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Bill Terminated Latest version Introduction 6 September 2018 | 2018 No 97—1

Crimes (Coward Punch Causing Death) Amendment Bill

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Bill Terminated Latest version Introduction 6 September 2018 | 2018 No 97—1

Crimes (Coward Punch Causing Death) Amendment Bill

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Crimes (Coward Punch Causing Death) Amendment Bill

Member’s Bill

97—1

Explanatory note

General policy statement

This Bill creates a new offence that would allow for a specific “king-hit” or “coward’s punch” type offence in response to a number of deaths where the individual killed was assaulted and tragically died later in hospital as a result of their injuries. Those convicted of the so-called “one punch” assaults will receive a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.

Clause by clause analysis

Clause 1 is the Title clause.

Clause 2 is the commencement clause. It provides that the Bill comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.

Clause 3 provides that the Bill amends the Crimes Act 1961 (the principal Act).

Clause 4 inserts new section 168A to create an offence of assault causing death.

Matt King

Crimes (Coward Punch Causing Death) Amendment Bill

Member’s Bill

97—1

Contents

The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:

1 Title

This Act is the Crimes (Coward Punch Causing Death) Amendment Act 2018.

2 Commencement

This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.

3 Principal Act

This Act amends the Crimes Act 1961 (the principal Act).

4 New section 168A inserted (Assault causing death)

After section 168, insert:

168A Assault causing death

(1)

Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 20 years who—

(a)

assaults any other person with intent to hit the other person with any part of the person’s body or with an object held by the person; and

(b)

the assault is not authorised or excused by law; and

(c)

the assault causes the death of the other person.

(2)

For the purposes of this section, an assault causes the death of a person whether the person is killed as a result of the injuries received directly from the assault or from hitting the ground or an object as a consequence of the assault.

(3)

In proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) it is not necessary to prove that the death was reasonably foreseeable.
Bill Terminated Latest version Introduction 6 September 2018

Crimes (Coward Punch Causing Death) Amendment Bill

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