The criminal offence of perverting the course of justice is a serious indictable offence that can lead to severe repercussions. Criminal Lawyers Group have been nationally recognised as the top criminal law firm in NSW for securing the best outcomes for clients who have been charged with the criminal offence of perverting the course of justice.
If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with the criminal offence of perverting the course of justice, contact our award-winning team of expert criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation.
WHAT IS THE CRIMINAL OFFENCE OF PERVERTING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE?
Section 319 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) constitutes it a criminal offence to do any act, or make any omission, intending in any way to pervert the course of justice. To be convicted of the criminal offence of perverting the course of justice, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused did an act or made an omission and that they did so with the intention to pervert the course of justice.
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF PERVERTING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE?
To understand the criminal offence of perverting the course of justice, it is prudent to know the definition of perverting the course of justice.
Section 312 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) defines the term ‘pervert the course of justice’ when referred to in Part 7 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) as a reference to obstructing, preventing, perverting or defeating the course of justice or the administration of the law.
WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR THE CRIMINAL OFFENCE OF PERVERTING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE?
Section 319 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) prescribes a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment for a person convicted of the criminal offence of perverting the course of justice. A conviction of the criminal offence of perverting the course of justice is likely to also negatively impact your professional career and personal life.
WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF PERVERTING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE?
Examples of perverting the course of justice include, but are not limited to:
- Requesting someone to provide a false alibi
- Asking someone to admit to and plead guilty to an offence which you know they are innocent of and which you in fact committed
- A witness providing a false statement to police
MARK STANDEN MAINTAINS INNOCENCE OF PERVERTING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE AFTER RELEASE FROM PRISON
Former Assistant Director of the NSW Crime Commission and convicted former corrupt cop Mark Standen has maintained his innocence after being released from prison having served 16 years for the criminal offence offences of perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to import and supply pseudoephedrine.
Mr Standen remains the most senior crime fighter in Australia to ever be convicted of drug importation. Mr Standen maintains his innocence, whilst Former Commission boss Phillip Bradley states that Mr Standen’s crime was a one off.
However, critics claim that multiple Australian government agencies failed to thoroughly examine potential wider criminality conducted by Mr Standen and that he may have been guilty of more than the criminal offences of perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to import and supply pseudoephedrine that he was convicted of.
A Four Corners investigation which spanned more than a decade, claims to have found that Mr Standen protected criminals, sabotaged investigations into organised crime and was believed by the Australian Federal Police to have been involved in multiple drug imports.
Former NSW Police deputy commissioner Nick Kaldas stated that “looking back it had to be the case that [Standen] was involved in a lot more than what he was charged with.”
CONTACT CRIMINAL LAWYERS GROUP NOW
If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with the criminal offence of perverting the course of justice, contact our specialised criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation so that we may secure the best outcome for you.
Our award-winning team of criminal law experts are nationally recognised for securing not guilty verdicts, the withdrawal of charges and the avoidance of prison sentences for our clients across NSW who have been charged with the criminal offence of perverting the course of justice.