This chapter explains the substantive principles of criminal law in Western Australia, provides examples of some of the more common criminal offences and details the court process for serious and other offences. This process has been significantly amended by legislation introduced in May 2005 as part of a wider reform of lower courts in WA. This chapter also contains useful information about driving offences and penalties. For an outline of the law applicable when someone is arrested, see Chapter 4: ARREST, INTERROGATION AND BAIL, while Chapter 32: PENALTIES AND PRISONERS deals with the consequences of a criminal conviction.
