16Requests to leave dangerous items for safekeeping

16 Requests to leave dangerous items for safekeeping

(1) A security officer or an authorised court officer may request a person who is seeking to enter, or is on, court premises to give a dangerous item to a security officer or an authorised court officer for safekeeping while the person is on court premises.

Note: Divisions 3 and 4 deal with the powers of security officers and authorised court officers if the person does not comply with the request.

(2) If a security officer or an authorised court officer has been given a dangerous item under subsection (1), the officer must return the item to the person when the person is about to leave the court premises, if requested to do so by the person. (3) Despite subsection (2), a security officer or an authorised court officer may seize a dangerous item that a person has given to a security officer or an authorised court officer under subsection (1), if a security officer or an authorised court officer reasonably suspects that: (a) the dangerous item has been, or is likely to be, used in the commission of an offence on the court premises; or (b) the dangerous item is a firearm or other weapon whose possession by the person is prohibited by a law of the State or Territory in which the court premises are located; or (c) returning the item under subsection (2) is likely to give rise to an imminent threat to the safety of any person. (4) Despite subsection (2), a security officer or an authorised court officer who seizes a dangerous item under subsection (3) must take reasonable steps to give the item to a police officer as soon as reasonably practicable.

Note: Section 48A also deals with disposal of items given up on request, or seized, under this section.