5Joinder of charges

5 Joinder of charges

(1) A charge-sheet or indictment may contain charges for related offences, whether against the same accused or different accused.

(2) If more than one offence is charged in a charge‑sheet or indictment, the particulars of each offence charged must be set out in a separate, consecutively numbered paragraph.

Sch. 1 cl. 5(3) inserted by No. 74/2014 s. 14.

(3) A charge-sheet or indictment may contain, as an alternative charge to a course of conduct charge, a charge of a relevant offence of the kind covered by the course of conduct charge and alleged to have been committed within the period to which the course of conduct charge relates.

Sch. 1 cl. 5(4) inserted by No. 74/2014 s. 14.

(4) In the circumstances set out in subclause (3), for the purposes of section 220 an acquittal on the course of conduct charge does not constitute a previous acquittal in relation to the alternative charge.

Sch. 1 cl. 5(5) inserted by No. 74/2014 s. 14, amended by No. 38/2022 s. 81.

(5) A charge-sheet or indictment must not contain both a course of conduct charge and a charge for an offence against section 49J of the Crimes Act 1958.

Sch. 1 cl. 5(6) inserted by No. 74/2014 s. 14.

(6) In this clause, course of conduct charge has the same meaning as in clause 4A.

6 Charge against multiple accused

If an offence is alleged against more than one accused, regardless of their degree of participation in the offence, an indictment or charge-sheet may name each of those accused in the charge for the offence.

7 Descriptions generally

Subject to any other provision of this Schedule, if it is necessary to describe anything in a charge, it is sufficient to describe the thing in ordinary language in a manner that indicates with reasonable clarity the thing referred to.

8 Description of persons

(1) The description or designation in a charge of a person must be reasonably sufficient to identify the person.

(2) If it is impracticable to comply with subclause (1)—

(a) a description or designation must be given that is reasonably practicable in the circumstances; or

(b) the person may be described as "a person unknown".

9 Description of document

If it is necessary to refer to a document or instrument in a charge, it is sufficient to describe it by any name by which it is usually known or by its substance, without setting out a copy of it.