Offensive Weapon

Use of Offensive Weapon

Section 33B (1) (a) Crimes Act 1900 NSW states that any person who uses attempts to use threatens to use, or possesses an offensive weapon or instrument with an intention to commit an indictable offence is liable to imprisonment for 12 years.

Offensive weapon or instrument means:

(a) a dangerous weapon, or
(b) any thing that is made or adapted for offensive purposes, or
(c) anything that, in the circumstances, is used, intended for use or threatened to be used for offensive purposes, whether or not it is ordinarily used for offensive purposes or is capable of causing harm.

What are the Elements of Crime?

Physical Element/Actus Reus: The act of using or attempting to use or threatening through words or actions to use an offensive weapon including possession of an offensive weapon. An offensive weapon may be any instrument, however innocent in its ordinary use. It is a question for the jury to decide as to whether an instrument constitutes an offensive weapon under the particular circumstances.

Mental Element/Mens Rea: Intention to use or possess an offensive weapon or instrument to commit an indictable offence.

What does the Prosecution Prove?

  1. The accused used or possessed an offensive weapon or instrument.
  2. The accused attempted to use or threatened to use an offensive weapon or instrument.
  3. The accused threatened injury to any other person or property.
  4. The accused intended to use or threaten to use such a weapon to commit an indictable offence.

Onus of Proof

If you have been charged with the criminal offence of fraud, you are innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The jury will review all available evidence and circumstances of the case and make a determination that you have been guilty of an offence. This concept was discussed by their Honour of Dixon CJ in Plomp v The Queen [1963] HCA 44; (1963) 110 CLR 234 at 242 where he said:

“All the circumstances of the case must be weighed in judging whether there is evidence upon which a jury may reasonably be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt of the commission of the crime charged”.

What is Penalty for this Crime?

The maximum penalty prescribed for this crime is 12 years imprisonment. However, the maximum penalty is imposed only in the most serious of cases.

This offence falls under Table 1 of Schedule 1 of the Crimes Procedure Act 1986 and is dealt with summarily in a Local Court unless elected otherwise by the prosecution or the defendant.

What are the Defences Available?

  • Self-defence- You can raise this defence if your actions were necessary and reasonable to protect yourself.
  • Necessity- The common law defence of necessity operates where circumstances (natural or human threats) bear upon the accused, inducing the accused to break the law to avoid even more dire consequences.
  • Duress- You must prove that you were threatened or intimidated into committing a crime against your will to successfully raise the defence of duress.

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