Section 512 Biosecurity Act
Offence-related searches and seizures

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Section 512 of the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) is titled Offence-related searches and seizures and is extracted below.

For expert advice and outstanding representation from a criminal law firm with specialist experience defending clients accused of offences and civil contraventions under the Biosecurity Act 2015, call Sydney Criminal Lawyers® today on (02) 9261 8881 and let our trusted, multi-award winning defence team assist you.

The Legislation

Section 512 of the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) is titled Offence-related searches and seizures and reads as follows:

Offence-related searches and seizures

(1) A biosecurity enforcement officer may enter relevant premises if the officer has reasonable grounds for suspecting that there may be, on the premises:
(a) a particular thing with respect to which an offence provision or a civil penalty provision, that is a provision mentioned in subsection 484(1), has been contravened or is suspected, on reasonable grounds, to have been contravened; or
(b) a particular thing that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting will afford evidence as to the contravention of such an offence provision or a civil penalty provision; or
(c) a particular thing that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting is intended to be used for the purpose of contravening such an offence provision or a civil penalty provision.

Note: Subsection 484(1) mentions provisions for offences against this Act, provisions for offences against the Crimes Act 1914 or the Criminal Code relating to this Act and civil penalty provisions of this Act.

(2) The biosecurity enforcement officer may enter the premises at any time.

Note: For the obligations and powers of biosecurity enforcement officers entering premises under this section, see Division 3.

(3) Divisions 2 and 5 of Part 3, and section 61, of the Regulatory Powers Act apply in accordance with Part 2 of this Chapter as if:
(a) entry to the premises was made under section 48 of that Act under an investigation warrant; and
(b) the thing referred to in subsection (1) of this section were evidential material of a kind specified in an investigation warrant.

Note 1: Divisions 2 and 5 of Part 3, and section 61, of the Regulatory Powers Act are about investigation powers, seizure and compensation for damage to electronic equipment operated under investigation powers.

Note 2: Part 2 of this Chapter expands the investigation powers under Subdivision A of Division 2 of Part 3 of the Regulatory Powers Act.

(4) The application of Divisions 2 and 5 of Part 3, and section 61, of the Regulatory Powers Act under subsection (3) of this section is in addition to their application under Part 2 of this Chapter.

(5) If the relevant premises are a conveyance, a biosecurity enforcement officer may stop and detain the conveyance for the purpose of exercising an investigation power under Division 2 of Part 3 of the Regulatory Powers Act as it applies because of Part 2 of this Chapter and subsection (3) of this section.

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Going to court can be nerve-racking, but having a strong and compassionate legal team behind you can make the experience significantly easier to deal with.

Here are 12 reasons to choose our multi-award winning legal team:

  1. Proven Track Record of Exceptional Results

    Sydney Criminal Lawyers® consistently achieves outcomes which are in the highest percentile of the Judicial Commission’s sentencing statistics for criminal cases.

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    Where our clients wish to plead guilty, we frequently achieve ‘dismissals’ and ‘non convictions’ in cases where other lawyers have advised there is no chance of doing so.

  2. Highest Level of Client Satisfaction

    We have the best and most comprehensive client review record of any law firm in Australia.

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  3. Australia’s Most Awarded Criminal Law Firm

    We have received more awards and accolades than any other criminal law firm in Australia. Our team has been awarded “Criminal Defence Firm of the Year in Australia” in a number of prestigious and competitive awards programs for several years running.

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  4. Fixed Fees

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    For those who are going to court, we offer a free first conference of up to an hour with one of our Senior Criminal Defence Lawyers.

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    We guarantee that only lawyers with substantial criminal defence experience will work on your case and appear for you in court.

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  7. All NSW Courts

    From Bombala to Broken Hill, our lawyers appear in courts throughout New South Wales – and across Australia for Commonwealth cases.

    And we offer fixed fees for most criminal and traffic law cases throughout the state.

  8. Accredited Specialists

    Our entire firm is exclusively dedicated to criminal law – which makes us true specialists.

    All of our lawyers have years of experience representing clients in criminal cases, and our principal has been certified by the Law Society of NSW as an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist since 2005.

    An ‘Accredited Specialist’ is a lawyer who has practised for at least 5 years in a particular field of law (such as criminal law), has passed a rigorous assessment process conducted by the Law Society of NSW, and has been selected by the Specialist Accreditation Committee of the Law Society as an expert in the field.

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  12. Convenience

    We have offices in locations across the Sydney Metropolitan Area and beyond, including:

    We offer free parking at our Sydney CBD offices, and all of our offices are close to train stations and bus terminals.

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    If you are going to court and wish to arrange a free first consultation, call our 24 hour hotline on (02) 9261 8881 or send us an email at info@sydneycriminallawyers.com.au.

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