Common Law Offences¹

Abduction

Taking an unmarried minor out of the control of his or her custodian with the intention of enabling someone to marry or have sexual intercourse with that minor.

Arson

Setting fire to an immovable property belonging to another.

Assault:

• Applying force to the person of another;
• inspiring a belief in another person that force is immediately to be applied to him or her;
• assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Bigamy

Entering into what purports to be a lawful marriage ceremony with one person while lawfully married to another.

Blasphemy

The publication of words or conduct whereby God is slandered.

Compounding

This is agreeing, for reward, not to report a crime.

Contempt of court

Violating the dignity, repute or authority of a judicial body or a judicial officer in his judicial capacity; publishing information or comment, concerning a pending judicial proceeding which has the tendency to influence the outcome of the proceeding or to interfere with the administration of justice in that proceeding.

Criminal defamation

Is where publication of material injures the reputation of another person.

Crimen injuria

Impairing the dignity or privacy of another person.

Culpable homicide

Negligent killing of another human being.

Defamation

Publication of matter that impairs another person’s reputation.

Defeating or obstructing the course of justice

Engaging in conduct which defeats or obstructs the course or administration of justice.

Exposing an infant

Exposure and abandonment of an infant in such a place or in such circumstances that its death is likely to result.

Extortion

Taking from another some advantage by subjecting that person to pressure which induces him or her to submit.

Forgery and uttering

Making a false document, or passing off a false document to the prejudice of another.

Fraud

Making a misrepresentation which causes prejudice, or which is potentially prejudicial to another.

High treason

Any conduct by a person (owing allegiance to a state) with the intention of overthrowing the government. Coercing the government by violence, or violating, threatening or endangering the existence, independence or security of the Republic.

Housebreaking

Breaking into and entering a building or structure with the intention of committing some crime.

Kidnapping

Depriving a person of his or her freedom of movement. If such person is a child, depriving the custodians of their control over the child.

Malicious injury to property

Intentionally damaging the property of another.

Murder

Intentional killing of a human being.

Perjury

Making of a false statement in the course of a judicial proceeding by a person who has taken the oath, or made an affirmation, or has been admonished.

Poisoning

Administering poison or other harmful substance to another.

Public indecency

Intentionally and publicly engaging in conduct which tends to deprave the morals of others, or which outrages the public sense of decency.

Public violence

Intentional commission (together with a number of people) of an act which assumes serious dimensions and which is intended forcibly to disturb public peace and tranquillity, or to invade the rights of others.

Receiving stolen property

Receiving possession of stolen property knowing it to have been stolen.

Robbery

Theft by using violence or threats of violence.

Sedition

Taking part in a concourse of people, violently or by threats of violence, challenging, defying or resisting the authority of the State.

Subornation

This is inducing another person to make a false statement under oath.

Theft

Appropriation of moveable corporeal property belonging to another, with intent to deprive the owner of the property.

Violating a corpse

Intentionally violating a corpse.

Violating a grave

Intentionally damaging a human grave.