Expanded Search and Detention Powers for Persons Under 14 Years Old

Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Assembly

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Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Issuing officers can now grant search warrants if there is a risk of physical injury to a person; this applies even if no offence has been committed.
Police officers can enter premises in an emergency to prevent physical injury to a person.
Issuing officers can grant warrants to search or frisk children under 14 if they believe the child has evidence.
Police officers are banned from stopping, searching or detaining children under 14 unless they have a warrant, a court order, or specific reasonable grounds.
Police can stop or detain a child under 14 to prevent harm to the child or others; this includes preventing serious property damage or animal cruelty.
Police can stop or detain a child under 14 if they believe the child has evidence regarding an offence committed by someone else.
Police must not detain a child longer than necessary to check their age or ensure safety.
Police can keep a child detained until they can be handed over to a parent or a responsible caregiver.

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