned in paragraph (e) to allow the
court to decide whether the prosecution has a disclosure
obligation in relation to a particular thing;
(g) how a disclosure obligation is to be complied with in a
particular case;
(h) setting a timetable for compliance with a disclosure
obligation.
(2) Subsection (1) does not limit section 590AA(2)(ba).
(3) The court may make a disclosure obligation direction on the
conditions, whether about the circumstances of disclosure or
otherwise, it considers appropriate.
(4) If a date is set for the commencement of the hearing of
evidence in the proceeding, any examination or
cross-examination allowed for in a disclosure obligation
direction must be conducted before that date.
(5) If a person is examined by the court as provided for in
subsection (1)(d), required to file an affidavit as provided for
in subsection (1)(e) or cross-examined as provided for in
subsection (1)(f), the person is not excused from failing to
answer a question or file an affidavit on the ground that the
answer or affidavit might tend to incriminate the person
because the person would be required to admit to a failure to
comply with a disclosure obligation.
(6) However, the answer or affidavit is not admissible against the
person in a criminal proceeding, other than a perjury
proceeding in relation to the answer or affidavit.
Page 414 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 590G]

(7) In this section—

perjury proceeding, in relation to an answer or affidavit,
means a proceeding in which the falsity or misleading nature
of the answer or affidavit is relevant.

590G Application for disclosure obligation direction

(1) The procedures applying in relation to an application under
section 590AA(1) by a party to a proceeding for a disclosure
obligation direction are stated in the Criminal Practice Rules
1999, chapter 9A.
(2) To the greatest practicable extent, the procedures apply in
addition to, and do not limit, the procedures applying under
the Criminal Practice Rules 1999, chapter 9.
(3) The existence of the procedures mentioned in subsection (1) is
not intended to stop either party to a proceeding from writing
to, or otherwise communicating information to, the other
party to resolve issues arising over a disclosure obligation.

Chapter division 5 Bringing on trial and

ordering adjournment

591 Accelerating trial of persons not under committal

When an indictment is presented in any court against any
person who has not been committed for trial or held to bail
upon the charge set forth in the indictment, and the accused
person is not brought to trial within a year after the indictment
is presented, the court may, upon the application of the
accused person or any of the accused persons, if more than 1,
authorise the accused person to bring on the trial, and the
accused person may bring on the trial accordingly, unless in
the meantime the court is informed that the Crown will not
further proceed upon the indictment.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 415

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 592]

592 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.
(1A) 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 sworn; or
(d) evidence has been given.
(2) 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 the accused person may furnish to the court a
statement in writing in relation to the application; and
(c) that the accused person may be represented by counsel
on the hearing of the application.
(3) For the purposes of 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.

593 Directions as to trial upon adjournment

(1) Where the trial of a person charged or to be charged with an
offence on indictment is adjourned, the court in open court
may direct the trial to be held at a later sittings of the same
court or before some other court of competent jurisdiction.

Page 416 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 593A]

(1A) Upon a direction in the latter case, the indictment and other
proceedings shall be transmitted by the proper officer of the
court giving the direction to the proper officer of the court to
which the accused person is remanded and the latter court has
the same jurisdiction to try the accused person as if the person
had been committed originally to be tried before it.
(2) Where the court directs a trial to be held at a later sittings of
the same court, it shall at the same time pronounce the time
and place for the commencement of the sittings to which the
trial is adjourned.

593A Warrant to bring witness before court

(1) This section applies if an indictment has been presented
against a person before a court.
(2) If the court is satisfied by evidence on oath that—
(a) a witness has evaded service of a subpoena; or
(b) a witness is likely to evade service of a subpoena;
the court may make an order for the issue of a warrant to bring
the witness before the court at a time and place stated in the
warrant.

Chapter division 6 Corporation as accused

person

594A Presence in court and plea where accused person is a

corporation
(1) Where an indictment is presented against a corporation in
respect of an indictable offence, the corporation may be
present in court by its representative and it may, on
arraignment, enter a plea in writing by its representative.
(1A) Any plea so entered by the representative shall for all
purposes be taken to be a plea entered by the corporation.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 417
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 594A]

(2) 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.
(2A) A plea so entered has the same effect as if it had been actually
pleaded, and the trial of the corporation may proceed
accordingly.
(3) 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.
(3A) 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.
(4) 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.
(4A) Nothing contained in subsection (4) limits the provisions of
subsection (1) or (1A) or the provisions of section 616.
(5) In this section—
representative means a person appointed by the corporation to
represent it for the purposes of this section; but a 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.
(6) 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
Page 418 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 595]

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.

Chapter division 7 Applications by accused

person about indictment

595 Delivery of copy of indictment

When an indictment is presented against any person, the court
is required, upon the person’s application, to order a copy of
the indictment to be delivered to the person without fee.

596 Motion to quash indictment

(1) The accused person may before pleading apply to the court to
quash the indictment on the ground that it is calculated to
prejudice or embarrass the person in the person’s defence to
the charge, or that it is formally defective.
(2) Upon such motion the court may quash the indictment, or may
order it to be amended in such manner as the court thinks just,
or may refuse the motion.

597 Misnomer
If the accused person says that the person 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.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 419

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 597A]

Chapter division 8 Separate trials

597A 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 the person’s defence by reason of the person’s
being charged with more than 1 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 1 or more
than 1 offence charged in an indictment the court may order a
separate trial of any count or counts in the indictment.
(1AA) In considering potential prejudice, embarrassment or other
reason for ordering separate trials under this provision in
relation to alleged offences of a sexual nature, the court must
not have regard to the possibility that similar fact evidence,
the probative value of which outweighs its potentially
prejudicial effect, may be the result of collusion or suggestion.
(1A) The court may discharge a jury sworn from giving a verdict on
the count or counts directed to be tried separately.
(2) 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.
(3) The court may adjourn a separate trial, remand the accused
person and make such orders as to bail and otherwise as the
court thinks fit.
(4) For the purposes of this section—
adjourn a separate trial includes postpone a separate trial in a
case where the accused person has not been called upon to
plead to a count in an indictment.

597B Separate trials

When 2 or more persons are charged in the same indictment,
whether with the same offence or with different offences, the
Page 420 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 597C]

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 sworn, discharge the jury from giving a verdict as to
any of the accused persons.

Chapter division 9 Pleas

597C Accused person to be called on to plead to indictment

(1) On the presentation of the indictment or at any later time, the
accused person is to be informed in open court of the offence
with which he or she is charged, as set forth in the indictment,
and is to be called upon to plead to the indictment, and to say
whether he or she is guilty or not guilty of the charge.
(2) If the indictment contains more than one count, a plea to any
number of counts may, with the consent of the accused
person, be taken at one and the same time on the basis that the
plea to one count will be treated as a plea to any number of
similar counts on the same indictment.
(3) The trial is deemed to begin and the accused person is deemed
to be brought to trial when the person is so called upon.
(4) The court may allow anything that must or may be done in
relation to the arraignment of the accused person to be done
over an audiovisual link or audio link, if the court considers
use of the link is in the interests of justice.
(4A) However, the court may not allow the use of an audiovisual
link or audio link under subsection (4) if facilities mentioned
in subsection (5A)(a) are not available at the court or the place
where the accused person is present.
(4B) For subsection (4), in deciding whether use of an audio link is
in the interests of justice, the court must have regard to the
desirability of an accused person’s arraignment being done

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 421

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 598]

over an audiovisual link, rather than an audio link, if an

audiovisual link is available.
(5) For subsection (4), anything done, for the accused person’s
arraignment, over an audiovisual link or audio link between
the person and the court sitting in open court is taken to be
done in open court.
(5A) If an accused person’s arraignment is done over an
audiovisual link or audio link and the person’s representative
in the proceeding is at the place where the court is sitting—
(a) the court and the place where the person is present must
make facilities available for private communication
between the person and the person’s representative; and
(b) a communication between the person and the person’s
representative is as confidential and inadmissible in any
proceeding as it would be if it took place between the
person and the person’s representative while in each
other’s presence.
(5B) Subsection (5A)(b) does not limit any other protection
applying to the communication.
(6) The provisions of the Evidence Act 1977 relating to the use of
an audiovisual link or audio link in criminal proceedings
apply for, and are not limited by, subsection (4).

598 Pleas
(1) If the accused person does not apply to quash the indictment
or move for a separate trial of any count or counts of the
indictment, the person must either plead to it, or demur to it on
the ground that it does not disclose any offence cognisable by
the court.
(2) If the accused person pleads, the person may plead either—
(a) that the person is guilty of the offence charged in the
indictment, or, with the consent of the Crown, of any
other offence of which the person might be convicted
upon the indictment; or
Page 422 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 599]

(b) that the person is not guilty; or

(c) that the person has already been convicted upon an
indictment on which the person might have been
convicted of the offence with which the person is
charged, or has already been convicted of an offence of
which the person might be convicted upon the
indictment; or
(d) that the person has already been acquitted upon an
indictment on which the person might have been
convicted of the offence with which the person is
charged, or has already been acquitted upon indictment
of an offence of which the person might be convicted
upon the indictment; or
(e) that the person has already been tried and convicted or
acquitted of an offence committed or alleged to be
committed under such circumstances that the person can
not under the provisions of this Code be tried for the
offence charged in the indictment; or
(f) that the person has received the Royal pardon for the
offence charged in the indictment; or
(g) that the court has no jurisdiction to try the person for the
offence.
(3) Two or more pleas may be pleaded together, except that the
plea of guilty can not be pleaded with any other plea to the
same charge.
(4) An accused person may plead and demur together.

599 Defence of justification for defamation to be specially

pleaded
A person charged with the offence defined in section 365,
who sets up as a defence the modified statutory defence of
justification within the meaning of that section, must plead
that defence specially, and may plead it with any other plea,
except the plea of guilty.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 423
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 600]

600 Persons committed for sentence

(1) When a person has been committed by a justice for sentence
for an offence, the person is to be called upon to plead to the
indictment in the same manner as other persons, and may
plead either that the person is guilty of the offence charged in
the indictment or, with the consent of the Crown, of any other
offence of which the person might be convicted upon the
indictment.
(2) If the person pleads not guilty, the court, upon being satisfied
that the person duly admitted before the justice that the person
was guilty of the offence charged in the indictment, is to direct
a plea of guilty to be entered, notwithstanding the person’s
plea of not guilty.
(3) A plea so entered has the same effect as if it had been actually
pleaded.
(4) If the court is not so satisfied, or if, notwithstanding that the
accused person pleads guilty, it appears to the court upon
examination of the depositions of the witnesses that the
person has not in fact committed the offence charged in the
indictment or any other offence of which the person might be
convicted upon the indictment, the plea of not guilty is to be
entered, and the trial is to proceed as in other cases when that
plea is pleaded.
(5) A person who has been committed for sentence may plead any
of the other pleas mentioned in section 598.

601 Standing mute

(1) If an accused person, 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 on behalf of the accused person.
(2) A plea so entered has the same effect as if it had been actually
pleaded.

Page 424 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 602]

602 Plea of autrefois convict or autrefois acquit

In a plea that the accused person has already been convicted
or acquitted, it is sufficient to state that the accused person has
been lawfully convicted or acquitted, as the case may be, of
the offence charged in the indictment, or of the other offence
of which the person alleges that the person has been convicted
or acquitted, and, in the latter case, to describe the offence by
any term by which it is commonly known.

603 Trial on plea to the jurisdiction

Upon a plea to the jurisdiction of the court, the court is to
proceed to satisfy itself in such manner and upon such
evidence as it thinks fit, whether it has jurisdiction or not, and
may ascertain the fact by the verdict of a jury or otherwise.

604 Trial by jury

(1) Subject to chapter division 9A and subsection (2), if the
accused person pleads any plea or pleas other than the plea of
guilty, a plea of autrefois acquit or autrefois convict or a plea
to the jurisdiction of the court, the person is by such plea,
without any further form, deemed to have demanded that the
issues raised by such plea or pleas shall be tried by a jury, and
is entitled to have them tried accordingly.
(2) Issues raised by a plea of autrefois acquit or autrefois convict
must be tried by the court.

605 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, the accused person is to be called
upon to plead to the indictment.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 425

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 613]

(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.

613 Want of understanding of accused person

(1) If, when the accused person is called upon to plead to the
indictment, it appears to be uncertain, for any reason, whether
the person is capable of understanding the proceedings at the
trial, so as to be able to make a proper defence, a jury of 12
persons, to be chosen from the panel of jurors, are to be
empanelled forthwith, who are to be sworn to find whether the
person is so capable or no.
(2) If the jury find that the accused person is capable of
understanding the proceedings, the trial is to proceed as in
other cases.
(3) If the jury find that the person is not so capable they are to say
whether the person is so found by them for the reason that the
accused person is of unsound mind or for some other reason
which they shall specify, and the finding is to be recorded, and
the court may order the accused person to be discharged, or
may order the person to be admitted to an authorised mental
health service to be dealt with under the Mental Health Act
2016.
(4) A person so found to be incapable of understanding the
proceedings at the trial may be again indicted and tried for the
offence.

Chapter division 9A Trial by judge alone

614 Application for order

(1) If an accused person is committed for trial on a charge of an
offence or charged on indictment of an offence, the prosecutor
or the accused person may apply to the court for an order (no
Page 426 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 615]

jury order) that the accused person be tried by a judge sitting

without a jury.
(2) The application must be made under section 590AA before
the trial begins.
(3) If the identity of the trial judge is known to the parties when
the application is decided, a no jury order may be made only if
the court is satisfied there are special reasons for making it.
(4) Subsection (3) does not limit section 615 or any other
restriction on making a no jury order imposed by this chapter
division.
(5) The court may inform itself in any way it considers
appropriate in relation to the application.
(6) For subsection (2), the trial begins when the jury panel attends
before the court.

615 Making a no jury order

(1) The court may make a no jury order if it considers it is in the
interests of justice to do so.
(2) However, if the prosecutor applies for the no jury order, the
court may only make the no jury order if the accused person
consents to it.
(3) If the accused person is not represented by a lawyer, the court
must be satisfied that the accused person properly understands
the nature of the application.
(4) Without limiting subsection (1), (2) or (3), the court may
make a no jury order if it considers that any of the following
apply—
(a) the trial, because of its complexity or length or both, is
likely to be unreasonably burdensome to a jury;
(b) there is a real possibility that acts that may constitute an
offence under section 119B would be committed in
relation to a member of a jury;

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 427

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 615A]

(c) there has been significant pre-trial publicity that may

affect jury deliberations.
(5) Without limiting subsection (1), the court may refuse to make
a no jury order if it considers the trial will involve a factual
issue that requires the application of objective community
standards including, for example, an issue of reasonableness,
negligence, indecency, obscenity or dangerousness.

615A More than 1 charge or accused person

(1) If an accused person is charged with 2 or more charges that
are to be tried together, the court must not make a no jury
order in relation to 1 of the charges unless the court also
makes a no jury order in relation to each other charge.
(2) If 2 or more accused persons are to be tried together, the court
must not make a no jury order in relation to 1 of the accused
persons unless the court also makes a no jury order in relation
to each other accused person.
(3) To remove any doubt, it is declared that—
(a) each of the accused persons must consent to the making
of the no jury order; and
(b) the making of an order for a separate trial under
section 597A or the giving of a direction about the
separate trial of an accused person under section 597B
does not prevent the making of a no jury order.

615B Law and procedure to be applied

(1) In a trial by a judge sitting without a jury, the judge must
apply, so far as is practicable, the same principles of law and
procedure as would be applied in a trial before a jury.
(2) In a trial by a judge sitting without a jury, the judge may view
a place or thing.
(3) If an Act or the common law—

Page 428 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 615C]

(a) requires information or a warning or instruction to be

given to the jury in particular circumstances; or
(b) prohibits a warning from being given to a jury in
particular circumstances;
the judge in a trial by a judge sitting without a jury must take
the requirement or prohibition into account if the
circumstances arise in the course of the trial.

615C Judge’s verdict and judgment

(1) In a trial by a judge sitting without a jury—
(a) the judge may make any findings and give any verdict
that a jury could have made or given if the trial had been
before a jury; and
(b) any finding or verdict of the judge has, for all purposes,
the same effect as a finding or verdict of a jury.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), chapter 67 applies with all
necessary changes in relation to a person to be tried, being
tried, or tried by a judge sitting without a jury in the same way
as it applies to persons tried by a judge sitting with a jury.
(3) The judgment of the judge in a trial by a judge sitting without
a jury must include the principles of law that he or she has
applied and the findings of fact on which he or she has relied.
(4) The validity of the proceeding is not affected by a trial judge’s
failure to comply with subsection (3).

615D Particular proceedings excluded from application

This chapter division does not apply to—
(a) a trial on indictment before a Childrens Court judge; or
Note—
See also Youth Justice Act 1992, part 6.
(b) a trial on indictment of any offence against a law of the
Commonwealth.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 429
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 615E]

615E References to trial by jury

(1) In an Act, a reference to the trial of a person by jury, however
expressed, includes, unless the contrary intention appears, a
reference to the trial of the person by a judge sitting without a
jury under this chapter division.
(2) In an Act, a reference to a jury in the trial of a person, however
expressed, includes, unless the contrary intention appears, a
reference to a judge sitting without a jury under this chapter
division.

Chapter division 10 Appearances and fair

conduct

616 Defence by counsel

(1) Every person charged with an offence is entitled to make the
person’s defence at the person’s trial and to have the witnesses
examined and cross-examined by the person’s counsel.
(2) In this section—
counsel includes any person entitled to audience as an
advocate.

617 Presence of accused

(1) Subject to this section the trial must take place in the presence
of the accused person.
(2) If an accused person so conducts himself or herself as to
render the continuance of the proceedings in the person’s
presence impracticable, the court may order the person to be
removed and may direct the trial to proceed in the person’s
absence.
(3) Where 2 or more accused persons are charged in the 1
indictment, if it is made to appear to the court that any of them
is unable to be present by reason of the person’s illness or
Page 430 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 617A]

infirmity, the court may permit the person to be absent during

the whole or any part of the trial if it is satisfied—
(a) that the interests of the accused person will not be
prejudiced by the trial proceeding in the person’s
absence; and
(b) that the interests of justice require that the trial should
proceed in the person’s absence.
(4) The court may in any case permit a person charged with a
misdemeanour to be absent during the whole or any part of the
trial on such conditions as it thinks fit.
(5) If an accused person absents himself or herself during the trial
without leave, the court may direct a warrant to be issued to
arrest the person and bring the person before the court
forthwith.

