{"id":"summary-offences-act-1923","name":"Summary Offences Act 1923","slug":"summary-offences-act-1923","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":30627,"registerId":"nt-summary-offences-act-1923-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Summary Offences Act 1923","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nSUMMARY OFFENCES ACT 1923\nAs in force at 25 March 2024\nTABLE OF PROVISIONS\nPart I Preliminary\n1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1\n2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1\n3 Application of certain Acts of the State of South Australia to\ncease ............................................................................................... 1\n5 Interpretation ................................................................................... 1\nPart VII Offences generally\n46A Forcible entry ................................................................................... 2\n46B Forcible detainer .............................................................................. 2\n46C Disturbing religious worship ............................................................. 3\n47 Offensive, &c., conduct .................................................................... 3\n47AA Violent disorder................................................................................ 3\n47AB Threatening violence ....................................................................... 5\n47AC Loitering by sexual offender............................................................. 5\n47A Loitering – general offence .............................................................. 6\n47B Loitering – offence following notice .................................................. 7\n49A Illegal use of vehicle, &c. ................................................................. 8\n50 Penalty for indecent exposure of the person ................................... 8\n52 Injuring or extinguishing street lamps .............................................. 8\n53 Obscenity......................................................................................... 9\n53A Undue noise at social gathering after midnight ................................ 9\n53B Undue noise .................................................................................. 10\n53C Certificate of member of Police Force to be evidence ................... 11\n53D Noise abatement orders ................................................................ 11\n53E Powers of police ............................................................................ 12\n53F Compliance with direction .............................................................. 12\n54 Stealing domestic animals ............................................................. 12\n55 Challenge to fight........................................................................... 13\n55A Consorting between known offenders ........................................... 13\n56 Offences ........................................................................................ 14\n57 Offences after finding of guilt under section 56 and other\noffences ......................................................................................... 15\n58 Penalty for second or subsequent offence under section 57 ......... 16\n60 Valueless cheques ........................................................................ 16\n60A Fraud other than false pretences ................................................... 16\n61 Persons suspected of having stolen goods ................................... 17\n62 Where property improperly taken or stolen is found and not\nsatisfactorily accounted for ............................................................ 17\n\nSummary Offences Act 1923 ii\n65AA Dumping of certain containers ....................................................... 19\n65A Tampering with instruments, &c. ................................................... 19\n66 Regulation of places of public resort .............................................. 20\n68A False reports to police ................................................................... 20\n68B Advertising a reward for the return of stolen property, &c. ............. 20\n69 Penalty for offences where no special penalty is appointed .......... 21\n69A Disobedience to laws of the Territory ............................................ 21\n69B Inciting to the commission of offences ........................................... 21\n74 Power to regulate traffic in certain cases ....................................... 22\n75 Prohibition of nuisances in thoroughfares...................................... 22\n75A Dangerous dogs ............................................................................ 24\n76 Playing musical instruments so as to annoy .................................. 25\n78 Keeping clean yards, &c. ............................................................... 26\n82 Offences relating to public fountains.............................................. 26\n85 Leaving dead animals in public place ............................................ 26\n89 Cellars or openings beneath the surface of footpaths\nprohibited ....................................................................................... 27\n91AA Regulatory offences....................................................................... 27\nPart IX Miscellaneous\n92 Regulations.................................................................................... 27\nENDNOTES\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 25 March 2024\n____________________\nSUMMARY OFFENCES ACT 1923\nAn Act to provide for certain criminal offences\nPart I Preliminary\n1 Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Summary Offences Act 1923.\n2 Commencement\nThis Act shall commence on a day to be fixed by the Administrator\nby notice in the Gazette of the Northern Territory.\n3 Application of certain Acts of the State of South Australia to\ncease\n(1) The Police Act, 1869 (No. 15 of 1869-70), and the Police Act\nAmendment Act 1898-9 (No. 715 of 1898-9) of the State of South\nAustralia shall cease to apply to the Northern Territory as from the\ncommencement of this Ordinance.\n(2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall affect any right, obligation, or liability\nacquired, accrued or incurred under any Act therein referred to, or\nany penalty, forfeiture or punishment in respect of any offence\ncommitted against any such Act, or any investigation, legal\nproceeding, or remedy in respect of any such right, obligation,\nliability, penalty, forfeiture or punishment as aforesaid.\n5 Interpretation\nIn this Ordinance, unless the contrary intention appears:\nCommissioner means the Commissioner of Police appointed\nunder the Police Administration Act 1978.\nloiter means to idle or linger about.\nmember means member of the Police Force.\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 2\nnight-time means the interval between 9 o'clock in the evening and\n6 o'clock in the morning.\nPolice Force means the Police Force of the Northern Territory.\npublic place or place of public resort includes:\n(a) every place to which free access is permitted to the public,\nwith the express or tacit consent of the owner or occupier\nthereof; and\n(b) every place to which the public are admitted on payment of\nmoney, the test of the admittance being the payment of the\nmoney only; and\n(c) every road, street, footway, court, alley or thoroughfare which\nthe public are allowed to use, notwithstanding that the road,\nstreet, footway, court, alley or thoroughfare may be formed on\nprivate property.\nundue noise means any noise that causes unreasonable distress,\nannoyance or irritation to any person by reason of its level or\ncharacter or the time at which it is made.\nPart VII Offences generally\n46A Forcible entry\nA person who, in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace or\nreasonable apprehension of a breach of the peace, enters, whether\nor not he is so entitled to enter, land which is in the actual and\npeaceable possession of another is guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.\n46B Forcible detainer\nA person who, being in actual possession of land without being\nentitled by law to possession, holds possession of it in a manner\nlikely to cause a breach of the peace or reasonable apprehension\nof a breach of the peace against a person entitled by law to the\npossession of the land is guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 3\n46C Disturbing religious worship\nA person who wilfully and without authorization, justification or\nexcuse, proof of which is on him:\n(a) interrupts or disturbs a meeting of persons lawfully assembled\nfor religious worship;\n(b) assaults a person lawfully officiating or a person assembled at\nsuch a meeting,\nis guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.\n47 Offensive, &c., conduct\nEvery person who is guilty:\n(a) of any riotous, offensive, disorderly or indecent behaviour, or\nof fighting, or using obscene language, in or within the hearing\nor view of any person in any road, street, thoroughfare or\npublic place;\n(b) of disturbing the public peace;\n(c) of any riotous, offensive, disorderly or indecent behaviour in\nany police station;\n(d) of offensive behaviour in or about a dwelling house, dressing-\nroom, training-shed or clubhouse;\n(e) of unreasonably causing substantial annoyance to another\nperson; or\n(f) of unreasonably disrupting the privacy of another person,\nshall be guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: $2,000 or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.\n47AA Violent disorder\n(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:\n(a) the person is one of 2 or more people engaging in conduct\nthat involves a violent act; and\n(b) the conduct would result in anyone who is in the vicinity and of\nreasonable firmness fearing for his or her safety; and\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 4\n(c) the person:\n(i) intends or knows that the conduct involves a violent act\nand would have the result mentioned in paragraph (b); or\n(ii) is reckless as to whether the conduct involves a violent\nact and would have that result.\nMaximum penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.\n(2) To avoid doubt:\n(a) to establish the offence, it is unnecessary to prove that each of\nthe 2 or more people individually engaged in conduct that\ninvolves a violent act and would have the result mentioned in\nsubsection (1)(b); and\n(b) no person of reasonable firmness need actually be, or be\nlikely to be, present in the vicinity for the offence to be\ncommitted; and\n(c) the offence may be committed in private or public places; and\n(d) subsection (1)(c) does not affect the determination of the\nnumber of people mentioned in subsection (1)(a).\n(3) The offence is an offence to which Part IIAA of the Criminal Code\napplies.\nNote for subsection (3)\nPart IIAA of the Criminal Code states the general principles of criminal\nresponsibility (including burdens of proof and general defences) and defines\nterms used for offences, for example, \"conduct\", \"intention\" and \"recklessness\".\n(4) In this section:\nconduct that involves a violent act includes:\n(a) conduct capable of causing injury to a person or damage to\nproperty (whether or not it actually causes such injury or\ndamage); and\n(b) a threat to engage in such conduct.\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 5\n47AB Threatening violence\nA person who is guilty of an offence if the person, with intent to\nintimidate or annoy another person, threatens to damage a\ndwelling-house.\nPenalty: Imprisonment for 12 months or, where the offence is\ncommitted at night-time, 2 years.\n47AC Loitering by sexual offender\n(2) A person who:\n(a) has been found guilty of:\n(i) a sexual offence;\n(ii) murder where there are reasonable grounds to believe\nthat a sexual offence was also committed on the victim;\nor\n(iii) an offence against section 50; and\n(b) is found, without reasonable excuse, idling or lingering about\nin or near:\n(i) a school, kindergarten or child care centre; or\n(ii) a public place regularly frequented by children and in\nwhich children are present at the time of the loitering,\nis guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: $5,000 or imprisonment for 12 months.\n(3) If a person has at any time been convicted of an offence against a\nlaw of a State or another Territory of the Commonwealth which\ncreates an offence substantially similar to a sexual offence, the\nconviction for the offence against that law shall be taken for the\npurposes of this section to be a conviction of a sexual offence.