Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

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CRIMES ACT 1914 - SECT 3W

Power of arrest without warrant by constables

             (1)  A constable may, without warrant, arrest a person for an offence if the constable believes on reasonable grounds that:

                     (a)  the person has committed or is committing the offence; and

                     (b)  proceedings by summons against the person would not achieve one or more of the following purposes:

                              (i)  ensuring the appearance of the person before a court in respect of the offence;

                             (ii)  preventing a repetition or continuation of the offence or the commission of another offence;

                            (iii)  preventing the concealment, loss or destruction of evidence relating to the offence;

                            (iv)  preventing harassment of, or interference with, a person who may be required to give evidence in proceedings in respect of the offence;

                             (v)  preventing the fabrication of evidence in respect of the offence;

                            (vi)  preserving the safety or welfare of the person.

             (2)  If:

                     (a)  a person has been arrested for an offence under subsection (1); and

                     (b)  before the person is charged with the offence, the constable in charge of the investigation ceases to believe on reasonable grounds:

                              (i)  that the person committed the offence; or

                             (ii)  that holding the person in custody is necessary to achieve a purpose referred to in paragraph (1)(b);

the person must be released.

             (3)  A constable may, without warrant, arrest a person whom he or she believes on reasonable grounds has escaped from lawful custody to which the person is still liable in respect of an offence.



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