Semaan v Poidevin [2013] NSWSC 226

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Semaan v Poidevin [2013] NSWSC 226 Hearing dates: 13/12/2012 and subsequent written submissions of 31/01/2013 and 06/03/2013 Decision date: 22 March 2013 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Rothman J Decision: (1) The order made by the Local Court of New South Wales on 4 April 2012 at Burwood convicting Richard Semaan of the offence of resist a police officer in the execution of his or her duty, contrary to s 546C of the Crimes Act 1900, be set aside; (2) The charge against Richard Semaan, being that on 14 September 2011 at Auburn, he did resist Sergeant Poidevin, a member of the Police Force in the execution of his duty, is dismissed; (3) No order for costs. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - resist police officer in execution of duty - mens rea - honest and reasonable mistaken belief of fact - effect of s 201 of Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 Legislation Cited: Australian Federal Police Act 1979 (Cth) Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001 Crimes Act 1900 Inclosed Lands Protection Act 1901 Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 Cases Cited: Albert v Lavin [1982] AC 546 Assadourian v Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales (Northern Region) [2011] NSWSC 1052 Attorney General for the State of New South Wales v X [2000] NSWCA 199; (2000) 49 NSWLR 653 Australian Gaslight Co v Valuer-General (1940) 40 SR (NSW) 126 Beckwith v R [1976] HCA 55; (1976) 135 CLR 569 Bradley v Commonwealth [1973] HCA 34; (1973) 128 CLR 557 Chappell v A Ross & Sons Pty Ltd [1969] VR 376 Coleman v Power [2004] HCA 39; (2004) 220 CLR 1 Collector of Customs v Agfa-Gevaert Ltd [1996] HCA 36; (1996) 186 CLR 389 Collector of Customs v Pressure Tankers Pty Ltd and Pozzolanic Enterprises Pty Ltd [1993] FCA 322; (1993) 43 FCR 280 Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) v Gribble (2004) 151 A Crim R 256 Farah Constructions v Say-Dee [2007] HCA 22; (2007) 230 CLR 89 Farrell v Alexander [1977] AC 59 Geelong Harbour Trust Commissioners v Gibbs Bright & Co [1974] UKPCHCA 1; (1974) 129 CLR 576 Gollan v Nugent [1988] HCA 59; (1988) 166 CLR 18 Hardgrave v R [1906] HCA 47; (1906) 4 CLR 232 Hayes v Federal Commissioner of Taxation [1956] HCA 21; (1956) 96 CLR 47 Hayward-Jackson v Mason-Walshaw [2012] WASC 107 He Kaw Teh v R [1985] HCA 43; (1985) 157 CLR 523 Hunter Resources Ltd v Melville [1988] HCA 5; (1988) 164 CLR 234 Jones v Daire (1983) 32 SASR 369 Kostas v HIA Insurance Services Pty Ltd [2010] HCA 32; (2010) 241 CLR 390 Krakouer v R [1998] HCA 43; (1998) 194 CLR 202 Krishna v DPP (NSW) [2007] NSWCCA 318 L & B Linings Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales [2011] NSWSC 474 Leon Fink Holdings Pty Ltd v Australian Film Commission [1979] HCA 26; (1979) 141 CLR 672 Leonard v Morris (1975) 10 SASR 528 McLiney v Minister [1911] VLR 347 Nelson v Nelson [1995] HCA 25; (1995) 184 CLR 538 Plunkett v Kroemer [1934] SASR 124 Project Blue Sky Inc & Ors v Australian Broadcasting Authority [1998] HCA 28; (1998) 194 CLR 355 Proudman v Dayman [1941] HCA 28; (1941) 67 CLR 536 Public Service Association of New South Wales v Industrial Commission of New South Wales (1985) 1 NSWLR 627 R v Reynhoudt [1962] HCA 23; (1962) 107 CLR 381 Re K (1993) 46 FCR 336 Williams v DPP [2011] NSWSC 1085 Yango Pastoral Company Pty Ltd v First Chicago Australia Ltd [1978] HCA 42; (1978) 139 CLR 410 Texts Cited: Wigmore, Evidence in Trials at Common Law Section 2 (Peter Tillers ed. 1983) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Richard Semaan (Plaintiff) Sergeant Damien Poidevin (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: M Dennis (Plaintiff) N Adams SC (Defendant) Solicitors: Nyman Gibson Stewart (Plaintiff) Crown Solicitor's Office (Defendant) File Number(s): 2012/149182 Publication restriction: None Decision under appeal Jurisdiction: 9109 Date of Decision: 2012-04-04 00:00:00 Before: Connell LCM