\n(4) In this section:\nsexual offence means:\n(a) an offence against any of the following:\n(i) Part V, Division 2 of the Criminal Code;\n(ii) section 201, 208H, 208HA, 208HB or 208HC of the\nCriminal Code;\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 6\n(iii) Part VIA, Divisions 3 to 7 of the Criminal Code;\n(iv) Part V, Division 2 or section 188(2)(k), 192 or 192B of\nthe Criminal Code as in force before the commencement\nof Part 2 of the Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment\n(Sexual Offences) Act 2023; or\n(b) an offence of:\n(i) attempting to commit an offence mentioned in\nparagraph (a); or\n(ii) counselling or procuring an offence mentioned in\nparagraph (a); or\n(iii) aiding or abetting the commission of an offence\nmentioned in paragraph (a); or\n(iv) incitement to commit an offence mentioned in\nparagraph (a); or\n(v) conspiring to commit an offence mentioned in\nparagraph (a); or\n(vi) being an accessory after the fact to an offence\nmentioned in paragraph (a).\n47A Loitering – general offence\n(1) A person loitering in any public place who does not give a\nsatisfactory account of himself when requested so to do by a\nmember of the Police Force shall, on request by a member of the\nPolice Force to cease loitering, cease so to loiter.\nPenalty: $2,000 or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.\n(2) Where a person is loitering in a public place and a member of the\nPolice Force believes, on reasonable grounds\n(a) that an offence has been or is likely to be committed; or\n(b) that the movement of pedestrian or vehicular traffic is\nobstructed or is about to be obstructed,\nby that person or by any other person loitering in the vicinity of that\nperson;\n(c) that the safety of the person or any person in his vicinity is in\ndanger; or\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 7\n(d) that the person is interfering with the reasonable enjoyment of\nother persons using the public place for the purpose or\npurposes for which it was intended,\nthe member of the Police Force may require any person so loitering\nto cease loitering and to remove from that public place any article\nunder his control, and a person so required shall comply with and\nshall not contravene the requirement.\nPenalty: $2,000 or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.\n47B Loitering – offence following notice\n(1) A police officer may give a written notice to a person who is loitering\nat a public place:\n(a) requiring the person to stay away from the place or an area\nincluding the place for a specified period not exceed 72 hours\nfrom the time the notice is given; and\n(b) specifying the place or area, and the period, as is reasonable\nin the circumstances; and\n(c) specifying the consequences of contravening the notice.\n(2) The officer may do so only if the officer reasonably suspects:\n(a) the person has committed, or is about to commit, an offence at\nthe place or in the area; or\n(b) the person is part of a group of people at the place and one or\nmore people in the group have committed or are about to\ncommit an offence at the place or in the area.\n(4) The person is guilty of an offence if:\n(a) the officer gives the person the notice; and\n(b) the person contravenes the notice.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units or imprisonment for\n6 months.\n(5) It is a defence for an offence against subsection (4) if the defendant\nproves that the defendant has a reasonable excuse.\n(6) The officer must ensure all reasonable steps are taken to explain to\nthe person (in language the person can readily understand) the\nmatters mentioned in subsection (1)(a) to (c).\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 8\n(7) The notice is not invalidated by a failure to comply with\nsubsection (6).\n49A Illegal use of vehicle, &c.\n(1) Any person who, without reasonable excuse:\n(a) interferes with or tampers with any vehicle;\n(b) works or uses any horse or other beast of burden; or\n(c) interferes with, tampers with or goes on board a boat,\nwithout the consent of the owner or the person in lawful charge\nthereof, shall be guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: 1,000 dollars or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.\n(2) A Court which finds a person guilty of an offence against this\nsection may order him to pay to the owner of the vehicle, horse,\nother beast of burden, boat, equipment, material or article in\nrespect of which the offence was committed, a reasonable sum by\nway of compensation for any loss or damage caused to the owner\nby the defendant by reason of the commission of the offence.\n(2A) Where a person is found guilty of an offence against this section,\nthe Court may, in addition to or instead of any other penalty that\nmay be imposed by the Court, suspend any licence to drive a motor\nvehicle within the meaning of the Motor Vehicles Act 1949 that is\nheld by that person for such period as the Court thinks fit.\n(3) In this section boat includes canoe, dinghy, yacht, raft, pontoon,\nship and any other like vessel.\n50 Penalty for indecent exposure of the person\nAny person who offends against decency by the exposure of his\nperson in any street or public place, or in the view thereof, shall be\nguilty of an offence.\nPenalty: $2,000 or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.\n52 Injuring or extinguishing street lamps\nAny person who wantonly or maliciously breaks or injures any pane\nof glass, lamp, or lamp post, or extinguishes any lamp set up for\npublic convenience, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding\n1,000 dollars, or imprisonment for 6 months, or both and in addition\nshall defray the necessary expense of repairing the damage done,\nto be estimated by the Court finding the person guilty.\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 9\n53 Obscenity\n(1) Any person who:\n(a) in a public place, or within the view or hearing of any person\npassing therein:\n(i) sings any obscene song or ballad, or writes or draws any\nindecent or obscene word, figure or representation, or\nuses any profane, indecent or obscene language,\nshall be guilty of an offence.\n(7) A person who in a public place or in premises licensed under the\nLiquor Act 2019:\n(a) by threatening, abusive or objectionable words or behaviour,\noffends or causes substantial annoyance to another person; or\n(b) makes such a noise as might reasonably in the circumstances\ncause substantial annoyance to another person,\nwhether that other person is in the public place, those premises or\nelsewhere, is guilty of an offence.\n(8) Where the words or behaviour or noise referred to in subsection (7)\nare or is made in premises licensed under the Liquor Act 2019 and\nthe Court is satisfied that the licensee might reasonably have taken\naction to prevent the commission of the offence, the licensee is also\nguilty of an offence.\n(9) The penalty for an offence against this section is a fine not\nexceeding $2,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding\n6 months, or both.\n(10) The Court hearing a complaint for an offence against this section\nshall not award costs against the complainant unless the Court\nconsiders that the complaint was unreasonably made.\n53A Undue noise at social gathering after midnight\n(1) A member of the Police Force may, in response to a complaint from\na person that undue noise is coming from any premises or part of\npremises where a social gathering is being held, being a complaint\nin respect of noise made after midnight on any night and where he\nconsiders that such noise constitutes undue noise, direct:\n(a) the person who is the occupier of the premises or part of the\npremises, as the case may be; or\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 10\n(b) if that person cannot be ascertained, the person responsible\nfor the noise or in charge of the property producing the noise,\nto stop or abate the noise.\n(2) Where, at any time during the period of 12 hours immediately after\na person has been directed under subsection (1) to stop or abate\nundue noise (other than the period of 10 minutes after the direction\nis given), undue noise comes from the premises or part of the\npremises in respect of which the complaint was made, the person\nto whom the direction was given is guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: $2,000.\n53B Undue noise\n(1) A member of the Police Force may, in response to a complaint from\na person that undue noise is coming from any premises or part of\npremises and where he considers that such noise constitutes\nundue noise, direct:\n(a) the person making or causing or permitting the noise to be\nmade; or\n(b) the person apparently at the time in charge of the premises or\npart of the premises, as the case may be,\nto stop or abate the noise.\n(2) A member of the Police Force may, in response to a complaint from\na person that undue noise is coming from any unoccupied land and\nwhere he considers that such noise constitutes undue noise, direct\nthe person making the noise or causing or permitting the noise to\nbe made to stop or abate the noise.\n(2A) A direction under subsection (1) or (2):\n(a) may be given by reference to a period of hours during which,\nor specific times when, the noise is to be stopped or abated;\nand\n(b) in any event, shall remain in force for not more than 48 hours.\n(3) A person who has been directed under subsection (1) or (2) to stop\nor abate undue noise and who, other than during the period of\n10 minutes immediately after being so directed:\n(a) continues to make the noise or continues to cause or permit\nthe noise to be made; or\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 11\n(b) does not abate the noise,\nin contravention of the direction is guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: $2,000.\n53C Certificate of member of Police Force to be evidence\nIn a prosecution for an offence against section 53A or 53B a\ncertificate by a member of the Police Force stating that a complaint\nof a kind referred to in those sections had, at a specified time and\non a specified date, been made is prima facie evidence of the\nmatters stated in the certificate.\n53D Noise abatement orders\n(1) Where a person occupying premises makes a complaint to a justice\nof the peace alleging that his occupation of those premises is\naffected by undue noise, the justice of the peace may issue a\nsummons for the appearance before the Local Court of the person\nwho is:\n(a) alleged to be making or causing or permitting the noise to be\nmade; or\n(b) the occupier or person apparently in charge of the premises or\npart of the premises from which the noise is alleged to be\nemitted.\n(2) If the Court is satisfied that an alleged undue noise exists, or that\nalthough abated it is likely to recur on the same premises or part of\nthe premises, the Court may, where it finds that such noise is not\njustified in the circumstances, make an order directing the person\nsummoned under subsection (1) to stop or abate the noise or to\nconfine the making of the noise to within such hours as the Court\nmay fix and the Court may, in making the order, impose such other\nconditions as it thinks fit.\n(3) A person shall not contravene or fail to comply with an order made\nunder subsection (2).\nPenalty: $2,000.\n(4) Where:\n(a) a direction has been given under section 53A or 53B; and\n(b) a member is satisfied that another person requires the name\nand address of the person to whom the direction was given for\nthe purposes of making a complaint under subsection (1) in\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 12\nrespect of that person or instituting any civil suit or proceeding\nin respect of the noise the subject of the direction,\nthe member may provide the other person with the name and\naddress of the person to whom the direction was given.\n(5) Where the Court makes an order under subsection (2), the Court\nmay order the defendant to pay to the complainant such costs as it\nthinks fit.\n(6) Where the Court refuses to make an order under subsection (2),\nthe Court shall not award costs against the complainant unless the\nCourt is satisfied that the complaint made was vexatious or\nunreasonable.\n53E Powers of police\n(1) For the purposes of giving a direction under section 53A or 53B, a\nmember of the Police Force may enter the premises or the part of\nthe premises from which the noise is coming together with such\nassistance and using such force as the member considers\nreasonable for the purpose.\n(2) A member of the Police Force who enters premises or a part of\npremises under this section may require a person in the premises\nor the part to answer a question asked for the purpose of identifying\nthe occupier of the premises or the part or the person responsible\nfor the noise or in charge of the property that is producing the noise.\n(3) A person asked a question under subsection (2) shall not refuse or\nfail to answer the question to the best of his knowledge or belief.\nPenalty: $200.\n53F Compliance with direction\nFor the purposes of a prosecution of an offence against\nsections 53A and 53B, it is immaterial that noise coming from the\npremises or the part of the premises after a direction has been\ngiven is not of the same nature or of the same level as the noise to\nwhich the direction given related.