617A Juries
The law respecting the qualifications of jurors and the
summoning of jurors to attend for the trial of persons charged
with indictable offences, and the challenges allowed to such
persons, is set forth in the laws relating to juries and jurors.

Chapter division 11 Trial of issues

618 Evidence in defence

At the close of the evidence for the prosecution the proper
officer of the court shall ask the accused person whether the
person intends to adduce evidence in the person’s defence.

619 Speeches by counsel

(1) Before any evidence is given at the trial of an accused person
the counsel for the Crown is entitled to address the jury for the

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 431

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 620]

purpose of opening the evidence intended to be adduced for

the prosecution.
(2) If the accused person or any of the accused persons, if more
than 1, is defended by counsel, and if such counsel or any of
such counsel says that the accused person does not intend to
adduce evidence, the counsel for the Crown is entitled to
address the jury a second time for the purpose of summing up
the evidence already given against such accused person or
persons for whom evidence is not intended to be adduced.
(3) At the close of the evidence for the prosecution the accused
person, and each of the accused persons, if more than 1, may
by himself, herself or the person’s counsel address the jury for
the purpose of opening the evidence (if any) intended to be
adduced for the defence, and after the whole of the evidence is
given may again address the jury upon the whole case.
(4) If evidence is adduced for an accused person, the counsel for
the Crown is entitled to reply.
(5) If evidence is adduced for 1 or more of several accused
persons, but not for all of them, the counsel for the Crown is
entitled to reply with respect to the person or persons by
whom evidence is so adduced, but not with respect to the
other or others of them.
(6) However, a Crown Law Officer is entitled to reply in all cases,
whether evidence is adduced by any accused person or not.

620 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.

Page 432 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 624]

624 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 convicted
of an offence may depend upon some specific fact, or that the
proper punishment to be awarded upon conviction may
depend upon some specific fact, the court may require the jury
to find that fact specially.

625 General verdict on charge of defamation

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 624, the jury, on the
trial of a person charged with the offence defined in
section 365, may give a general verdict of guilty or not guilty
upon the whole matter in issue, in like manner as in other
cases.

Chapter division 12 Other provisions

630 Procedure on charge of an offence committed after

previous conviction
(1) The proceedings upon an indictment for committing an
offence after a previous conviction or convictions are required
to be as follows, that is to say—
(a) the accused person is in the first instance to be called
upon to plead to so much only of the indictment as
charges the subsequent offence;
(b) if the accused person pleads any plea which raises an
issue to be tried by a jury, the jury are to be charged in
the first instance to inquire concerning the subsequent
offence only;
(c) if the accused person pleads guilty, or if upon trial the
accused person is convicted of the subsequent offence,
the person is then, and not before, to be asked whether
the person had been previously convicted as alleged in
the indictment;
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 433
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 631]

(d) if the accused person answers that the person had been
so previously convicted, the court may proceed to pass
sentence upon the person accordingly;
(e) if the accused person denies that the person had been so
previously convicted, or will not answer directly to the
question, the jury are then to be charged to inquire
concerning the previous conviction or convictions; and
in that case it is not necessary that the jury should be
sworn afresh, but the oath already taken by them is
deemed to extend to such last mentioned inquiry.
(2) However, if on the trial of a person charged with a subsequent
offence, the person offers evidence of the person’s good
character, the Crown may, in answer thereto, and before any
verdict is given, offer evidence of the person’s conviction of
the previous offence or offences, and in that case the jury are
required to inquire concerning the previous conviction or
convictions at the same time that they inquire concerning the
subsequent offence.

631 Further pleas

(1) 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, the person is to be called
upon to plead afresh, and, if those issues have been tried by a
jury, the court may direct the issues raised by any fresh plea to
be tried by the same jury or by another jury.
(2) If the court directs them to be tried by the same jury, it is not
necessary that the jury should be sworn afresh, but the oath
already taken by them is to be deemed to extend to the trial of
such fresh issues.

631A Plea of guilty during trial

(1) If, at any time before the jury returns its verdict, the accused
person informs the court that—
Page 434 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 62 Trial—adjournment—pleas— practice

[s 631A]

(a) he or she wishes to change his or her plea to one of

guilty of the offence charged in the indictment; or
(b) he or she wishes to plead guilty to any other offence of
which he or she might be convicted upon the indictment;
the court—
(c) in the case referred to in paragraph (a)—may direct that
the accused person be again called upon in open court to
plead to the indictment, and to say whether he or she is
guilty or not guilty of the offence charged; or
(d) in the case referred to in paragraph (b)—may direct,
with the consent of the Crown, that the accused person
be called upon in open court to plead to any other
offence of which he or she might be convicted upon the
indictment, and to say whether he or she is guilty or not
guilty of that offence.
(1A) It is not necessary for the plea to be taken in the jury’s
presence.
(2) If the accused person does not plead guilty to the offence
charged in the indictment or, in the circumstances described in
subsection (1)(d), to another offence, the trial shall proceed.
(3) If the accused person pleads guilty to the offence charged in
the indictment or, in the circumstances described in
subsection (1)(d), to another offence, the jury shall be
discharged from giving their verdict in respect of the offence
charged in the indictment.
(4) A plea of guilty to an offence made by the accused person in
the circumstances described in this section shall have effect as
if made by him or her when called upon at the beginning of a
trial to plead to an indictment charging him or her with that
offence.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 435

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 63 Evidence—presumptions of fact

[s 632]

Chapter 63 Evidence—presumptions of
fact

632 Corroboration
(1) A person may be convicted of an offence on the
uncorroborated testimony of 1 witness, unless this Code
expressly provides to the contrary.
Note—
See sections 52 (Sedition), 125 (Evidence on charge of perjury) and
195 (Evidence).
(2) On the trial of a person for an offence, a judge is not required
by any rule of law or practice to warn the jury that it is unsafe
to convict the accused on the uncorroborated testimony of 1
witness.
(3) Subsection (1) or (2) does not prevent a judge from making a
comment on the evidence given in the trial that it is
appropriate to make in the interests of justice, but the judge
must not warn or suggest in any way to the jury that the law
regards any class of persons as unreliable witnesses.

634 Evidence on trials for perjury and subornation

On the trial of a person charged with an 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
indictment or complaint, 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 indictment or complaint
was tried, or by the officer’s 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.

Page 436 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 63 Evidence—presumptions of fact

[s 635]

635 Evidence of previous conviction

(1) On the trial of a person charged with an offence alleged to
have been committed after a previous conviction, a certificate
setting out the substance and effect only, without the formal
parts, of the indictment, verdict, and judgment, or of the
complaint and conviction, purporting to be signed by the
officer having the custody of the records of the court where
the accused person was first convicted, or by the officer’s
deputy is, upon proof of the identity of the person of the
offender, sufficient evidence of the conviction, without proof
of the signature or official character of the person who appears
to have signed the certificate.
(2) If the previous conviction was a summary conviction, the
conviction is presumed not to have been appealed against until
the contrary is shown.

636 Evidence of blood relationship

(1) In this section—
blood relationship means the blood relationship existing
between a person charged with a prescribed offence and the
person in respect of whom or, as the case may be, with whom
a prescribed offence is alleged to have been committed.
prescribed offence means an offence—
(a) defined in section 222; or
(b) defined in section 210 or 216(2) where it is alleged as a
circumstance of aggravation that the offence was
committed in respect of a child under the age of 16 years
who is the lineal descendant of the person charged.
(2) On the trial of a person charged with a prescribed offence—
(a) blood relationship is sufficiently proved by proof that
the relationship is reputed to exist and it is not necessary
to prove that the person charged or the person in respect
of whom or with whom the prescribed offence is alleged
to have been committed or any person (living or dead)
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 437
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 63 Evidence—presumptions of fact

[s 638]

upon whom the blood relationship depends was born in

lawful wedlock; and
(b) the person charged is, until the contrary is proved,
presumed to have had knowledge at the time the
prescribed offence is alleged to have been committed of
the blood relationship.

638 Evidence of authority

The averment in an indictment that the prosecution is
instituted by the direction of or with the consent of a Crown
Law Officer, or with the consent of the Attorney-General, or
with the consent of the director of public prosecutions, or at
the request of the Government of any State, is sufficient
evidence of the fact, until the contrary is shown.

639 Averments about public officers and public service

officers or employees
On the trial of a person charged with any offence of which the
fact that some person was at some particular time a public
officer or public service officer or employee is an element, the
averment in the indictment or complaint that any person
therein mentioned was a public officer or public service
officer or employee at any time therein stated is sufficient
evidence of the fact, until the contrary is shown.

641 Evidence on certain charges of stealing money

(1) On the trial of a person charged with stealing, while employed
in the public service, money which was the property of Her
Majesty, or which came into the person’s possession by virtue
of the person’s employment, or charged with stealing, while a
clerk or servant, money which was the property of the
person’s employer or which came into the person’s possession
on account of the person’s employer or being a trustee within
the meaning of the Trust Accounts Act 1973 charged with
stealing money of which the person is a trustee on behalf of
Page 438 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 63 Evidence—presumptions of fact

[s 641]

any other person, an entry in any book of account kept by the

accused person, or kept in, under, or subject to, the person’s
charge or supervision, purporting to be an entry of the receipt
of any money, is evidence that the money so purporting to
have been received was so received by the person.
(2) On the trial of a person charged with any such offence, it is
not necessary to prove the stealing by the accused person of
any specific sum of money, if, on examination of the books of
account or entries kept or made by the person, or kept or made
in, under, or subject to, the person’s charge or supervision, or
by any other evidence, there is proof of a general deficiency,
and if the jury are satisfied that the accused person stole the
deficient money or any part of it.
(3) And on the trial of a person charged with any offence as a
trustee referred to in subsection (1), the ownership of or the
right, title, use or benefit in, to or of the money the subject
matter of the charge may be laid in the indictment in the name
of any one or other of the persons (the beneficiaries) of whose
money the person charged is the trustee as aforesaid
specifying any one of the beneficiaries by name with the
addition of the words ‘and others’, and it is immaterial
whether or not the evidence establishes that the said money
was the property of any specific one of the beneficiaries, or
that the right, title, use or benefit in, to or of the said money
was in any specific one of the beneficiaries and the indictment
will be sustained so far as regards that allegation upon proof
that the property in, or the right, title, use or benefit in, to or of
the money was in one or other of the beneficiaries without
ascertaining which of them.
(4) For subsection (1) or (3), the reference to a trustee within the
meaning of the Trust Accounts Act 1973 includes a legal
practitioner associate of a law practice, within the meaning of
the Legal Profession Act 2007, if part 3.3 of the Legal
Profession Act 2007 applies to the law practice.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 439

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 63 Evidence—presumptions of fact

[s 642]

642 Evidence on charges relating to seals and stamps

On the trial of a person charged with any offence relating to
any seal or stamp used for the purposes of the public revenue,
or of the post office, in any part of Her Majesty’s dominions
or in any foreign state, a dispatch from 1 of Her Majesty’s
Principal Secretaries of State, transmitting to the Governor
any stamp, mark, or impression, and stating it to be a genuine
stamp, mark, or impression, of a die, plate, or other
instrument, provided, made, or used, by or under the direction
of the proper authority of the country in question for the
purpose of expressing or denoting any stamp duty or postal
charge, is admissible as evidence of the facts stated in the
dispatch; and the stamp, mark, or impression, so transmitted
may be used by the court and jury and by witnesses for the
purposes of comparison.

643 Intention to injure, deceive or defraud

On the trial of a person charged with any offence of which an
intent to injure or deceive or defraud, or an intent to enable
another person to deceive or defraud, is an element, it is not
necessary to prove an intent to injure or deceive or defraud
any particular person, or an intent to enable any particular
person to deceive or defraud any particular person.

644 Admissions
(1) An accused person may by himself, herself or the person’s
counsel admit on the trial any fact alleged against the person,
and such admission is sufficient proof of the fact without other
evidence.
(2) The Crown may by its counsel admit on the trial of an accused
any fact relevant to the trial where the accused is in agreement
with this being done, and such admission is sufficient proof of
the fact without other evidence.
(3) In this section—
Page 440 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 63A Nonattendance of witness

[s 644A]

trial also includes, and it is hereby declared to have always

included, proceedings before justices dealing summarily with
an indictable offence.

644A Witness giving incriminating answers

(1) A person who is called as a witness in any proceeding for an
offence against section 59, 60, 87, 98C, 101, 118, 120, 121,
122, 127 or 133, must not be excused from answering any
question relating to the offence on the ground that the answer
to the question may incriminate or tend to incriminate himself
or herself.
(2) An answer to a question in a proceeding to which this section
applies is not admissible in evidence against the person giving
the answer other than in the proceeding or in a prosecution for
perjury in respect of the answer.

Chapter 63A Nonattendance of witness

644B Nonattendance of individual

(1) This section applies if an individual fails to comply with a
subpoena or order of a court requiring attendance to give
evidence or produce a document or thing to the court or a
person having authority to take evidence for the court.
(2) The court may make an order for the issue of a warrant for—
(a) the arrest of the individual; and
(b) the production of the individual as required by the
subpoena or order for the purpose of the proceeding;
and
(c) the detention in custody of the individual until released
by the court.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 441

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 63A Nonattendance of witness

[s 644C]

(3) The court may order an individual who did not attend as
required by the subpoena or order to pay the costs and
expenses wasted by, or resulting from, noncompliance with
the subpoena or order.

644C Nonattendance of corporation

(1) This section applies if a corporation or an officer of the
corporation fails to comply with a subpoena or order of a
court requiring attendance to give evidence or produce a
document or thing to the court or a person having authority to
take evidence for the court.
(2) The court may make an order for the issue of a warrant for—
(a) the arrest of the officer of the corporation to whom the
subpoena or order was directed; and
(b) the production of the officer as required by the subpoena
or order for the purpose of the proceeding; and
(c) the detention in custody of the officer until released by
the court.
(3) However, if the subpoena or order was directed to the ‘proper
officer’ of the corporation, the court may make an order for
the issue of a warrant for the arrest of a particular officer only
if it is proved the officer had received the subpoena or order,
or otherwise had actual knowledge of it.
(4) The court may order a corporation that did not attend as
required by the subpoena or order to pay the costs and
expenses wasted by, or resulting from, noncompliance with
the subpoena or order.

644D Noncompliance is contempt of court

(1) Failure to comply with a subpoena without lawful excuse is
contempt of court and a person who fails to comply may be
dealt with for contempt of court.

Page 442 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 64 Verdict—judgment

[s 645]

(2) Nothing in section 644B or 644C affects a court’s power to

punish for contempt.

Chapter 64 Verdict—judgment

645 Accused person insane during trial

(1) If on the trial of any person charged with an indictable offence
it is alleged or appears that the person is not of sound mind,
the jury are to be required to consider the matter, and if the
jury find that the person is not of sound mind, the finding is to
be recorded, and thereupon the court is required to order the
person to be admitted to an authorised mental health service to
be dealt with under the Mental Health Act 2016.
(2) A person so found to be not of sound mind may be again
indicted and tried for the offence.

646 Discharge of persons acquitted

If the jury find that the accused person is not guilty, or give
any other verdict which shows that the person is not liable to
punishment, the person is entitled to be discharged from the
charge of which the person is so acquitted.

647 Acquittal on ground of insanity

(1) However, if, on the trial of a person charged with any
indictable offence, it is alleged or appears that the person was
not of sound mind at the time when the act or omission
alleged to constitute the offence occurred, the jury are to be
required to find specially, if they find that the person is not
guilty, whether the person was of unsound mind at the time
when such act or omission took place, and to say whether the
person is acquitted by them on account of such unsoundness
of mind; and if they find that the person was of unsound mind
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 443
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 64 Verdict—judgment

[s 648]

at the time when such act or omission took place, and say that
the person is acquitted by them on account of such
unsoundness of mind, the court is required to order the person
to be admitted to an authorised mental health service to be
dealt with under the Mental Health Act 2016.
(2) In any such case the Governor, in the name of Her Majesty,
may give such order for the safe custody of such person
during the Governor’s pleasure, in such place of confinement,
and in such manner, as the Governor in Council may think fit.

648 Convicted person to be called on to show cause

When an accused person pleads that the person is guilty of
any offence, and when, upon trial, an accused person is
convicted of any offence, the proper officer is required to ask
the person whether the person has anything to say why
sentence should not be passed upon the person, but an
omission to do so does not invalidate the judgment.

649 Arrest of judgment

(1) A person convicted of an indictable offence, whether on the
person’s 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 Appeal as hereinafter provided.

650 Sentence
If a motion to arrest the judgment is not made or is dismissed,
the court may pass sentence upon the offender forthwith or
Page 444 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 64 Verdict—judgment

[s 651]

make any other order it may make by law instead of passing

sentence.

651 Court may decide summary offences if a person is

charged on indictment
(1) If an indictment has been presented against a person before a
court, the court may also, subject to section 652(2) to (4) and
subsection (2), hear and decide summarily any charge of a
summary offence that has been laid against the person.
(2) The court must not hear and decide the summary offence
unless—
(a) the court considers it appropriate to do so; and
(b) the accused person is represented by a legal practitioner;
and
(c) the Crown and the accused consent to the court so
doing; and
(d) the accused person states his or her intention of entering
a plea of guilty to the charge; and
(e) the complaint or bench charge sheet for the offence, or a
copy, is before the court, whether or not returnable
before another court.
(3) Subject to this section, the practices of the court and the
express provisions of this Code relating to taking a plea on an
indictment apply to the taking of a plea to the charge in a
complaint or bench charge sheet.
(4) On convicting the person of the summary offence, the court
may make any orders in relation to the conviction a
Magistrates Court may make.
(5) The power to make rules for the court extends to the making
of rules in relation to the practice and procedure to be applied
in the hearing and decision summarily of summary offences
by the court.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 445

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 64 Verdict—judgment

[s 652]

(6) If the court hears and decides a charge summarily, the court
has jurisdiction despite the time that has elapsed from the time
when the matter of complaint of the charge arose.
(7) In this section—
summary offence means—
(a) a simple or regulatory offence; or
(b) an offence for which—
(i) proceedings for a charge of the offence may be
taken summarily under the Drugs Misuse Act
1986; and
(ii) the prosecution has made an election under
section 118 of that Act; or
(c) an indictable offence against this Code if, under
section 552A, the prosecution has elected to have a
charge for the offence heard and decided summarily; or
(d) an indictable offence against this Code if, under
section 552BA, the charge for the offence must be heard
and decided summarily.

