Inquiry into the Summary Offences Act 1966, Final Report
Appendix 2 -
Magistrates' Court Statistics 1998/99-1999/2000
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The hundred most
common charges finalized by Act, Magistrates’ Court
*denotes Summary Offences Act
1966
| Rank |
Act-Section |
Description |
Number (%)
1998/9 |
Number (%)
1999/2000 |
| 1 |
6231.74 |
Theft |
38,710 (12.2) |
41,232 (13.2) |
| 2 |
6231.81.1 |
Obtain property by deception |
25,515 (8.0) |
23,329 (7.5) |
| 3 |
7405.13* |
Drunk in a public place |
17,475 (5.5) |
13,822 (4.5) |
| 4 |
9719.73.1 |
Possess drug of dependence (not
named) |
9,274 (2.9) |
8,450 (2.7) |
| 5 |
86/127.65 |
Careless driving |
7,616 (2.4) |
6,972 (2.2) |
| 6 |
7405.23* |
Unlawful assault |
7,615 (2.4) |
7,566 (2.4) |
| 7 |
86/127.49.1.B |
Drive whilst exceeding p.c.a.
(.05 per cent) |
7,092 (2.2) |
8,783 (2.8) |
| 8 |
9719.75 |
Use drug of dependence (not
named) |
7,033 (2.2) |
5,775 (1.9) |
| 9 |
86/127.49.1.F |
Ex. Prescribed concentration
3hrs-breath |
6,678 (2.1) |
8,242 (2.6) |
| 10 |
6231.76.1 |
Burglary |
6,672 (2.1) |
8,202 (2.6) |
| 11 |
86/127.30.1 |
Drive whilst disqualified |
6,101 (2.1) |
6,003 (1.9) |
| 12 |
6231.18 |
Intentionally/recklessly causing
injury |
5,766 (1.8) |
5,717 (1.8) |
| 13 |
7405.52.1* |
Assault police/person
assisting police |
5,096 (1.6) |
4,595 (1.5) |
| 14 |
6231.88.1 |
Handle/receive/dispose of stolen
goods |
5,082 (1.6) |
5,503 (1.8) |
| 15 |
6231.197.1 |
Criminal damage (intent
damage/destroy) |
4,851 (1.5) |
4,508 (1.4) |
| 16 |
86/127.18.1A |
Unlicensed driving |
4,729 (1.5) |
4,375 (1.4) |
| 17 |
86/127.7.1.A |
Use an unregistered motor vehicle
- highway |
4,616 (1.5) |
4,832 (1.6) |
| 18 |
9008.30.1 |
Fail to answer bail |
4,595 (1.4) |
5,462 (1.8) |
| 19 |
6231.321M |
Attempt to commit an indictable
offence |
4,418 (1.4) |
4,464 (1.4) |
| 20 |
6231.82.1 |
Obtain a financial advantage by
deception |
4,108 (1.3) |
4,995 (1.6) |
| 21 |
6231.83A.1 |
Make a false document to
prejudice of another |
3,963 (1.2) |
2,290 (0.8) |
| 22 |
87/19.22 |
Breach an intervention order |
3,821 (1.2) |
4,152 (1.3) |
| 23 |
7405.24.2* |
Assault in company |
3.796 (1.2) |
3,701 (1.1) |
| 24 |
SR88/30.1001.1C |
Exceed speed limit - speed zone |
3,770 (1.2) |
3,240 (1.0) |
| 25 |
9719.71.1 |
Traffick drug of dependence |
3,607 (1.2) |
3,402 (1.1) |
| 26 |
6231.91.1 |
Go equipped to steal |
3,554 (1.1) |
3,281 (1.1) |
| 27 |
SR88/28.225.1 SR87/24.225.1 |
Drive with no ‘P’ / Fail to display ‘P’ plates |
2,996 (0.9) |
2,671 (1.0) |
| 28 |
CSOC.1350 |
Contravene section of Act |
2,592 (0.8) |
1,621 (0.5) |
| 29 |
6231.76.1A |
Burglary – intent to steal |
2,391 (0.8) |
1,242 (0.4) |
| 30 |
CTAX.8C.1A |
Refuse to furnish return |
2,097 (0.7) |
1,389 (0.4) |
| 31 |
6231.83A.2 |
Use a false document to prejudice
another |
2,095 (0.6) |
1,170 (0.4) |
| 32 |
7405.17.1.C* |
Use indecent language in a
public place |
2,015 (0.6) |
1,682 (0.5) |
| 33 |
9719.72.1 |
Cultivate a drug of dependence |
1,876 (0.6) |
1,696 (0.5) |
| 34 |
7405.17.1.D* |
Behave in a riotous manner in
a public place |
1,812 (0.6) |
1,560 (0.5) |
| 35 |
7405.26.1* |
Unlawful possession |
1,812 (0.6) |
1,042 (0.3) |
| 36 |
7405.9.1.C* |
Willful injure property |
1,654 (0.5) |
1,594 (0.5) |
| 37 |
91/49.47.1 |
Failure to comply with CBO |
1,554 (0.5) |
1,502 (0.5) |
| 38 |
90/24.6.1 |
Possess a regulated weapon |
1,476 (0.5) |
1,458 (0.5) |
| 39 |
86/127.64.1 |
Drive in a dangerous manner |
1,448 (0.5) |
1,482 (0.5) |
| 40 |
91/49.31.1 |
Breach of a suspended sentence
order |
1,284 (0.5) |
1,665 (0.5) |
| 41 |
SR88/30.1001.1.A |
Exceed 60 kph limit in a built up
area |
1,241 (0.5) |
1,267 (0.4) |
| 42 |
86/127.59.2 |
State false name |
1,217 (0.4) |
1,145 (0.4) |
| 43 |
SR88/28.224.1.B |
Learner drive without full
licensee |
1,168 (0.4) |
1,090 (0.1) |
| 44 |
SR88/29.222.1 |
Fix false number plates on
vehicle |
1,167 (0.4) |
589 (0.2) |
| 45 |
CCORP.335.1 |
Fail to lodge an annual return |
1,155 (0.4) |
- |
| 46 |
86/127.61.1.A |
Fail to stop vehicle after an
accident |
1,122 (0.4) |
1,149 (0.4) |
| 47 |
6231.83.1.A |
False accounting |
1,112 (0.4) |
1,028 (0.3) |
| 48 |
6231.47.1 |
Indecent act with a child under
16 years |
1,092 (0.3) |
1,001 (0.3) |
| 49 |
7393.7.1.1 |
Unlawfully on premises/precinct |
1,087 (0.3) |
1,095 (0.4) |
| 50 |
7393.7.1.I |
Fail to give name and address to
injured |
1,071 (0.3) |
1,073 (0.4) |
| 51 |
94/81.29.1 |
Dog rushes person/animal |
1018 (0.3) |
821 (0.3) |
| 52 |
CCRI.85ZE.A |
Use telecommunications service to
menace |
1013 (0.3) |
535 (0.2) |
| 53 |
6231.20 |
Make threats to kill |
1012 (0.3) |
1,082 (0.4) |
| 54 |
SR88/30.1506.1 |
Fail to wear proper secured
seatbelt |
965 (0.3) |
706 (0.2) |
| 55 |
9719.77 |
Forge prescription for drug
dependence |
961 (0.3) |
507 (0.2) |
| 56 |
86/127.R5.1001.1.B |
Exceed speed limit - 100kph |
865 (0.3) |
565 (0.2) |
| 57 |
86/127.21.1A |
Fail to carry probationary
licence |
853 (0.3) |
853 (0.3) |
| 58 |
SR88/30.401.1 |
Disobey traffic control signal |
831 (0.3) |
966 (0.3) |
| 59 |
86/127.61.1.F |
Fail to report to police owner
not present |
826 (0.3) |
867 (0.3) |
| 60 |
6231.17 |
Recklessly cause serious injury |
825 (0.3) |
866 (0.3) |
| 61 |
6231.39.1 |
Indecent assault |
777 (0.2) |
572 (0.2) |
| 62 |
86/127.70.1 |
Tamper with motor vehicle |
762 (0.2) |
641 (0.2) |
| 63 |
6231.83A.4 |
Use copy of a false document |
747 (0.2) |
- |
| 64 |
6231.44.1 |
Indecent assault |
742 (0.2) |
736 (0.3) |
| 65 |
SR88/30.803.1 |
Fail to give appropriate signal |
723 (0.2) |
803 (0.3) |
| 66 |
SR88/28.223.1 |
Drive without "l"
plates displayed |
691 (0.2) |
742 (0.2) |
| 67 |
94/81.24.1 |
Dog at large outside owners
premises |
669 (0.2) |
561 (0.2) |
| 68 |
SR88/30.1619.2 |
