Criminal and traffic offences

The yarn

• Not knowing the law is no excuse — if you break an Australian law you didn't know about, you could still be charged.
• Serious crimes include murder, assault, sexual assault, violence against people or property, armed robbery or theft, sexual relations with children below the legal age of consent, dangerous driving, possession of illegal drugs, and fraud.
• Violence towards another person is illegal — including within the home and within marriage, known as domestic or family violence. It includes behaviour or threats that aim to control a partner by causing fear or threatening their safety.
• A person who commits these crimes can go to jail, whether they are a man or a woman.
• Road and traffic rules are controlled by state and territory governments. To drive you must have a local driver's licence and the car must be registered.
• Everybody in a car must wear a seatbelt and young children must be in an approved car seat. It is illegal to drive after taking drugs, above the blood alcohol limit, or while using a hand-held mobile device.