The Defence of Emergency in Western Australia

The law recognises that, in extreme circumstances, individuals may have no choice but to commit an offence to prevent serious harm or death. In Western Australia, the defence of emergency, outlined in Section 25 of the Criminal Code (WA), provides a legal justification for actions taken in response to immediate and unavoidable danger. If proven,…

The Defence of Insanity in Western Australia

What is the Defence of Insanity in Western Australia? Under Western Australian law, a person may not be held criminally responsible for their actions if, at the time of the offence, they were suffering from a significant mental impairment that deprived them of their ability to understand, control, or assess the wrongfulness of their conduct.…

The Defence of Duress in Western Australia

In Western Australia, the defence of duress provides legal protection for individuals who commit offences under the threat of serious harm or death. This defence acknowledges that, in some circumstances, a person may act unlawfully to avoid a greater danger. Below, we explore the legal framework surrounding duress, citing Section 32 of the Criminal Code…

Criminal Defences in WA

23B. Accident Summary: The defence of accident applies when a person is not criminally responsible for an event that occurs unintentionally and without negligence. (1) This section is subject to the rules in Chapter XXVII and section 444A about negligent acts and omissions. (2) A person is not legally responsible for an event that happens…