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Search Warrants in the Northern Territory

Search warrants are documents issued by justices under various pieces of legislation which grant police the right to search a person or a property for evidence of crimes. In the Northern Territory, search warrants are usually issued under the Police Administration Act.

Searches without warrants

In some circumstances, the police can search a person or a place without the need for a warrant if a detection dog senses the odour of a “dangerous thing” on a person (either on them or within their immediate control) or from a place. Police also have the power, as in other states and the ACT, to execute urgent searches under ss 119 and 119AA of the Police Administration Act. This can relate generally to people and places, and more specifically to unlawful offensive items (such as weapons, explosives or ammunition) found on a person or in a place.

Power of police to enter places which are used for entertainment purposes

The Northern Territory also has specific laws to allow police to enter and search public grounds used for entertainment (such as showgrounds, sporting venues and racecourses) without a warrant. The police may then eject anyone who is:

  • soliciting for prostitution
  • being disorderly or indecent
  • a “reputed thief”

A reputed thief is generally someone who has been found guilty at least twice in the past five years for stealing offences. Failure to comply with police instructions is an offence.

Search warrants

Part VII, Division 2 of the Police Administration Act deals with Northern Territory search warrants. Section 117 sets out the grounds on which a justice may issue a search warrant and they are similar to those contained in other state and territory legislation. A member of the NT Police may apply for a search warrant to search a person or place by making a statement under oath. Applications must set out the grounds for the warrant and a description of any person or place to be searched. Likewise, the search warrant itself must describe the purpose of the warrant, the person or place to be searched and the expiry of the warrant, which cannot be more than two weeks.

Dangerous drug warrants

The Police Administration Act contains provisions which relate specifically to searches for dangerous drugs that are, or that police anticipate will be in the next 72 hours, located on a person or at a place. This relates to the search for dangerous drugs, but also drug precursors and drug making equipment. The Act allows the search of all those present at a place, whether connected with the regular occupant(s) or not. The Act also permits the searching police to confiscate both the drugs, precursors or equipment in question, as well as any valuable items or money the police suspect are proceeds of the sale of the drugs in question.

Execution of search warrants

The warrant may describe anything which can be seized during its execution, but under the Act, the executing officer may also seize anything reasonably believed to be in connection with any offence. This makes the power to seize items during a search somewhat wider than in other states and territories. As in other states and the ACT, police may use reasonable force to carry out the search and/or seizure. This may include using force to break into and enter a place, to open cupboards/drawers etc. or even to use reasonable force on a person to conduct a personal search. They can use whatever time is reasonably necessary, including stopping vehicles (and other transports such as trains, ships and planes) to carry out the search.

Rights and obligations

Those being subjected to a search warrant do have some rights under the Police Administration Act, although these may be more limited than those available in other states. Females may be searched by either a female police officer, a medical practitioner authorised by a police member to carry out the search or by another female authorised by the executing officer. While there is no specific requirement for police to give the person a copy of the search warrant, it is certainly advisable to ask for a copy and, at the very least, be given the opportunity to read over the warrant document before allowing police to conduct the search. The document provided may be a copy, and does not necessarily need to be the original search warrant issued by the justice. In any event, once the police have provided adequate identification and evidence that a search warrant has been issued, it is generally advisable not to hinder them or their search.

If you require legal advice or representation in any legal matter, please contact Go To Court Lawyers.

Author

Michelle Makela

Michelle Makela is a Legal Practice Director at Go To Court Lawyers. She holds a Juris Doctor, a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) and a Master of Criminology. She was admitted to practice in 2006. Michelle has over 15 years experience in the legal industry, working across commercial litigation, criminal law, family law and estate planning. 

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