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Criminal Lawyers for Aggravated Filming a Person’s Private Parts | Section 91L(3) Crimes Act 1900

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Aggravated filming a person’s private parts is an offence under section 91L(3) of the Crimes Act 1900 which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison.

The prosecution is required to prove a number of facts beyond a reasonable doubt in order to establish this offence, and a person is entitled to an acquittal if they are unable to do so.

There are also a number of legal defences available to those who are going to court for the offence.

If you have been charged with aggravated filming a person’s private parts, call Sydney Criminal Lawyers anytime on 02 9261 8881 to arrange a free first conference with an experienced criminal defence lawyer who will review the allegations and advise you of your options and the best way forward.

Read on for more information about the offence itself, the matters the prosecution needs to prove, your options, the available defences and the applicable penalties.

The Law

What is the Offence of Filming a Person’s Private Parts

Filming a person’s private parts is an offence under section 91L(3) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).

The section states that a person is guilty of the offence if he or she:

  • Films another’s private parts,
  • Does so for his or her, or another’s, sexual arousal or gratification,
  • Does so in circumstances where a reasonable person would reasonably expect that his or her private parts could not be filmed,
  • Does so without the other person’s consent to being observed for that purpose,
  • Does so knowing the other person does not consent to being observed for that purpose, and
  • Does so in ‘circumstances of aggravation’.

‘Private parts’ is defined as:

  • The genital or anal area, whether bare or covered by underwear, of any person, or
  • The breasts of a female, or transgender or intersex person identifying as female, whether or not the breasts are developed.

‘Circumstances of aggravation’ are where:

  • The person observed was under the age of 16 years, or
  • The defendant constructed or adapted the fabric of any building for the purpose of facilitating the offence.

A ‘building’ includes a house or apartment, as well as a vehicle such as a car or truck, a vessel such as a ship or boat, a tent and any other such temporary structure.

What are the Penalties?

The maximum penalty for aggravated filming a person’s private parts is 5 years in prison.

However, is important to bear in mind that this is the maximum sentence that can be imposed, and that the court can apply any of the following penalties for the offence:

An intensive correction order is not available where the person filmed was under the age of 16 years.

What Does the Prosecution Have to Prove?

For a person to be found guilty of filming a person’s private parts, the prosecution must establish each of the following ‘elements’ (or ingredients) of the offence beyond reasonable doubt that:

  • The defendant filmed another’s private parts,
  • He or she did so for their own, or for another’s, sexual arousal or gratification,
  • He or she did so in circumstances where a reasonable person would reasonably expect that their private parts could not be filmed,
  • He or she did so without the other person’s consent to being observed for that purpose, and
  • He or she did so knowing the other person did not consent to being observed for that purpose.

‘Private parts’ is defined as the genital or anal area, whether bare or covered by underwear, of any person, or the breasts of a female, or transgender or intersex person identifying as female, whether or not the breasts are developed.

The prosecution will fail if it cannot prove each of these elements to the required standard.

What are the Defences?

In addition to the requirement to prove each element of the offence, the prosecution must also disprove any of the following defences if properly raised:

  • Duress, which is where you were threatened or coerced,
  • Necessity, where the act was necessary to avert danger, and
  • Self-defence, where you engaged in the act to defend yourself or another

It must disprove any such defences beyond all reasonable doubt.

Your Options in Court

Pleading Not Guilty

Before you can be found guilty of aggravated filming a person’s private parts, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that you:

  • Filmed another’s private parts,
  • Did so for your own, or for another’s, sexual arousal or gratification,
  • Did so in circumstances where a reasonable person would reasonably expect that their private parts could not be filmed,
  • Did so without the other person’s consent to being observed for that purpose,
  • Did so knowing the other person did not consent to being observed for that purpose, and
  • Did so in ‘circumstances of aggravation’, which means the person who was observed was under the age of 16 years and/or the defendant constructed or adapted the fabric of the building – which can include a motor vehicle, vessel, tent or other temporary building – to facilitate the offence.