652 Proceedings to transmit charge for summary offence

(1) A charge for a summary offence may be transmitted to the
registry of a court for the purpose of the charge being dealt
with under section 651 at any time despite any limitation in
any Act as to the time for commencing proceedings for a
summary offence.
(2) If a person charged with committing a summary offence
wishes to have the offence heard and decided under
section 651, he or she must make written application to the
clerk of the relevant court of summary jurisdiction to take any
necessary steps to transmit the relevant complaint or bench
charge sheet to the registrar of the court that is to deal with the
charge under section 651 (the receiving court).

Page 446 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 64 Verdict—judgment

[s 653]

(3) An application under subsection (2) must be a written

statement signed by the applicant containing at least—
(a) a declaration by that person under the Oaths Act 1867;
and
(b) the following information—
(i) the charge to be transmitted;
(ii) the defendant’s intention to plead guilty to the
offence charged;
(iii) that the defendant wishes to have the charge
transferred for no other reason than to plead guilty
to the charge before the receiving court.
(4) On being satisfied that the application fulfils the requirements
of this section the clerk of the relevant court of summary
jurisdiction must transmit, by any secure and expeditious
means, the relevant complaint or bench charge sheet, or a
copy, to the registrar of the receiving court.
(5) On the final decision of the transmitted charge by the
receiving court, the registrar of the court must, within 1
calendar month, notify the result of the decision to the clerk of
the relevant court of summary jurisdiction from which the
charge was transmitted and no further appearance is required
in that court by any party to the proceeding.

653 Remission of proceedings to court exercising summary

jurisdiction
(1) This section applies if a charge against a person for a
summary offence has been transmitted to the registry of a
court for the purpose of the charge being dealt with under
section 651.
(2) If—
(a) the person states an intention of entering a plea of not
guilty before the court to the charge or enters a plea of
not guilty before the court to the charge; or
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 447
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 65 Costs

[s 659]

(b) any of the conditions mentioned in section 651(2) are

not satisfied; or
(c) the person has been dealt with on the indictment
mentioned in section 651(1) before the charge for the
summary offence is brought before the court; or
(d) for any other reason the court decides not to deal with
the charge;
the court must direct that the charge must be heard by a court
exercising summary jurisdiction and order the court registrar
to send the relevant court record to the registrar of the court
exercising summary jurisdiction.

659 Effect of summary conviction for indictable offences

When a person has been summarily convicted of an indictable
offence, the conviction is to be deemed a conviction of a
simple offence only, and not of an indictable offence.

Chapter 65 Costs

660 Costs of prosecution in certain cases

(1) When a person is convicted on indictment of any indictable
offence relating to the person of any person, the court, on the
application of the person aggrieved by the offence, may, in
addition to any sentence which is passed upon the offender,
adjudge the offender to pay to the person aggrieved the
person’s costs of prosecution, together with a sum by way of
compensation for any loss of time suffered by the person by
reason of the offence of which the offender is convicted.
(2) An order for the payment of such costs, or of any sum so
awarded by way of compensation, may be enforced in the
same manner as a judgment of the court given in an action.
Page 448 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 662]

(3) If any money was found on the person of the offender on the
offender’s arrest, the court may order it to be applied towards
the payment of any money so ordered to be paid by the
offender.
(4) When an order is made under the provisions of this section for
the payment of money by way of compensation to an
aggrieved person, the offender is not liable to any civil
proceedings for the same cause at the suit of that person.

662 Taxation
(1) Costs of a prosecution or defence must be taxed by the proper
officer of the court in which the indictment is presented.
(2) In this section—
costs of defence includes costs incurred by the accused person
both before and after the person’s committal.
costs of prosecution includes costs incurred by the person
aggrieved in order to the committal of the offender, and costs
incurred by the person with the consent of the Crown for the
purposes of the trial.

Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

668 Definitions
(1) In this chapter—
appellant includes a person who has been convicted and
desires to appeal under this chapter.
Court means the Court of Appeal.
court of trial means any court from whose finding, sentence,
or other determination a person is by this Act entitled to
appeal or to apply for leave to appeal.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 449
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 668A]

registrar means the registrar of the Court.

sentence includes any order made by the court of trial on
conviction of a person with reference to the person’s person or
property whether or not the person is adversely affected
thereby and whether or not the order is made instead of
passing sentence.
(2) The power of the Court to pass any sentence includes a power
to make any such order.
(3) For the purposes of this chapter a person acquitted on the
ground of insanity, where such insanity was not set up as a
defence by the person, shall be deemed to be a person
convicted, and any order to keep the person in custody shall
be deemed to be a sentence.

668A Reference by Attorney-General of pre-trial direction or

ruling
(1) The Attorney-General may refer to the Court for its
consideration and opinion a point of law that has arisen in
relation to a direction or ruling under section 590AA given by
another court as to the conduct of a trial or pre-trial hearing.
(2) If a reference is made—
(a) the Attorney-General must give notice of the reference
to the other court and the accused person; and
(b) the other court—
(i) must adjourn the trial until the Court has given its
opinion on the point; and
(ii) may make the other orders it considers appropriate,
including an order about remanding the accused
person; and
(c) the Court must hear argument on the reference—
(i) by the Attorney-General; and
(ii) by the accused person if the accused person
wishes; and
Page 450 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 668B]

(d) after hearing argument on the reference, the Court—

(i) must consider the point referred and give the
Attorney-General its opinion on the point; and
(ii) may make the orders it considers appropriate,
including the directions or rulings it considers
appropriate to give effect to its opinion.
(3) In this section—
adjourn, for a trial where the accused person has not been
called on to plead to the indictment, includes postpone the
trial.

668B Reservation of points of law

(1) When any person is indicted for any indictable 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 which arises on the trial for the
consideration of the Court.
(2) If the accused person is convicted, and a question of law has
been so reserved before judgment, the court of trial may either
pronounce judgment on the conviction and respite execution
of the judgment, or postpone the judgment until the question
has been considered and decided, and may either commit the
person convicted to prison or grant bail to the person
conditioned to appear at such time and place as the court of
trial may direct, and to render himself or herself in execution,
or to receive judgment, as the case may be.
(3) The judge of the court of trial is thereupon required to state, in
a case signed by the judge, 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) Any question so reserved is to be heard and determined as an
appeal by the Court.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 451

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 668C]

(5) The Court may send the case back to be amended or restated if
it thinks it necessary so to do.

668C Appeal from arrest of judgment

(1) When the court of trial before which a person is convicted on
indictment arrests judgment, the 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 the offender is to be
ordered to appear at such time and place as the Court may
direct to receive judgment, and any justice may issue a
warrant for the arrest of the offender.
(4) An offender so arrested may be granted 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.

668D Right of appeal

(1) A person convicted on indictment, or a person convicted of a
summary offence by a court under section 651, may appeal to
the Court—
(a) against the person’s conviction on any ground which
involves a question of law alone; and
(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 person’s conviction on any ground of appeal
which involves a question of fact alone, or question of
mixed law and fact, or any other ground which 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 person’s conviction.
Page 452 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 668E]

(2) A person summarily convicted under section 651 may appeal

to the court, with the leave of the court, against the sentence
passed on conviction, including any order made under that
section.

668E Determination of appeal in ordinary cases

(1) The Court on any such appeal against conviction shall allow
the appeal if it is of opinion that the verdict of the jury should
be set aside on the ground that it is unreasonable, or can not 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 of any question of law, or that on any ground
whatsoever there was a miscarriage of justice, and in any
other case shall dismiss the appeal.
(1A) However, 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.
(2) Subject to the special provisions of this chapter, the Court
shall, if it allows an appeal against conviction, quash the
conviction and direct a judgment and verdict of acquittal to be
entered.
(3) On an appeal against a sentence, the Court, if it is of opinion
that some other sentence, whether more or less severe, is
warranted in law and should have been passed, shall quash the
sentence and pass such other sentence in substitution therefor,
and in any other case shall dismiss the appeal.

668F Powers of Court in special cases

(1) If it appears to the Court that an appellant, though not
properly convicted on some count or part of the indictment,
has been properly convicted on some other count or part of the
indictment, the Court may either affirm the sentence passed at
the trial or pass such sentence, whether more or less severe, in
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 453
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 669]

substitution therefor, as it thinks proper, and as may be

warranted in law by the conviction on the count or part of the
indictment on which it considers the appellant has been
properly convicted.
(2) Where an appellant has been convicted of an offence, and the
jury could on the indictment have found the appellant guilty
of some other offence, and on the finding of the jury it appears
to the Court that the jury must have been satisfied of facts
which proved the appellant guilty of that other offence, the
Court may, instead of allowing or dismissing the appeal,
substitute for the verdict found by the jury a verdict of guilty
of that other offence, and pass such sentence in substitution
for the sentence passed at the trial as may be warranted in law
for that other offence, not being a sentence of greater severity.
(3) Where, on the conviction 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.
(4) If on any appeal it appears to the Court that, although the
appellant committed the act or made the omission charged
against the appellant, the appellant was not of sound mind at
the time when the act or omission alleged to constitute the
offence occurred, so as not to be responsible therefor
according to law, the Court may quash the sentence passed at
the trial, and order the appellant to be admitted to an
authorised mental health service to be dealt with under the
Mental Health Act 2016 in the same manner as if a jury had
found that fact specially under section 647.

669 Power to grant new trial

(1) On an appeal against a conviction on indictment, the Court
may, either of its own motion or on the application of the
Page 454 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 669A]

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 which the Court
is empowered to make.
(2) If the Court makes an order for a new trial and the appellant is
not granted bail, the order is taken to be a warrant for the
appellant’s detention under the Corrective Services Act 2006,
section 9(1)(a).

669A Appeal by Attorney-General

(1) The Attorney-General may appeal to the Court against any
sentence pronounced by—
(a) the court of trial; or
(b) a court of summary jurisdiction in a case where an
indictable offence is dealt with summarily by that court;
and the Court may in its unfettered discretion vary the
sentence and impose such sentence as to the Court seems
proper.
(1A) The Attorney-General may appeal to the Court against an
order staying proceedings or further proceedings on an
indictment.
(2) The Attorney-General may refer any point of law that has
arisen at the trial upon indictment of a person in relation to
any charge contained therein to the Court for its consideration
and opinion thereon if the person charged has been—
(a) acquitted of the charge; or
(b) discharged in respect of that charge after counsel for the
Crown, as a result of a determination of the court of trial
on that point of law, has duly informed the court that the
Crown will not further proceed upon the indictment in
relation to that charge; or
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 455
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 669A]

(c) convicted, following a determination of the court of trial

on that point of law—
(i) of a charge other than the charge that was under
consideration when the point of law arose; or
(ii) of the same charge with or without a circumstance
of aggravation.
(2A) The Attorney-General may refer to the Court for its
consideration and opinion a point of law that has arisen at the
summary trial of a charge of an indictable offence, if the
person charged has been—
(a) acquitted of the charge at the summary trial; or
(b) discharged on the charge after the prosecution, because
of a decision on the point of law by the court of trial,
indicates to the court that it will not further proceed on
the charge in the proceeding before the court; or
(c) convicted, following a determination of the court of trial
on that point of law—
(i) of a charge other than the charge that was under
consideration when the point of law arose; or
(ii) of the same charge with or without a circumstance
of aggravation.
(3) Notice of the reference shall be given to the person acquitted
or, as the case may be, discharged.
(4) Upon the reference the Court shall hear argument—
(a) by the Attorney-General or by counsel on the
Attorney-General’s behalf; and
(b) if the person so desires, by the person acquitted or
discharged or by counsel on his or her behalf;
and thereupon shall consider the point referred and furnish to
the Attorney-General its opinion thereon.
(5) Where the reference relates to a trial in which the person
charged has been acquitted or convicted, the reference shall
Page 456 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 670]

not affect the trial of nor the acquittal or conviction of the

person.
(6) If a person convicted summarily of an indictable offence
appeals to a District Court judge under the Justices Act 1886,
section 222 or the Youth Justice Act 1992, part 6, division 9,
subdivision 3, and, in relation to the same conviction, the
Attorney-General appeals under this section—
(a) the convicted person’s appeal is, by force of this section,
removed to the Court of Appeal; and
(b) both appeals must be heard together by the Court of
Appeal.
(7) In this section—
discharged includes the dismissal or striking out of a charge
at a summary trial.

670 Revesting and restitution of property on conviction

(1) Subject to section 134 of the Penalties and Sentences Act
1992, 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 section 26(1) of the Sale of Goods Act 1896 as
to the revesting of the property in stolen goods on conviction,
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
(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
or, where the appeal is by the Attorney-General against
sentence within the time provided, until the
determination of that appeal;

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 457

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 671]

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, as the
case may be, shall not take effect as to the property in question
if the conviction is quashed on appeal, except by the special
order of the Court.
(2) The Court may annul or vary any such order, although the
conviction is not quashed.
(3) Where any matter arises before the Court in relation to the
operation or suspension of the operation of any such order as
aforesaid or the operation or suspension of the operation of
such provisions as aforesaid, the person in whose favour the
order is made or the person benefiting from the operation of
the said provisions, as the case may be, may by himself,
herself or the person’s counsel or solicitor appear before the
Court and there make submissions in connection with such
matter.

671 Time for appealing

(1) Any person convicted desiring to appeal to the Court, or to
obtain the leave of the Court to appeal from any conviction or
sentence, shall give notice of appeal or notice of application
for leave to appeal, in the prescribed manner, within 1
calendar month of the date of such conviction or sentence.
(2) An appeal to the Court by the Attorney-General against
sentence shall be made within 1 calendar month of the date of
such sentence.
(3) The time within which notice of appeal, or notice of an
application for leave to appeal, may be given or within which
the Attorney-General may appeal against sentence may be
extended at any time by the Court.

671A Judge’s notes and report to be furnished on appeal

(1) The judge of the court of trial shall, in the case of any appeal
or application for leave to appeal, furnish to the registrar the
Page 458 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 671B]

judge’s notes of the trial, and also a report giving the judge’s
opinion upon the case or upon any point arising in the case.
(2) However, where shorthand notes have been taken in
accordance with this chapter, a transcript of such notes may be
furnished in lieu of such judge’s notes.

671B 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; and
(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 order any such persons to be examined before
any judge of the Court, or before any officer of the
Court, or justice, or other person appointed by the Court
for the purpose, and admit any depositions so taken as
evidence; and
(c) receive the evidence, if tendered, of any witness
(including the appellant) who is a competent, but not a
compellable, witness; and
(d) where any question arising on the appeal involves
prolonged examination of documents or accounts, or
any scientific or local investigation, which can not, 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;
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 459
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 671D]

and exercise in relation to the proceedings of the Court any

other powers which 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) However, in no case shall any sentence be increased by reason
of or in consideration of any evidence that was not given at the
trial.
(3) Subject to this chapter, the general rules may provide that any
application under subsection (1)(a), (b), (d), or (e) may be
heard and determined by a judge of the Court.

671D Right of appellant to be present

(1) An appellant, notwithstanding that the appellant is in custody,
shall be entitled to be present if the appellant desires it, on the
hearing of the appellant’s appeal, except where the appeal is
on some ground involving a question of law alone.
(1A) On an appeal on such ground, and on an application for leave
to appeal, and on any proceedings preliminary or incidental to
an appeal, the appellant shall not be entitled to be present,
except by leave of the Court.
(2) The power of the Court to pass any sentence may be exercised
notwithstanding that the appellant is not present.

671E Appeals permitted in writing

An appellant shall be entitled to present the appellant’s case
and argument to the Court in writing if the appellant so
desires.

671F Costs of appeal

(1) On the hearing or determination of an appeal, or any
proceedings preliminary or incidental thereto, no costs shall
be allowed on either side.
Page 460 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 671G]

(2) The expenses of any assessor appointed, and of any witnesses

attending on the order of the Court or examined, and of and
incidental to any examination or reference, and of the
appearance of an appellant on the hearing of the appeal or on
any proceedings preliminary or incidental to the appeal, shall
be defrayed out of the Consolidated Fund up to an amount
allowed by the registrar; but, subject to any regulations as to
rates of payment made by the Crown Law Officer, the
decision of the registrar may be reviewed by the Court or a
judge thereof.

671G Grant of bail to appellant and custody when attending

Court
(1) An appellant who is not granted bail shall, pending the
determination of the appeal, be treated in such manner as may
be directed under the laws relating to prisons.
(2) The period the appellant is in custody pending the
determination of the appeal counts as part of any term of
imprisonment under the appellant’s sentence.
(3) If an appellant is released on bail pending the determination of
the appeal—
(a) the period the appellant is released on bail does not
count as part of any term of imprisonment under the
appellant’s sentence, whether passed by the court of trial
or the Court; and
(b) the appellant’s imprisonment under the appellant’s
sentence resumes or begins to run, as the case requires,
on the day the appellant is received into prison under the
appellant’s sentence.
(4) Provision shall be made under the laws relating to prisons for
the manner in which an appellant, when in custody, is to be
brought to any place where the appellant is entitled to be
present, or ordered to be taken, for the purposes of this
chapter, and for the manner in which the appellant is to be
kept in custody whilst absent from prison for the purpose; and
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 461
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 671H]

an appellant whilst in custody in accordance with those laws

shall be deemed to be in legal custody.
(5) Where pursuant to an appeal to the Court by the
Attorney-General against sentence the Court varies the
sentence—
(a) by imposing a term of imprisonment; or
(b) in a case where the court of trial imposed a term of
imprisonment—by increasing the term of imprisonment
imposed;
then, subject to any order the Court may make or any direction
it may give to the contrary in the circumstances—
(c) the term of imprisonment referred to in paragraph (a)
shall commence from the time the person in question is
received into prison pursuant to the decision of the
Court or, where that person is already in prison in
respect of imprisonment arising out of another matter,
from the date of the decision of the Court;
(d) in the service of the increased term of imprisonment
referred to in paragraph (b) by the person in question,
any part of the sentence already served by the person
shall be taken into account.

671H 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 the registrar, 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 which 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 conviction or
sentence does not show any substantial ground of appeal, the
registrar may refer the appeal to the Court for summary
Page 462 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 671J]

determination; and the Court may thereupon, if it considers

that the appeal is frivolous or vexatious, dismiss the appeal
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 appeals or notices of
application to any person who demands the same, and to
officers of courts, the chief executive (corrective services),
and to such other officers or persons as the registrar thinks fit,
and the chief executive (corrective 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 for whom the chief
executive (corrective services) has responsibility to be
forwarded on behalf of the prisoner to the registrar.

