General Dishonesty Influencing a Public Official

General Dishonesty Influencing a Public Official is an offence under Section 135.1(7) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

To establish the offence, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that:

1. You performed an act with the intention of influencing a Commonwealth public official in the exercise of his or her duties as a Commonwealth public official, and
2. You did so dishonestly

It is not necessary for the prosecution to prove that you knew the other person was a Commonwealth public official, or that he or she was exercising the duties of a Commonwealth public official.

Defences to the charge include:

1. Duress, and
2. Necessity