Have you been charged with Contaminating Goods with Intent to Cause, or Being Reckless as to Whether it would Cause, Public Alarm or Economic Loss?
This is a serious offence, which carries a maximum penalty of a considerable prison sentence. Consult with a specialist criminal lawyer before proceeding further.
There will be many questions to consider with your lawyer before entering your plea to this charge.
Did you contaminate goods? Did you intend to cause public alarm, anxiety or economic loss through your actions? Did you realise that this would be the probable effect when you contaminated the goods? Is it reasonable that you would not have known this?
Please read below for more information in relation to this charge.
Elements of the offence
Section 249 of the Crimes Act 1958 Act.
The prosecution must prove:
The defendant contaminated goods; and
The contamination was intended to cause public alarm, anxiety or economic loss; or
The defendant ought to have known that the contamination would cause public alarm, anxiety or economic loss.
The maximum penalty
Level 5 imprisonment being a maximum of 10 years or a level 5 fine being a maximum of 1200 penalty units, or both.
Where will my case be heard?
Contaminating Goods with Intent to Cause, or Being Reckless as to Whether it would Cause, Public Alarm or Economic Loss cases will be heard in the Magistrates’ Court or the County Court.
Questions to consider
Do you have a defence?
If you are pleading guilty, what can you do to minimise your sentence?
What to do next?
Consult an specialist in criminal law urgently. Don’t delay – thorough preparation is an essential element of all successful outcomes in Court.
If you have been charged with Contaminating Goods with Intent to Cause, or Being Reckless as to Whether it would Cause, Public Alarm or Economic Loss speak to one of our experienced lawyers today.
The legislation
Section 249 Contaminating goods with intent to cause, or being reckless as to whether it would cause, public alarm or economic loss
A person must not contaminate goods with the intention of causing, or being reckless as to whether or not the contamination would cause—
(a) public alarm or anxiety; or
(b) economic loss through public awareness of the contamination.
Penalty: Level 5 imprisonment (10 years maximum) or a level 5 fine (1200 penalty units maximum) or both.
