Common crimes Facing criminal charges for shoplifting What do the police have to prove for me to be convicted of shoplifting? Crimes Act 1961, s 219 If a shop accuses you of shoplifting, you may face a criminal charge of “theft or…
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Common crimes Tagging and graffiti What you can be charged with for tagging or graffiti Summary Offences Act 1981, s 11A If the police charge you for tagging, they’ll usually charge you with the specific offence created for taggers in 2008 –…
Common crimes Tagging and Graffiti Sentences for tagging or graffiti What sentence am I likely to get for tagging? Case: [2014] NZHC 1592 For a first tagging offence involving just a single case of tagging and with no permanent damage, you’d normally…
Common crimes Assault Possible defences to assault charges Self-defence What do I have to show in order to claim self-defence? Crimes Act 1961, s 48 You’ll have a good defence to an assault charge if you were defending yourself or someone else.…
Common crimes Pāua poaching and other fisheries offences Introduction Rules for amateur fishing Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 2013 If you’re not fishing commercially, you’re allowed to take up to the daily limits stated in the amateur fishing regulations (see: “Daily limits for…
Common crimes Pāua poaching and other fisheries offences Daily limits for amateur fishing How the daily limits work Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 2013 If you’re fishing or otherwise gathering kaimoana as an amateur or recreational fisher, the limits that apply to the…
Common crimes Pāua poaching and other fisheries offences Charges and penalties for fisheries offences Fisheries Act 1996, s 254 Fines and other penalties for fisheries offences are particularly heavy compared to some other kinds of criminal offending. This is because the fisheries…
Common crimes Drug offences Introduction How illegal drugs are classified in New Zealand Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, ss 2, 3A, Schedules 1–3 Illegal drugs are classified in the following way: Class A – These are the “hard” drugs, for example: heroin,…
Common crimes Drug offences Synthetic cannabis, party pills, herbal highs: “Psychoactive substances” Possessing synthetic cannabis or other psychoactive substances Psychoactive Substances Act 2013, s 71 Criminal Procedure Act 2011, ss 6, 71 It’s illegal to possess any synthetic cannabis, party pills or…
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