\n54 Stealing domestic animals\nAny person who steals any dog, or any bird or animal ordinarily\nkept in a state of confinement and not being the subject of larceny,\nshall be liable to a penalty not exceeding 200 dollars, in addition to\nthe value of the dog, bird, or animal stolen.\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 13\n55 Challenge to fight\n(1) Any person who sends or accepts, either by word or letter, any\nchallenge to fight for money, or engages in any prize fight, shall be\nliable to a penalty of 500 dollars, or to imprisonment, for any period\nnot exceeding 3 months, or both.\n(2) The Court before whom any person is found guilty of an offence\nagainst this section may, if he thinks fit, in addition to imposing a\npenalty, also require that person to find sureties for keeping the\npeace.\n55A Consorting between known offenders\n(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:\n(a) the Commissioner gives a written notice to the person under\nthis section prohibiting the person, for a specified period not\nexceeding 12 months, from one or both of the following as\nspecified in the notice:\n(i) being in company with one or more specified persons;\n(ii) communicating in any way (including by post, fax, phone\nand other electronic means, and whether directly or\nindirectly) with one or more specified persons; and\n(b) the person contravenes the notice.\nMaximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.\n(2) It is a defence for an offence against subsection (1) if the defendant\nproves that:\n(a) the defendant has a reasonable excuse; or\n(b) the defendant, having unintentionally associated with a person\nspecified in the notice, terminated the association\nimmediately.\n(3) In subsection (2), a reference to an association with the specified\nperson is a reference to being in company, or communicating, with\nthe specified person in contravention of the notice.\n(4) The Commissioner may give a notice to a person (the notified\nperson) under subsection (1) only if:\n(a) the notified person and each person specified in the notice (a\nspecified person) have each been found guilty of a\nprescribed offence; and\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 14\n(b) the Commissioner reasonably believes that giving the notice is\nlikely to prevent the commission of a prescribed offence\ninvolving:\n(i) 2 or more offenders; and\n(ii) substantial planning and organisation.\n(5) The notice must specify:\n(a) the notified person's obligations under the notice; and\n(b) the consequences of contravening the notice.\n(6) The Commissioner must ensure all reasonable steps are taken to\nexplain to the notified person (in language the notified person can\nreadily understand) the matters mentioned in subsection (5)(a)\nand (b).\n(7) In addition, the Commissioner must give each specified person a\nnotice under subsection (1) imposing similar obligations in relation\nto prohibiting the specified person from one or both of the following:\n(a) being in company with the notified person and each of the\nother specified persons;\n(b) communicating with the notified person and each of the other\nspecified persons.\n(8) However, the Commissioner may disregard subsection (7) in\nexceptional circumstances.\n(9) A notice under subsection (1) is not invalidated by a failure to\ncomply with subsections (6) to (8).\n(10) A reference to a prescribed offence in subsection (4) is a reference\nto an offence:\n(a) prescribed by regulation; and\n(b) the maximum penalty for which is imprisonment for 10 years\nor more.\n56 Offences\n(1) Any person who:\n(c) wanders abroad, or from house to house, or places himself in\nany public place, street, highway, court, or passage, to beg or\ngather alms, or causes or procures or encourages any child so\nto do;\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 15\n(e) has on or about his person, without lawful excuse (proof\nwhereof shall lie upon the person charged), any deleterious\ndrug, or any article of disguise; or\n(i) habitually consorts with reputed criminals,\nshall be guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: 500 dollars or imprisonment for 3 months, or both.\n57 Offences after finding of guilt under section 56 and other\noffences\n(1) Any person who:\n(a) having been found guilty of an offence under section 56\ncommits any of the offences mentioned in that section; or\n(b) solicits, gathers, or collects alms, subscriptions, or\ncontributions under any false pretence, or wanders abroad\nand endeavours by the exposure of wounds or deformities to\nobtain or gather alms; or\n(d) pretends to tell fortunes, or uses any subtle craft, means, or\ndevice, by palmistry or otherwise, to deceive and impose upon\na person; or\n(e) has in his custody or possession, without lawful excuse (proof\nwhereof shall be upon the person charged), any picklock, key,\ncrow, jack, bit, or other implement of housebreaking; or\n(l) being a suspected person or reputed thief, is in, on or near,\nwith intent to commit any indictable offence, any river, canal,\nnavigable stream, dock, or basin, or any quay, wharf, or\nwarehouse near or adjacent thereto, or any street, highway, or\navenue leading thereto, or any place of public resort, or any\navenue leading thereto, or any street, highway, or place\nadjacent;\nis guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: 1,000 dollars, or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.\n(2) Where any person is found guilty under paragraph (e) of\nsubsection (1), any picklock, key, crow, jack, bit, or other implement\nof housebreaking in the custody or possession of that person shall\nbe forfeited to the Territory.\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 16\n(4) Where any person is found guilty under paragraph (j) of\nsubsection (1) any table or instrument of gaming at or with which he\nhas played or betted contrary to the provisions hereof shall be\nforfeited to the Territory.\n(5) In proving under paragraph (l) of subsection (1), the intent to\ncommit any offence therein specified, it shall not be necessary to\nshow that the person charged was guilty of any particular act or\nacts tending to show his intent but he may be found guilty if from\nthe circumstances of the case and his known character as proved\nto the Court it appears to the Court that his intent was to commit\nthat offence.\n58 Penalty for second or subsequent offence under section 57\nThe penalty on being found guilty of a second or subsequent\noffence under section 57 is imprisonment for a term not exceeding\n12 months.\n60 Valueless cheques\nAny person who obtains or attempts to obtain any chattel, money,\nvaluable security, credit, benefit or advantage or discharges or\nattempts to discharge any debt or liability by passing any cheque\nwhich is not paid on presentation shall, notwithstanding that there\nmay have been some funds to the credit of the account on which\nthe cheque was drawn at the time it was passed, be guilty of an\noffence, unless he proves:\n(a) that he had reasonable grounds for believing that the cheque\nwould be paid in full on presentation; and\n(b) that he had no intent to defraud.\nPenalty: 2,000 dollars, or imprisonment for 12 months, or both.\n60A Fraud other than false pretences\nA person who obtains or attempts to obtain any chattel, money,\nvaluable security, credit, benefit or advantage or discharges or\nattempts to discharge any debt or liability by fraud other than false\npretences shall be guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: 2,000 dollars, or imprisonment for 12 months, or both.\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 17\n61 Persons suspected of having stolen goods\n(1) In this section:\npersonal property includes money in cash or cheque form, or\ndeposited in an ADI account or other account.\npremises includes a structure, building, vehicle, vessel, aircraft,\nhovercraft, land or place.\n(2) A person who:\n(a) has in that person's custody any personal property;\n(b) has in the custody of another person any personal property;\n(c) has in or on any premises any personal property; or\n(d) gives any personal property to a person who is not lawfully\nentitled to it,\nbeing personal property which, at any time before the making of a\ncharge for an offence against this section in respect of the personal\nproperty, is reasonably suspected of having been stolen or\notherwise unlawfully obtained, is guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: $2,000 or imprisonment for 12 months.\n(3) It is a defence to a charge for an offence against subsection (2) if\nthe defendant gives to the court a satisfactory account:\n(a) as to how the defendant obtained the personal property\nreferred to in the charge; and\n(b) of the custody of the personal property by the defendant after\nit was obtained by him or her for each period during which the\ndefendant had custody of the personal property.\n62 Where property improperly taken or stolen is found and not\nsatisfactorily accounted for\n(1) Whenever any credible witness proves upon oath before any justice\nof the peace that there is reasonable cause to suspect that any\nsuch property as mentioned in this section has been taken or\nstolen, and is to be found in any house or other place, it shall be\nlawful for the justice of the peace to issue a warrant to search the\nhouse or place for the property, and any person in whose\npossession, or on whose premises, any of the property is found by\nvirtue of any such warrant, or by any member of the Police Force\nwhen executing any general search warrant or any other warrant, or\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 18\notherwise acting in the discharge of his duty, who does not satisfy\nthe Court before whom he is brought that he came lawfully by the\nsame, or that the same was on his premises without his knowledge\nor consent, shall:\n(a) if the property so found consists of any goods, merchandise,\nor other articles belonging to any ship or vessel in distress, or\nwrecked, stranded, or cast on shore, be liable to a penalty not\nexceeding 2,000 dollars or to imprisonment for any period not\nexceeding 12 months, or both;\n(b) if the property so found consists of the carcass, or the head,\nskin, hide, fleece, feet, or other part of any cattle, be liable to a\npenalty not exceeding 2,000 dollars, or to imprisonment for\nany period not exceeding 12 months, or both; or\n(c) if the property so found consists of the whole or any part of\nany tree, sapling, or shrub, or any underwood, or any part of\nany live or dead fence, or any post, picket, rail, stile, or gate,\nor any part thereof (being of the value of not less than\n10 cents), to be liable to a penalty not exceeding\n2,000 dollars, or to imprisonment for any period not exceeding\n12 months, or both, and in addition shall pay to the party\naggrieved the value of the property so found.\n(2) Any person who:\n(a) offers or exposes for sale any goods, merchandise, or articles\n(whether found by virtue of a search warrant or not) which\nhave been unlawfully taken, or are reasonably suspected of\nhaving been unlawfully taken, from any ship or vessel in\ndistress, or wrecked, stranded, or cast on shore; and\n(b) does not satisfy the court before whom he is brought that he\ncame lawfully by the same, or that the same were on his\npremises without his knowledge or consent,\nshall be liable to a penalty not exceeding 2,000 dollars, or to\nimprisonment, with or without hard labour, for any period not\nexceeding 12 months, or both and in addition shall pay such sum\nas the Court may fix as a reasonable reward to the person who\nseized the goods, merchandise, or articles.\n(3) In every case to which the section applies, any person to whom any\nsuch property as is therein mentioned is offered for sale, or any\nofficer of the Customs or member of the Police Force, may lawfully\nseize the same, and shall with all convenient speed cause the\nsame to be removed the Local Court, and in every such case it is\nlawful for the Court to direct that the property be delivered over to\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 19\nthe rightful owner, if known, or, if the rightful owner is not known,\nthat the same be sold, and the proceeds thereof applied in the\nsame manner as any penalties under this Ordinance.\n(4) If any person charged with any offence against this section is not\nfound guilty thereof, it shall be lawful for the Court at its discretion,\nto compel the attendance before the Court of any person through\nwhose hands any such property as mentioned in this section, or\nany part thereof, appears to have passed, and if the person from\nwhom the same was first received, or any person who has had\npossession thereof, does not satisfy the Court that he came lawfully\nby the same, he shall be liable to the appropriate punishment\nprovided by this section.