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Crimes against justice

Some offences are considered to be crimes against ‘justice’ itself. ‘Justice’ includes the courts, the legal system and the police.

Offences against justice include:

  • bribery
  • contempt of court
  • making false statements
  • perjury.

These offences are taken very seriously by the courts and carry heavy penalties, including imprisonment. Get legal advice.

Bribery

In relation to crimes against justice, bribery is offering a public official (such as a police officer) money or other favours to get them to act in your interests.

Bribery of a public official carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Contempt of court

A magistrate can hold you in contempt of court if they think you’re ignoring or challenging the court’s authority or a direction of a court. For example:

  • interrupting proceedings during a trial
  • refusing to answers questions if you are called as a witness.

Penalties for contempt vary depending on the circumstances but can include fines and/or imprisonment.

False statements

Sometimes the law requires you to tell the truth. This includes when you are:

  • giving evidence in court
  • swearing an affidavit
  • making a statutory declaration
  • reporting a crime.

If you don’t tell the truth in these situations, you may be committing an offence. The offences you could be charged with include:

  • perjury (deliberately giving false evidence in a court or tribunal)
  • making a false statement
  • making a false report to police.

More information

Going to court

Related publications

Your day in court

How we can help

Call Victoria Legal Aid’s (VLA) Legal Information Service for free information over the phone about the law and how we can help you with your legal problem. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter. Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.

VLA’s other free legal services include:

  • advice at VLA offices and other locations across Victoria
  • advice at many correctional facilities, remand and detention centres
  • lawyers who are on ‘duty’ to help at many courts and tribunals.

For some criminal law matters we can provide you with a lawyer to help you run your case.

To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.

Who else can help?

Your local community legal centre (CLC) can give you legal information and advice. Most CLC services are free. See the Community Law website (new window) for more information and CLC contact details.