Criminal and Street Offences
Criminal law deals with the punishment of offenders for offences against the State or a law of the Commonwealth. Most criminal offences such as assault, murder and drug related offences come under the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld). Street offences are found in the Summary Offences Act 2005 (Qld) and are usually less serious than criminal offences although some street offenses do overlap with criminal offences. Trespass, public nuisance and public intoxication are all examples of street offences.
Factsheets
- Multi department raids
- Peaceful Assembly Act – your rights
External Resources
- Information about making a complaint to the police – Legal Aid Queensland
- Information about being charged with an offence – Legal Aid Queensland
- Information about support for victims of crime – Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General
- Director’s Guidelines – Queensland Director of Public Prosecutions
- Information about the steps in the Commonwealth Prosecution Process – Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions
- Prosecution Policy – Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions
- Victims of Crime Policy – Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions
Where to go for Help
- Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinic – The Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinic (HPLC) provides free legal representation and advice to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness at a number of community agencies across Queensland.
- Legal Aid Queensland may offer assistance with Criminal Law matters.
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (Qld) may provide Criminal Law assistance to Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander people.
You may also wish to approach a community legal centre for assistance. To find your nearest community legal centre, please visit the Community Legal Centres Queensland website at www.communitylegalqld.org.au. There are a number of community legal centres throughout Queensland that hold regular advice sessions.
LawRight is an independent, not-for-profit, community-based legal organisation that operates a civil law referral service for pro bono legal representation and direct legal services for particular disadvantaged client groups.
For more information about the help available, and the process for applying for help, please see the LawRight website at www.lawright.org.au