\n65AA Dumping of certain containers\nNo person shall abandon a refrigerator, icechest, icebox, article of\nfurniture, trunk or article of a like nature which has in it a\ncompartment of a capacity of 40 litres or 40,000 cm 3 or more or any\nprescribed article on any vacant land or on any dump, tip, sanitary\ndepot, public reserve or public place unless he has, before so\nabandoning it:\n(a) removed from the compartment every door and lid thereof and\nthe hinges or locks for those doors and lids; or\n(b) otherwise rendered those doors and lids incapable of being\nfastened.\nPenalty: $200.\n65A Tampering with instruments, &c.\nAny person who:\n(a) with intent to deceive tampers with any instrument or device\nused for the recording of mileage in a motor vehicle; or\n(b) with intent to deceive installs in substitution for an instrument\nor device used in a motor vehicle for recording the mileage of\nthe motor vehicle a new instrument or device for recording the\nmileage of the motor vehicle,\nshall be guilty of an offence and liable to a penalty of not more than\n200 dollars.\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 20\n66 Regulation of places of public resort\n(1) Every person who has or keeps any house, shop, room, or place of\npublic resort wherein provisions, liquor, or refreshments of any kind\nare sold or consumed (whether the same are kept or retailed\ntherein or procured elsewhere) who:\n(a) wilfully and knowingly permits drunkenness or other disorderly\nconduct in the house, shop, room, or place; or\nshall be guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: 200 dollars.\n(2) The holder of a licence under the Liquor Act 2019 who has been\nfound guilty of an offence against subsection (1) in respect of\ncertain conduct may be prosecuted for an offence against the\nLiquor Act 2019 in respect of the same conduct.\n68A False reports to police\n(1) Any person who falsely and with knowledge of the falsity of the\nperson's statements represents to any member of the Police Force\nthat any act has been done or that any circumstances have\noccurred, which act or circumstances as so represented are such\nas reasonably call for investigation by the police, shall be guilty of\nan offence.\nMaximum penalty: $11 000 or imprisonment for 2 years.\n(2) In addition to or without imposing a fine on any defendant found\nguilty under this section, the court may order that the defendant pay\nto the complainant a reasonable sum for the expenses of or\nincidental to any investigation made by any member of the Police\nForce as a result of the false statement.\n(3) Any amounts received by the complainant under this section must\nbe paid into the Central Holding Authority.\n(4) This section shall not be held to restrict the operation of any other\nenactment or rule of law.\n68B Advertising a reward for the return of stolen property, &c.\nA person who:\n(a) publicly offers a reward for the return of property that has been\nstolen, and in the offer makes use of words purporting that no\nquestions will be asked or that the person producing such\nproperty will not be seized or molested;\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 21\n(b) publicly offers to return to a person who may have brought or\nadvanced money by way of loan on stolen property the money\nso paid or advanced or any other sum of money or reward for\nthe return of such property; or\n(c) prints or publishes such an offer,\nis guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: $500.\n69 Penalty for offences where no special penalty is appointed\nEvery offence against this Act for which no special penalty is\nprovided shall render the offender liable to a penalty of not more\nthan 500 dollars, or to imprisonment for any period not exceeding\n3 months, or both.\n69A Disobedience to laws of the Territory\nA person who, without lawful excuse, proof of which is on him:\n(a) does an act that he is forbidden to do; or\n(b) omits to do an act that he is required to do,\nby a law in force in the Territory, unless a penalty intended to be\nexclusive of all other punishment is expressly provided by such a\nlaw, is guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: Imprisonment for 3 months.\n69B Inciting to the commission of offences\nA person who:\n(a) incites to, urges, aids or encourages; or\n(b) prints or publishes any writing which incites to, urges, aids or\nencourages,\nthe commission of an offence or the carrying on of an operation for\nor by the commission of an offence, is guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: $2,000 or imprisonment for 12 months.\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 22\n74 Power to regulate traffic in certain cases\n(1) The Commissioner may, as occasion arises, give directions either\nin writing, orally, or by any agency which he thinks fit:\n(a) specifying the route to be observed by motor vehicles,\nvehicles of any other kind, horses, and persons, and for\npreventing the obstruction of the streets and thoroughfares on\nany occasion of public procession, public rejoicings, or public\nilluminations;\n(b) for keeping order, or for preventing any obstruction of the\nstreets or thoroughfares in the immediate neighbourhood of\nany public building, public office, theatre, or place of public\nresort; and\n(c) for keeping order, or for preventing any obstruction of the\nstreets or thoroughfares on any occasion when the streets or\nthoroughfares are thronged or are liable to be obstructed.\n(2) The Commissioner may delegate his powers under this section in\nany particular case to any Superintendent or Inspector of Police.\n(3) Any person who, on being requested by any member to comply\nwith any direction given pursuant to this section, fails to forthwith\ncomply with such direction, shall be guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: 200 dollars.\n75 Prohibition of nuisances in thoroughfares\n(1) Any person who, in any street, road, thoroughfare, or public place:\n(b) turns loose any horse or any cattle; or\n(c) by negligence or ill-usage in driving cattle causes any mischief\nto be done by those cattle, or in any way misbehaves in the\ndriving, care, or management of those cattle, or, not being\nhired or employed to drive those cattle, wantonly and\nunlawfully pelts, hurts, or drives any such cattle; or\n(d) (i) being the driver of any wagon, cart, or dray of any kind\nnot drawn by horses properly driven with reins, rides upon any\nsuch wagon, cart, or dray, not having some person on foot to\nguide the same; or\n(ii) being the driver of any carriage whatsoever, is at such a\ndistance from such carriage, or in such a situation whilst\nit is passing along any street, road, thoroughfare, or\npublic place, that he cannot guide and control the horses\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 23\nor cattle drawing the same; or\n(iii) rides upon the shafts of any wagon, cart, dray, or other\nvehicle whatsoever; or\n(iv) riding a bicycle or on horseback, or driving or propelling\nany wagon, cart, dray, or coach, or any other carriage or\nvehicle whatsoever, on meeting any other person riding\na bicycle or on horseback, or driving or propelling any\nwagon, cart, dray, or coach, or any other carriage or\nvehicle whatsoever, does not keep the person's bicycle,\nhorse, wagon, cart, dray, coach, carriage, or vehicle on\nthe left or near side of the road; or\n(v) in any manner prevents any other person from passing\nthe person or any vehicle under the person's care, or\nprevents, hinders or interrupts the free passage of any\nvehicle or person; or\n(e) (i) causes any cart or vehicle (except standing for hire in any\nplace not forbidden by law), or any truck or barrow, with or\nwithout horses, to stand longer than is necessary for loading\nor unloading or for taking up or setting down passengers; or\n(ii) by means of any cart or carriage, or any truck or barrow,\nor any horse or other animal, wilfully interrupts any\npublic crossing, or wilfully causes any obstruction in any\nthoroughfare; or\n(f) after notice of any regulations made under section 74, wilfully\ndisregards any such regulation, or does not conform thereto;\nor\n(g) without consent of the owner or occupier, affixes any posting\nbill or other paper against or upon any building, wall, or fence,\nor writes upon, soils, defaces, or marks any building, wall, or\nfence with chalk or paint, or in any other manner whatsoever;\nor\n(j) flies any kite, or plays any game, to the annoyance of the\ninhabitants or passengers in any street, road, thoroughfare, or\npublic place, or to the common danger of the passengers\ntherein; or\n(k) turns loose, or suffers any kind of swine or goats belonging to\nthe person or under the person's charge to stray or go about\nor to be tethered or depastured, in any street, road,\nthoroughfare, or public place,\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 24\nshall be guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: 200 dollars.\n(2) It shall be lawful for any member to take into custody, without\nwarrant, any person who commits any such offence as mentioned\nin this section within view of that member.\n75A Dangerous dogs\n(1) In this section, a reference to the owner of a dog includes:\n(a) the person for the time being under whose control the dog is;\nand\n(b) the occupier of premises or a part of premises where the dog\nis usually kept; and\n(c) where the owner has not attained the age of 17 years, a\nparent or guardian of the owner,\nbut does not include an authorised person, as defined in section 7\nof the Local Government Act 2019, a member of the Police Force or\na person at a pound controlling or keeping a dog in accordance with\na by-law of a local government council.\n(2) The owner of a dog that:\n(a) attacks a person or animal; or\n(b) menaces a person or animal,\nis guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: $5,000.\n(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against\nsubsection (2) if the owner of the dog proves that:\n(a) a person had, without the owner's permission, enticed the dog\nto attack or menace the person or animal;\n(b) the animal attacked or menaced was attacked or menaced on\npremises owned or occupied by the owner; or\n(c) the person attacked or menaced was attacked or menaced on\npremises owned or occupied by the owner and the person:\n(i) was on the premises for an illegal purpose; or\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 25\n(ii) was attacked or menaced other than when proceeding\nby the shortest practical route from a boundary of the\npremises to the door of the premises closest to the\nboundary or from the door to the boundary.\n(4) A person shall not entice or induce a dog to act in a manner that\nwould render the owner of the dog liable to prosecution for an\noffence against subsection (2).\nPenalty: $5,000.\n(5) Where a court finds a person guilty of an offence against\nsubsection (2), it may:\n(a) order the destruction of the dog in addition to or instead of the\npenalty specified in that subsection; and/or\n(b) order the person to pay the costs and expenses of and\nincidental to the impounding of the dog.\n(6) Where a member of the Police Force believes, on reasonable\ngrounds, that a dog has or may cause serious injury to a person or\nanimal, the member may seize, impound or destroy the dog and for\nthat purpose may enter onto any land (including land that is not\nopen to or used by the public) with or without the consent of the\noccupier or owner, or a warrant.\n76 Playing musical instruments so as to annoy\n(1) Every householder personally, or by his servant, or by any member,\nmay require any street musician to depart from the neighbourhood\nof his house, on account of the illness of any inmate of the house or\nfor any reasonable cause.\n(2) Every person who sounds or plays upon any musical instrument in\nany thoroughfare near to and so as to be heard at the house, after\nbeing so required to depart, shall be guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: 200 dollars.\n(3) Every person who sounds or plays upon any musical instrument,\nand against whom an information has been laid by any inhabitant\nwho is annoyed by the sounding or playing of the musical\ninstrument, or by any member upon the written complaint of the\ninhabitant, shall be guilty of an offence.\nPenalty: 200 dollars.\n\nPart VII Offences generally\nSummary Offences Act 1923 26\n78 Keeping clean yards, &c.\nAny owner or occupier of any premises or place who neglects to\nkeep clean all private avenues, passages, yards, and ways within\nsuch premises or place, so as by such neglect to cause a nuisance\nby offensive smell or otherwise, shall be liable to a penalty of not\nmore than 200 dollars.\n82 Offences relating to public fountains\n(1) Any person who damages any public fountain, pump, cock, or\nwater-pipe, or any part thereof, shall pay the cost of repairing the\nsame, and, if the damage is done wilfully, shall, in addition to\npaying the cost, be liable to a penalty of not more than\n1,000 dollars, or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.