Written by
Peter Maley
Director - Criminal Lawyer
Law Information - Commonwealth Offences - Federal
Interfering With Political Liberty
Date: 09/01/2009
The Law -
Sections 2.7010 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code states:
28. Any person who, by violence or threats or intimidation of any kind, hinders or interferes with the free exercise or performance, by any other person, of any political right or duty, shall be guilty of an offence.
Maximum Penalty - Interfering With Political Liberty
The Maximum penalty for the offence of Interfering with Political Liberty is 3 years imprisonment.
What the prosecution must prove - Interfering With Political Liberty
beyond a reasonable doubt.
The accused who, by violence or threats or intimidation of any kind, hindered or interfered with the free exercise or performance, by any other person, of any political right or duty.
It will be necessary for the Police in every offence to prove that the accused was the person who committed the offence. Click here to learn more about identification evidence.Possible Defences - Interfering With Political Liberty
Possible defences to this offence include but are not limited to
The accused did not by violence or threats or intimidation of any kind, hindered or interfered with the free exercise or performance, by any other person, of any political right or duty.
The Court process - Interfering With Political Liberty
This matter is Commonwealth Offence which means it is dealt with in the District Court or the Magistrates Court at the election of the prosecution.
Criminal Law Article written by Bill Potts (a Queensland criminal defence lawyer who has knowledge in the Commonwealth Charge of Interfering with Political Liberty matters