South Australian Current Acts

[Index] [Table] [Search] [Search this Act] [Notes] [Noteup] [Previous] [Next] [Download] [Help]

SUMMARY OFFENCES ACT 1953 - SECT 21C

21C—Offensive weapons and dangerous articles etc

        (1)         A person who, without lawful excuse—

            (a)         carries an offensive weapon or an article of disguise; or

            (b)         has possession of an implement of housebreaking,

is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.

        (2)         A person who, without lawful excuse—

            (a)         manufactures, sells, distributes, supplies, or otherwise deals in, dangerous articles; or

            (b)         uses or has possession of a dangerous article,

is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty: $7 500 or imprisonment for 18 months.

        (3)         A person who, without lawful excuse, carries an offensive weapon or dangerous article at night while in, or while apparently attempting to enter or leave—

            (a)         licensed premises; or

            (b)         a carparking area specifically or primarily provided for the use of patrons of the licensed premises,

is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years.

        (4)         It is a defence to prosecution for an offence against subsection (3) to prove that—

            (a)         if the charge relates to the defendant's being in, or apparently attempting to enter or leave, licensed premises—the defendant did not know and had no reason to believe that the premises were premises of a kind where liquor was sold or supplied; or

            (b)         if the charge relates to the defendant's being in, or apparently attempting to enter or leave, a carparking area specifically or primarily provided for the use of patrons of the licensed premises—the defendant did not know and had no reason to believe that the area was such a carparking area.

        (5)         If on the trial of a person for an offence against subsection (3) the court is not satisfied that the person is guilty of the offence charged, but is satisfied that the person is guilty of an offence against subsection (1) or (2), the court may find the person guilty of the offence against subsection (1) or (2).

        (6)         A person (being a person who is otherwise entitled to do so) must not use or have possession of a dangerous article unless he or she does so in a safe and secure manner.

Maximum penalty: $1 250 or imprisonment for 3 months.

        (7)         A person who, without lawful excuse—

            (a)         uses an offensive weapon; or

            (b)         carries an offensive weapon that is visible,

in the presence of any person in a school or public place in a manner that would be likely to cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his or her personal safety, is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years.

        (8)         For the purposes of an offence against subsection (7), no person of reasonable firmness need actually be, or be likely to be, present at the scene.

        (9)         If on the trial of a person for an offence against subsection (7), the court is not satisfied that the person is guilty of the offence charged, but is satisfied that the person is guilty of an offence against subsection (1)(a), the court may find the person guilty of the offence against subsection (1)(a).



AustLII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback