Charges
Breach of Sex Offenders Registration Act section 46.
Facts
The client had been on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years. One of the rules for people on the register is that they must inform police if they buy a vehicle. About five years into registration the client bought a trail bike, however he thought that because it was a recreational vehicle that he did not have to notify police. Unfortunately that was not the case. The purchase was discovered during a routine police check with Vicroads, and the client was charged with breaching his obligations under the Sex Offenders Registration Act.
Results
The client had faultlessly met his Sex Offenders Registration Act obligations for 5 years. Factors such as why he was on the Registry, his family situation and his work obligations were put to the Court. Finally, we argued that his misunderstanding of his obligation reduced his moral culpability.
Following submissions His Honour imposed a financial penalty of $700 with no conviction recorded, and gave the client three months to pay this amount. Since many Magistrates take a very dim view of any breaches of the Sex Offenders Registration Act, this was a good outcome.