\n(2) Any person who has in his possession any private key for the\npurpose of opening any cock, or who in any manner clandestinely\nor unlawfully appropriates to his use any water from any public\nfountain or pipe, shall be liable to a penalty of not more than\n500 dollars, or imprisonment for 3 months, or both.\n(3) Any person who opens, or leaves open, any cock on any public\nfountain or pump, so that the water runs or may run to waste, shall\nbe liable to a penalty of not more than 200 dollars.\n85 Leaving dead animals in public place\nAny person who:\n(a) throws or leaves, or causes to be thrown or left, any dead\nanimal, or any part thereof, upon any street, lane, road or\nother public place, or into any river, creek, or other stream\nwhich flows through, by, or along any such street, lane, road,\nor public place; or\n(b) leaves, or causes to be left, any dead animal, or any part\nthereof, upon the shores of any such river, creek, or other\nstream; or\n(c) leaves, of causes to be left, any dead animal, or any part\nthereof, on or upon any private property abutting upon any\nstreet, or on or near to any other public place,\nto the annoyance of the inhabitants or of persons passing along or\nresorting to the street, lane, road, or public place, or of the\noccupiers of any dwelling-house, shall be liable to a penalty of not\nmore than 200 dollars.\n\nPart IX Miscellaneous\nSummary Offences Act 1923 27\n89 Cellars or openings beneath the surface of footpaths\nprohibited\nAny person who makes any cellar, or any opening, door, or window,\nin or beneath the surface of the footpath of any street or public\nplace, shall be liable to a penalty of 200 dollars over and above the\nexpense of remedying or removing such cellar, opening, door, or\nwindow, such expense to be assessed and allowed by the Court\nfinding the person guilty.\n91AA Regulatory offences\nAn offence of contravening or failing to comply with section 53A(2),\n53B(3), 65AA, 74(3), 82(3), or 89 is a regulatory offence.\nPart IX Miscellaneous\n92 Regulations\n(1) The Administrator may make regulations, not inconsistent with this\nAct, prescribing all matters that are required or permitted by this Act\nto be prescribed or are necessary or convenient to be prescribed\nfor giving effect to this Act.\n(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the Regulations\nmay provide for:\n(a) the payment of a prescribed amount in lieu of a penalty which\nmay otherwise be imposed for an offence against this Act or\nthe Regulations;\n(b) the service of notices on persons alleged to have infringed this\nAct or the Regulations and particulars to be included in such\nnotices;\n(c) the hours during which the use of specified tools, equipment\nor machinery or classes of tools, equipment or machinery, the\nnoise from which is or is likely to be audible in residential\npremises, is prohibited or restricted; and\n(d) penalties, not exceeding $2,000, for offences against the\nRegulations.\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 28\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY\nKey to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1923 (Act No. 20, 1923)\nAssent date 15 November 1923\nCommenced 1 March 1924 (Gaz 1 February 1924)\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1926 (Act No. 14, 1926)\nAssent date 3 June 1926\nCommenced 3 June 1926\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1932 (Act No. 19, 1932)\nAssent date 22 September 1932\nCommenced 22 September 1932\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1935 (Act No. 6, 1935)\nAssent date 27 June 1935\nCommenced 27 June 1935\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1938 (Act No. 12, 1938)\nAssent date 8 September 1938\nCommenced 8 September 1938\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1947 (Act No. 6, 1947)\nAssent date 11 September 1947\nCommenced 11 September 1947\nPolice Arbitral Tribunal Ordinance 1948 (Act No. 1, 1949)\nAssent date 14 February 1949\nCommenced 14 February 1949\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1949 (Act No. 6, 1949)\nAssent date 11 May 1949\nCommenced 11 May 1949\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 29\nPolice Arbitral Tribunal Ordinance 1949 (Act No. 14, 1949)\nAssent date 21 November 1949\nCommenced 21 November 1949\nPolice Arbitral Tribunal Ordinance 1950 (Act No. 5, 1950)\nAssent date 22 August 1950\nCommenced 22 August 1950\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1952 (Act No. 26, 1952)\nAssent date 4 June 1952\nCommenced 4 June 1952\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1953 (Act No. 14, 1953)\nAssent date 29 June 1953\nCommenced 1 April 1954 (Gaz No. 12, 24 March 1954)\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1954 (Act No. 1, 1955)\nAssent date 23 February 1955\nCommenced 21 April 1955 (Gaz No. 16, 20 April 1955)\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1957 (Act No. 18, 1957)\nAssent date 17 May 1957\nCommenced 7 June 1957 (Gaz No. 23A, 7 June 1957)\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance (No. 2) 1957 (Act No. 30, 1957)\nAssent date 4 September 1957\nCommenced 4 September 1957 (s 2 and s 2 Welfare Ordinance 1957 (Act\nNo. 29, 1957))\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1959 (Act No. 19, 1959)\nAssent date 7 July 1959\nCommenced 7 July 1959\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance (No. 2) 1959 (Act No. 20, 1959)\nAssent date 7 July 1959\nCommenced 7 July 1959\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1960 (Act No. 5, 1960)\nAssent date 2 September 1960\nCommenced 2 September 1960\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance (No. 2) 1960 (Act No. 12, 1961)\nAssent date 3 February 1961\nCommenced 1 May 1961 (Gaz No. 18, 26 April 1961)\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1961 (Act No. 10, 1962)\nAssent date 18 April 1962\nCommenced 23 May 1962 (s 2 and s 2 Welfare Ordinance 1961 (Act\nNo. 12, 1962))\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1963 (Act No. 48, 1963)\nAssent date 22 July 1963\nCommenced 22 July 1963\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1964 (Act No. 44, 1964)\nAssent date 7 September 1964\nCommenced 7 September 1964\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 30\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance (No. 2) 1964 (Act No. 3, 1965)\nAssent date 14 January 1965\nCommenced 14 January 1965\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance (No. 3) 1964 (Act No. 4, 1965)\nAssent date 14 January 1965\nCommenced 14 January 1965\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1965 (Act No. 7, 1965)\nAssent date 22 February 1965\nCommenced 22 February 1965\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance (No. 2) 1965 (Act No. 30, 1965)\nAssent date 16 August 1965\nCommenced 16 August 1965\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1966 (Act No. 39, 1966)\nAssent date 14 September 1966\nCommenced 14 September 1966\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1968 (Act No. 39, 1968)\nAssent date 18 June 1968\nCommenced 18 June 1968\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance (No. 3) 1968 (Act No. 71, 1968)\nAssent date 7 October 1968\nCommenced 30 October 1968 (Gaz No. 47, 30 October 1968)\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1969 (Act No. 32, 1969)\nAssent date 30 September 1969\nCommenced 1 April 1970 (Gaz No. 11, 18 March 1970)\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance (No. 2) 1969 (Act No. 43, 1969)\nAssent date 27 November 1969\nCommenced 8 April 1970 (Gaz No. 12, 25 March 1970)\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance (No. 3) 1969 (Act No. 6, 1970)\nAssent date 8 August 1970\nCommenced 21 October 1970 (Gaz No. 42, 21 October 1970)\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1970 (Act No. 51, 1970)\nAssent date 3 December 1970\nCommenced 27 January 1971 (Gaz No. 2, 13 January 1971)\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1971 (Act No. 9, 1971)\nAssent date 24 March 1971\nCommenced 24 March 1971\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1973 (Act No. 13, 1973)\nAssent date 27 March 1973\nCommenced 27 March 1973\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1973 (Act No. 78, 1973)\nAssent date 11 December 1973\nCommenced 11 December 1973\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 31\nOrdinances Revision Ordinance 1973 (Act No. No. 87, 1973)\nAssent date 11 December 1973\nCommenced 11 December 1973 (s 12(2))\nAmending Legislation\nOrdinances Revision Ordinance 1974 (Act No. No. 34, 1974)\nAssent date 26 August 1974\nCommenced 11 December 1973 (s 3(2))\nOrdinances Revision Ordinance (No. 2) 1974 (Act No. No. 69, 1974)\nAssent date 24 August 1974\nCommenced 11 December 1973 (s 3(2))\nOrdinances Revision Ordinance 1976 (Act No. 27, 1976)\nAssent date 28 June 1976\nCommenced ss 1, 2 and 6: 28 June 1976 (s 6(2));\nss 3 and 4: 11 December 1973; s 5: 24 October 1974\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance (No. 2) 1974 (Act No. 39, 1974)\nAssent date 23 September 1974\nCommenced 23 September 1974\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance (No. 4) 1974 (Act No. 61, 1974)\nAssent date 15 October 1974\nCommenced 15 October 1974\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance (No. 5) 1974 (Act No. 65, 1974)\nAssent date 21 October 1974\nCommenced 21 October 1974\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1974 (Act No. 86, 1974)\nAssent date 7 November 1974\nCommenced 1 January 1975 (Gaz No. 49, 5 December 1974)\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1975 (Act No. 18, 1975)\nAssent date 30 July 1975\nCommenced 30 July 1975\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance (No. 2) 1975 (Act No. 3, 1976)\nAssent date 2 February 1976\nCommenced 5 March 1976 (Gaz No. 10, 5 March 1976)\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1976 (Act No. 10, 1976)\nAssent date 1 March 1976\nCommenced 1 March 1976\nOrdinances Revision Ordinance 1976 (Act No. 27, 1976)\nAssent date 28 June 1976\nCommenced ss 1, 2 and 6: 28 June 1976 (s 6(2));\nss 3 and 4: 11 December 1973; s 5: 24 October 1974\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 32\nTransfer of Powers Ordinance 1976 (Act No. 64, 1976)\nAssent date 22 December 1976\nCommenced 1 January 1977 (Gaz No. 53, 24 December 1976, p 1573)\nAmending Legislation\nTransfer of Powers Ordinance (No. 2) 1976 (Act No. 65, 1976)\nAssent date 26 August 1974\nCommenced 22 December 1976\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1977 (Act No. 8, 1977)\nAssent date 15 March 1977\nCommenced 15 March 1977\nPolice and Police Offences Ordinance 1978 (Act No. 31, 1978)\nAssent date 20 June 1978\nCommenced 11 August 1978 (Gaz No. 32, 11 August 1978)\nTransfer of Powers (Self-Government) Ordinance 1978 (Act No. 54, 1978)\nAssent date 1 July 1978\nCommenced 1 July 1978 (s 2)\nStatute Law Revision Act 1978 (Act No. 95, 1978)\nAssent date 5 September 1978\nCommenced 5 September 1978\nSummary Offences Act 1978 (Act No. 17, 1979)\nAssent date 26 January 1979\nCommenced 1 August 1979 (Gaz G30, 26 July 1979, p 5)\nPolice and Police Offences Act 1979 (Act No. 26, 1979)\nAssent date 27 March 1979\nCommenced 27 March 1979\nSummary Offences Act 1979 (Act No. 130, 1979)\nAssent date 15 October 1979\nCommenced 15 October 1979\nSummary Offences Act (No. 2) 1979 (Act No. 137, 1979)\nAssent date 7 November 1979\nCommenced 14 November 1980 (s 2, s 2 Classification of Publications Act\n1979 (Act No. 135, 1979) and Gaz G45, 7 November 1980,\np 1)\nSummary Offences Act (No. 3) 1979 (Act No. 158, 1979)\nAssent date 12 December 1979\nCommenced 12 December 1979\nSummary Offences Act (No. 4) 1979 (Act No. 159, 1979)\nAssent date 12 December 1979\nCommenced 2 May 1980 (Gaz G18, 2 May 1980, p 13)\nAmending Legislation\nSummary Offences Act (No. 4) 1979 Amendment Act 1981 (Act No. 30, 1981)\nAssent date 25 March 1981\nCommenced 25 March 1981\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 33\nSummary Offences Amendment Act 1982 (Act No. 22, 1982)\nAssent date 27 April 1982\nCommenced 1 January 1983 (Gaz G51, 23 December 1982, p 1)\nAmending Legislation\nSummary Offences Amendment Act 1982 Amendment Act 1982 (Act No. 86,\n1982)\nAssent date 14 December 1982\nCommenced 14 December 1982\nSummary Offences (Criminal Code) Amendment Act 1983 (Act No. 65, 1983)\nAssent date 28 November 1983\nCommenced 1 January 1984 (s 2, s 2 Criminal Code Act 1983 (Act No. 47,\n1983), Gaz G46, 18 November 1983, p 11 and Gaz G8,\n26 February 1986, p 5)\nCriminal Law (Regulatory Offences) Act 1983 (Act No. 68, 1983)\nAssent date 28 November 1983\nCommenced 1 January 1984 (s 2, s 2 Criminal Code Act 1983 (Act No. 47,\n1983), Gaz G46, 18 November 1983, p 11 and Gaz G8,\n26 February 1986, p 5)\nStatute Law Revision Act 1985 (Act No. 49, 1985)\nAssent date 1 October 1985\nCommenced 1 October 1985\nSummary Offences Amendment Act 1987 (Act No. 5, 1987)\nAssent date 27 May 1987\nCommenced 27 May 1987\nTrespass Act 1987 (Act No. 7, 1987)\nAssent date 27 May 1987\nCommenced 1 July 1987 (Gaz G24, 17 June 1987, p 4)\nSummary Offences Amendment Act 1988 (Act No. 23, 1988)\nAssent