671J Documents, exhibits etc.

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 authorised 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.

671K Recording of trial proceedings

(1) The Recording of Evidence Act 1962, section 5 provides for
recording the proceedings at a trial of a person on indictment.
(2) On any notice of appeal or application for leave to appeal, a
record of the proceedings or any part thereof shall, if directed
by the registrar, be furnished to the registrar for the use of the
Court or any judge thereof.
(3) A copy of a record of proceedings or of any part thereof may
be furnished to any party interested in accordance with
provisions of the Criminal Practice Rules 1999 and the
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 463
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 671L]

Criminal Practice Rules 1999, without limiting the generality

of the foregoing, may prescribe, in respect of a trial or in
respect of an appeal or in respect of both a trial and an
appeal—
(a) charges for the copy of the record or part thereof; or
(b) circumstances in which such charges may be varied or
waived and on whose or by what authority they may be
varied or waived; or
(c) who is a ‘party interested’ for the purpose of having
furnished to the person a copy of the record or part
thereof; or
(d) the authorisation of the furnishing of a copy of a record
of proceedings or of any part thereof to any other person
on the ground that such person has a sufficient interest
therein, and by whom any such authorisation may be
made.
(4) In addition to the foregoing, the Attorney-General may cause
a copy of a record of proceedings or of any part thereof to be
furnished to any person in such circumstances and subject to
such conditions as the Attorney-General thinks fit.
(5) The Crown is entitled to receive a copy of any record of
proceedings or of any part thereof without payment of any
charge.
(6) The furnishing in accordance with this section and, in an
appropriate case, the Criminal Practice Rules 1999 of a copy
of any record of proceedings or of any part thereof shall not
render the Crown, a Crown Law Officer, the registrar, a
recorder under the Recording of Evidence Act 1962 or other
person responsible for or associated with that furnishing liable
in any way in law in respect thereof.

671L Powers exercisable by a judge

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
Page 464 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 672]

appeal may be given and to allow the appellant to be present at

any proceedings in cases where the appellant is not entitled to
be present without leave may be exercised by any judge of the
Court in the same manner as they may be exercised by the
Court, and subject to the same provisions; but if the judge
refuses an application on the part of the appellant to exercise
any such power in the appellant’s favour, the appellant shall be
entitled to have the application determined by the Court.

672 Appeals from the decisions of the Court

(1) Where an appeal to the Court is upheld, and the appellant is
entitled to have the conviction against the appellant 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 conviction be
stayed for such time (not exceeding 7 days) as the Court
thinks fit; and the Court or a judge thereof shall thereupon
make such order for the detention of the appellant or the
appellant’s return to any former custody, or for granting bail to
the appellant, as the Court or judge thinks fit, for the time
during which such stay has been directed.
(2) The Court or a judge thereof may, upon application by or on
behalf of the Crown Law Officer, make such order for the
detention of the appellant or for granting bail to the appellant
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 or
herself wronged by any failure to diligently prosecute such
appeal, the Court or a judge thereof may order the immediate
execution of the original order of the Court quashing the
conviction, and may order the appellant’s immediate release,
and the Court may further, if it thinks fit, award the appellant
such compensation as appears just.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 465
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 67 Appeal—pardon

[s 672A]

672A Pardoning power preserved

Nothing in sections 668 to 672 shall affect the pardoning
power of the Governor on behalf of Her Majesty, but the
Crown Law Officer, on the consideration of any petition for
the exercise of the pardoning power having reference to the
conviction of any person or to any sentence passed on a
convicted person, may—
(a) refer the whole case to the Court, and the case shall be
heard and determined by the Court as in the case of an
appeal by a person convicted; or
(b) if the Crown Law Officer desires the assistance of the
Court on any point arising in the case with a view to the
determination of the petition, refer that point to the
Court for its opinion thereon, and the Court shall
consider the point so referred and furnish the Crown
Law Officer with its opinion thereon accordingly.

675 Conditional remission of sentence by Governor

(1) In any case in which the Governor is authorised, on behalf of
Her Majesty, to extend the Royal mercy to an offender under
sentence of imprisonment, the Governor may extend mercy
upon condition of the offender entering into a recognisance
conditioned as in the case of offenders discharged by the
Court upon suspension of the execution of a sentence.
(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 discharged by the Court on recognisance upon such
suspension.

676 Pardon in case of imprisonment for non-payment of

money
The Governor may extend the Royal mercy to any person
imprisoned upon conviction of any of the offences defined in
chapter 44, although the person is imprisoned for
Page 466 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 68 Exceptions to double jeopardy rules

[s 677]

non-payment of money which is payable to some private

person.

677 Effect of pardon

A pardon by the Governor, on behalf of Her Majesty, has the
effect of discharging the convicted person from the
consequences of the conviction.

Chapter 68 Exceptions to double jeopardy

rules

678 Definitions
(1) In this chapter—
25 year offence means an offence punishable by
imprisonment for life or for a period of 25 years or more.
acquittal—
(a) includes—
(i) an acquittal in appeal proceedings in relation to an
offence; and
(ii) an acquittal at the direction of a court; and
(iii) a dismissal under section 700 or the Justices Act
1886, section 149; but
(b) does not include—
(i) an acquittal on account of unsoundness of mind
under section 647; or
(ii) a discontinuance of proceedings under the Mental
Health Act 2016, section 119.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 467

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 68 Exceptions to double jeopardy rules

[s 678A]

administration of justice offence means an offence under

chapter 16.
Court means the Court of Appeal.
fresh and compelling evidence see section 678D.
interests of justice see section 678F.
tainted acquittal see section 678E.
(2) For the purposes of this chapter, the retrial of an acquitted
person for an offence includes a trial if the offence is not the
same as the offence of which the person was acquitted.
(3) In this chapter, a reference to the proceedings in which a
person was acquitted includes, if they were appeal
proceedings, a reference to the earlier proceedings to which
the appeal related.

678A Application of ch 68
(1) This chapter applies if a person has been acquitted of an
offence, whether before, on or after the commencement of this
section.
(2) However, this chapter does not apply if, in relation to a charge
of an offence, although a person was acquitted of the offence
as charged, the person was convicted instead of a lesser
offence.
Examples where this chapter does not apply—
• in relation to a charge of the offence of murder, a person was
acquitted of murder and convicted instead of manslaughter
• in relation to a charge of an offence committed with circumstances
of aggravation, a person was acquitted of the offence committed
with circumstances of aggravation and convicted instead of the
offence without any of the circumstances of aggravation
(3) This section extends to a person acquitted in proceedings
outside this State of an offence under the law of the place
where the proceedings were held.

Page 468 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 68 Exceptions to double jeopardy rules

[s 678B]

(4) However, this section does not extend as mentioned in

subsection (3) if the law of the place where the proceedings
were held does not permit the person to be retried and the
application of this chapter to the retrial is inconsistent with the
Commonwealth Constitution or a law of the Commonwealth.

678B Court may order retrial for murder—fresh and compelling

evidence
(1) The Court may, on the application of the director of public
prosecutions, order an acquitted person to be retried for the
offence of murder if satisfied that—
(a) there is fresh and compelling evidence against the
acquitted person in relation to the offence; and
(b) in all the circumstances it is in the interests of justice for
the order to be made.
(2) The Court may order a person to be retried for the offence of
murder under this section even if the person had been charged
with and acquitted of a lesser offence.
(3) If the Court orders an acquitted person to be retried for the
offence of murder, the Court must quash the person’s acquittal
or remove the acquittal as a bar to the person being retried.
(4) On the retrial, section 17 does not apply in relation to the
charge of the offence of murder.

678C Court may order retrial for 25 year offence—tainted

acquittal
(1) The Court may, on the application of the director of public
prosecutions, order an acquitted person to be retried for a 25
year offence if satisfied that—
(a) the acquittal is a tainted acquittal; and
(b) in all the circumstances it is in the interests of justice for
the order to be made.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 469

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 68 Exceptions to double jeopardy rules

[s 678D]

(2) The Court may order a person to be retried for a 25 year

offence under this section even if the person had been charged
with and acquitted of a lesser offence.
(3) If the Court orders an acquitted person to be retried for a 25
year offence, the Court must quash the person’s acquittal or
remove the acquittal as a bar to the person being retried.
(4) On the retrial, section 17 does not apply in relation to the
charge of the 25 year offence.

678D Fresh and compelling evidence—meaning

(1) This section applies for the purpose of deciding under this
chapter whether there is fresh and compelling evidence
against an acquitted person in relation to the offence of
murder.
(2) Evidence is fresh if—
(a) it was not adduced in the proceedings in which the
person was acquitted; and
(b) it could not have been adduced in those proceedings
with the exercise of reasonable diligence.
(3) Evidence is compelling if—
(a) it is reliable; and
(b) it is substantial; and
(c) in the context of the issues in dispute in the proceedings
in which the person was acquitted, it is highly probative
of the case against the acquitted person.
(4) Evidence that would be admissible on a retrial under this
chapter is not precluded from being fresh and compelling
evidence merely because it would have been inadmissible in
the earlier proceedings against the acquitted person.

Page 470 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 68 Exceptions to double jeopardy rules

[s 678E]

678E Tainted acquittal—meaning

(1) This section applies for the purpose of deciding under this
chapter whether the acquittal of an accused person is a tainted
acquittal.
(2) An acquittal is tainted if—
(a) the accused person or another person has been convicted
in this State or elsewhere of an administration of justice
offence in relation to the proceedings in which the
accused person was acquitted; and
(b) it is more likely than not that, but for the commission of
the administration of justice offence, the accused person
would have been convicted.
(3) An acquittal is not a tainted acquittal during any of the
following periods—
(a) the period provided under section 671(1) for the person
convicted of the administration of justice offence (the
convicted person) to appeal, or obtain leave to appeal,
from the conviction;
(b) if, within the period mentioned in paragraph (a), the
convicted person gives notice of an appeal—the period
ending when the appeal is decided;
(c) if, within the period mentioned in paragraph (a), the
convicted person gives notice of an application for leave
to appeal, the period ending—
(i) if the application is refused—when the decision
refusing the application is made; or
(ii) if the application is granted—when the appeal is
decided.
Note—
Section 668D provides the right of appeal.
(4) If the conviction for the administration of justice offence is,
on appeal, quashed after the Court has ordered the acquitted
person to be retried under this chapter because of the
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 471
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 68 Exceptions to double jeopardy rules

[s 678F]

conviction, the person may apply to the Court to set aside the
order and—
(a) restore the acquittal that was quashed; or
(b) restore the acquittal as a bar to the person being retried
for the offence.

678F Interests of justice—matters for consideration

(1) This section applies for the purpose of deciding under this
chapter whether it is in the interests of justice for an order to
be made for the retrial of an acquitted person.
(2) It is not in the interests of justice to make an order for the
retrial of an acquitted person unless the Court is satisfied that
a fair retrial is likely in the circumstances.
(3) The Court must have regard in particular to—
(a) the length of time since the acquitted person allegedly
committed the offence; and
(b) whether any police officer or prosecutor has failed to act
with reasonable diligence or expedition in relation to—
(i) the investigation of the commission of the offence
of which the person was acquitted and the
prosecution of the proceedings in which the person
was acquitted; and
(ii) the application for the retrial of the acquitted
person.

678G Application for retrial—procedure

(1) If a person has been acquitted, not more than 1 application for
the retrial of the person may be made under this chapter in
relation to the acquittal.
(2) If the acquittal results from a retrial under this chapter—
(a) an application may not be made for an order under
section 678B in relation to the acquittal; but
Page 472 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 68 Exceptions to double jeopardy rules

[s 678G]

(b) an application may be made for an order under

section 678C in relation to the acquittal.
(3) An application for the retrial of an acquitted person may not
be made under this chapter unless—
(a) the person has been charged with the offence for which
the retrial is sought (the relevant offence); or
(b) a warrant has been issued for the person’s arrest in
relation to the relevant offence.
(4) The application must be made not later than 28 days after the
person is charged with the relevant offence or the warrant is
issued for the person’s arrest in relation to the relevant
offence.
(5) The Court may extend the period mentioned in subsection (4)
for good cause.
(6) The Court must consider the application at a hearing.
(7) The person to whom the application relates is entitled to be
present and heard at the hearing, whether or not the person is
in custody.
(8) However, if the person has been given a reasonable
opportunity to be present, the application may be decided
even if the person is not present.
(9) The powers of the Court mentioned in section 671B(1) may
be exercised in relation to the hearing of the application.
(10) The Court may at 1 hearing consider more than 1 application
under this chapter for a retrial (whether or not relating to the
same person), but only if the offences concerned may be tried
on the same indictment.
(11) If the Court decides in proceedings on an application under
this chapter that the acquittal is not a bar to the person being
retried for the offence concerned, it must make a declaration
to that effect.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 473

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 68 Exceptions to double jeopardy rules

[s 678H]

678H Retrial
(1) An indictment for the retrial of a person that has been ordered
under this chapter may not, without the leave of the Court, be
presented after the end of the period of 2 months after the
order was made.
(2) The Court may give leave only if it is satisfied that—
(a) the prosecutor has acted with reasonable expedition; and
(b) there is good and sufficient reason for the retrial despite
the lapse of time since the order was made.
(3) If, after the end of the period of 2 months after an order for the
retrial of an accused person was made under this chapter, an
indictment for the retrial of the person has not been presented
or has been withdrawn or quashed, the person may apply to
the Court to set aside the order for the retrial and—
(a) restore the acquittal that was quashed; or
(b) restore the acquittal as a bar to the person being tried for
the offence.
(4) If the order is set aside, a further application may not be made
under this chapter for the retrial of the accused person in
relation to the offence concerned.
(5) At the retrial of an accused person, the prosecution is not
entitled to refer to the fact that the Court has found that it
appears that—
(a) there is fresh and compelling evidence against the
acquitted person; or
(b) more likely than not, but for the commission of the
administration of justice offence, the accused person
would have been convicted.

678I Authorisation of police investigations

(1) This section applies to any police investigation of the
commission of an offence by an acquitted person in relation to
Page 474 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 68 Exceptions to double jeopardy rules

[s 678I]

the possible retrial of the person for the offence under this
chapter.
(2) For the purposes of this section, a police investigation is an
investigation that involves, whether with or without the
consent of the acquitted person—
(a) any arrest, questioning or search of the acquitted person,
or the issue of a warrant for the arrest of the person; or
(b) any forensic procedure carried out on the person or any
search or seizure of premises or property of or occupied
by the person.
(3) A police officer may carry out or authorise a police
investigation to which this section applies only if the director
of public prosecutions—
(a) has advised that, in the opinion of the director of public
prosecutions, the acquittal would not be a bar to the
retrial of the acquitted person in this State for the
offence; or
(b) has given written consent to the police investigation on
the application in writing of the commissioner, or a
deputy commissioner, of the police service.
(4) The commissioner, or a deputy commissioner, of the police
service may make an application for the police investigation
only if satisfied that relevant evidence for the purposes of an
application for a retrial under this chapter—
(a) has been obtained; or
(b) is likely to be obtained as a result of the investigation.
(5) The director of public prosecutions may give consent to the
police investigation only if satisfied that—
(a) there is, or there is likely as a result of the investigation
to be, sufficient new evidence to warrant the conduct of
the investigation; and
(b) it is in the public interest for the investigation to
proceed.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 475
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 68 Exceptions to double jeopardy rules

[s 678J]

(6) Despite the Police Service Administration Act 1990,

section 4.10, the commissioner of the police service may not
delegate powers of the commissioner under this section to a
police officer or staff member.

678J Bail
(1) This section has effect despite anything to the contrary in the
Bail Act 1980.
(2) There is a presumption in favour of bail for a person who is
charged with an offence for which a retrial is sought under
this chapter until the application for the retrial is dealt with.

678K Restrictions on publication

(1) A person must not publish any matter for the purpose of
identifying or having the effect of identifying an acquitted
person who is being retried under this chapter or who is the
subject of—
(a) a police investigation, or an application for a police
investigation, mentioned in section 678I; or
(b) an application for a retrial, or an order for retrial, under
this chapter.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the publication is authorised
by order of the Court or of the court before which the
acquitted person is being retried.
(3) The relevant court may make an order authorising publication
only if the court is satisfied that it is in the interests of justice
to make the order.
(4) Before making an order under this section, the relevant court
must give the acquitted person a reasonable opportunity to be
heard on the application for the order.
(5) The relevant court may at any time vary or revoke an order
under this section.

Page 476 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 69 Seizure and detention of property connected with offences—restitution of
property unlawfully acquired
[s 679A]

(6) The prohibition on publication under this section ceases to

have effect, subject to any order under this section, when the
first of the following paragraphs apply—
(a) there is no longer any step that could be taken which
would lead to the acquitted person being retried under
this chapter;
(b) if the acquitted person is retried under this chapter—the
trial ends.
(7) Nothing in this section affects any prohibition of the
publication of any matter under any other Act or law.
(8) A contravention of a prohibition on publication under this
section is punishable as contempt of the Supreme Court.

Chapter 69 Seizure and detention of

property connected with
offences—restitution of
property unlawfully acquired

679A Search of aircraft

(1) If it appears to the person in command of an aircraft that there
are reasonable grounds for suspecting that any offence
involving the safety of the aircraft has been, is being, is about
to be, or may be, committed on board or in relation to the
aircraft it shall be lawful for the person and for any person
acting by the person’s authority with such assistance as the
person or such person may think necessary to search or cause
to be searched—
(a) the aircraft and any person luggage and freight on board
the aircraft; and

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 477

(b) any person who is about to board the aircraft and any
luggage or freight that is about to be placed on board the
aircraft;
and seize—
(c) anything whether animate or inanimate and whether
living or dead as to which there are reasonable grounds
for believing that it will of itself or by or on scientific
examination, afford evidence as to the commission of
any offence; or
(d) anything as to which there are reasonable grounds for
believing that it is intended to be used for the purpose of
committing any offence;
and take it before a justice to be dealt with according to law.
(2) A female shall not be searched under this section except by a
female.

680 Property found on offenders on arrest

When, on the arrest of any person on a charge of an offence
relating to property, the property in respect of which the
offence is alleged to be committed is found in the person’s
possession, the person arresting the person may take such
property before a justice to be dealt with according to law.

