Murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, misadventure and accident – death from unnatural causes

The Australian laws relating to murder, attempted murder and manslaughter are all state-based. However, in practice there is not a great deal of difference between the laws which cover these crimes in the different Australian territories and states.

The definitions below are the legal definitions in New South Wales.

What is murder?

The offence of murder is defined in the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), and by common law principles which have been articulated by the courts.

Section 18 of the Crimes Act defines murder as any unlawful act or omission which causes the death of another person. In terms of the defendant's state of mind, the act/s or omission/s causing the death must have been committed: