Crimes Act 1914


The Crimes Act 1914 is one of the first recognisable compilations of federal criminal law since federation in 1901. The Crimes Act deals with the most serious criminal offences against the Commonwealth. Amongst other things, Volume 2 of the Crimes Act deals with offences against the administration of justice in federal proceedings, piracy, offences relating to postal services, and etc.
Historically, it was the most extensive legislative instrument that dealt with federal offences, but is now being gradually superseded with the passing of the Criminal Code Act 1995, which is a compilation of all the federal offences in Australia.

Constitutional Basis of Federal Criminal Law

The Crimes Act 1914 is one of many current Commonwealth legislation that deals with federal crimes in Australia. Generally, criminal law is a state-law matter, as State and Territory Governments are mandated under their respective constitutions to legislate for the peace, order, and good government of their respective jurisdictions. But, while there is no general constitutional basis for the Commonwealth to legislate in criminal law, federal legislation exists to deal with crimes of a federal nature.
There are currently three main bases in the Australian Constitution that the Commonwealth Parliament relies on as the constitutional basis to legislate relating to criminal law. The first basis relied on is section 51, the second basis is the implied incidental power under the heads of powers in sections 51 and 52 of the Constitution, and the third basis being executive power under section 61 of the Constitution.

Structure of the Crimes Act

'''VOLUME ONE'''


VOLUME TWO

This wikipedia page is not legal advice and is for informative, discursive, and educative purposes only. If you are experiencing criminal legal trouble, seek assistance of Australian lawfully practicing counsel.