682 Disposal of property seized

(1) When anything is seized or taken under the provisions of this
Code, the person seizing or taking it is required forthwith to
carry it before a justice.
(2) The justice may cause the thing so seized or taken to be
detained in such custody as the justice may direct, taking
reasonable care for its preservation, until the conclusion of
any investigation that may be held with respect to it; and, if
any person is committed for trial for any offence committed
with respect to the thing so seized or taken, or committed
under such circumstances that the thing so seized or taken is
Page 478 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 69 Seizure and detention of property connected with offences—restitution of
property unlawfully acquired
[s 683]

likely to afford evidence at the trial, the justice may cause it to

be further detained in like manner for the purpose of being
produced in evidence at such trial.
(3) If no person is so committed, the justice is required to direct
that the thing be returned to the person from whom it was
taken, unless the justice is authorised or required by law to
dispose of it otherwise.
(4) If the thing so seized or taken is anything forged or
counterfeit, or is of such a nature that a person who has it in
the person’s possession without lawful authority or excuse is
guilty of an offence, then, if any person is committed for trial
for any offence committed with respect to it or committed
under such circumstances as aforesaid and is convicted, the
court before which the person is convicted, or, in any other
case, any justice, may cause it to be defaced or destroyed.
(5) If the thing so seized or taken is of such a nature that a person
who has it in his or her possession, knowing its nature and
without lawful authority or excuse, is guilty of an offence,
then, as soon as it appears that it will not be required, or
further required, in evidence against the person who had it in
his or her possession, it is to be delivered to the Treasurer, or
some person authorised by the Treasurer to receive it.

683 Explosives
If the thing seized or taken is an explosive substance found in
a vessel or vehicle, the person acting in the execution of the
warrant may for 24 hours after seizure, and for such longer
time as is necessary for the purpose of removal to a safe place
of deposit, use the vessel or the vehicle, with the tackle and
furniture thereof, or the beasts, and accoutrements belonging
thereto as the case may be, paying afterwards to the owner of
the vessel or vehicle a sufficient recompense for its use, which
is to be assessed by the justice or justices before whom the
suspected offender is brought, and, in case of non-payment
immediately after such assessment, may be recovered before 2
justices in a summary way.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 479
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 70 Informations by private persons for indictable offences—ex officio indictments

[s 685B]

685B Orders for delivery of certain property

(1) Where any property has come into the custody or possession
of a court or justices in connection with any charge, the court
or justices, on the conclusion of the trial and on the
application of the prosecutor, may make an order for the
delivery of the property to the person appearing to the court or
justices to be the person lawfully entitled thereto or, if that
person can not be ascertained, may make such order with
respect to the property as to the court or justices seems just.
(2) An order so made shall not be a bar to the right of any person
to recover the property by action from the person to whom it
is delivered by virtue of the order.

Chapter 70 Informations by private

persons for indictable
offences—ex officio
indictments

686 Information by leave of the court by private prosecutors

(1) Any person may by leave of the Supreme Court present an
information against any other person for any indictable
offence, alleged to have been committed by such other person.
(2) An information presented by leave of the court is to be signed
by the person on whose application the leave is granted, or
some other person appointed by the court in that behalf, and
filed in the Supreme Court.
(3) The person who signs the information is called the prosecutor.
(4) The information is to be intituled ‘The Queen on the
prosecution of the prosecutor (naming the person) against the
accused person (naming the person)’, and must state that the
prosecutor informs the court by leave of the court.
Page 480 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 70 Informations by private persons for indictable offences—ex officio indictments

[s 687]

(5) Except as otherwise expressly provided, the information and

the proceedings upon it are subject to the same rules and
incidents in all respects as an indictment presented by a
Crown Law Officer and the proceedings upon such an
indictment as hereinbefore set forth.

687 Security to be given by prosecutor for costs of defence

Before the information is presented the prosecutor is to be
required to give security, in such amount and in such manner
as the court on giving leave to present the information may
direct, that the prosecutor will prosecute the information
without delay, and will pay to the accused person such costs
incurred by the accused person in respect of the person’s
defence to the charge as the court may order the prosecutor to
pay.

688 Service of information

An office copy of the information is to be served upon the
accused person, upon which copy there must be endorsed a
summons, under the hand of the registrar and seal of the court,
requiring the person to appear and plead to the information
within the same time after service within which the person
would be required to enter an appearance after service of a
writ in a civil action.

689 Plea
The accused person is required within the time so limited to
enter an appearance and file the person’s plea in writing in the
Supreme Court, and to deliver a copy thereof forthwith to the
prosecutor.

690 Default of plea

(1) If the accused person does not plead to the information
according to the exigency of the summons endorsed on the
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 481
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 70 Informations by private persons for indictable offences—ex officio indictments

[s 691]

copy served on the person, the prosecutor may serve the

accused person with a notice to the effect that unless the
person pleads or demurs within 8 days a plea of not guilty will
be filed in the person’s name.
(2) Upon filing an affidavit setting forth the service of the
information and of such notice, and of default of pleading in
accordance with the exigency of the notice, the prosecutor
may cause a plea of not guilty to be filed for the accused
person, and thereupon the same proceedings may be had as if
the accused person had filed a plea of not guilty.
(3) Or, in the case of a misdemeanour, judgment of conviction
may, by leave of the court or a judge, be entered against the
accused person for want of a plea.
(4) But the court or a judge may, either before or after the time so
prescribed, allow further time for the accused person to plead
or demur to the information.

691 Time and place of trial

When the accused person pleads any plea, or when a plea of
not guilty is filed for the person by the prosecutor, either party
may apply to a judge to appoint the time and place of trial, of
which notice is to be given to the accused person.

692 Effect of judgment for prosecutor on demurrer

(1) If the accused person demurs only, and does not plead any
plea, and judgment is given against the person on demurrer,
the person is required to plead to the information within such
time as the court or a judge may allow.
(2) If the accused person makes default in doing so, the same
proceedings may be taken as if the person had made default in
pleading in the first instance.

Page 482 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 70 Informations by private persons for indictable offences—ex officio indictments

[s 693]

693 Effect of judgment by default

(1) If judgment of conviction is entered against the accused
person for want of a plea, the person is required to attend to
receive the judgment of the court at a time and place to be
appointed by a judge.
(2) If the accused person does not so attend, any justice may issue
a warrant to arrest the person and bring him or her before the
court to receive judgment.

694 Costs of defence

In any of the following cases, that is to say—
(a) if an application for leave to present an information
against a person (the accused person) ends without the
application being granted;
(b) if the accused person pleads to the information, and is
not brought to trial within a year after filing the person’s
plea;
(c) if a Crown Law Officer informs the court that the Crown
Law Officer will not further proceed on the information;
(d) if the accused person is acquitted upon trial;
the court, or the judge before whom the trial (if any) is had,
may award costs to the accused person.

695 Practice to be applied on ex officio indictment

When an indictment is presented in the Supreme Court by a
Crown Law Officer against any person who has not been
committed for trial for the offence charged in the indictment,
the Crown may proceed thereon in the manner prescribed in
this chapter with respect to informations filed by private
prosecutors, except that no security shall be required.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 483

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 71 Miscellaneous provisions

[s 695A]

Chapter 71 Miscellaneous provisions

695A Power to protect victim of violence by prohibiting

publication of information about proceedings
(1) This section applies to—
(a) a judge of a court—
(i) to which someone has been committed for trial or
sentence for an indictable offence involving
personal violence; or
(ii) before which an indictment has been presented for
an offence involving personal violence; or
(iii) hearing and deciding a proceeding for a COVA
application relating to an offence involving
personal violence; and
(b) a magistrate summarily hearing and deciding a
proceeding for an indictable offence involving personal
violence, including a committal proceeding.
(2) The judge or magistrate may make an order prohibiting,
indefinitely or for a specified time, the publication of
information about the address of a person against whom the
violence is alleged to have been committed.
(3) The order may be made on application by the person, or by
the prosecution acting in the person’s interests.
(4) The order may be made only if the information is not relevant
to the guilt or innocence of the charged person.
(5) An application for an order under this division may be
made—
(a) in chambers; and
(b) only in the presence of persons the judge or magistrate
allows.

Page 484 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 71 Miscellaneous provisions

[s 696]

(6) On the hearing of the application the judge or magistrate may

receive and act on information the judge or magistrate
considers appropriate.
(7) In this section—
address, of a person, means the address of the person’s
residence, school, place of employment or other address.
COVA application means an application under the repealed
Criminal Offence Victims Act 1995, part 3, as applying under
the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009, chapter 6, part 2.

696 Warrant for release of person detained in custody

(1) This section applies if—
(a) a person (the accused) is detained in custody on a
charge of an indictable offence; and
(b) a decision has been made not to proceed with the
charge.
(2) The Attorney-General may issue a warrant for the accused’s
release from custody in relation to the charge.
(3) The warrant must be—
(a) signed by the Attorney-General; and
(b) addressed to the person having custody of the accused.
(4) The warrant authorises the person having custody of the
accused to release the accused from custody immediately in
relation to the charge stated in the warrant.
(5) However, the accused must not be released from custody if the
accused is otherwise lawfully detained.

697 Court may direct certain persons to be prosecuted for

perjury
(1) If it appears to any court that any person has been guilty of
perjury in any testimony given before it, the court may
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 485
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 71 Miscellaneous provisions

[s 699]

commit the person to take the person’s trial for such perjury
before any court of competent jurisdiction in the same manner
as if the person had been charged before a justice with the
same perjury, and sufficient evidence had been given against
the person.
(2) A person so committed may be granted bail in the same
manner as if the person had been committed for trial by a
justice.
(3) The court may order that any person be given a notice to
appear and give evidence at the trial of a person so directed to
be prosecuted.
(4) In this section—
court includes any person before whom a writ of inquiry is
executed, but does not include a Magistrates Court.

699 Staying prosecution for publication of parliamentary

paper
(1) A person prosecuted on a charge of the unlawful publication
of defamatory matter which is contained in any paper
published by the person, or by the person’s servant, by order
or under the authority of the Legislative Assembly, may, at
any stage of the proceedings, apply to the Supreme Court or a
judge thereof or to the court in which the proceedings are
pending, for an order staying the prosecution, first giving 24
hours notice of intention so to do to the prosecutor; and upon
production to the court or judge of a certificate under the hand
of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly or clerk of the
Parliament stating that the paper in respect of which the
prosecution is instituted was published by the defendant, or by
the defendant’s servant, by order or under the authority of the
Assembly, together with an affidavit verifying such certificate,
the court or judge is required immediately to stay the
prosecution, and may order the prosecutor to pay to the
defendant the defendant’s costs of defence.

Page 486 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 71 Miscellaneous provisions

[s 700]

(2) A person prosecuted on a charge of the unlawful publication

of defamatory matter which is contained in a copy of, or an
extract from or abstract of, any such paper, may, at any stage
of the proceedings, apply to the Supreme Court or a judge
thereof, or to the court in which the proceedings are pending,
for an order staying the prosecution; and upon production to
the court or judge of an original of such paper, together with
such a certificate as aforesaid, and an affidavit verifying the
same, the court or judge may stay the prosecution, and may
order the prosecutor to pay to the defendant the defendant’s
costs of defence.

700 Certificate of dismissal by justices

(1) When justices dismiss a complaint of an offence punishable
on summary conviction, whether an indictable offence or not,
they may, if required and if they think fit, give the accused
person a certificate of dismissal.
(2) Such a certificate is a bar to any further prosecution of the
accused person for the same cause.

702 Saving of civil remedies

Except when expressly so provided, the prosecution or
conviction of a person for an offence does not affect any civil
remedy which any person aggrieved by the offence may have
against the offender.

704 No court fees in criminal cases

(1) No fees can be taken in any court of criminal jurisdiction or
before any justice from any person who is charged with an
indictable offence for any proceeding had or taken in the court
or before the justice with respect to the charge.
(2) To remove any doubt, it is declared that the offender levy
imposed under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992,
section 179C is not a fee mentioned in subsection (1).
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 487
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 71 Miscellaneous provisions

[s 705]

705 Copies of depositions to be allowed to persons

committed for trial
(1) Any person who is committed for trial or granted bail for any
indictable offence 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 the person
has been so committed or granted bail.
(2) However, if the demand is not made before the day appointed
for the commencement of the sittings of the court at which the
trial of the person on whose behalf the demand is made is to
take place, the person 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 to the trial.
(3) The court may postpone a trial on account of the accused
person not having previously had a copy of the depositions.

706 Inspection of depositions at trial

Any person who is tried for any offence is entitled at the time
of the person’s trial to inspect without fee all depositions, or
copies of depositions, which have been taken against the
person and returned into the court before which the trial is
had.

706A Development of administrative arrangements

(1) An administrative arrangement can not affect—
(a) any power of a court, including any inherent power, to
give a direction or make an order in a particular case, or
generally; or
(b) the judicial independence of any court or judicial officer.
(2) However, a practice direction may be made to give effect to an
administrative arrangement.
(3) In this section—

Page 488 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 71 Miscellaneous provisions

[s 706A]

administrative arrangement means an arrangement entered

into between 2 or more relevant agencies for the development
of compatible business and operating processes to facilitate
the efficient and timely resolution of proceedings under
relevant laws.
relevant agency means any of the following—
(a) the chief executive;
(b) the chief executive (corrective services);
(c) the chief executive of the department in which the Youth
Justice Act 1992 is administered;
(d) the commissioner of the police service;
(e) the director of public prosecutions;
(f) the Chief Magistrate under the Magistrates Act 1991;
(g) the Chief Judge of the District Court of Queensland
under the District Court of Queensland Act 1967;
(h) the Chief Justice of Queensland;
(i) the chief executive officer, Legal Aid Queensland;
(j) the president of the Queensland Law Society
Incorporated;
(k) the president of the Bar Association of Queensland;
(l) if nominated by the chief executive—the chief executive
officer of a publicly funded, non-profit corporation
whose primary purpose as a corporation is to provide
legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people.
relevant law means any of the following—
(a) any law that includes provisions relating to criminal
procedure, including in particular this Code and the
Justices Act 1886;

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 489

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 71 Miscellaneous provisions

[s 707]

(b) any other law that operates in conjunction with, or

whose operation is otherwise associated with, the
operation of a law mentioned in paragraph (a);
(c) practice directions relating to criminal practice and
procedure for the purposes of the operation of a law
mentioned in paragraph (a).

707 Forms of criminal proceedings

A form prescribed under a rule of court for a criminal
proceeding is taken to be—
(a) sufficient for the purpose for which it is to be used; and
(b) if used, a sufficient statement of the relevant offence or
matter.

708 Regulation-making power

The Governor in Council may make regulations under this
Code.

708A Criteria for recommending an entity be declared a

criminal organisation
(1) In deciding whether to recommend an amendment of the
Criminal Code (Criminal Organisations) Regulation 2013 to
declare an entity to be a criminal organisation, the Minister
may have regard to the following matters—
(a) any information suggesting a link exists between the
entity and serious criminal activity;
(b) any convictions recorded in relation to—
(i) current or former participants in the entity; or
(ii) persons who associate, or have associated, with
participants in the entity;
(c) any information suggesting current or former
participants in the entity have been, or are, involved in
Page 490 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 8 Procedure
Chapter 71 Miscellaneous provisions

[s 708A]

serious criminal activity (whether directly or indirectly

and whether or not the involvement has resulted in any
convictions);
(d) any information suggesting participants in an interstate
or overseas chapter or branch (however described) of the
entity have as their purpose, or 1 of their purposes,
organising, planning, facilitating, supporting or
engaging in serious criminal activity;
(e) any other matter the Minister considers relevant.
(1A) For this section, the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section
161N, definitions honorary member, prospective member and
office holder apply as if a reference in the definitions to an
organisation were a reference to an entity.
(2) In this section—
conviction means a finding of guilt by a court, or the
acceptance of a plea of guilty by a court, whether or not a
conviction is recorded.
participant, in an entity, means a person—
(a) who—
(i) has been accepted as a member of the entity,
whether informally or through a process set by the
entity; and
Example of a process set by an entity—
paying a fee or levy
(ii) has not ceased to be a member of the entity; or
(b) who is an honorary member of the entity; or
(c) who is a prospective member of the entity; or
(d) who is an office holder of the entity; or
(e) who identifies himself or herself in any way as
belonging to the entity; or

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 491

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 72 Transitional provision for Act No. 18 of 1999

[s 709]

(f) whose conduct in relation to the entity would reasonably

lead someone else to consider the person to be a
participant in the entity.
serious criminal activity means conduct constituting an
indictable offence for which the maximum penalty is at least 7
years imprisonment.

Part 9 Transitional and validation

provisions

Chapter 72 Transitional provision for Act

No. 18 of 1999

709 Transitional provision for Act No. 18 of 1999

On a charge of unlawful stalking committed after the
commencement of the Criminal Code (Stalking) Amendment
Act 1999 (the commencement), evidence of an act described
in section 359B(c) done before the commencement may be
admitted for the purpose of deciding whether an act done after
the commencement constituted unlawful stalking.

Page 492 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 73 Transitional provision for Justice Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No.
2) 1999
[s 710]

Chapter 73 Transitional provision for

Justice Legislation
(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act
(No. 2) 1999

710 Transitional provision for Justice Legislation

(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1999
(1) This section applies if, after the commencement of the Justice
Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1999,
section 11—
(a) a charge of an offence against section 339(1) is before
the Supreme or District Court; and
(b) the person charged with the offence informs the court
that he or she does not want to be tried by jury; and
(c) the prosecutor agrees to the charge being dealt with
summarily.
(2) The court may order that—
(a) the matter be remitted to a court of summary jurisdiction
for the charge to be dealt with summarily; and
(b) the court registrar send the relevant court record to the
registrar of the relevant court of summary jurisdiction.
(3) The court may not make an order under subsection (2) if
satisfied that because of the nature or seriousness of the
offence or any other relevant consideration the defendant, if
convicted, may not be adequately punished on summary
conviction.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 493

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 74 Transitional provision for Criminal Law Amendment Act 2000

[s 711]

Chapter 74 Transitional provision for

Criminal Law Amendment Act
2000

711 Transitional provision for Criminal Law Amendment Act

2000
(1) In relation to an indictment mentioned in section 578(1), (1A)
or (4) charging a person with an offence that was committed
before the commencement of this section, the reference in
those provisions to section 352 is a reference to section 337 as
in force at any time before the commencement of this section.
(2) In relation to an indictment presented before the
commencement of this section, the person charged in the
indictment may be convicted of an offence because of
section 578 only if the person could have been convicted of
the offence because of section 578 as in force immediately
before the commencement of this section.

Chapter 75 Transitional provision for

Criminal Law Amendment Act
2002

712 Transitional provision for Criminal Law Amendment Act

2002
Section 568(6) to (8), as in force at any time before the
commencement of this section, continues to apply in relation
to an indictment under section 568(6) presented before the
commencement of this section as if the Criminal Law
Amendment Act 2002, section 29 had not been enacted.

Page 494 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 76 Transitional provision for Sexual Offences (Protection of Children) Amendment
Act 2003
[s 713]

Chapter 76 Transitional provision for

Sexual Offences (Protection of
Children) Amendment Act 2003

713 Transitional provision for Sexual Offences (Protection of

Children) Amendment Act 2003—unlawful sexual
relationship
On a charge of an offence as defined in section 229B,
evidence of an unlawful sexual act or acts done before the
commencement of this section may be admitted for the
purpose of deciding whether unlawful sexual acts done after
the commencement of this section establish the existence of
an unlawful sexual relationship.

Chapter 77 Validation provision for

Criminal Proceeds
Confiscation Act 2002

714 Validation provision for Criminal Proceeds Confiscation

Act 2002—presentation of indictment
(1) This section applies to an indictment presented before the
commencement of this section by a person, appointed or
employed in, or engaged by, the Office of the Director of
Public Prosecutions, who was not authorised under an Act to
present the indictment.
(2) The indictment is taken to have been presented by the director
of public prosecutions.
(3) Any proceedings taken, or other thing done, in relation to the
indictment is taken to be as valid as if the proceedings were
taken, or other thing done, in relation to an indictment
presented by the director of public prosecutions.
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 495
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 78 Transitional provision for Evidence (Protection of Children) Amendment Act
2003
[s 715]

Chapter 78 Transitional provision for

Evidence (Protection of
Children) Amendment Act 2003

715 Transitional provision for disclosure by the prosecution

Chapter 62, chapter division 3 applies to the following types
of relevant proceeding, even if the offence concerned was
committed before the commencement of this section—
(a) a relevant proceeding started in relation to an offence if
the charge against the accused person for the offence
was brought after the commencement of this section;
(b) a relevant proceeding in relation to an indictment
presented after the commencement of this section;
(c) a relevant proceeding that is a new trial ordered by the
court if the order is made after the commencement of
this section.

Chapter 79 Transitional provision for

Defamation Act 2005

716 Defence of truth of defamatory matter still to be specially

pleaded
Section 599, as in force at any time before the commencement
of this section, continues to apply in relation to a person
charged with the unlawful publication of defamatory matter
under the Defamation Act 1889 as if the Defamation Act 2005,
schedule 4, amendments of the Criminal Code, item 2 had not
been enacted.

Page 496 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 80 Transitional provision for Criminal Code Amendment Act 2006

[s 717]

Chapter 80 Transitional provision for

Criminal Code Amendment Act
2006

717 Effect of repeal of ss 56, 57 and 58

(1) After the commencement of the Criminal Code Amendment
Act 2006, a person can not be charged with, prosecuted for or
further prosecuted for, or convicted of, an offence against
section 56, 57 or 58 or punished for doing or omitting to do an
act that constituted that offence.
(2) However, subsection (1) does not prevent a person being
punished by the Legislative Assembly for contempt of the
Legislative Assembly as defined under the Parliament of
Queensland Act 2001.

Chapter 81 Transitional provision for

Justice and Other Legislation
Amendment Act 2007

718 Appointment of animal valuers

A person appointed as an animal valuer under section 450F, as
in force immediately before the commencement of this
section, continues to hold the appointment after the
commencement, as if the appointment had been made by the
chief executive.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 497

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 82 Transitional provision for Criminal Code and Other Acts Amendment Act 2008

[s 719]

Chapter 82 Transitional provision for

Criminal Code and Other Acts
Amendment Act 2008

719 References to particular offences

(1) The following provisions apply as if a reference to section 208
included a reference to section 209 as in force at any time
before its repeal by the amending Act—
• section 229B(10), definitions offence of a sexual nature
and prescribed age
• section 578(1), (1A) and (4)
• section 636(1), definition prescribed offence.
(2) Section 568(2) applies as if it included a reference to an
indictment against a trustee to whom the Trust Accounts Act
1973 applies for an offence under section 436 as in force at
any time before its repeal by the amending Act.
(3) Section 641(1) applies as if it included a reference to a trustee
within the meaning of the Trust Accounts Act 1973 charged
with an offence under section 436 as in force at any time
before its repeal by the amending Act and, for that purpose,
section 641(2), as in force immediately before the
commencement of this section, continues to apply.
(4) Section 644A applies as if the reference to section 101
included a reference to section 103 as in force at any time
before its repeal by the amending Act.
(5) In this section—
amending Act means the Criminal Code and Other Acts
Amendment Act 2008.

Page 498 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 83 Transitional provision for Criminal Code and Jury and Another Act Amendment
Act 2008
[s 720]

Chapter 83 Transitional provision for

Criminal Code and Jury and
Another Act Amendment Act
2008

720 Trial by judge alone

(1) Chapter 62, chapter division 9A applies in relation to a trial
begun after the commencement whether the offence was
committed before or after the commencement.
(2) For subsection (1), the trial has begun when the jury panel
attends before the court.
(3) In this section—
commencement means the commencement of the Criminal
Code and Jury and Another Act Amendment Act 2008, part 2.

Chapter 84 Transitional provision for

Justice and Other Legislation
Amendment Act 2008, part 8

721 Notices to witnesses

(1) This section applies if, before the commencement of this
section, a witness is given a notice to witness in relation to the
trial of a person.
(2) Sections 559, 590AA, 593A and 597A, as in force
immediately before the commencement of this section,
continue to have effect in relation to the notice to witness
until—
(a) the trial of the person is concluded; or
(b) the court otherwise directs; or
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 499
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 85 Transitional provision for the Criminal Code (Medical Treatment) Amendment
Act 2009
[s 722]

(c) 3 years after the commencement of this section;

whichever happens first.

Chapter 85 Transitional provision for the

Criminal Code (Medical
Treatment) Amendment Act
2009

722 Retrospective application of amendment

(1) This Code as amended by the Criminal Code (Medical
Treatment) Amendment Act 2009, section 3 applies to
proceedings for an offence—
(a) started but not finished before 19 August 2009; or
(b) started after 19 August 2009, whether the act or
omission constituting the offence happened before or
after 19 August 2009.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to proceedings for an appeal
against a conviction or sentence that happened before 19
August 2009.

Page 500 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 86 Transitional provisions for Criminal Code (Abusive Domestic Relationship
Defence and Another Matter) Amendment Act 2010
[s 723]

Chapter 86 Transitional provisions for

Criminal Code (Abusive
Domestic Relationship Defence
and Another Matter)
Amendment Act 2010

723 Retrospective application of amendment

(1) This Code, as amended by the Criminal Code (Abusive
Domestic Relationship Defence and Another Matter)
Amendment Act 2010, section 3, applies to proceedings for an
offence—
(a) started but not finished before the commencement; or
(b) started after the commencement, whether the act or
omission constituting the offence happened before or
after the commencement.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to proceedings for an appeal
from a conviction or sentence that happened before the
commencement.
(3) In this section—
commencement means the commencement of the Criminal
Code (Abusive Domestic Relationship Defence and Another
Matter) Amendment Act 2010, section 3.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 501

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 87 Transitional provision for members of QR Group

[s 724]

Chapter 87 Transitional provision for

members of QR Group

724 Employees of members of QR Group taken to be persons

employed in public service during interim period
(1) During the interim period, the chief executive officer of QR
Limited and persons employed by a member of QR Group are
taken to be persons employed in the public service.
(2) In this section—
change of ownership means the beginning of the day notified
by the Treasurer by gazette notice for this chapter.
commencement means the commencement of this chapter.
interim period means the period from the commencement to
the change of ownership.
member of QR Group means QR Limited or a related body
corporate of QR Limited.
QR Limited means QR Limited ACN 124 649 967.
related body corporate has the meaning given in the
Corporations Act.
Treasurer means the Minister who administers the Financial
Accountability Act 2009.

Page 502 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 88 Transitional provisions for Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction Reform and
Modernisation Amendment Act 2010
[s 725]

Chapter 88 Transitional provisions for Civil

and Criminal Jurisdiction
Reform and Modernisation
Amendment Act 2010

725 Definitions for ch 88

In this chapter—
amending Act means the Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction
Reform and Modernisation Amendment Act 2010.
originating step, for a proceeding, means—
(a) the arrest of the defendant in the proceeding; or
(b) the making of a complaint under the Justices Act 1886,
section 42 in relation to the defendant in the proceeding;
or
(c) the serving of a notice to appear on the defendant in the
proceeding under the Police Powers and Responsibilities
Act 2000, section 382.

726 New disclosure provisions apply only to prosecutions

commenced after commencement
(1) Chapter 62, chapter divisions 2, 3, 4 and 4A, as amended or
inserted by the amending Act, apply to a proceeding for an
offence only if an originating step for the proceeding is taken
on or after the commencement of this section.
(2) For subsection (1), it does not matter when the offence was
committed.

727 New summary disposition provisions apply only to

prosecutions commenced after commencement
(1) Chapter 58A, as amended by the amending Act, applies in
relation to a charge for an offence only if an originating step
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 503
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 88 Transitional provisions for Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction Reform and
Modernisation Amendment Act 2010
[s 727]

for the proceeding for the charge is taken on or after the

commencement of this section.
(2) For subsection (1), it does not matter when the offence was
committed.
(3) Subsection (4) applies if—
(a) an originating step for a proceeding for a charge for an
old offence is taken against a person on or after the
commencement of this section in relation to
circumstances that happened before the repeal of the
provision providing for the old offence; and
(b) the proceeding for the old offence is not prevented under
section 11(1).
(4) The issue of whether the charge for the old offence must be
heard and decided summarily must, to the greatest practicable
extent, be decided according to whether a charge for the new
offence could be, or would be required to be, heard and
decided summarily.
(5) In this section—
new offence means the offence that, for the purposes of
section 11(1), is the offence under the law in force at the time
when the person is charged with the old offence.
old offence means an offence against a provision of this Code
that was repealed at any time before the commencement of
this section.

Page 504 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 89 Transitional provision for Criminal Code and Other Legislation Amendment Act
2011
[s 728]

Chapter 89 Transitional provision for

Criminal Code and Other
Legislation Amendment Act
2011

728 Application of amendment Act

(1) This Code, as amended by the amendment Act, sections 4 and
6, applies to proceedings for an offence started after the
commencement of the sections, whether the act or omission
constituting the offence happened before or after the
commencement of the sections.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to proceedings for an appeal
from a conviction or sentence that happened before the
commencement of the amendment Act, sections 4 and 6.
(3) This Code, as amended by the amendment Act, sections 5, 7
and 8, applies to proceedings for an offence only if the act or
omission constituting the offence happened after the
commencement of the sections.
(4) In this section—
amendment Act means the Criminal Code and Other
Legislation Amendment Act 2011.

Chapter 90 Transitional provision for

Criminal Law Amendment Act
2012

729 Application of amendment Act

(1) Section 305, as amended by the amendment Act, section 3, to
the extent the amendment Act increases the minimum number
of years of imprisonment to be served, applies only if—
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 505
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 90 Transitional provision for Criminal Law Amendment Act 2012

[s 729]

(a) for section 305(2)(a), at least 1 conviction of murder is

for an offence committed after the commencement, even
if the other offence or offences were committed before
the commencement; or
(b) for section 305(2)(b), either the conviction of murder is
for, or the other offence of murder taken into account is
for, an offence committed after the commencement,
even if one of those offences was committed before the
commencement; or
(c) for section 305(2)(c), either the conviction of murder is
for, or the other offence of murder for which the person
has previously been sentenced is for, an offence
committed after the commencement, even if one of
those offences was committed before the
commencement; or
(d) for section 305(4), the conviction of murder is for an
offence committed after the commencement.
(2) For an offence mentioned in subsection (1) as having been
committed before the commencement, for which there was a
conviction, it does not matter whether the conviction was
recorded before or after the commencement.
(3) This section applies despite section 11 and the Acts
Interpretation Act 1954, section 20C(3).
(4) In this section—
amendment Act means the Criminal Law Amendment Act
2012.
commencement means the commencement of the amendment
Act, section 3.
minimum number of years of imprisonment to be served
means the minimum number of years of imprisonment a
person must serve before the person may be released from
imprisonment under an order made under section 305 by the
court sentencing the person.

Page 506 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 91 Transitional provisions for Criminal Law (Child Exploitation and Dangerous
Drugs) Amendment Act 2013
[s 730]

Chapter 91 Transitional provisions for

Criminal Law (Child
Exploitation and Dangerous
Drugs) Amendment Act 2013

730 Indictments for offences

This Code, as amended by the Criminal Law (Child
Exploitation and Dangerous Drugs) Amendment Act 2013,
section 26, applies to an indictment against a person for an
offence against section 228A, 228B, 228C or 228D whether
the act or omission constituting the offence happened before,
on or after the commencement of this section.

Chapter 92 Transitional provision for

Criminal Law (Criminal
Organisations Disruption) and
Other Legislation Amendment
Act 2013

731 Application of amended s 597C

Section 597C as amended by the Criminal Law (Criminal
Organisations Disruption) and Other Legislation Amendment
Act 2013 applies to the arraignment of an accused person in a
proceeding for an offence, whether the proceeding was started
before, on or after the commencement of this section.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 507

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 93 Transitional provision for Criminal Code and Another Act (Stock) Amendment
Act 2014
[s 732]

Chapter 93 Transitional provision for

Criminal Code and Another Act
(Stock) Amendment Act 2014

732 Tendering, return or disposal of stock

(1) If an undertaking under former section 450E was given for an
animal before the commencement, the section continues to
apply to the animal as if the amendment Act had not been
enacted.
(2) If an undertaking under former section 450G was given for an
animal before the commencement, the section continues to
apply to the animal as if the amendment Act had not been
enacted.
(3) The prescribed provisions apply to an animal seized before
the commencement, other than an animal for which an
undertaking mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) was given
before the commencement.
(4) In this section—
amendment Act means the Criminal Code and Another Act
(Stock) Amendment Act 2014.
animal see section 450D.
commencement means the commencement of this section.
former, in relation to a provision, means the provision as in
force before the commencement.
prescribed provisions means the following—
(a) chapter 44A, chapter division 1;
(b) sections 450E(1)(b) and 450EA;
(c) chapter 44A, chapter division 3;
(d) sections 450EI and 450EJ.

Page 508 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 94 Transitional provisions for Criminal Law Amendment Act 2014

[s 733]

Chapter 94 Transitional provisions for

Criminal Law Amendment Act
2014

733 Extended application of ch 68

Chapter 68 applies to a person acquitted of an offence—
(a) whether the person has been acquitted of the offence
before, on or after the commencement of—
(i) chapter 68 on 25 October 2007; or
(ii) the Criminal Law Amendment Act 2014,
section 35; and
(b) whether the circumstances supporting an order for a
retrial of the person arose before, on or after the
commencement of a provision mentioned in paragraph
(a)(i) or (ii).

734 Application of s 564

Section 564(2A) applies to the sentencing of an offender for
an offence whether the proceeding for the offence was started
before, on or after the commencement of this section.

Chapter 95 Transitional provision for

Health and Other Legislation
Amendment Act 2016

735 References to particular offences

(1) An amended provision applies as if a reference to section 215
in the amended provision included a reference to—

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 509

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 96 Transitional provisions for Serious and Organised Crime Legislation
Amendment Act 2016
[s 736]

(a) the Criminal Code, section 208 as in force at any time

before its repeal by the Health and Other Legislation
Amendment Act 2016; and
(b) the Criminal Code, section 209 as in force at any time
before its repeal by the Criminal Code and Other Acts
Amendment Act 2008.
(2) The definition prescribed offence in section 636(1) applies as
if it included a reference to an offence defined in a provision
mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b).
(3) In this section—
amended provision means any of the following provisions as
in force on or after the commencement—
(a) section 229B(10), definition offence of a sexual nature;
(b) section 578(1) and (4).

Chapter 96 Transitional provisions for

Serious and Organised Crime
Legislation Amendment Act
2016

736 Review of consorting provisions

(1) The Minister must, as soon as practicable after the day that is
5 years after the commencement of the consorting provisions,
appoint a retired judge (the reviewer) to—
(a) review the operation of the consorting provisions; and
(b) prepare, and give the Minister, a written report on the
outcome of the review.
(2) The terms of reference for the review are the terms decided by
the Minister.
Page 510 Current as at 29 January 2018
Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 96 Transitional provisions for Serious and Organised Crime Legislation
Amendment Act 2016
[s 736]

(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the terms of reference for the
review must state the following matters—
(a) the object of the review is for the reviewer to decide
whether the consorting provisions have been effective in
disrupting serious and organised crime;
(b) if the reviewer decides the consorting provisions have
not been effective in disrupting serious and organised
crime, the reviewer must recommend any amendments
of the provisions the reviewer considers necessary to
improve the effectiveness of the provisions;
(c) in conducting the review, the reviewer must consider
whether any demographic has been disproportionately
or adversely affected by the consorting provisions.
Examples of a demographic—
Aboriginal people, Torres Strait Islanders, homeless people,
drug dependent people
(4) The Minister must, within 14 sitting days after receiving the
reviewer’s report for the review, table a copy of the report in
the Legislative Assembly.
(5) In this section—
consorting provisions means—
(a) part 2, chapter 9A; and
(b) the following provisions of the Police Powers and
Responsibilities Act 2000—
• section 30(i)
• section 32(2)(b)
• section 41(p)
• section 41A
• section 43B
• chapter 2, part 6A
• section 60(3)(k).

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 511

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 97 Transitional provision for Criminal Law Amendment Act 2017

[s 737]

retired judge means—

(a) a retired Supreme Court judge; or
(b) a retired District Court judge.

737 Regulation made by the Serious and Organised Crime

Legislation Amendment Act 2016
(1) This section applies to the regulation made by the Serious and
Organised Crime Legislation Amendment Act 2016, section
494 and schedule 2.
(2) The regulation is subordinate legislation.
(3) The Statutory Instruments Act 1992, part 6 does not apply to
the regulation.

Chapter 97 Transitional provision for

Criminal Law Amendment Act
2017

739 Application of amendment Act

(1) This Code, as amended by the amendment Act, section 10,
applies to a proceeding for an offence only if the offence was
committed after the commencement of that section.
(2) In this section—
amendment Act means the Criminal Law Amendment Act
2017.

