Section 322 Crimes Act | Threatening Judges Witnesses Jurors

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Because of the vital role that judges, witnesses and jurors play in promoting justice, attempts to threaten or otherwise influence these persons are taken very seriously by the courts

Section 322 of the Crimes Act deals with the offence of “threatening or intimidating judges, witnesses or jurors.”

It says that if you threaten or cause injury or detriment with the intention of influencing a witness, juror, judicial officer or public justice official, you could face a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

While this is obviously a heavy penalty, it is the maximum and will only apply in the most serious cases.

Sydney Criminal Lawyers has considerable experience defending clients in these types of matters and can assist you in avoiding a harsh penalty under the law.

The Legislation

Section 322 of the Crimes Act 1900 deals with the offence of “threatening or intimidating judges, witnesses and jurors” and reads as follows:

322 Threatening or intimidating judges, witnesses, jurors etc

A person who threatens to do or cause, or who does or causes, any injury or detriment to any person:

(a) intending to influence a person called or to be called as a witness in any judicial proceeding to give false evidence or withhold true evidence or to not attend as a witness or not produce anything in evidence pursuant to a summons or subpoena, or

(b) intending to influence any person (whether or not a particular person) in the person’s conduct as a juror in any judicial proceeding or to not attend as a juror in any judicial proceeding, whether he or she has been sworn as a juror or not, or

(c) intending to influence any person in the person’s conduct as a judicial officer, or

(d) intending to influence any person in the person’s conduct as a public justice official in or in connection with any judicial proceeding, is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.

 

Why Sydney Criminal Lawyers?

Being accused of threatening a witness, juror or judicial officer can be a confronting and daunting experience, particularly as the offence carries a heavy maximum penalty.

However, the experts at Sydney Criminal Lawyers can advise you of the best steps to take when you’re facing these types of charges.

With considerable experience fighting and winning some of the most complex criminal matters, you can count on our expert defence team to give you the best possible representation in your matter.

In every case, our experts seek to have the charges dropped at an early stage by carefully scrutinising all the evidence and identifying problems with the prosecution case.

By writing to the prosecution and raising these issues, we are often able to have the charges dropped without having to undergo an expensive and time-consuming defended hearing or criminal trial.

However, should you require representation in court, our experienced advocates can present your side of the story in court in a compelling manner in order to maximise your chances of being found “not guilty.”

And should you simply wish to plead guilty to the charges, we will fight hard to ensure that you get the most lenient penalty possible by highlighting positive factors that reduce the seriousness of your actions.

For the best result in your “threatening judges, witnesses or jurors” matter, trust the experts at Sydney Criminal Lawyers. Call us today on (02) 9261 8881 and book your FREE first conference with one of our highly respected criminal defence lawyers.