Inquiry into the Summary Offences Act 1966
Discussion Paper, May 2001

Appendix 2 - Magistrates' Court Statistics 1998/99

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The hundred most common offences (charge based count) by Act, Magistrates’ Court, 1998/99

*denotes Summary Offences Act 1966

Rank

Act-Section

Description

Number

Percentage

1 6231.74 Theft

35,654

12.0

2 6231.81.1 Obtain property by deception

23,056

7.8

3 7405.13* Drunk in a public place

17,414

5.9

4 9719.73.1 Possess drug of dependence (not named)

8,888

3.0

5 86/127.65 Careless driving

7,598

2.6

6 7405.23* Unlawful assault

7,092

2.4

7 86/127.49.1.B Drive whilst exceeding p.c.a. (.05 per cent)

7,077

2.4

8 9719.75 Use drug of dependence (not named)

6,957

2.4

9 86/127.49.1.F Ex. Prescribed concentration 3hrs-breath

6,671

2.3

10 6231.76.1 Burglary

6,406

2.2

11 86/127.30.1 Drive whilst disqualified

6,101

2.1

12 7405.52.1 Assault police/person assisting police

5,030

1.7

13 6231.88.1 Handle/receive/dispose of stolen goods

4,911

1.7

14 86/127.18.1.A Unlicensed driving

4,717

1.6

15 86/127.7.1.A Use unregistered motor vehicle - highway

4,609

1.6

16 6231.197.1 Criminal damage (intent damage/destroy)

4,604

1.6

17 9008.30.1 Fail to answer bail

4,552

1.5

18 6231.321M Att. Commit an indictable offence

3,847

1.3

19 87/19.22 Breach intervention order

3,808

1.3

20 SR88/30.1001.1C Exceed speed limit - speed zone

3,766

1.3

21 SR88/28.225.1

SR87/24.225.1

Drive with no 'p' plates displayed

Fail to conspicuously display plates

3,544

1.2

23 6231.91.1 Go equipped to steal/cheat

3,513

1.2

24 7405.24.2* Assault in company

3,285

1.1

25 6231.82.1 Obtain financial advantage by deception

3258

1.1

26 9719.71.1 Traffick drug of dependence (not named)

3,186

1.1

27 6231.83A.1 Make a false doc. To prejudice of other

3,040

1.0

28 6231.18 Recklessly cause injury

2,823

1.0

29 CSOC.1350 Contravene section of act

2,593

0.9

30 6231.76.1.A Burglary - intent to steal

2,239

0.8

31 CTAX.8C.A Refuse to furnish return

2,097

0.7

32 6231.18 Intentionally cause injury

2,055

0.7

33 7405.17.1.C Use indecent language in public place

2,004

0.7

34 9719.72.1 Cultivate a narcotic plant-cannabis

1,829

0.6

35 7405.17.1.D* Behave in riotous manner in public place

1,797

0.6

36 6231.83A.2 Use a false document to prejudice other

1,790

0.6

37 7405.26.1* Unlawful possession

1,754

0.6

38 7405.9.1.C* Wilfully injure property

1,651

0.6

39 91/49.47.1 Failure to comply with cbo

1,553

0.5

40 86/127.64.1 Drive in a manner dangerous

1,432

0.5

41 90/24.6.1 Possess regulated weapon

1,428

0.5

42 91/49.31.1 Breach of suspended sentence order

1,279

0.4

43 SR88/30.1001.1.A Exceed 60 kph limit in a built up area

1,237

0.4

44 86/127.59.2 State false name

1,215

0.4

45 SR88/29.222.1 Fix false number plates on vehicle

1,167

0.4

46 SR88/28.224.1.B Learner drive without full licensee

1,166

0.4

47 CCORP.335.1 Fail to lodge an annual return

1,155

0.4

48 86/127.61.1.A Fail to stop vehicle after an accident

1,114

0.4

49 86/127.61.1.C.I Fail to give name and address to injured

1,068

0.4

50 7393.7.1.I Unlawfully on premises/precinct

1,052

0.4

51 94/81.29.1 Dog rushes person/animal

1,017

0.3

52 SR88/30.1506.1 Fail to wear proper secured seatbelt

963

0.3

53 9719.77 Forge prescription for drug dependence

960

0.3

54 6231.20 Make threat to kill

867

0.3

55 86/127.R5.1001.1.B Exceed speed limit - 100kph

863

0.3

56 86/127.21.1A Fail to carry probationary licence

853

0.3

57 SR88/30.401.1 Disobey traffic control signal

830

0.3

58 86/127.61.1.F Fail to report to police owner not present

824

0.3

59 86/127.70.1 Tamper with motor vehicle

758

0.3

60 SR88/30.803.1 Fail to give appropriate signal

722

0.2

61 CCRI.85ZE.A Use telecommunications service to menace

719

0.2

62 SR88/28.223.1 Drive without "l" plates displayed

690

0.2

63 94/81.24.1 Dog at large outside owners premises

669

0.2

64 SR88/30.1619.2 Cause undue noise while using a vehicle

644

0.2

65 6231.456AA.3.B State false name when requested

617

0.2

66 96/66.6.1 Non-proh. Possess cat a longarm unlic.