Page 512 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 98 Transitional provision for Victims of Crime Assistance and Other Legislation
Amendment Act 2017
[s 740]

Chapter 98 Transitional provision for

Victims of Crime Assistance
and Other Legislation
Amendment Act 2017

740 Protected counselling communications

(1) Section 590APA applies to a proceeding for an offence only if
an originating step for the proceeding is taken on or after the
commencement, whether the act or omission constituting the
offence happened before or after the commencement.
(2) In this section—
originating step, for a proceeding, means—
(a) the arrest of the defendant in the proceeding; or
(b) the making of a complaint under the Justices Act 1886,
section 42 in relation to the defendant in the proceeding;
or
(c) the serving of a notice to appear on the defendant in the
proceeding under the Police Powers and Responsibilities
Act 2000, section 382.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 513

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Schedule 1 The Criminal Code
Part 9 Transitional and validation provisions
Chapter 99 Transitional provision for Penalties and Sentences (Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Orders) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2017
[s 741]

Chapter 99 Transitional provision for

Penalties and Sentences (Drug
and Alcohol Treatment Orders)
and Other Legislation
Amendment Act 2017

741 Application of s 552H

A court may impose the penalty mentioned in section
552H(1)(a) for an offence committed before the
commencement.

Page 514 Current as at 29 January 2018

Authorised by the Parliamentary Counsel
Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

1 Index to endnotes
2 Key
3 Table of reprints
4 List of legislation for Criminal Code Act 1899
5 List of annotations for Criminal Code Act 1899
6 List of legislation for Criminal Code
7 List of annotations for Criminal Code
8 Transitional and savings provisions for Criminal Code

2 Key
Key to abbreviations in list of legislation and annotations

Key Explanation Key Explanation

AIA = Acts Interpretation Act (prev) = previously

1954
amd = amended proc = proclamation
amd = amendment prov = provision
t
ch = chapter pt = part
def = definition pubd = published
div = division R[X] = Reprint No. [X]
exp = expires/expired RA = Reprints Act 1992
gaz = gazette reloc = relocated
hdg = heading renu = renumbered
m
ins = inserted rep = repealed
lap = lapsed (retro = retrospectively
)

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 515

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

Key Explanation Key Explanation

notf = notified rv = revised version

d
num = numbered s = section
o in = order in council sch = schedule
c
om = omitted sdiv = subdivision
orig = original SIA = Statutory Instruments Act
1992
p = page SIR = Statutory Instruments
Regulation 2012
para = paragraph SL = subordinate legislation
prec = preceding sub = substituted
pres = present unnu = unnumbered
m
prev = previous

3 Table of reprints
A new reprint of the legislation is prepared by the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary
Counsel each time a change to the legislation takes effect.
The notes column for this reprint gives details of any discretionary editorial powers under
the Reprints Act 1992 used by the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel in
preparing it. Section 5(c) and (d) of the Act are not mentioned as they contain mandatory
requirements that all amendments be included and all necessary consequential
amendments be incorporated, whether of punctuation, numbering or another kind. Further
details of the use of any discretionary editorial power noted in the table can be obtained by
contacting the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel by telephone on 3003
9601 or email legislation.queries@oqpc.qld.gov.au.
From 29 January 2013, all Queensland reprints are dated and authorised by the
Parliamentary Counsel. The previous numbering system and distinctions between printed
and electronic reprints is not continued with the relevant details for historical reprints
included in this table.

Page 516 Current as at 29 January 2018

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

Reprint
Amendments to Effective Reprint date
No.

1 1993 Act No. 70 26 March 1994 26 March 1994

1A 1995 Act No. 58 18 December 1995 7 August 1996
1B 1995 Act No. 58 17 February 1997 14 March 1997
1C 1997 Act No. 9 1 July 1997 4 July 1997
2 1997 Act No. 38 1 August 1997 1 August 1997
2A 1997 Act No. 82 5 December 1997 9 December 1997
2B 1998 Act No. 19 26 March 1998 3 April 1998
2C 1999 Act No. 19 30 April 1999 18 June 1999
3 2000 Act No. 5 23 March 2000 31 March 2000
3A 2000 Act No. 23 1 July 2000 14 July 2000
3B 2000 Act No. 23 28 September 2000 29 September 2000
3C 2000 Act No. 46 27 October 2000 8 November 2000
3D 2000 Act No. 63 17 November 2000 1 December 2000
3E 2001 Act No. 19 6 August 2001 17 August 2001
4 2001 Act No. 19 6 August 2001 7 September 2001
4A 2001 Act No. 19 28 February 2002 13 March 2002
4B 2002 Act No. 23 28 February 2002 5 June 2002
4C 2002 Act No. 23 6 June 2002 20 June 2002

Reprint Amendments
Effective Notes
No. included

4D 2002 Act No. 23 19 July 2002

4E rv 2002 Act No. 35 27 September 2002
4F 2002 Act No. 68 29 November 2002

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 517

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

Reprint Amendments
Effective Notes
No. included

4G 2002 Act No. 74 1 April 2003

4H 2003 Act No. 3 1 May 2003
4I 2003 Act No. 15 20 June 2003
4J rv 1992 Act No. 44 1 July 2003
(amd 2002 Act No.
39) 2002 Act No. 39
4K 2003 Act No. 92 3 December 2003
4L 2003 Act No. 77 8 December 2003
4M 2003 Act No. 55 5 January 2004
4N 2004 Act No. 8 6 August 2004
4O 2004 Act No. 43 3 December 2004
4P 2004 Act No. 37 1 January 2005
5 rv 2005 Act No. 9 4 April 2005 Revision notice
issued for R5
5A rv 2005 Act No. 24 26 May 2005
5B rv 2005 Act No. 70 8 December 2005
5C rv 2005 Act No. 55 1 January 2006
5D rv 2006 Act No. 26 1 June 2006
2006 Act No. 30
5E rv 2005 Act No. 45 30 June 2006
5F rv 2006 Act No. 25 1 July 2006
5G rv 2006 Act No. 8 3 July 2006
5H rv 2006 Act No. 29 28 August 2006
5I rv 2006 Act No. 45 10 November 2006 R5I rv withdrawn,
see R6

Page 518 Current as at 29 January 2018

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

Reprint Amendments
Effective Notes
No. included

9 December 2016 2016 Act No. 62
1 March 2017 2016 Act No. 63
5 March 2017 2016 Act No. 5
9 March 2017 2016 Act No. 62
30 March 2017 2017 Act No. 6
5 June 2017 2017 Act No. 17
1 December 2017 2017 Act No. 8 RA s 35
29 January 2018 2017 Act No. 41

4 List of legislation for Criminal Code Act 1899

Criminal Code Act 1899 63 Vic No. 9
date of assent 28 November 1899
s 2 sch 1 commenced 1 January 1901 (see s 2)
remaining provisions commenced on date of assent
Note—This Act was to have been repealed by Criminal Code No. 37 of 1995 s
460(1) sch 4 (automatic commencement under AIA s 15DA(2) deferred to 14
June 1997) (1996 SL No. 84 s 2(2)) but the 1995 Code was never proclaimed into
force and was repealed by 1997 No. 3 s 121.
amending legislation—
Criminal Code Correction of Errors Act 1900 64 Vic No. 7
date of assent 20 November 1900
commenced on date of assent
Statute Law Revision Act 1908 8 Edw 7 No. 18 s 2 sch 1
date of assent 23 December 1908
commenced on date of assent
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 1995 No. 58 ss 1–2, 4 sch 1
date of assent 28 November 1995
commenced on date of assent
Criminal Law Amendment Act 1997 No. 3 ss 1, 2(2), pt 2
date of assent 3 April 1997
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 1 July 1997 (1997 SL No. 152)

Page 522 Current as at 29 January 2018

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

Justice and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1997 No. 82 ss
1–3 sch
date of assent 5 December 1997
commenced on date of assent

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

remaining provisions commenced 3 July 1989 (proc pubd gaz 24 June 1989 p 1821
as amd by proc pubd gaz 1 July 1989 p 2190)
amending legislation—
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1994 No. 87 ss 1–3 sch 1 (amends
1989 No. 17 above)
date of assent 1 December 1994
commenced on date of assent
Public Service (Administrative Arrangements) Act (No. 2) 1990 No. 80 s 3 sch 1
date of assent 14 November 1990
commenced on date of assent
Criminal Code and Another Act Amendment Act 1990 No. 93
date of assent 7 December 1990
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 19 January 1991 (proc pubd gaz 19 January 1991
p 174)
Referendums Legislation Amendment Act 1990 No. 101 pt 6
date of assent 12 December 1990
commenced on date of assent
Supreme Court of Queensland Act 1991 No. 68 s 111 sch 2
date of assent 24 October 1991
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 14 December 1991 (1991 SL No. 173)
Statutory Instruments Act 1992 No. 22 pts 1, 8
date of assent 1 June 1992
commenced on date of assent
Criminal Law (Escaped Prisoners) Amendment Act 1992 No. 25 pts 1–2
date of assent 1 June 1992
commenced on date of assent
Electoral Act 1992 No. 28 pts 1, 10 div 3
date of assent 1 June 1992
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 19 June 1992 (1992 SL No. 160)
Juvenile Justice Act 1992 No. 44 s 235 sch 3
date of assent 19 August 1992
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 1 September 1993 (1993 SL No. 313)
Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 No. 48 ss 197(1), 207 sch
date of assent 24 November 1992
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 27 November 1992 (1992 SL No. 377)
Prostitution Laws Amendment Act 1992 No. 65 pts 1, 3
date of assent 7 December 1992

Page 528 Current as at 29 January 2018

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent

remaining provisions commenced 1 February 1993 (1993 SL No. 11)
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1992 No. 68 s 3 sch 2
date of assent 7 December 1992
commenced on date of assent
Criminal Law Amendment Act 1993 No. 65
date of assent 23 November 1993
commenced on date of assent
Justice and Attorney-General Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993 No. 68
pt 6
date of assent 23 November 1993
commenced on date of assent
Local Government Act 1993 No. 70 s 804 sch
date of assent 7 December 1993
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 26 March 1994 (see s 2(5))
Fisheries Act 1994 No. 37 s 244 sch 2
date of assent 8 September 1994
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 27 January 1995 (1995 SL No. 9)
Criminal Code No. 37 of 1995 ss 1–2, 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2, 459(4) sch 3 pt 2 div 2,
459(6) sch 3 pt 3 div 2 (this Act is amended, see amending legislation below)
date of assent 16 June 1995
ss 1–2, 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2 commenced on date of assent (see s 2(2))
remaining provisions never proclaimed into force and rep 1997 No. 3 s 121
amending legislation—
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 1995 No. 58 ss 1–2, 4 sch 1 (amends 1995 No. 37
above)
date of assent 28 November 1995
commenced 16 June 1995 (see s 2(1) sch 1)
Jury Act 1995 No. 42 ss 1–2, 76 sch 2
date of assent 9 November 1995
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 17 February 1997 (1997 SL No. 13)
Criminal Offence Victims Act 1995 No. 54 ss 1–2, 45 sch 2
date of assent 22 November 1995
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 18 December 1995 (1995 SL No. 383)
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 1995 No. 58 ss 1–2, 4 sch 1
date of assent 28 November 1995
commenced on date of assent

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 529

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

Page 536 Current as at 29 January 2018

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2010 No. 19 ss 1, 2(1)(a), ch
2 pt 4
date of assent 23 May 2010
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
s 24 commenced 21 September 2010 (see s 2(1)(a) and gazette notice pubd
Queensland Government Gazette No. 20, 21 September 2010 p 172)
remaining provisions commenced on date of assent
Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction Reform and Modernisation Amendment Act 2010
No. 26 pts 1, 4
date of assent 13 August 2010
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 1 November 2010 (2010 SL No. 236)
Prostitution and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010 No. 29 s 1, pt 3
date of assent 1 September 2010
commenced on date of assent
Ministerial and Other Office Holder Staff Act 2010 No. 36 ss 1–2, pt 6 div 1
date of assent 20 September 2010
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 1 November 2010 (2010 SL No. 304)
Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2010 No. 42 ss 1–2(1), pt 7
date of assent 14 October 2010
s 23 commenced 1 November 2010 (2010 SL No. 301)
remaining provisions commenced on date of assent
Criminal Code and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2011 No. 7 pts 1–2
date of assent 4 April 2011
commenced on date of assent
Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2011 No. 12 ss 1–2(1), pt 4
date of assent 14 April 2011
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 1 July 2011 (2011 SL No. 97)
Forensic Disability Act 2011 No. 13 ch 1 pt 1, ch 14 pt 5
date of assent 19 May 2011
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 1 July 2011 (2011 SL No. 121 item 1)
Local Government Electoral Act 2011 No. 27 s 1, pt 12 div 7
date of assent 1 September 2011
commenced on date of assent
Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 No. 32 ss 1–2, 332 sch 1 pt 2 (prev Health and
Hospitals Network Act 2011) (this Act is amended, see amending legislation below)
date of assent 28 October 2011
ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent
remaining provisions commenced 1 July 2012 (2012 SL No. 61 item 3) (previous
proclamation 2012 SL No. 23 item 3 was rep (2012 SL No. 61))

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 537

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

Endnotes

Page 572 Current as at 29 January 2018

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

s 359D ins 1999 No. 18 s 3

Punishment of unlawful stalking
s 359E ins 1999 No. 18 s 3
amd 2009 No. 53 s 151; 2016 No. 62 s 124
Court may restrain unlawful stalking
s 359F ins 1999 No. 18 s 3
Bigamy
s 360 amd 1943 7 Geo 6 No. 14 s 14; 1977 No. 47 s 3(7) sch 1 pt G; 1988 No. 88 s 5
sch 2
Unlawful celebration of marriage
s 361 amd 1974 No. 57 s 8 sch
Child-stealing
s 363 amd 1946 10 Geo 6 No. 22 s 2; 1977 No. 47 s 3(7) sch 1 pt G; 1978 No. 30 s
14 sch; 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2; 1989 No. 17 s 34; 2010 No. 2 s 91
Abduction of child under 16
s 363A ins 1989 No. 17 s 35
amd 1999 No. 66 s 9
Cruelty to children under 16
s 364 amd 1989 No. 17 s 36
sub 1997 No. 3 s 63
amd 1999 No. 66 s 10
sub 2008 No. 55 s 64
Leaving a child under 12 unattended
s 364A ins 2008 No. 55 s 64
CHAPTER 35—CRIMINAL DEFAMATION
ch hdg prev ch 35 hdg om 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
pres ch 35 hdg ins 2005 No. 55 s 48 sch 4
Criminal defamation
s 365 prev s 365 om 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
pres s 365 ins 2005 No. 55 s 48 sch 4
CHAPTER 35A—CIRCUMSTANCE OF AGGRAVATION FOR PARTICULAR
OFFENCES
ch 35A (ss 365A–365C) ins 2014 No. 42 s 17
Definition of defamatory matter
s 366 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 4) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Questions of fact and law
s 367 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 18) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Definition of defamation
s 368 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 5) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Publication

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 573

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

s 369 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 6) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Publication of defamatory matter prima facie unlawful
s 370 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 7) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Absolute protection—privilege of Parliament
s 371 amd 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2 (amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1)
reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 10A) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2 (amd
1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1)
Absolute protection—privileges of Judges, witnesses and others in courts of justice
s 372 amd 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 11) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Absolute protection—reports of official inquiries
s 373 amd 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 12) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Protection—reports of matters of public interest
s 374 amd 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 13) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Protection—fair comment
s 375 amd 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2 (amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1)
reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 14) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Protection—truth
s 376 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 15) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Qualified protection—excuse
s 377 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 16) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Good faith
s 378 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 17) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Relevancy and public benefit questions of fact
s 379 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 19) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Unlawful publication of defamatory matter
s 380 amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2; 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 9) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Defamation of members of Parliament by strangers
s 381 amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2; 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 10) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Defence in case of defamation by words, sounds, signs, signals, or gestures
s 382 om 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Publishing or threatening to publish defamatory matter with intent to extort money
s 383 amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
om 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Liability of proprietor, publisher, and editor of periodicals
s 384 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 30) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2

Page 574 Current as at 29 January 2018

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

Protection of innocent sellers of periodicals

s 385 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 31) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Protection of innocent sellers of books
s 386 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 32) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Protection of employers
s 387 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 33) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Prosecution of newspapers to be by sanction of a Judge after notice
s 388 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 34) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Summary jurisdiction in trivial cases of defamation
s 389 reloc (as 1889 53 Vic No. 12 s 35) 1995 No. 37 s 459(2) sch 3 pt 1 div 2
Things capable of being stolen
s 390 amd 1986 No. 1 s 26
sub 1997 No. 3 s 64
Definition of stealing
s 391 amd 1943 7 Geo 6 No. 14 s 15; 1989 No. 17 s 37
Special cases
s 392 amd 2008 No. 55 s 65
Husband and wife
s 397 om 2008 No. 55 s 66
Punishment of stealing
s 398 amd 1961 10 Eliz 2 No. 11 s 13; 1964 No. 14 s 9; 1973 No. 88 s 5; 1986 No. 1
s 27; 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2; 1989 No. 17 s 38; 1997 No. 3 s 65; 2002 No. 23 s 12;
2008 No. 55 s 67; 2014 No. 13 s 4; 2014 No. 39 s 29; 2016 No. 62 s 125
Fraudulent concealment of particular documents
s 399 amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
sub 2008 No. 55 s 68
Concealing wills
s 400 amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
om 2008 No. 55 s 68
Concealing deeds
s 401 amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
om 2008 No. 55 s 68
Fraudulently dealing with minerals in mines
s 405 amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
om 2008 No. 55 s 69
Fraudulent disposition of mortgaged goods
s 407 amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
om 2008 No. 55 s 70
Fraudulent appropriation of power
s 408 amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 575

