AOS 2 Flashcards
(96 cards)
Royal Commission
The highest form of inquiry into matters of public concern and importance. Royal commissions are established by the government and are given wide powers to investigate and report on an important matter of public concern.
Majority Verdict
A jury vote or decision where all but one of the jury members agree with the decision. In a criminal trial, this means 11 of the 12 juror are in agreement.
Strict Liability
Where culpability or responsibility for committing a crime can be established without having to prove there was mens rea.
Crime
An act or omission that is:
- Against an existing law.
- Harmful to an individual or to society.
- Punishable by law.
Remand
People who have not had a trial or convicted of a crime.
Element 2 - The Victim was a Human Being
The victim must be a living person who has been born. That is, the victim must be in a living state.
Criminal Law
An area of the law that defines behaviours and conducts that are prohibited and outlines sanctions for people who commit them.
Manslaughter
The unintentional killing of a person due to a reckless, dangerous act or negligent behaviour.
Balance of Probabilities
The standard of proof in civil disputes. This requires the plaintiff to establish that it is more probable that their version of the facts is correct.
Malice Aforethought
The intention to kill or cause serious injury to a person. This malicious intention is the mental element necessary for murder.
Prison
Found Guilty
Unanimous Verdict
A jury vote or decision where all jury members are in agreement and decide the same way. In a criminal case, this means that all 12 jurors are in agreement.
Division A
Crimes against the person (Homicide, Assault)
The Role of the Laws in Developing the Elements of and Defences to Murder (Common)
The definition and elements of murder, and some of the defences to murder (including intoxication, automatism and accident) have been established throughout the years by courts.
Division C
Drug offences (Dealing and Trafficking Drugs, Using Drugs)
Murder
The intentional unlawful killing of another person with malice aforethought, by a person who is of the age of discretion and of sound mind.
Indictable Offence
A serious offence generally heard before a judge and a jury in the County Court or the Supreme Court of Victoria.
(General Defences) Defence 6 - Intoxication
At the time of the offence, they acted involuntarily or without intent due to being in an intoxicated state as a result of consuming alcohol, taking drugs, or ingesting some other substance. The accused must prove that their state of intoxication was not self-inflicted.
Victim Impact Statement
A statement filled with the court by a victim that is considered by the court when sentencing. It contains particulars of any injury, loss or damage suffered by the victim as a result of the offence.
Malice Aforethought
An intention to cause harm or death.
Impact (of murder) on Community
- Loss of trust in the community and within the legal system.
- Cost of the victim’s medical treatment.
- Cost of running a criminal trial.
- Trauma experienced by emergency service workers to the incident.
- Can rally community outrage and the demand for change.
Secure Treatment Order
A sanction that requires the accused to be compulsorily detained, and receive treatment, at a mental health service.
White-collar Crime
Criminal offences undertaken by people who work in government, businesses or in the corporate world.
Indictable offence heard and determined summarily
A serious offence that can be heard and determined as a summary offence if the court and the accused agree.