HSC Legal Studies - CRIME | Legislation + Case Examples 2025

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Evidence Act 1996 (NSW)

Ensures that only relevant and legally obtained evidence is used in court, increasing the reliability and fairness of trials.

Legal Aid Commission Act 1979 (NSW)

Guarantees legal assistance to disadvantaged individuals, promoting access to justice

Crimes Amendment (Provocation) Act 2014 (NSW)

Reformed the provocation defence, ensuring it is only available in extreme cases, particularly domestic violence situations

Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth)

Provides the framework for federal criminal law in Australia, establishing federal court jurisdiction over Commonwealth offences.

Jury Act 1977 (NSW)

Ensures impartiality and fairness in trials by governing jury selection and conduct

Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW)

Governs criminal trial procedures, ensuring fairness and consistency in criminal justice processes.

Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)

Outlines criminal offences and penalties in NSW, central to the development of criminal law.

Bail Act 2013 (NSW)

Establishes bail conditions, focusing on public safety and the risk of re-offending.

Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 (NSW)

Governs the treatment of child offenders, prioritising rehabilitation over punishment.

Domestic Violence Act 2007 (NSW)

Establishes legal frameworks for protecting victims of domestic violence and applying Domestic Violence Orders.

Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW)

Governs sentencing, including maximum penalties, standard Non-Parole Periods (SNPPs), guideline judgements, and judicial discretion.

Crimes Amendment (Murder of Police Officers) Act 2011 (NSW)

Introduced mandatory life sentencing for offenders who murdered a police officer, removed judicial discretion on these cases.

Criminal Assets Recovery Act 1990 (NSW)

Allows court to seize assets obtained through criminal activities. Aims to prevent profiting from crime.

Victims Rights Act 1996 (NSW)

Grants rights to crime victims including compensation, protection, and participation in sentencing through victim impact statements.

Crimes (Appeal and Review) Amendment (Double Jeopardy) Act 2009 (NSW)

Amended traditional double jeopardy laws, only if new and compelling evidence is brought forward for serious crimes (e.g. murder).

Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002 (NSW)

Allows police to detain suspects of terrorism for up to 14 days without charge, allows preventative detention for potential future offenders.

Crime (High Risk Offenders) Act 2006 (NSW)

Enables continued detention of services sex offenders and violent criminals post-sentence if they may be a threat to the community.

Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act 2000 (NSW)

Requires convicted sex offenders to register their details with police.

Migration Act 1958 (Cth)

Allows for deportation of non-citizen offenders sentenced to 12+ months in prison. Decision made by Minister for Immigration and irreversible.

Young Offenders Act 1997 (NSW)

Introduces warnings, cautions, and Youth Justice Conferences, aims to rehabilitate rather than punish young offenders for minor crimes.