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Move on from a public place

Police can order you to move on from a public place if they believe you are:

  • disrupting or are likely to disrupt the peace
  • behaving in a way that may be dangerous to public safety 
  • likely to cause injury or damage to property.

You will usually have to stay away from that area for a particular period of time. This can be anything up to 24 hours.

It is an offence to refuse a police order to move on or stay away from a public place.

Penalties

If you refuse to move on or stay away from an area the police can issue an on-the-spot fine of two penalty units.

If the matter is heard in court, the maximum fine is five penalty units. 

See ‘Penalty and fee units’ (link below).

More information

Dealing with the police

Fines

Penalty and fee units

Related publications

Your rights: police powers in Victoria

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.

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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 for more information and CLC contact details.