date 1 September 1988\nCommenced 1 September 1988\nSummary Offences Amendment Act (No. 2) 1988 (Act No. 48, 1988)\nAssent date 20 October 1988\nCommenced 20 October 1988\nStatute Law Revision Act 1988 (Act No. 66, 1988)\nAssent date 22 December 1988\nCommenced 22 December 1988\nSummary Offences Amendment Act 1990 (Act No. 5, 1990)\nAssent date 2 April 1990\nCommenced 2 April 1990\nSummary Offences Amendment Act (No. 2) 1990 (Act No. 50, 1990)\nAssent date 15 October 1990\nCommenced 1 February 1991 (Gaz G3, 23 January 1991, p 3)\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 34\nStatute Law Revision Act 1991 (Act No. No. 31, 1991)\nAssent date 25 June 1991\nCommenced 25 June 1991\nSummary Offences Amendment Act 1992 (Act No. 7, 1992)\nAssent date 8 May 1992\nCommenced 8 May 1992\nSummary Offences Amendment Act 1993 (Act No. 71, 1993)\nAssent date 9 November 1993\nCommenced 9 November 1993\nSummary Offences Amendment Act 1994 (Act No. 7, 1994)\nAssent date 16 March 1994\nCommenced 19 December 1994 (Gaz S60, 16 December 1994)\nSummary Offences Amendment Act (No. 2) 1994 (Act No. 34, 1994)\nAssent date 18 May 1994\nCommenced 23 May 1994 (Gaz S36, 23 May 1994, p 2)\nSummary Offences Amendment Act (No. 3) 1994 (Act No. 35, 1994)\nAssent date 18 May 1994\nCommenced 23 May 1994 (Gaz S36, 23 May 1994, p 2)\nSummary Offences Amendment Act 1995 (Act No. 61, 1995)\nAssent date 28 December 1995\nCommenced 26 February 1996 (Gaz G7, 14 February 1996, p 3)\nSummary Offences Amendment Act (No. 2) 1995 (Act No. 62, 1995)\nAssent date 28 December 1995\nCommenced 28 December 1995\nSummary Offences Amendment Act (No. 3) 1995 (Act No. 64, 1995)\nAssent date 29 December 1995\nCommenced 1 February 1996 (Gaz G5, 31 January 1996, p 2)\nSummary Offences Amendment Act 1996 (Act No. 7, 1996)\nAssent date 20 March 1996\nCommenced 20 March 1996\nSentencing (Consequential Amendments) Act 1996 (Act No. 17, 1996)\nAssent date 19 April 1996\nCommenced s 7: 19 April 1996; rem: 1 July 1996 (s 2, s 2 Sentencing\nAct 1995 (Act No. 39, 1995) and Gaz S15, 13 June 1996)\nSummary Offences Amendment Act 1996 (Act No. 22, 1996)\nAssent date 17 June 1996\nCommenced 14 August 1996 (Gaz G32, 7 August 1996, p 3)\nStatute Law Revision Act 1996 (Act No. 42, 1996)\nAssent date 17 September 1996\nCommenced 17 September 1996\nSummary Offences Amendment Act (No. 3) 1996 (Act No. 46, 1996)\nAssent date 31 October 1996\nCommenced 1 December 1996 (Gaz G48, 27 November 1996, p 2)\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 35\nSummary Offences Amendment Act 1998 (Act No. 65, 1998)\nAssent date 22 September 1998\nCommenced 1 November 1998 (Gaz G40, 14 October 1998, p 2)\nStatute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 1998 (Act No. 92, 1998)\nAssent date 11 December 1998\nCommenced 11 December 1998\nStatute Law Revision Act 1999 (Act No. 27, 1999)\nAssent date 18 June 1999\nCommenced 18 June 1999\nSummary Offences Amendment Act 2001 (Act No. 35, 2001)\nAssent date 19 July 2001\nCommenced s 4: 8 August 2001 (s 2, s 2 Weapons Control Act 2001 (Act\nNo. 25, 2001) and Gaz G31, 8 August 2001, p 8);\ns 5: 26 September 2001 (Gaz G38, 26 September 2001, p 3)\nStatute Law Revision (Financial Provisions) Act 2002 (Act No. 38, 2002)\nAssent date 13 September 2002\nCommenced 30 October 2002 (Gaz G43, 30 October 2002, p 3)\nStatute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 2002 (Act No. 59, 2002)\nAssent date 7 November 2002\nCommenced 7 November 2002\nJustice Legislation Amendment (Group Criminal Activities) Act 2006 (Act No. 36, 2006)\nAssent date 3 November 2006\nCommenced 20 December 2006 (Gaz G51, 20 December 2006, p 2)\nStatute Law Revision Act 2007 (Act No. 4, 2007)\nAssent date 8 March 2007\nCommenced 8 March 2007\nJustice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2009 (Act No. 12, 2009)\nAssent date 26 May 2009\nCommenced 24 June 2009 (Gaz G25, 24 June 2009, p 2)\nStatute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (Act No. 44, 2011)\nAssent date 21 December 2011\nCommenced 27 January 2012 ((other than amdts to Darwin Port\nCorporation Act and Marine Act listed in the Sch to Act) Gaz\nS3, 27 January 2012))\nLiquor and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2012 (Act No. 18, 2012)\nAssent date 22 May 2012\nCommenced pts 1 to 3, ss 15 and 29 and pts 5 and 6: 30 May 2012 (Gaz\nS25, 30 May 2012); rem: 27 July 2012 (Gaz S39,\n24 July 2012)\nLocal Government Amendment Act 2014 (Act No. 19, 2014)\nAssent date 2 June 2014\nCommenced s 16: 1 July 2014; s 18: 1 December 2014; rem: 2 June 2014\n(s 2)\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 36\nLocal Court (Related Amendments) Act 2016 (Act No. 8, 2016)\nAssent date 6 April 2016\nCommenced 1 May 2016 (s 2, s 2 Local Court (Repeals and Related\nAmendments) Act 2016 (Act No. 9, 2016) and Gaz S34,\n29 April 2016)\nBirths, Deaths and Marriages Registration and Other Legislation Amendment 2018 (Act\nNo. 30, 2018)\nAssent date 5 December 2018\nCommenced 6 December 2018 (s 2)\nLiquor Act 2019 (Act No. 29, 2019)\nAssent date 3 September 2019\nCommenced 1 October 2019 (Gaz G39, 25 September 2019, p 2)\nLocal Government Act 2019 (Act No. 39, 2019)\nAssent date 13 December 2019\nCommenced pt 8.6: 1 July 2022; rem: 1 July 2021 (Gaz S27,\n30 June 2021)\nAmending Legislation\nStatute Law Revision Act 2020 (Act No. 26, 2020)\nAssent date 19 November 2020\nCommenced 20 November 2020 (s 2)\nLocal Government Amendment Act 2021 (Act No. 15, 2021)\nAssent date 25 May 2021\nCommenced 26 May 2021 (s 2)\nStatute Law Revision Act 2023 (Act No. 4, 2023)\nAssent date 2 March 2023\nCommenced 3 March 2023 (s 2)\nCriminal Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences) Act 2023 (Act No. 20, 2023)\nAssent date 17 August 2023\nCommenced 25 March 2024 (Gaz S20, 22 March 2024)\n3 SAVINGS AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS\ns 10 Summary Offences Amendment Act (No. 2) 1995 (Act No. 62, 1995)\n4 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred in the table of\namendments to this reprint) are made by the Ordinances Revision\nOrdinance 1973 (as amended) to the following provisions: ss 3, 5, 9B, 10,\n12, 12A, 12C, 12D, 12DA, 12F, 12H, 12N, 12P, 12S, 13, 21, 21A, 25, 27, 34,\n35 – 41, 43 – 45B, 48 – 52, 54 – 57, 61 – 65, 66, 67, 68A – 70, 74 – 78, 80 –\n85, 87 – 89, 91, 94, 95, 99, 99A, 105, 106 and Second sch.\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 37\n5 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: ss 1, 5, 49A, 53, 66 and 75A.\n6 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nlt amd No. 17, 1979, s 7\ns 1 amd No. 17, 1979, s 1\ns 4 amd No. 1, 1955, s 3; No. 18, 1957, s 3; No. 30, 1957, s 3; No. 10, 1962, s 3;\nNo. 44, 1964, s 2; No. 71, 1968, s 3\nrep No. 65, 1974, s 3\ns 5 amd No. 44, 1964, s 3; No. 30, 1965, s 2; No. 6, 1970, s 3; No. 87, 1973,\ns 12; No. 39, 1974, s 3; No. 17, 1979, s 3; No. 159, 1979, s 5; No. 66, 1988,\ns 6; No. 22, 1996, s 4; No. 36, 2006, s 19\npt II hdg sub No. 39, 1974, s 4\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 6 amd No. 19, 1932, s 3\nrep No. 14, 1953, s 3\ns 7 amd No. 64, 1976, s 4; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 8 amd No. 14, 1953, s 4; No. 48, 1963, s 2; No. 64, 1976, s 4; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 9 amd No. 14, 1926, s 2; No. 19, 1932, s 4\nsub No. 14, 1953, s 5\namd No. 39, 1974, s 5\nrep No. 64, 1976, s 4\nins No. 8, 1977, s 3\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 9AA ins No. 39, 1974, s 6\namd No. 8, 1977, s 4\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 9A ins No. 14, 1953, s 5\nrep No. 64, 1976, s 4\ns 9B ins No. 14, 1953, s 5\namd No. 64, 1976, s 4\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 10 sub No. 14, 1926, s 3\namd No. 19, 1932, s 5\nsub No. 14, 1953, s 6\namd No. 64, 1976, s 4; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 11 amd No. 19, 1932, s 6\nsub No. 14, 1953, s 7\namd No. 39, 1974, s 7\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12 amd No. 14, 1953, s 8; No. 44, 1964, s 4; No. 87, 1973, s 12; No. 64, 1976,\ns 4; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\npt IIA hdg ins No. 71, 1968, s 4\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12A ins No. 1, 1949, s 2\namd No. 14, 1953, s 9; No. 19, 1959, s 2; No. 7, 1965, s 2; No. 71, 1968, s 5;\nNo. 32, 1969, s 3; No. 10, 1976, s 3; No. 64, 1976, s 4; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 38\ns 12B ins No. 1, 1949, s 2\namd No. 14, 1949, s 2; No. 14, 1953, s 10; No. 71, 1968, s 6\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12C ins No. 1, 1949, s 2\namd No. 14, 1953, s 11\nsub No. 39, 1966, s 2\namd No. 64, 1976, s 4\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12D ins No. 1, 1949, s 2\namd No. 14, 1953, s 12; No. 71, 1968, s 7; No. 64, 1976, s 4\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12DA ins No. 71, 1968, s 8\namd No. 64, 1976, s 4; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12E ins No. 1, 1949, s 2\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12F ins No. 1, 1949, s 2\namd No. 14, 1953, s 13; No. 64, 1976, s 4; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12G ins No. 1, 1949, s 2\namd No. 14, 1953, s 14; No. 71, 1968, s 9\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\nss 12H – 12K ins No. 1, 1949, s 2\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12L ins No. 1, 1949, s 2\namd No. 14, 1953, s 15\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12M ins No. 1, 1949, s 2\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12N ins No. 1, 1949, s 2\namd No. 71, 1968, s 13\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12P ins No. 1, 1949, s 2\namd No. 14, 1953, s 16; No. 71, 1968, s 13\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12Q ins No. 1, 1949, s 2\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12R ins No. 1, 1949, s 2\namd No. 14, 1953, s 17\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 12S ins No. 71, 1968, s 10\namd No. 10, 1976, s 4\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\npt III hdg rep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 13 amd No. 19, 1932, s 7; No. 5, 1960, s 2\nsub No. 30, 1965, s 3\namd No. 87, 1973, s 12; No. 64, 1976, s 4; No. 54, 1978, s 4\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 14 rep No. 30, 1965, s 3\ns 15 amd No. 19, 1932, s 8; No. 5, 1960, s 3\nrep No. 30, 1965, s 3\ns 16 amd No. 14, 1926, s 4; No. 5, 1960, s 4\nrep No. 30, 1965, s 3\ns 17 rep No. 30, 1965, s 3\ns 18 amd No. 14, 1926, s 5\nrep No. 30, 1965, s 3\nss 19 – 20 rep No. 30, 1965, s 3\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 39\ns 21 amd No. 19, 1932, s 9; No. 10, 1962, s 4\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 21A ins No. 19, 1932, s 10\namd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 3\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 22 rep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 23 amd No. 19, 1932, s 2\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 24 amd No. 19, 1932, s 11; No. 87, 1973, s 12\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 25 amd No. 19, 1932, s 12; No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 4; No. 87, 1973,\ns 12\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 26 amd No. 19, 1932, s 13; No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 5; No. 65, 1974,\ns 4\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 27 amd No. 19, 1932, s 14; No. 26, 1952, s 2; No. 18, 1957, s 4; No. 4, 1965,\ns 2; No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 6; No. 65, 1974, s 5\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 28 amd No. 19, 1932, s 2; No. 87, 1973, s 12\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 29 amd No. 19, 1932, s 15\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 30 rep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 31 amd No. 19, 1932, s 2\nrep No. 65, 1974, s 6\nss 32 – 33 amd No. 19, 1932, s 2\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 33A ins No. 65, 1974, s 7\namd No. 3, 1976, s 4\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 34 amd No. 19, 1932, s 16\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 34A ins No. 19, 1932, s 17\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 34B ins No. 19, 1932, s 17\namd No. 48, 1963, s 3\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 35 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 7\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 36 rep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 37 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 8\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 38 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 9\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 39 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 10\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 40 amd No. 19, 1932, s 2; No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 11\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 41 amd No. 19, 1932, s 