Version as at
6 November 2021
Crimes Act 1961
Part 3 s 21
(a)
a court is, unless the context otherwise requires, taken to be a reference
to the High Court; and
(b)
a District Court Judge is, unless the context otherwise requires, taken to
be a reference to a High Court Judge; and
(c)
a Registrar is, unless the context otherwise requires, taken to be a refer‐
ence to a Registrar of the High Court or of the District Court and
includes a Deputy Registrar.
(13) In this section, fine has the meaning given to it in section 79 of the Summary
Proceedings Act 1957.
Section 19: replaced, on 13 February 2012, by section 4 of the Crimes Amendment Act (No 2) 2011
(2011 No 34).
Section 19(4)(b): replaced, on 1 July 2013, by section 6 of the Crimes Amendment Act (No 4) 2011
(2011 No 85).
Section 19(6): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016
No 49).
Section 19(7): replaced, on 1 July 2013, by section 6 of the Crimes Amendment Act (No 4) 2011
(2011 No 85).
Section 19(8): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016
No 49).
Section 19(9): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016
No 49).
Section 19(12)(c): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016
No 49).
Part 3
Matters of justification or excuse
20
General rule as to justifications
(1)
All rules and principles of the common law which render any circumstances a
justification or excuse for any act or omission, or a defence to any charge, shall
remain in force and apply in respect of a charge of any offence, whether under
this Act or under any other enactment, except so far as they are altered by or
are inconsistent with this Act or any other enactment.
(2)
The matters provided for in this Part are hereby declared to be justifications or
excuses in the case of all charges to which they are applicable.
Compare: 1908 No 32 s 40
Infancy
21
Children under 10
(1)
No person shall be convicted of an offence by reason of any act done or omit‐
ted by him or her when under the age of 10 years.
39