Under criminal law, consorting refers to the act of
associating with an offender through any means be it electronic or
other form of communication. In NSW, the state reintroduced
consorting offence as an offence only in 2012, before which it was
disused.
The definition of consorting is as follows. It is the act of
habitually associating (through electronic means or other means)
with someone who is a convicted offender. For instance, it can
include regularly meeting up persons who are gang members.
Moreover, it can include being professionally associated with
persons who are fraud offenders or repeat offenders.
Section 93X of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)
states that a person who is found guilty of habitually consorting
that occurs can be sentenced to three years prison time or face
huge fines amounting to $16,500.