Cause undue noise while using a
vehicle |
645 (0.2) |
482 (0.3) |
| 69 |
6231.456AA.3.B |
State false name when requested |
624 (0.2) |
393 (0.1) |
| 70 |
6231.23 |
Recklessly causing serious injury |
614 (0.2) |
574 (0.2) |
| 71 |
96/66.6.1 |
Non-proh. Possess cat a longarm
unlic. |
608 (0.2) |
450 (0.1) |
| 72 |
86/127.72.1.B |
Fraudulently alter registration
label |
590 (0.2) |
757 (0.3) |
| 73 |
7405.53.1* |
Make false report to police |
587 (0.2) |
490 (0.2) |
| 74 |
6231.21A.1 |
Stalk another person (Crimes
Act) |
581 (0.2) |
468 (0.2) |
| 75 |
6231.75 |
Robbery |
573 (0.2) |
585 (0.2) |
| 76 |
97/108.123.1 |
Bring money to Victoria -
proceeds of crime |
571 (0.2) |
2,523 (0.8) |
| 77 |
CCRI.85ZE |
Use phone service -
menace/harass/offend |
559 (0.2) |
- |
| 78 |
SR87/24/225.1 |
Failure to conspicuously display
plates |
552 (0.2) |
767 (0.3) |
| 79 |
6231.77.1 |
Aggravated burglary |
545 (0.2) |
792 (0.3) |
| 80 |
86/127.49.1.E |
Refuse/fail to accompany to
station for blood test |
543 (0.2) |
782 (0.3) |
| 81 |
7393.7.1.F |
Loiter with intent commit indict
offence |
537 (0.2) |
621 (0.2) |
| 82 |
86/127.49.1.G |
Ex. Prescribed concentration
3hrs-blood |
528 (0.2) |
614 (0.2) |
| 83 |
CPCRI.82.1 |
Receive money/property proceeds
of crime |
520 (0.2) |
- |
| 84 |
Local Law Offence |
Local law offence |
516 (0.2) |
564 (0.2) |
| 85 |
86/127.59.1.A |
Failing to stop motor
vehicle in request |
484
(0.2) |
499
(0.2) |
| 86 |
6231.55.1 |
Unlawfully/indecently assault a
girl |
472 (0.2) |
- |
| 87 |
CHEA.128B.1 |
Make false statement relating to
claim |
458 (0.2) |
- |
| 88 |
6231.16 |
Intentionally causing serious
injury |
445 (0.1) |
495 (0.2) |
| 89 |
6231.75A |
Armed robbery |
433 (0.1) |
559 (0.2) |
| 90 |
CCRI.29.D |
Defraud the Commonwealth |
426 (0.1) |
582 (0.2) |
| 91 |
SR88/28.203.4 |
Fail to notify change of
name/address |
418 (0.1) |
- |
| 92 |
CTAX.8H |
Refuse to comply with order |
417 (0.1) |
- |
| 93 |
CCORP.1311.1 |
Do forbidden act under this law |
414 (0.1) |
- |
| 94 |
9719.78.A |
Obtain drug by false
representation |
407 (0.1) |
- |
| 95 |
86/46.9.C |
Cause unnecessary pain to an
animal |
402 (0.1) |
- |
| 96 |
86/127.49.1.A |
Drive under influence of
intoxicating liquor |
401 (0.1) |
483 (0.2) |
| 97 |
7405.7.G* |
Throw stone to
injure/danger/damage prop |
388 (0.1) |
- |
| 98 |
90/24.7.1 |
Possess a dangerous article |
388 (0.1) |
376 (0.1) |
| 99 |
86/127.61.1.B |
Fail to render assistance after
accident |
366 (0.1) |
402 (0.1) |
| 100 |
7393.7.1.C |
Wilful and obscene exposure in
public |
365 (0.1) |
- |
| Total of hundred most common
offences (charge based count) (%) |
274,745 (86.3) |
268,371 (85.9) |
| Total all other offence |
43,720 (13.7) |
44,147 (14.1) |
| Total charges finalized (%) |
318,465 (100) |
312,518 (100) |
Source: Court Services, Department of Justice.
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