There are a number of ways to defend the charge, including raising the fact that:

  • The prosecution cannot prove you filmed another’s private parts,
  • The prosecution cannot prove you did so for your own, or for another’s, sexual arousal or gratification,
  • The prosecution cannot prove you did so in circumstances where a reasonable person would reasonably expect that their private parts could not be filmed,
  • The prosecution cannot prove you did so without the other person’s consent to being observed for that purpose,
  • The prosecution cannot prove you did so knowing the other person did not consent to being observed for that purpose,
  • There were no ‘circumstances of aggravation’ present, or
  • You have a valid legal defence which the prosecution cannot disprove beyond a reasonable doubt.

If any of these matters prevail, you must be found not guilty of the offence.

A good lawyer will be able to make written submissions to the prosecution with a view to having the case against you withdrawn, or fight to have it thrown out of court if it proceeds to a defended hearing.

Pleading Guilty

Where the prosecution evidence is very strong, you may decide to plead guilty to the offence.

In that case, your lawyer may be able to negotiate the police ‘facts’ to reduce the seriousness of the offence.

Your lawyer can also guide you on obtaining materials which can be handed-up to the court during your sentencing – including a letter of apologycharacter references and any documents from counsellors or health care professionals you have consulted.

These materials, together with persuasive verbal submissions by your lawyer in the courtroom, can help to ensure you receive the most lenient penalty that is possible in the circumstances.

By pleading guilty at an early stage, you will also be entitled to a ‘discount’ of up to 25% on your sentence – which can lead to a less serious type of penalty being imposed; for example, a section 10 dismissal or a conditional release order rather than a more serious penalty.

You will also be spared the time, expense and stress of a defended hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Choose Sydney Criminal Lawyers®?

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.

    Our legal team devises effective case-strategies and fights hard to have cases dropped entirely or charges downgraded – saving clients the time, expense and stress of a defended hearing or jury trial.

    Where cases nevertheless proceed, our lawyers have an outstanding track record of winning defended Local Court hearings, and complex jury trials in the District and Supreme Courts.

    We also consistently win appeals in the District and Supreme Courts (including the NSWCCA) after clients have received unsatisfactory results with other law firms in the lower courts.We are one of the few firms to achieve successful criminal law appeals in the High Court of Australia.

    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.

    Regular communication, accessibility and quality service are our team’s highest priorities.

    We are committed to thoroughly explaining all steps involved in the criminal law process, providing regular updates throughout the proceedings, and making ourselves accessible and responsive.

    We are passionate about providing an exceptional level of service to our clients, and we fight hard to achieve optimal results in the shortest period of time.

  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.

    The awards recognise our exceptional track record of results, our outstanding client service, the high level of satisfaction we achieve, the affordability of our services and our overall excellence.

  4. Fixed Fees

    We want our clients to know exactly how much their cases will cost from the very start. That’s why we were the first criminal law firm in Australia to publish ‘fixed fees’, back in 2004.

    We offer fixed fees for most types of criminal cases and services.Our fixed fees apply to a range of Local Court cases such as drink driving, drug possession, fraud, common assault and AVOs, and also specific services such as prison visits, bail applications, appeals and defended hearings.

    Unlike many other law firms, our fixed fees are published on our website – which ensures transparency and certainty.

  5. Free First Appointment

    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.

    We also offer a free first conference to those who have received an unsatisfactory result after being represented in court by another law firm, or after representing themselves, and wish to appeal.

  6. Specialist Lawyer Guarantee

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  7. All NSW Courts

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  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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    Our firm’s specialist experience ensures you receive the best possible result, whatever your criminal law case may be.

  9. Results-Focused Law Firm

    Our team is passionate about achieving results, and unlike many other law firms, our lawyers do not have monthly financial ‘budgets’ to meet.

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  10. Team of Lawyers Behind You

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  11. Familiar with Magistrates and Judges

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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.

What is the Definition of Private Parts?

‘Private parts’ are the genital or anal area, whether bare or covered by underwear, of any person, or the breasts of a female, or transgender or intersex person identifying as female, whether or not the breasts are developed.

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