Criminal Code Act 1902, 19 February 1902, courtesy of State Law Publisher of Western Australia.
Details
The Criminal Code Act 1902 (1 & 2 Edw. VII No. 14) was assented to on 19 February 1902. It defined crimes and penalties that had an impact on children. Some elements of the Criminal Code were brought into the State Children Act 1907 and there has continued to be a relationship between the Criminal Code and child welfare legislation.
In 1902 the Children's Court had not been established so children were dealt with in the adult courts, with the emphasis more on punishment than protection or reform. Detention in an industrial or reformatory school was one of the punishments which could be inflicted under the Criminal Code.
Overall, there were relatively few parts of the Criminal Code Act 1902 that were relevant to children who might come into contact with welfare authorities or the legal system. These included:
1892 - Criminal Law Amendment Act 1892
1902 - Criminal Code Act 1902
Prepared by: Debra Rosser
Created: 30 January 2013, Last modified: 15 June 2018