18; No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 12\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 41A ins No. 48, 1963, s 4\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 3\ns 42 amd No. 32, 1969, s 4; No. 86, 1974, s 4; No. 64, 1976, s 4; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nrep No. 27, 1999, s 15\ns 43 amd No. 19, 1932, s 19; No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 13; No. 31,\n1978, s 5; No. 5, 1987, s 2; No. 23, 1988, s 2\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 40\ns 44 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 14; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 45 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 15\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\npt VIA hdg ins No. 1, 1955, s 4\nrep No. 12, 1961, s 3\nins No. 10, 1963, s 5\nrep No. 44, 1964, s 5\nins No. 22, 1982, s 3\nrep No. 18, 2012, s 31\ns 45A ins No. 1, 1955, s 4\nrep No. 12, 1961, s 3\nins No. 5, 1960, s 5\namd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 45B ins No. 1, 1955, s 4\nrep No. 12, 1961, s 3\nins No. 5, 1960, s 5\namd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 45C ins No. 18, 1957, s 5\nrep No. 30, 1957, s 4\nins No. 10, 1962, s 5\nrep No. 44, 1964, s 5\nins No. 22, 1982, s 3\namd No. 61, 1995, s 4; No. 59, 2002, s 5; No. 4, 2007, s 7\nrep No. 18, 2012, s 31\ns 45D ins No. 18, 1957, s 5\nrep No. 30, 1957, s 4\nins No. 10, 1962, s 5\nrep No. 44, 1964, s 5\nins No. 22, 1982, s 3; No. 61, 1995, s 5\nrep No. 18, 2012, s 31\ns 45E ins No. 18, 1957, s 5\nrep No. 30, 1957, s 4\nins No. 10, 1962, s 5\nrep No. 44, 1964, s 5\nins No. 22, 1982, s 3\nrep No. 18, 2012, s 31\ns 45EA ins No. 22, 1982, s 3\nrep No. 18, 2012, s 31\ns 45F ins No. 18, 1957, s 5\nrep No. 30, 1957, s 4\nins No. 10, 1962, s 5\nrep No. 44, 1964, s 5\nins No. 22, 1982, s 3\nrep No. 18, 2012, s 31\ns 45G ins No. 10, 1962, s 5\nrep No. 44, 1964, s 5\nins No. 22, 1982, s 3\nsub No. 61, 1995, s 6\nrep No. 18, 2012, s 31\ns 45H ins No. 22, 1982, s 3\namd No. 50, 1990, s 4; No. 71, 1993, s 2; No. 61, 1995, s 7\nrep No. 18, 2012, s 31\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 41\ns 45HA ins No. 50, 1990, s 5\namd No. 71, 1993, s 2\nsub No. 61, 1995, s 8\nrep No. 18, 2012, s 31\ns 45HB ins No. 61, 1995, s 8\nrep No. 18, 2012, s 31\ns 45J ins No. 22, 1982, s 3\namd No. 61, 1995, s 9\nrep No. 18, 2012, s 31\ns 45K ins No. 48, 1988, s 2\nrep No. 18, 2012, s 31\ns 46 amd No. 12, 1938, s 2; No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 16\nrep No. 65, 1974, s 8\nins No. 65, 1983, s 4\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\nss 46A – 46C ins No. 65, 1983, s 4\ns 47 amd No. 19, 1932, s 20; No. 12, 1938, s 3; No. 6, 1949, s 2; No. 14, 1953,\ns 18; No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 17; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nsub No. 17, 1979, s 3\namd No. 34, 1994, s 4\ns 47AA ins No. 65, 1983, s 5\nsub No. 36, 2006, s 20\ns 47AB ins No. 65, 1983, s 5\namd No. 7, 1996, s 3; No. 22, 1996, s 5; No. 44, 2011, s 18\ns 47AC ins No. 64, 1995, s 3\namd No. 42, 1996, s 6; No. 20, 2023, s 46\ns 47A ins No. 6, 1947, s 2\nsub No. 4, 1965, s 3\namd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 158, 1979, s 2; No. 34, 1994,\ns 5; No. 35, 1994, s 3; No. 36, 2006, s 21\ns 47B ins No. 36, 2006, s 22\ns 48 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 18; No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 34, 1994,\ns 6\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 49 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 19; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 49A ins No. 19, 1932, s 21\nsub No. 39, 1966, s 3\namd No. 61, 1974, s 3; No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 65, 1983, s 6; No. 17, 1996, s 6\ns 49B ins No. 12, 1961, s 4\namd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 31, 1991, s 14\ns 50 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 20; No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 34, 1994,\ns 7\ns 51 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 21; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 51A ins No. 19, 1932, s 22\namd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 22; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 52 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 24; No. 78, 1973, s 3; No. 31, 1978,\ns 5; No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 8, 2016, s 45\ns 53 amd No. 12, 1938, s 4\nsub No. 5, 1960, s 6\namd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 24; No. 78, 1973, s 3; No. 31, 1978,\ns 5; No. 159, 1979, s 6; No. 7, 1992, s 4; No. 34, 1994, s 8; No. 92, 1998,\ns 21; No. 29, 2019, s 412\ns 53A ins No. 159, 1979, s 7\namd No. 7, 1994, s 4; No. 46, 1996, s 4\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 42\ns 53B ins No. 159, 1979, s 7\namd No. 7, 1994, s 5; No. 46, 1996, s 5\ns 53C ins No. 159, 1979, s 7\namd No. 4, 2023, s 23\ns 53D ins No. 159, 1979, s 7\namd No. 7, 1994, s 6; No. 46, 1996, s 6; No. 8, 2016, s 45\nss 53E – 53F ins No. 7, 1994, s 7\ns 54 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 25; No. 31, 1978, s 5\ns 55 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 26; No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 17, 1996,\ns 6; No. 8, 2016, s 45\ns 55A ins No. 36, 2006, s 23\ns 56 amd No. 6, 1947, s 3; No. 18, 1957, s 6; No. 48, 1963, s 5; No. 13, 1973, s 3;\nNo. 87, 1973, s 12; No. 65, 1974, s 9; No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 7, 1992, s 5;\nNo. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 22, 1996, s 6\ns 56A ins No. 22, 1996, s 7\namd No. 65, 1998, s 3\nrep No. 35, 2001, s 4\ns 57 amd No. 14, 1926, s 6; No. 19, 1932, s 23; No. 12, 1938, s 5; No. 18, 1957,\ns 7; No. 5, 1960, s 7; No. 10, 1962, s 6; No. 43, 1969, s 3; No. 87, 1973, s 12;\nNo. 65, 1974, s 10; No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 137, 1979, s 3; No. 7, 1987, s 3;\nNo. 7, 1992, s 6; No. 7, 1996, s 4; No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 92, 1998, s 21;\nNo. 8, 2016, s 45; No. 30, 2018, s 31\ns 58 amd No. 19, 1932, s 2\nsub No. 48, 1963, s 6; No. 65, 1974, s 11\namd No. 17, 1996, s 6\ns 59 amd No. 19, 1932, s 2\nsub No. 48, 1963, s 6\nrep No. 65, 1974, s 11\ns 60 amd No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 26, 1979, s 3\ns 60A ins No. 12, 1938, s 6\nsub No. 48, 1963, s 7\namd No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 26, 1979, s 4\ns 61 sub No. 19, 1932, s 24\namd No. 6, 1935, s 2; No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 27; No. 31, 1978,\ns 5\nsub No. 5, 1990, s 2\namd No. 35, 2001, s 5; No. 38, 2002, s 6\ns 62 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 28; No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 17, 1979,\ns 3; No. 17, 1996, s 6; No. 8, 2016, s 45\ns 63 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 29; No. 31, 1978, ss 4 and 5\nrep No. 65, 1983, s 7\ns 64 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 30; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 65, 1983, s 7\ns 65 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 31; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 65AA ins No. 130, 1979, s 3\namd No. 159, 1979, s 8\ns 65A ins No. 9, 1971, s 2\namd No. 27, 1976, s 6; No. 31, 1978, s 5\ns 66 amd No. 48, 1963, s 8; No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 32; No. 65, 1974,\ns 12; No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 7, 1992, s 7; No. 7, 1996, s 5; No. 17, 1996, s 6;\nNo. 92, 1998, s 21; No. 29, 2019, s 413\ns 67 amd No. 6, 1947, s 4; No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 33; No. 31, 1978,\ns 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 68 rep No. 7, 1996, s 2\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 43\ns 68A ins No. 12, 1938, s 7\namd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 34; No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 17, 1996,\ns 6; No. 92, 1998, s 21; No. 4, 2007, s 7; No. 12, 2009, s 15; No. 4, 2023,\ns 23\ns 68B ins No. 65, 1983, s 8\ns 69 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 35; No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 65, 1983,\ns 9\nss 69A – 69B ins No. 65, 1983, s 10\ns 70 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 36; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 65, 1983, s 11\nss 71 – 72 rep No. 39, 1968, s 2\npt VIII hdg rep No. 5, 1987, s 3\ns 73 amd No. 64, 1976, s 4; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nrep No. 5, 1987, s 3\ns 73A ins No. 17, 1979, s 5\nrep No. 5, 1987, s 3\ns 74 sub No. 19, 1932, s 25\namd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 37; No. 31, 1978, s 5\ns 75 amd No. 19, 1932, s 26; No. 20, 1959, s 2; No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970,\ns 38; No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 5, 1987, s 4; No. 62, 1995, s 2; No. 7, 1996, s 6;\nNo. 4, 2023, s 23\ns 75A ins No. 62, 1995, s 3\namd No. 19, 2014, s 26; No. 39, 2019, s 370\ns 76 amd No. 19, 1932, s 2; No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 39; No. 31, 1978,\ns 5\ns 77 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 40; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 78 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 41; No. 31, 1978, s 5\ns 79 amd No. 19, 1932, s 2\nrep No. 48, 1963, s 9\ns 80 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 42; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 81 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 82 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 43; No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 7, 1996,\ns 7\nss 83 – 84 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 85 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 44; No. 31, 1978, s 5\ns 86 rep No. 39, 1968, s 2\ns 87 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 45; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 88 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 46; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 89 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 47; No. 31, 1978, s 5; No. 17, 1996,\ns 6; No. 8, 2016, s 45\ns 90 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 48; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 91 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 49; No. 31, 1978, s 5\nrep No. 7, 1996, s 2\ns 91AA ins No. 68, 1983, s 123\namd No. 49, 1985, s 4; No. 46, 1996, s 7; No. 8, 2016, s 45\ns 91A ins No. 65, 1983, s 12\nrep No. 7, 1987, s 3\ns 92 rep No. 17, 1979, s 4\nins No. 159, 1979, s 9\namd No. 7, 1994, s 8\n\nENDNOTES\nSummary Offences Act 1923 44\ns 93 amd No. 19, 1932, s 2\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 4\ns 94 rep No. 17, 1979, s 4\ns 95 amd No. 19, 1932, s 2; No. 18, 1975, s 3\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 4\nss 96 – 98 rep No. 17, 1979, s 4\ns 99 amd No. 71, 1968, s 13; No. 51, 1970, s 50\ns 99A ins No. 19, 1932, s 27\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 4\ns 100 rep No. 17, 1979, s 4\ns 101 rep No. 3, 1965, s 2\ns 102 amd No. 19, 1932, s 28\nrep No. 39, 1968, s 2\ns 103 rep No. 17, 1979, s 4\ns 104 rep No. 39, 1968, s 2\ns 105 rep No. 17, 1979, s 4\ns 106 amd No. 14, 1953, s 19; No. 1, 1955, s 5; No. 71, 1968, s 12; No. 27, 1976,\ns 6; No. 64, 1976, s 4; No. 54, 1978, s 3; No. 95, 1978, s 14\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 4\nFirst sch amd No. 19, 1932, s 29\nsub No. 14, 1953, s 20\namd No. 5, 1960, s 8; No. 30, 1965, s 4\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 6\nSecond sch sub No. 19, 1932, s 30\namd No. 10, 1962, s 7\nrep No. 17, 1979, s 6","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has grown significantly beyond its original 1923 purpose. Originally titled the 'Police and Police Offences Ordinance', it appears to have covered police discipline and administration (evidenced by repealed Parts II–VI and sections on police conduct). Over 100 years of amendments have transformed it into a general public order and nuisance statute. Modern additions include: anti-consorting powers for organised crime (2006), specific sex offender loitering provisions (1995), detailed noise abatement schemes (1979), and violent disorder offences (1983). The original police administrative functions have been stripped out and moved to dedicated legislation like the Police Administration Act 1978."