Offences

What Are Drug Offences?

Drug offences cover a broad range of charges under Western Australia’s Misuse of Drugs Act and related legislation. Common drug offences include:

Possession of Prohibited Substances:

This refers to having illegal drugs for personal use or with intent to distribute. Common prohibited substances include:

• Cannabis: A psychoactive drug from the cannabis plant.
• Methamphetamine (“Ice”): A highly addictive stimulant.
• Cocaine: A powerful stimulant commonly associated with recreational use.
• Heroin: An opioid drug with significant addictive potential.
• Ecstasy (MDMA): A synthetic drug with stimulant and hallucinogenic properties.
• LSD: A hallucinogenic substance commonly found in tab form.

Drug Trafficking:

The sale, transport, or distribution of illegal drugs, often involving large quantities or networks. Trafficking offences often carry severe penalties.

Manufacturing Prohibited Substances:

Producing drugs such as methamphetamine, often involving dangerous chemicals and equipment. Even possessing equipment or precursors for drug manufacturing can lead to charges.

Cultivation of Prohibited Plants:

Growing plants such as cannabis without lawful authority. The severity of penalties often depends on the number of plants involved.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia:

Items such as bongs, pipes, syringes, or equipment associated with drug use or manufacturing can lead to additional charges.

Supply or Intent to Supply:

Sharing or intending to share drugs with others, even without monetary exchange, can constitute a supply offence.

Drug charges can range from minor possession offences to serious trafficking or manufacturing cases, with the severity of the charge affecting potential penalties.

What Are Honesty Offences?

Honesty offences refer a diverse array of crimes where dishonesty is a core element of the offence. Common honesty offences include:

• Theft: Taking property belonging to another person with the intention of permanently depriving them of it.
• Fraud: Using deceptive practices to obtain financial or personal gain, such as credit card fraud or forging documents.
• Forgery: Falsifying documents or signatures with the intent to deceive.
• Dealing in Stolen Property or Proceeds of Crime: Possessing, selling, or distributing stolen goods, or handling money or assets derived from unlawful activities.
• Corruption and Bribery: Offering, soliciting, or accepting something of value to influence the actions of an individual in a position of trust or authority.
• Money Laundering: Processing or disguising proceeds of crime to make them appear legitimate.
• Misappropriation: Misusing funds or property entrusted to you for personal benefit.
• False Pretences: Obtaining goods, services, or benefits by lying or misrepresenting facts.
• Identity Fraud: Using another person’s identity to gain financial or personal benefits.
• Perjury: Knowingly making false statements under oath during legal proceedings.
• Fabricating Evidence: Creating false evidence or altering genuine evidence with the intent to mislead a court or tribunal.

What Are Property Offences?

Property offences are crimes that involve the unlawful taking, damaging, or handling of someone else’s property. They may occur in residential, commercial, or public contexts and often involve disputes over ownership, intent, or the value of the property.

Common property offences include:

• Theft: Taking property without the owner’s consent and with the intention to permanently deprive them of it.
• Burglary: Entering a building or premises with the intent to commit an offence such as theft or criminal damage.
• Robbery: Theft involving the use of force or threats.
• Criminal Damage: Deliberately damaging or defacing property, such as vandalism or arson.
• Receiving Stolen Property: Possessing or dealing with property you know, or should reasonably know, is stolen.
• Trespass: Unlawfully entering or remaining on someone else’s property.
• Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle: Taking or using a vehicle without the owner’s permission.

Common violent offences include:

• Assault: The use or threat of unlawful physical force against another person.
• Domestic Violence: Acts of violence or intimidation within a domestic or family relationship.
• Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH): Causing severe or life-altering injuries to another person.
• Unlawful Wounding: Intentionally or recklessly inflicting a wound on another person without lawful justification.
• Firearms Offences: Including unlawful possession, use, or trafficking of firearms.
• Murder or Manslaughter: The unlawful killing of another person, either with intent (murder) or without intent (manslaughter).
• Armed Robbery: Theft involving the use or threat of violence, often with a weapon.
• Affray: Participating in a violent public disturbance that causes fear to others.

Common personal offences include:

• Assault: Unlawful physical force or threats to cause harm to another person.
• Stalking: Persistent and unwanted attention or harassment causing fear or distress.
• Harassment: Behaviours, such as intimidation or verbal abuse, intended to disturb or upset another individual.
• Sexual Offences: Includes sexual assault, indecent exposure, or any non-consensual sexual conduct.
• Kidnapping or Unlawful Detention: Restricting someone’s movement without their consent.
• Intimidation: Using threats or actions to instil fear or compel behaviour.
• Revenge Pornography: Sharing or threatening to share explicit images without consent.

What Are Sexual Offences?

Sexual offences encompass a range of criminal activities involving unlawful sexual conduct. These charges can arise from various circumstances and often hinge on issues of consent, evidence, and intent.

Common Sexual Offences Include:

• Sexual Assault: Engaging in non-consensual sexual activity with another person.
• Indecent Assault: Acts involving unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature.
• Child Exploitation Material: Possessing, producing, or distributing inappropriate materials involving minors.
• Rape: Forcing someone to engage in sexual intercourse without their consent.
• Indecent Exposure: Deliberate exposure of intimate parts in a public or inappropriate setting.
• Grooming Offences: Behaviours aimed at preparing or exploiting minors for sexual activity.