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

Page 582 Current as at 29 January 2018

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

Duty of police officer who seizes an animal connected with a charge

s 450E ins 1986 No. 1 s 54
amd 2005 No. 70 s 166 sch
sub 2014 No. 13 s 14
Admissibility of adequate prescribed record
s 450EA ins 2014 No. 13 s 14
Chapter division 3—Stock disposal orders
ch div 3 (ss 450EB–450EH) ins 2014 No. 13 s 14
Chapter division 4—Other provisions
ch div hdg ins 2014 No. 13 s 14
Unavailability of animal at trial
s 450EI ins 2014 No. 13 s 14
Effect of defendant not objecting to animal’s return to its owner
s 450EJ ins 2014 No. 13 s 14
Animal valuers and valuations
s 450F ins 1986 No. 1 s 55
amd 1997 No. 82 s 3 sch; 2005 No. 70 s 166 sch; 2007 No. 37 s 43; 2014 No. 13 s 15
Identification of animals and return to owners prior to tender in certain cases
s 450G ins 1986 No. 1 s 56
om 2014 No. 13 s 16
Licence disqualification where commission of offence facilitated by licence or use of
vehicle
s 450H ins 1986 No. 1 s 57
amd 1989 No. 17 s 43; 1997 No. 82 s 3 sch; 1999 No. 42 s 54(3) sch; 2002 No. 23 s
26; 2014 No. 39 s 31
Forfeiture in cases of conviction for offences under specified sections
s 450I ins 1986 No. 1 s 58
amd 1989 No. 17 s 44; 2002 No. 23 s 27; 2014 No. 39 s 32
CHAPTER 44B—OTHER OFFENCES ANALOGOUS TO STEALING
PUNISHABLE ON SUMMARY CONVICTION
ch hdg ins 1986 No. 1 s 59
om 2008 No. 55 s 82
Unlawful possession of shipwrecked goods
s 451 amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
om 2008 No. 55 s 82
Offering shipwrecked goods for sale
s 452 amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
om 2008 No. 55 s 82
Unlawfully dredging for oysters
s 453 amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
om 1994 No. 37 s 244 sch 2

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 583

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

Unlawfully taking fish

s 454 om 1994 No. 37 s 244 sch 2
Arrest without warrant
s 455 amd 2000 No. 5 s 461 sch 3
om 2008 No. 55 s 82
Warrant in first instance
s 456 om 2008 No. 55 s 82
Effect of summary conviction and of civil proceedings
s 457 amd 1986 No. 1 s 60
om 2008 No. 55 s 82
Unlawful acts
s 458 amd 1997 No. 3 s 85; 2011 No. 7 s 7
Damage
s 460 amd 1997 No. 3 s 86
om 2008 No. 55 s 83
Arson
s 461 amd 1948 12 Geo 6 No. 48 s 10; 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2; 2008 No. 55 s 84
Endangering particular property by fire
s 462 amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
sub 2008 No. 55 s 85
Setting fire to crops and growing plants
s 463 amd 1986 No. 1 s 61; 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
Attempting to set fire to crops etc.
s 464 amd 1986 No. 1 s 62; 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
om 2008 No. 55 s 86
Casting away ships
s 465 amd 1986 No. 1 s 63; 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
om 2008 No. 55 s 86
Attempts to cast away ships
s 466 amd 1986 No. 1 s 64; 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
om 2008 No. 55 s 86
Endangering the safe use of vehicles and related transport infrastructure
s 467 amd 1900 64 Vic No. 7 s 1 sch; 1986 No. 1 s 65; 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
sub 2008 No. 55 s 87
Endangering the safe use of an aircraft
s 467A ins 1964 No. 14 s 14
amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
om 2008 No. 55 s 87
Injuring animals
s 468 amd 1986 No. 1 s 66; 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2; 1989 No. 17 s 45; 2002 No. 23 s
28; 2014 No. 13 s 17

Page 584 Current as at 29 January 2018

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 603

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

s 671G ins 1913 4 Geo 5 No. 23 ss 3, 20

amd 1980 No. 35 s 4(1) sch 1; 1986 No. 1 s 93; 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2; 2002 No. 23
s 32
Duties of registrar
s 671H ins 1913 4 Geo 5 No. 23 ss 3, 21
amd 1961 10 Eliz 2 No. 11 s 36; 1975 No. 27 s 36; 2000 No. 63 s 276 sch 2; 2006
No. 29 s 518 sch 3
Documents, exhibits etc.
s 671J ins 1913 4 Geo 5 No. 23 ss 3, 22
Recording of trial proceedings
s 671K ins 1913 4 Geo 5 No. 23 ss 3, 23
sub 1986 No. 1 s 94
amd 1997 No. 82 s 3 sch; 2000 No. 46 s 3 sch; 2005 No. 70 s 166 sch; 2013 No. 3 s
61 sch 2
Powers exercisable by a Judge
s 671L ins 1913 4 Geo 5 No. 23 ss 3, 24
amd 1980 No. 35 s 4(1) sch 1
Appeals from the decisions of the Court
s 672 prev s 672 om 1913 4 Geo 5 No. 23 s 2(1)
pres s 672 ins 1913 4 Geo 5 No. 23 ss 3, 25
amd 1980 No. 35 s 4(1) sch 1
Pardoning power preserved
s 672A ins 1913 4 Geo 5 No. 23 ss 3, 26
amd 1922 13 Geo 5 No. 2 s 3(xxi); 2005 No. 70 s 166 sch
Appeals from summary convictions
s 673 sub 1975 No. 27 s 37
om 1997 No. 38 s 14
Appeal from Summary Convictions to District Court
s 674 om 1975 No. 27 s 38
Conditional remission of sentence by Governor
s 675 amd 1988 No. 88 s 5 sch 2
Pardon in case of imprisonment for non-payment of money
s 676 amd 1997 No. 82 s 3 sch
CHAPTER 68—EXCEPTIONS TO DOUBLE JEOPARDY RULES
ch hdg prev ch 68 hdg om 1992 No. 44 s 235 sch 3
pres ch 68 hdg ins 2007 No. 49 s 4
Definitions
s 678 prev s 678 amd 1971 No. 41 s 7; 1986 No. 1 s 95
om 1992 No. 44 s 235 sch 3
pres s 678 ins 2007 No. 49 s 4
amd 2016 No. 5 s 873

Page 604 Current as at 29 January 2018

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

s 736 ins 2016 No. 62 s 139
Regulation made by the Serious and Organised Crime Legislation Amendment Act
2016
s 737 ins 2016 No. 62 s 139
CHAPTER 97—TRANSITIONAL PROVISION FOR CRIMINAL LAW
AMENDMENT ACT 2017
ch hdg ins 2017 No. 6 s 12
Application of amendment Act
s 739 ins 2017 No. 6 s 12
CHAPTER 98—TRANSITIONAL PROVISION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME
ASSISTANCE AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT ACT 2017
ch hdg ins 2017 No. 8 s 5
Protected counselling communications
s 740 ins 2017 No. 8 s 5
CHAPTER 99—TRANSITIONAL PROVISION FOR PENALTIES AND
SENTENCES (DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT ORDERS) AND OTHER
LEGISLATION AMENDMENT ACT 2017
ch hdg ins 2017 No. 41 s 6
Application of s 552H
s 741 ins 2017 No. 41 s 6

8 Transitional and savings provisions for

Criminal Code
Section 2 of the Criminal Code Amendment
Act of 1922 provides—

2 Abolition of capital punishment

The sentence of punishment by death shall no
longer be pronounced or recorded, and the
punishment of death shall no longer be inflicted.
Section 3 of the Criminal Code Amendment
Act 1968 provides—

3 Application of Act
This Act does not apply in respect of
Page 610 Current as at 29 January 2018
Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

compensation for injury suffered before the

commencement of this Act.
Sections 9–10 of the Criminal Code and the
Offenders Probation and Parole Act
Amendment Act 1971 provides—

9 References in Acts (other than this Act) to

Wilful Murder
A reference in any Act (other than this Act), or in
any instrument made under any such Act, to—
(a)“wilful murder”;
(b)“wilful murder or murder”;
(c)“wilful murder and murder”;
(d)“wilful murder, murder”,
shall, unless the context is such that it would be
inappropriate or the contrary intention appears, be
read as a reference to “murder” and the Act or
instrument shall have effect accordingly.

10 Transitional
(1) Where a person is charged on indictment with an
offence against section 301 of The Criminal Code
before the commencement of this Act and the trial
on the indictment is continued after that
commencement, the trial shall be continued, and
punishment shall be imposed and enforced upon a
conviction in the proceedings, as if this Act had
not been passed.
(2) Where before the commencement of this Act a
person has committed an offence against section
301 of The Criminal Code in respect of which he
has not been charged on indictment before that
commencement, he may be charged under section
302 of The Criminal Code as amended by this part
of this Act in respect of the act or omission
Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 611
Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

constituting the offence as if at the time of doing

the act or making the omission constituting the
offence as if at the time of doing the act or making
the omission the said section 302 as so amended
had been of force and effect.
Section 19 of the Justices Act and the Criminal
Code Amendment Act 1977 provides—

19 Notes to sections of Code deemed to be

headings
Where, in the form in which a section inserted by
way of amendment in The Criminal Code was
enacted, there appears a note in and at the
beginning of the section it shall be deemed that
such note is and was enacted as a heading
appearing immediately above the section in and at
the beginning of which it appears.
Section 3 of the Regulatory Offences Act 1985
provides—

3 Act not to alter The Criminal Code

Subject to the provisions of section 10, nothing in
this Act shall be construed to alter the provisions
of The Criminal Code.
Section 16 the Criminal Code and Another Act
Amendment Act 1990 provides—

16 Transitional
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who before the
commencement of this Act commits—
(a)an offence defined in sections 208 (1) or (3) of The
Criminal Code as it exists immediately before the commencement; or
(b)an offence defined in section 209 or 535 of The
Criminal Code constituted by an attempt to commit an offence defined in paragraph
(a);

Page 612 Current as at 29 January 2018

Criminal Code Act 1899

Endnotes

cannot thereafter be convicted of the offence

unless it is committed in respect of a person not an
adult within the meaning of The Criminal Code
(3) A person who, before the commencement of this
Act commits an offence defined in section 211 of
The Criminal Code as it existed immediately
before the commencement, cannot thereafter be
convicted of the offence.
(4) A provision of this section stating that a person
cannot be convicted after the commencement of
this Act of an offence defined in a specified
section of The Criminal Code committed before
the commencement does not have the effect that
such a person cannot be charged convicted and
punished for an offence defined in some other
section of The Criminal Code where the
circumstances in question constitute an offence
defined in that other section.

Current as at 29 January 2018 Page 613

Criminal Code Act 1899
No ratings yet
Criminal Code Act 1899
521 pages
Queensland Criminal Code Act 1899
No ratings yet
Queensland Criminal Code Act 1899
544 pages
Criminal Offences Act 1960
No ratings yet
Criminal Offences Act 1960
115 pages
Criminal Law 1l
No ratings yet
Criminal Law 1l
154 pages
Criminal Law 2021
No ratings yet
Criminal Law 2021
126 pages
Penal Code CAP 63
No ratings yet
Penal Code CAP 63
178 pages
GL 2006
No ratings yet
GL 2006
661 pages
Ipc BNS
100% (1)
Ipc BNS
51 pages
Laws of Kenya: He Enal Ode
No ratings yet
Laws of Kenya: He Enal Ode
178 pages
UK General Crimes Act Overview
No ratings yet
UK General Crimes Act Overview
5 pages
Indian Penal Code, 1860 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 Section Heading Clause Heading
No ratings yet
Indian Penal Code, 1860 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 Section Heading Clause Heading
41 pages
New Zealand Legislation
No ratings yet
New Zealand Legislation
218 pages
Act 29
No ratings yet
Act 29
116 pages
Legal Reference for Law Professionals
No ratings yet
Legal Reference for Law Professionals
40 pages
HUngary Criminal Code
No ratings yet
HUngary Criminal Code
176 pages
Comparative - table-of-IPC-provisions-with-Bharat-Nyaya-Sanitha
No ratings yet
Comparative - table-of-IPC-provisions-with-Bharat-Nyaya-Sanitha
142 pages
Ebook PDF Criminal Process in Queensland 2e PDF
100% (55)
Ebook PDF Criminal Process in Queensland 2e PDF
41 pages
Crimes Act 1961
No ratings yet
Crimes Act 1961
229 pages
Organized Crime Review
No ratings yet
Organized Crime Review
154 pages
PenalCode Cap63
No ratings yet
PenalCode Cap63
164 pages
1981 No 113 Summary Offences
No ratings yet
1981 No 113 Summary Offences
26 pages
India Penal Code Index
No ratings yet
India Penal Code Index
3 pages
1911 The Common Law of England
100% (3)
1911 The Common Law of England
766 pages
Penal Law
No ratings yet
Penal Law
92 pages
KBS Penal Code Law
No ratings yet
KBS Penal Code Law
17 pages
1935 2252 Auth
No ratings yet
1935 2252 Auth
292 pages
Criminal Code As at 06 08 25
No ratings yet
Criminal Code As at 06 08 25
173 pages
archboldHK2025 020
No ratings yet
archboldHK2025 020
126 pages
National Police Academy Islamabad: RD TH
No ratings yet
National Police Academy Islamabad: RD TH
27 pages
Penal Code Act 10 of 1930
No ratings yet
Penal Code Act 10 of 1930
115 pages
State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety: Uniform Crime Report
No ratings yet
State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety: Uniform Crime Report
98 pages
Legal Code: Penal Code Overview
No ratings yet
Legal Code: Penal Code Overview
131 pages
Chapter 1 Summary - The Nature of Crime
No ratings yet
Chapter 1 Summary - The Nature of Crime
28 pages
New Zealand Crimes Act 1961
No ratings yet
New Zealand Crimes Act 1961
279 pages
Legal Professionals' Guide
100% (2)
Legal Professionals' Guide
459 pages
2019 Bar Exam: Criminal Law Guide
No ratings yet
2019 Bar Exam: Criminal Law Guide
58 pages
RefugeeConsortium of Kenya Annex2
No ratings yet
RefugeeConsortium of Kenya Annex2
149 pages
CLJ 3 Reviewer
No ratings yet
CLJ 3 Reviewer
9 pages
Introduction to Criminal Law in Malaysia
100% (1)
Introduction to Criminal Law in Malaysia
30 pages
Mauritius Criminal Code PDF
No ratings yet
Mauritius Criminal Code PDF
108 pages
Title 18 Pa Crimes Code
100% (1)
Title 18 Pa Crimes Code
507 pages
Crim Elements Rundown
No ratings yet
Crim Elements Rundown
12 pages
PENAL CODE LAW Katsina State, 2021
100% (2)
PENAL CODE LAW Katsina State, 2021
128 pages
Indian Penal Code Overview
No ratings yet
Indian Penal Code Overview
20 pages
Crimes Act 2025 No2
No ratings yet
Crimes Act 2025 No2
28 pages
Crime Madison L Notes
No ratings yet
Crime Madison L Notes
79 pages
Offences Against The Person Act
No ratings yet
Offences Against The Person Act
34 pages
Finals Criminal Law
No ratings yet
Finals Criminal Law
9 pages
Criminal Code
No ratings yet
Criminal Code
188 pages
5 Penal (Criminal) Code 40 2009
No ratings yet
5 Penal (Criminal) Code 40 2009
90 pages
L - IPC - at A Glance - Dr.R.Madhavi
No ratings yet
L - IPC - at A Glance - Dr.R.Madhavi
14 pages
GLMFull
No ratings yet
GLMFull
596 pages
Crime 11
No ratings yet
Crime 11
66 pages
IPC or CRPC
No ratings yet
IPC or CRPC
36 pages
NZ Summary Offences Act 1981
No ratings yet
NZ Summary Offences Act 1981
50 pages
BNS Ipc
No ratings yet
BNS Ipc
18 pages
Zoleta v. Investigating Staff, Internal Affairs Board, Office of The Ombudsman
No ratings yet
Zoleta v. Investigating Staff, Internal Affairs Board, Office of The Ombudsman
21 pages
Sunshine Purchase Agreement
No ratings yet
Sunshine Purchase Agreement
2 pages
77 VILLAMOR GOLF CLUB Vs Pehid - Serious Misconduct
No ratings yet
77 VILLAMOR GOLF CLUB Vs Pehid - Serious Misconduct
3 pages
Industrial Misconduct & Discipline Guide
No ratings yet
Industrial Misconduct & Discipline Guide
8 pages
Challenges To Indian Democracy
No ratings yet
Challenges To Indian Democracy
3 pages
Manuel Roxas
No ratings yet
Manuel Roxas
14 pages
Antonyms for PMS Punjab Exam Prep
No ratings yet
Antonyms for PMS Punjab Exam Prep
43 pages
Name: - Class: - (The Test Paper Consists of 18 Pages) Time: 180 Minutes
No ratings yet
Name: - Class: - (The Test Paper Consists of 18 Pages) Time: 180 Minutes
10 pages
The Anti-Authoritarian Handbook - Foreign Policy
No ratings yet
The Anti-Authoritarian Handbook - Foreign Policy
10 pages
Ife 201 Case Study Analysis Lecture Note 2025
No ratings yet
Ife 201 Case Study Analysis Lecture Note 2025
6 pages
Agency ALC Agreement
No ratings yet
Agency ALC Agreement
10 pages
Corruption
No ratings yet
Corruption
21 pages
Legal Ethics Lawyer and The Legal Profession
100% (1)
Legal Ethics Lawyer and The Legal Profession
16 pages
Bribery and Corruption
No ratings yet
Bribery and Corruption
6 pages
Code of Business Conduct Ethics
No ratings yet
Code of Business Conduct Ethics
35 pages
Irony Humor and Satire
No ratings yet
Irony Humor and Satire
2 pages
Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession A Drama of Social Reform
No ratings yet
Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession A Drama of Social Reform
14 pages
English Department Lesson Plan/Exemplar Academic Year: Quarter/Week/Day
No ratings yet
English Department Lesson Plan/Exemplar Academic Year: Quarter/Week/Day
7 pages
Poem London
No ratings yet
Poem London
6 pages
Entrepreneurship Assignment
No ratings yet
Entrepreneurship Assignment
7 pages
Northeastern Mindanao Colleges
No ratings yet
Northeastern Mindanao Colleges
31 pages
VOL-II-SEC-I-PART-B-Attchments To SPC
No ratings yet
VOL-II-SEC-I-PART-B-Attchments To SPC
26 pages
The Robredo Style: Philippine Local Politics in Transition
No ratings yet
The Robredo Style: Philippine Local Politics in Transition
3 pages
Lesson 18
No ratings yet
Lesson 18
16 pages
Falcon
No ratings yet
Falcon
22 pages
Vocabulary Quiz for ESL Learners
No ratings yet
Vocabulary Quiz for ESL Learners
6 pages
Aggravating Circumstances
No ratings yet
Aggravating Circumstances
9 pages
Lokpal: India's Anti-Corruption Ombudsman
No ratings yet
Lokpal: India's Anti-Corruption Ombudsman
2 pages
Zondo Commission Witness List
100% (2)
Zondo Commission Witness List
10 pages
Corruption in Pakistan
No ratings yet
Corruption in Pakistan
7 pages