},"complexity_factors":["Fragmented structure with non-consecutive section numbering (e.g., jumping from section 3 to 5, missing Parts II–VI entirely) due to historical repeals","Multiple overlapping offences for similar conduct (three separate loitering offences in sections 47A, 47B, and 47AC)","Complex cross-referencing to external legislation, particularly the Criminal Code (e.g., section 47AC references multiple divisions and sections of the Criminal Code as in force before and after specific amendment dates)","Nested conditional logic in offence elements (e.g., section 47AA violent disorder requires proof of group conduct, violent act, intent/recklessness, and hypothetical fear in a hypothetical reasonable person)","Multiple penalty structures—some sections use dollar amounts, others use 'penalty units', and some specify imprisonment terms with variations for night-time offences (section 47AB)","Defences scattered throughout sections rather than consolidated (e.g., reasonable excuse defences in sections 47B(5), 55A(2), 60, 61(3))","Extensive amendment history visible in endnotes showing 50+ amending acts, creating interpretive uncertainty about which version of cross-referenced laws applies"],"plain_english_summary":"This is the Northern Territory's **Summary Offences Act 1923**, a century-old law that creates a grab-bag of minor criminal offences dealt with quickly in court (called 'summary' offences, as opposed to serious 'indictable' offences heard before a jury).\n\n**What it covers:**\nThe Act is a catch-all for public order, nuisance and minor dishonesty crimes. Key areas include:\n\n*   **Public behaviour:** Offensive conduct, violent disorder, threatening violence, fighting, and using obscene language in public (sections 47, 47AA, 47AB).\n*   **Loitering:** Three separate offences targeting people hanging around without purpose—general loitering, loitering after police warning, and specific bans on sex offenders near schools (sections 47A, 47B, 47AC).\n*   **Noise control:** Police powers to shut down loud parties after midnight and abate 'undue noise' generally, plus court-issued noise abatement orders (sections 53A–53F).\n*   **Property and theft:** Stealing pets, tampering with vehicles, possessing suspected stolen goods, and passing dud cheques (sections 49A, 54, 60, 61).\n*   **Public safety and nuisance:** Dangerous dogs, illegal dumping of fridges (to stop children getting trapped), damaging street lamps, and keeping clean yards (sections 65AA, 75A, 52, 78).\n*   **Anti-association:** A controversial power allowing the Police Commissioner to ban 'known offenders' from communicating or being in company with each other for up to 12 months (section 55A).\n\n**Who it affects:**\nEveryone in the NT. It particularly targets: people in public spaces; hosts of noisy parties; suspected thieves; sex offenders; and members of organised criminal networks subject to consorting bans.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis is the workhorse of the NT criminal justice system for low-level crime. It gives police broad discretion to move people on, shut down disturbances, and lay charges without needing complex investigations. However, some powers—especially the consorting provisions and loitering offences—have been criticised for potentially targeting vulnerable or marginalised people, including First Nations people, simply for being in public spaces."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act’s scope has expanded since its 1923 origins through many insertions and amendments. Modern additions broadened the original catalogue of petty offences to include contemporary regimes such as violent disorder (s 47AA, inserted 1983), police stay‑away and consorting powers (s 47B inserted 2006; s 55A inserted 2006), a consolidated noise‑abatement framework with police directions and court orders (ss 53A–53F, added 1979 and amended subsequently), and explicit dangerous‑dog provisions (s 75A, inserted 1995 and later amended). The Act now cross‑references and interacts with the Criminal Code and the Liquor Act 2019 (see s 47AA(3) note and s 53(7)–(9)), and gives broad regulation‑making power to the Administrator (s 92). These additions changed the instrument from a narrower set of summary public‑order offences into a wider enforcement framework that bundles policing powers, evidentiary devices and regulatory offences alongside traditional summary penalties (see insertion and amendment notes in the endnotes and the cited sections)."},"complexity_factors":["Large number of discrete offences with different elements and penalties (e.g. ss 46A–46C, 47, 47AA, 47AB, 47AC, 49A, 53A–53F, 55A, 75A).","Significant police and Commissioner discretion to give directions, enter premises, and issue stay‑away or consorting notices (ss 47A, 47B, 53A–53E, 55A, 74).","Shifting burdens of proof and defences in multiple provisions (e.g. onus to prove lawful excuse in ss 46C, 56; defences for consorting and loitering notices in ss 47B(5), 55A(2)).","Evidentiary shortcuts that alter ordinary proof practices (police certificate as prima facie evidence in s 53C).","Interplay with other statutes (Criminal Code references in s 47AA; Liquor Act 2019 in s 53; delegated regulation powers in s 92), increasing cross‑instrument complexity.","Varied remedies—criminal penalties, civil compensation orders, licence suspensions, destruction orders—require different procedural paths (s 49A(2), s 49A(2A), s 75A(5), s 62).","Regulatory offences classification for specific breaches (s 91AA) creates alternative enforcement and penalty regimes."],"plain_english_summary":"# What this Act does, who it affects, and how it works\n\n- What it is: The Summary Offences Act 1923 lists a wide range of minor and mid-level criminal offences in the Northern Territory, and sets the penalties and enforcement powers that apply to them (long title and Part I; see opening provisions). It operates by (a) defining conduct that is unlawful (for example: offensive conduct, loitering, violent disorder, noise offences, tampering with vehicles, dangerous dogs), (b) specifying penalties (fines, imprisonment, or both), and (c) giving police and courts powers to enforce those rules (see, for example, ss 47, 47AA, 47A, 47B, 53A–53F, 53C, 74, 75A, 92).\n\n- Who is affected: the general public (anyone who commits the listed acts), owners and occupiers of premises (noise, licensed premises, keeping yards clean — ss 53A–53D, 53B(1), 53D(2)), vehicle and vessel owners (tampering, interference — s 49A, s 65A), dog owners (s 75A), licence-holders (possible liability under s 53(8)), and specific classes of offenders targeted by regulatory powers (for example, persons subject to consorting notices — s 55A).\n\n- What officials decide and what tools they have:\n  - Police may require people who are loitering to give a satisfactory account, order them to leave, and issue written stay-away notices (ss 47A, 47B). Police may direct people to stop undue noise and may enter premises for that purpose (ss 53A, 53B, 53E). A police certificate can be prima facie evidence in noise prosecutions (s 53C). Police may also arrest without warrant for some public-nuisance type offences (s 75(2)).\n  - The Commissioner of Police may give directions about traffic and public order at events and may issue consorting notices that bar specified communications or company for up to 12 months where conditions are met (ss 74, 55A).\n  - Courts decide guilt and apply penalties, can order compensation for damage (s 49A(2)), suspend driving licences (s 49A(2A)), order destruction of animals or payment of impounding costs (s 75A(5)), and make noise‑abatement orders on application (s 53D(2)).\n\n- Behaviour the law requires or discourages (examples):\n  - Stop loitering or give a satisfactory account when asked (s 47A).\n  - Leave or stay away from specified public places after a police stay-away notice (s 47B).\n  - Stop making undue noise on police direction or after a court order (ss 53A–53D).\n  - Do not engage in violent acts as part of a group (s 47AA) or threaten to damage someone’s home (s 47AB).\n  - Do not tamper with vehicles’ mileage devices (s 65A) or abandon large enclosed containers without disabling lids (s 65AA).\n  - Dog owners must control dogs that attack or menace (s 75A).\n\n- Who pays and who bears costs:\n  - Offenders pay statutory fines and may face imprisonment where specified (many provisions list monetary penalties and/or imprisonment; e.g. ss 47, 47AA, 47AB, 47AC, 49A, 53, 53A, 75A). \n  - Courts may order compensation to property owners for damage caused by an offence (s 49A(2); s 62(1)(c) for vegetation etc.). \n  - Courts may also award costs in noise‑abatement proceedings (s 53D(5)) or require payment for police investigation expenses where false reports are made (s 68A(2)).\n\n- Evidentiary and burden rules that affect defendants: several provisions place evidential or legal burdens on defendants to prove a reasonable excuse (for example, interruption of worship in s 46C places the onus on the accused to demonstrate authorization, justification or excuse; possession of certain items without lawful excuse is similarly framed in s 56 and s 57). Certificates by police are prima facie evidence in noise prosecutions (s 53C), which alters how cases are proved.\n\n- Where the Act claims to do X and the practical trade-offs: the Act’s stated function is to \"provide for certain criminal offences\" (opening). Mechanically it centralises many public‑order and nuisance offences and gives policing and judicial actors specific enforcement tools. Testing that against costs and incentives shows the following, tied to the sections:\n  - Enforcement resource costs and administrative tasks: many provisions require police to give explanations or take \"reasonable steps\" to explain notices (s 47B(6); s 55A(6)), and courts may be asked to hold summary proceedings and make orders (s 53D). These are recurring administrative burdens on police and local courts. \n  - Discretion concentration in police and Commissioner: police have discretionary power to direct people to stop noise and to enter premises for that purpose (ss 53A, 53B, 53E); the Commissioner has power to issue consorting prohibitions and traffic/order directions (ss 55A, 74). That discretion means front‑line officials decide when tools are used; the Act requires explanation steps but many provisions also state a notice is not invalidated by procedural failures (ss 47B(7), 55A(9)).\n  - Compliance costs for businesses and owners: licensed premises may face secondary liability if disorder or noise occurs on premises (s 53(7)–(9)); regulations may specify operating hours or equipment use that affect businesses (s 92(2)(c)). Owners, occupiers and tenants face obligations to keep premises and yards clean and to prevent nuisances (ss 78, 75). These are recurring compliance obligations with potential fines.\n  - Targeting and concentration of benefits/costs: some measures are targeted to particular offenders (consorting notices under s 55A apply only where both notified and specified persons have been found guilty of prescribed, serious offences), while noise, loitering and public‑order rules apply generally and thus impose diffuse compliance costs across the population.\n  - Effects on private choices and markets: the Act criminalises particular market‑adjacent conduct (e.g. tampering with vehicle mileage in s 65A; valueless cheques and fraud offences in ss 60–60A), which can protect contractual and property relations but also creates criminal sanctions that affect businesses and individuals. Advertising a reward for return of stolen property containing certain terms is criminalised (s 68B), which restricts a private recovery method unless compliant with the section.\n\n- Implementation risks and opportunities for contest: the combination of significant police discretion, summary notice regimes (ss 47B, 53A–53B), and shifting evidentiary burdens (e.g. on defendants to prove lawful excuse under ss 46C, 56) means outcomes depend heavily on how police use powers and how courts interpret \"reasonable\" grounds, \"undue noise,\" and \"satisfactory account.\" The Act builds in procedural protections (e.g. defences of reasonable excuse in s 47B(5) and s 55A(2)), but also contains provisions that preserve notices even if some explanation steps were missed (ss 47B(7), 55A(9)).\n\n- Cross‑references and interaction with other laws: the Act expressly interacts with the Criminal Code for principles of criminal responsibility in some offences (s 47AA(3) note), and with the Liquor Act 2019 regarding licensed premises (s 53(7)–(9)). It also leaves regulation-making power to the Administrator to prescribe implementation details and penalties up to $2,000 (s 92).\n\nIn short: the Act converts a range of public‑order, nuisance, and related property and fraud behaviours into summary offences, sets penalties and corrective orders, and gives police and the Commissioner significant powers to issue directions and notices. Those powers create administrative and compliance costs, concentrate discretionary decision‑making with enforcement bodies, and impose specific legal burdens on defendants and business operators (see the cited sections above)."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/summary-offences-act-1923","history":"/api/acts/summary-offences-act-1923/history","analysis":"/api/acts/summary-offences-act-1923/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/summary-offences-act-1923/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/summary-offences-act-1923/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/summary-offences-act-1923/documents"}}