Administration of Justice Offences

Administration of Justice Offences
Author: Victoria. Parliament. Law Reform Committee
Publisher: VPLRC
Total Pages: 292
Release: 2004
Genre: Criminal law
ISBN: 9780731353996

In 2003 the Victorian Parliament Law Reform Committee received terms of reference to report to Parliament on the current state of the law in Victoria in relation to administration of justice offences. In determining which offences this Inquiry would cover, the Committee focused on the offences that were considered by the Model Criminal Code Officers Committee (MCCOC). This Inquiry examines the following offences: attempting to pervert the course of justice; specific offences relating to interference with evidence and witnesses; accessory after the fact; and perjury. The terms of reference guided the structure of this Report so that each chapter examines each offence by analysing the current state of the law in Victoria and then comparing it with the relevant MCCOC recommendation. The committee then examines interstate laws and other relevant law reform agency recommendations before considering witnesses' submissions. The Committee recommendations are based on a number of guiding principles which include transparency and consistency in the law. Many of the recommendations are also influenced by the Committee's general support for the codification of administration of justice offences.