Serious Consequences for Assaulting, Resisting or Hindering a Police Officer in NSW
In New South Wales (NSW), assaulting, resisting, or hindering a police officer in the execution of their duties is a serious criminal offence. The law aims to protect law enforcement officers from harm and interference while they carry out their responsibilities to maintain public order and safety.
Whether the incident involves physical assault, active resistance during arrest, or obstructing police during an investigation, the penalties can be significant, including imprisonment. This article outlines the legal framework, penalties, and defence relevant to this offence in NSW.
Brightstone Defence has a proven track record in defending clients facing charges for assaulting, resisting, or hindering police officers. We focus on strategic, practical solutions tailored to your case.
Under Section 60 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), it is an offence to assault, stalk, harass, or intimidate a police officer while they are executing their duty. The penalties for this offence depend on the severity of the assault:
- Basic offence: Up to 5 years' imprisonment
- If actual bodily harm is caused: Up to 7 years' imprisonment
- If grievous bodily harm is caused or with intent to cause harm: Up to12 years' imprisonment
Courts treat assaults on police officers with significant seriousness due to the nature of their role in maintaining public order.
The offence of assaulting a police officer applies to various actions, including:
- Physically attacking or making unlawful contact with an officer
- Spitting at or throwing objects at an officer
- Using threats or intimidation to hinder an officer’s duties
- Any form of harassment intended to obstruct law enforcement
The law protects police officers from any form of interference while they are performing their official duties, including making an arrest, conducting an investigation, or responding to an emergency.
Under this section, it is an offence to:
- Assault a police officer while they are exercising their duties
- Resist or hinder a police officer in the execution of their duties
- Throw a missile at a police officer
- Cause actual bodily harm to a police officer
It is also an offence to commit these acts knowing that the victim is a police officer, and while the officer is acting in the execution of their duty, whether on or off duty.
检方必须证明的要素
To convict a person of assaulting a police officer, the prosecution must establish beyond a reasonable doubt that:
- An assault occurred – The accused engaged in an act of physical force or intimidation against an officer.
- The victim was a police officer – The person assaulted was an active-duty police officer at the time of the incident.
- The officer was acting in the course of their duty – The officer was performing a lawful function under their authority.
- Intent or recklessness – The accused intended to assault the officer or acted recklessly without regard for the consequences.
The prosecution must also prove that the police officer was not acting unlawfully or using excessive force at the time of the incident.
可能的防御
There are several legal defences available for those charged with assaulting a police officer, including:
- Self-Defence – If the accused acted in self-defence against unlawful or excessive force by the officer.
- Duress – If the accused was forced to commit the act under threats of harm.
- Lack of Intent – If there was no intention to assault the officer, or the act was accidental.
- Unlawful Conduct by Police – If the officer was acting outside their legal authority or using excessive force, the defence may argue that the accused was responding to unlawful conduct.
A skilled defence lawyer can assess the case and determine the best strategy to challenge the charges.
潜在的处罚
The penalties for assaulting a police officer vary depending on the severity of the offence, including:
- Conditional Release Order (CRO) – A good behaviour bond without conviction
- Community Correction Order (CCO) – A supervised order with conditions
- Intensive Correction Order (ICO) – A custodial sentence served in the community
- Imprisonment – A custodial sentence served in prison
The sentencing outcome depends on factors such as the nature of the assault, prior convictions, and mitigating circumstances.
法律程序
& 选项
The legal process for assaulting a police officer generally begins with an arrest and charge, followed by court proceedings in the Local or District Court depending on the seriousness of the offence. The prosecution must prove the elements beyond a reasonable doubt, and the accused has the right to present a defence or enter a plea.
恳求
无罪
If you believe you did not commit the offence or there is insufficient evidence against you, you can plead not guilty. Your legal team may challenge the prosecution’s case by:
- Examining the officer’s conduct during the incident
- Arguing that the assault did not occur as alleged
- Establishing a legal defence, such as self-defence or lack of intent
If the prosecution cannot prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, you will be found not guilty and the charges will be dismissed.
恳求
有罪
If you admit to the charge, you may choose to plead guilty. Doing so may result in a reduced sentence, as courts often consider an early plea as a sign of remorse. The court may also consider mitigating factors such as:
- A previously clean criminal record
- Demonstrating remorse and cooperation with authorities
- The objective seriousness of the offending
- Subjectives of the offender
- Evidence of rehabilitation or character references
Depending on the case, a lawyer may negotiate for a lesser penalty, such as a conditional release order instead of imprisonment.
