First Offenders (Women) Act 1918 (1919 No 1) (NSW)

FIRST OFFENDERS (WOMEN)

ACT.

Act No. 1, 1919.

An Act to make further provision with regard to the hearing of certain charges against women first offenders and the publication of reports

of proceedings in such cases ; to amend the

Supreme Court and Circuit Courts (Amend­ ment) Act, 1912, the Justices Act, 1902, and certain other Acts ; and for purposes consequent thereon or incidental thereto. [Assented to, 22nd July, 1919.]

lative Council and Legislative Assembly of New South	BE it enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legis­
Wales in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of
the same, as follows :—

1 . This Act may be cited as the " First Offenders

(Women) Act, 1918 . "

A 3 .

2 . In this Act, unless the context otherwise re­

quires,—

" C o u r t " means the court in which, or the judge,

justice or justices before whom the proceeding

is held in respect of which the word is used.

" Minor offence " means an offence punishable on

summary conviction before any justice or

justices with or without the consent of the

accused person.

" W o m a n " means a female of or above the age

of sixteen years.

3 .     (1) When any woman who has not been previously

convicted of any offence punishable, either summarily or on indictment, is charged before any court with a
minor offence, the hearing of such charge and all proceedings in connection therewith shall, unless the defendant elects to be tried in open court, be in private.

(2) No person, other than the judge, justice, or

justices sitting in such court, the person accused, and

such officers, witnesses, or other persons as such judge,

justice, or justices may require or at the request of the

person accused, shall permit to be present, shall have

access to or remain in such court during such hearing or
proceeding.

(3) Any person remaining in such court during such hearing or proceeding after being directed to leave

by such judge, justice, or justices, shall be removed
from such court, and shall be liable to be punished as
for contempt of court.

4 . No person shall publish in any newspaper a report

or account of any such proceedings when such proceed­

ings shall be heard in private.

Any person contravening the provisions of this section

shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding fifty pounds.

A P P R O P R I A T I O N