THE LAW:
The criminal offence of Participating in a Criminal Group is a serious indictable offence that can lead to severe consequences. Criminal Lawyers Group have been nationally recognised as the top criminal law firm in NSW for securing the best outcomes for clients who have been charged with the criminal offence of Participating in a Criminal Group.
If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with the criminal offence of Participating in a Criminal Group, contact our award-winning team of expert criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation.
WHAT IS THE CRIMINAL OFFENCE OF PARTICIPATING IN A CRIMINAL GROUP?
Participating in a Criminal Group is constituted as a criminal offence under Section 93T of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), which states that a person who participates in a criminal group is guilty of an offence if the person:
- Knows, or ought reasonably to know, that it is a criminal group, and
- Knows, or ought reasonably to know, that his or her participation in that group contributes to the occurrence of any criminal activity.
WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR THE CRIMINAL OFFENCE OF PARTICIPATING IN A CRIMINAL GROUP?
Section 93T of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) prescribes a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment for a person convicted of the criminal offence of Participating in a Criminal Group.
Greater terms of imprisonment apply if a person is convicted of more serious charges under this section, including a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years for a person guilty of participating in a criminal group by directing any of the activities:
- Knowing that it is a criminal group, and
- Knowing, or being reckless as to whether, that participation contributes to the occurrence of any criminal activity.
Other penalties available for a conviction of the criminal offence of Participating in a Criminal Group include a Suspended Sentence, Intensive Corrections Order (ICO), Community Corrections Order (CCO) and a Good Behaviour Bond.
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A CRIMINAL GROUP?
A criminal group is defined under Section 93S of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) as a group of 3 or more people who have as their objective or one of their objectives:
- Obtaining material benefits from conduct that constitutes a serious indictable offence, or
- Obtaining material benefits from conduct engaged in outside New South Wales (including outside Australia) that, if it occurred in New South Wales, would constitute a serious indictable offence, or
- Committing serious violence offences, or
- Engaging in conduct outside NSW (including outside Australia) that, if it occurred in NSW, would constitute a serious violence offence.
TASKFORCE FALCON ESTABLISHED IN RESPONSE TO GANGLAND CRIME
NSW Police have established Taskforce Falcon in response to gangland crime which has seen a number of shooting murders across Sydney. The Taskforce was announced by NSW Police Minister The Hon. Yasmin Catley MP and NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson and will comprise of over 150 officers.
The creation of the Taskforce follows a shooting in Parramatta on Sunday, in which two people in a Toyota Hilux were shot at, with one of the victims later dying from the attack. The Taskforce was established not long before his death.
A key role of Taskforce Falcon is to determine who is aligned with who in the underworld and to prevent a further escalation of violence.
Mr Hudson stated that the taskforce “will be involved in suppression activities to ensure that recent violence that we’ve seen on the streets of Sydney over the past six months does not escalate to anything more horrific.” He also stated that smaller underworld players and third parties would be targeted.
CONTACT CRIMINAL LAWYERS GROUP NOW
If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with the criminal offence of Participating in a Criminal Group, contact our expert criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation so that we may secure the best outcome for you.
Our award-winning team of criminal law experts are nationally recognised for securing not guilty verdicts and the withdrawal of charges for our clients across NSW who have been charged with the criminal offence of Participating in a Criminal Group.