608

0.2

67 86/127.72.1.B Fraudulently alter registration label

589

0.2

68 6231.83.1.A False accounting

574

0.2

69 7405.53.1 Make false report to police

568

0.2

70 97/108.123.1 Bring money to vic - proceeds of crime

568

0.2

71 6231.17 Recklessly cause serious injury

555

0.2

72 86/127.49.1.E Refuse/fail to accompany to station for blood test

540

0.2

73 6231.21A.1 Stalk another person (crimes act)

536

0.2

74 6231.23 Reckless conduct endanger serious injury

532

0.2

75 86/127.49.1.G Ex. Prescribed concentration 3hrs-blood

526

0.2

76 Local Law Offence Local law offence

515

0.2

77 CCRI.85ZE Use phone service - menace/harass/offend

503

0.2

78 86/127.59.1.A Fail to stop motor vehicle on request

483

0.2

79 7393.7.1.F Loiter with intent commit indict offence

467

0.2

80 CHEA.128B.1 Make false statement relating to claim

439

0.1

81 SR88/28.203.4 Fail to notify change of name/address

418

0.1

82 CTAX.8H Refuse to comply with order

417

0.1

83 CCORP.1311.1 Do forbidden act under this law

414

0.1

84 6231.83A.4 Use copy of false document

413

0.1

85 86/46.9.C Cause unnecessary pain to an animal

407

0.1

86 9719.78.A Obtain drug by false representation

407

0.1

87 86/127.49.1.A Drive under influence of intoxicating liquor

398

0.1

88 7405.7.G Throw stone to injure/danger/damage prop

386

0.1

89 90/24.7.1 Possess a dangerous article

375

0.1

90 86/127.61.1.B Fail to render assistance after accident

361

0.1

91 6231.75 Robbery

359

0.1

92 7393.7.1.C Wilful and obscene exposure in public

359

0.1

93 86/127.R5.402.10.A Fail to stop at stop sign

341

0.1

94 6231.39.1 Indecent assault

340

0.1

95 86/127.7.1.B Own unregistered vehicle used on highway

340

0.1

96 96/66.7 Possess unregistered handgun wo licence

339

0.1

97 94/81.10.1 Fail to apply to register a dog

337

0.1

98 6231.456AA.3.C State false address when requested

329

0.1

99 86/127.18.1.B Drive in breach of licence condition

325

0.1

100 86/127.61.1.C.II Fail to give name/address to owner/rep.

324

0.1

Total of Hundred Most Common Offences (charge based count)

253,926

85.8

Total Charges Finalised

296,000

100.0

Source: Table CR 4.11, Table A11: The hundred most common offences (charge based count) by Act, Magistrates’ Court, 1998/99, Statistics of the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, 1998/99.

Numerical list of selected Victorian legislation

Act No. Act Title
6228 Country Fire Authority Act 1958
6230 County Court Act 1958
6231 Crimes Act 1958
6232 Crown Proceedings Act 1958
6246 Evidence Act 1958
6270 Health Act 1958
6276 Imprisonment Of Fraudulent Debtors Act 1958
6279 Instruments Act 1958
6280 Judicial Proceedings Reports Act 1984
6285 Landlord And Tenant Act 1958
6295 Limitation Of Actions Act 1958
6338 Police Regulation Act 1958
7289 Maintenance Act 1965
7393 Vagrancy Act 1966
7405 Summary Offences Act 1966
7429 Lotteries Gaming And Betting Act 1966
7494 Private Agents Act 1966
7733 Fences Act 1968
7772 Alcoholics And Drug-Dependent Persons Act 1968
8026 Commonwealth Places (Administration Of Laws)Act 1970
8056 Environment Protection Act 1970
8089 Community Services Act 1970
8699 Wildlife Act 1975
9008 Bail Act 1977
9428 Estate Agents Act 1980
9499 Court Security Act 1980
9719 Drugs, Poisons And Controlled Substances Act1981
10063 Judgement Debt Recovery Act 1984
10082 Food Act 1984
10096 Interpretation Of Legislation Act 1984
10097 Credit Act 1984
10190 Occupational Health And Safety Act 1985
10191 Accident Compensation Act 1985
10257 Coroners Act 1985
104/1986 Motor Car Traders Act 1986
110/1986 Supreme Court Act 1986
111/1986 Transport Accident Act 1986
117/1986 Corrections Act 1986
127/1986 Road Safety Act 1986
46/1986 Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Act 1986
58/1986 Guardianship And Administration Act 1986
19/1987 Crimes (Family Violence) Act 1987
29/1987 Jurisdiction Of Courts (Cross-Vesting) Act 1987
54/1987 Litter Act 1987
11/1989 Local Government Act 1989
54/1989 Magistrates’ Court Act 1989
54/1989 Second Hand Dealers And Pawnbrokers Act 1989
56/1989 Children And Young Persons Act 1989
24/1990 Control Of Weapons Act 1990
43/1991 Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
49/1991 Sentencing Act 1991
102/1994 Prostitution Control Act 1994
112/1994 Gas Industry Act
37/1994 Gaming And Betting Act 1994
81/1994 Domestic (Feral And Nuisance) Animals Act 1994
93/1995 Heritage Act 1995
42/1995 Equal Opportunity Act 1995
92/1995 Fisheries Act 1995
107/1995 Melbourne City Link Act 1995
35/1996 Legal Practice Act 1996
66/1996 Firearms Act 1996
81/1996 Victims Of Crime Assistance Act 1996
108/1997 Confiscation Act 1997
109/1997 Residential Tenancies Act 1997
65/1997 Crimes (Mental Impairment And Unfitness To Be Tried) Act 1997
25/1998 Electric Safety Act 1998
53/1998 Victorian Civil And Administrative Tribunal Act 1998
87/1998 Appeal Costs Act 1998
94/1998 Liquor Control Reform Act 1958
16/1999 Fair Trading Act 1999
35/1999 Crimes (Criminal Trials) Act 1999

Source: Table CR, Table B2: Numerical list of selected Victorian legislation, Statistics of the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, 1998/99.


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