- 不
不需要身体接触。您可以被指控普通攻击，只要威胁或试图造成伤害，只要受害人对即刻暴力有合理的恐惧。
- 是的
普通攻击的定罪将导致犯罪记录，这可能影响您的就业、旅行和未来机会。
然而，如果法院被说服根据第10条处理此事，可能避免定罪。
一旦提起指控，由警察或检察官决定是否继续或撤销，而不是受害人。虽然可能会考虑受害人的愿望，但继续的决定在于公诉局长（DPP）或新南威尔士州警察。
- 是的
如果威胁使受害人害怕即刻和非法的暴力，口头威胁可以构成普通攻击。
威胁必须足够严重，并在受害人真诚地相信伤害可能即将发生的情况下提出。
主要区别在于伤害的程度。普通攻击不需要证明伤害，而AOABH涉及超出短暂或轻微的身体伤害，例如淤伤、割伤或心理创伤。AOABH带有更重的处罚。
如果您能够证明您合理地相信您的行为是保护自己或他人所必需的，您不应被认定有罪。法院将考虑您是否相信武力是必要的，以及您的反应是否成比例。这是一个常见和有效的法律辩护。
- 不
不需要伤害。普通攻击可以来自威胁性手势、打耳光、推收或任何导致另一个人害怕非法武力或未经同意的轻微身体接触的行为。
未能出席法庭可能导致发出逮捕令。在指定的日期出席法庭至关重要，或如果可能安排法律代表代表您行事。如果您不确定，请始终联系法院或您的律师。
- 是的，但只有在警察或检察官的酸量权下。
如果证据不足或所称的受害人拒绝合作，检察官可能在律师和警察之间的谈判后撤销指控。然而，即使没有受害人的支持，指控仍然可以继续。
- 是的，新南威尔士州的法院可以根据《1999年犯罪（判决程序）法》第10条发出非定罪结果。
这意味着您被认定有罪但不记录定罪。如果罪行轻微并且您没有前科，这可能更有可能。
普通攻击涉及引起对即刻暴力的恐惧或担忧，或未造成重大伤害的轻微身体接触。AOABH涉及导致超出轻微或短暂伤害的实际身体伤害的攻击。
“实际身体伤害”包括干扰受害人健康或舒适的伤害，超出了微不足道的程度。示例包括：
- 淤伤或肿胀
- 裂伤或割伤
- 流鼻血
- 是的，它是一项可起诉的罪行。
然而，在某些条件下（取决于严重性以及检察官或辩护方的选择），它可以在地方法院简易审理。
- 是的
如果一拳导致伤害，例如淤伤、裂伤或流鼻血，可能足以支持AOABH指控。
抵抗指对合法警察行动的任何身体或积极反对（例如，在逮捕期间抽身）。阻碍可能涉及更被动的干扰，例如：
- 提供虚假信息
- 阻止警察进入某个地点
- 鼓励其他人抵抗逮捕
- 不
警察不需要穿制服，但他们必须明确地表明自己是警察。
此罪行仅适用于警察合法地执行职责时（例如，不是下班或非法行事）。
如果您能够证明您合理地相信您的行为是保护自己或另一个人所必需的，您可能有有效的自卫论证。这种辩护必须通过情况和事实仔细支持。
要被认定为轻率，法院必须认定在您的位置上的一个理智的人会意识到存在造成严重伤害的实质性风险。如果风险不明显或不可预见，这可能是一种辩护。一个经典的例子可能是，一个人将玻璃瓶扔向另一个人的脸，造成了眼睛失明。一个理智的人会意识到这样做可能伤害眼睛。
在某些情况下，法律代表可以与检察官谈判，根据伤害、证据和意图，将指控减少为造成实际身体伤害的攻击（AOABH）或普通攻击。
“伤口”涉及破坏皮肤的内外层（例如深切口或穿刺），而“GBH”涉及更严重或永久性的伤害。
故意伤口很严重，但由于造成的伤害程度更大，故意GBH通常导致更严厉的处罚。
“造成GBH或伤口并有意图”意味着检察官必须证明被告故意意图对另一个人造成严重伤害或伤害，而不仅仅是轻率行事。
重要的是要注意意图是一个关键要素，必须毫无疑问地证明。
- 是的
如果检察官能够证明存在造成GBH或伤口的意图，即使伤害不是永久性的或没有预期的那么严重，您仍然可以根据《1900年新南威尔士州犯罪法》第33条被定罪。
- 是的
- A Criminal lawyer can help you by:
- 解释您的权利和法律程序。
- 评估您是否有有效的辩护。
- 与检察官谈判以减少指控或处罚。
- 为您的案件准备并代表您进行辩护。
- 帮助减少对您未来的影响，例如避免犯罪记录。
- 早期法律建议可以显著提高您获得有利结果的机会。
- 寻找一位在辩护攻击和暴力罪行方面有证明经验、对当地法院有深入了解并且有为客户取得成功结果历史的刑事律师。
抵抗指对合法警察行动的任何身体或积极反对（例如，在逮捕期间抽身）。阻碍可能涉及更被动的干扰，例如：
- 提供虚假信息
- 阻止警察进入某个地点
- 鼓励其他人抵抗逮捕
- 不
警察不需要穿制服，但他们必须明确地表明自己是警察。
此罪行仅适用于警察合法地执行职责时（例如，不是下班或非法行事）。
- 是的
- A Criminal lawyer can help you by:
- 解释您的权利和法律程序。
- 评估您是否有有效的辩护。
- 与检察官谈判以减少指控或处罚。
- 为您的案件准备并代表您进行辩护。
- 帮助减少对您未来的影响，例如避免犯罪记录。
- 早期法律建议可以显著提高您获得有利结果的机会。
- 寻找一位在辩护攻击和暴力罪行方面有证明经验、对当地法院有深入了解并且有为客户取得成功结果历史的刑事律师。
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