Home | Databases | WorldLII | Search | Feedback Maltese Laws

Criminal Code (Cap. 9) Consolidated

CHAPTER 9

CRIMINAL CODE

To amend and consolidate the Penal Laws and the Laws of Criminal Procedure.

10th June, 1854

ORDER-IN-COUNCIL of the 30th of January, 1854, as amended by Ordinances: IV of

1856, VIII and IX of 1857, X of 1858, IX of 1859, V of 1868, VI of 1871, IV of 1874, III of

1877, I of 1879, III and VII of 1880, IV of 1882, III of 1885, II of 1886, IV and XVI of 1888,

XIV of 1889, II of 1892, VIII of 1893, IV of 1894, III and X of 1896, IV of 1897; the Malta (Use of English Language in legal proceedings) Order-in-Council, 1899; Ordinances: III, VI, XI and XIII of 1899, XI, XII and XVI of 1900, VI and XVI of 1901, I of 1903, I and XII of 1904, XI

of 1905, VIII of 1909, IV of 1910, IX of 1911, XII of 1913, II, VI and XII of 1914, IV of 1916,

XIII and XIV of 1918; the Malta Constitution Letters Patent, 1921; Ordinance XVI of 1921; Acts: XII of 1922, I of 1924, XXVI of 1927, XVI of 1929; Ordinances: VI and VIII of 1930, XIII

and XXVI of 1931, XVI of 1932, VI of 1933; Acts: XXVIII, XXXV and XLI of 1933;

Ordinances: XXII, XXX and XXXVII of 1934, IX and XIII of 1935, XIV and XX of 1936, III and

XV of 1937, I, XXIV, XXVII and XXXV of 1938, I and VI of 1939, XXIX of 1940; Government

Notices Nos. 124 and 248 of 1941. Incorporating also Article 3 of Ordinance II of 1867,

Ordinance IV of 1872, Article 30 of Ordinance VI of 1880 and Ordinance XXXVII of 1934.

This Code was subsequently amended by Ordinances: VIII, XII and XXI of 1944, XXIV of

1946, VI of 1947; Acts: X of 1949, IX of 1950, IV of 1951, V of 1956, XII of 1957; Emergency

Ordinance XX of 1959; Ordinances: XV of 1959, X of 1960, XXV of 1962; Legal Notice 4 of

1963; Acts: XVI and XXIII of 1963, XIII of 1964, XIX and XXXII of 1965; Legal Notice 46 of

1965; Acts: XXXI and XLIII of 1966, II, XXV and XXXI of 1967, XXVII of 1970, III and XXI of

1971, XXXIII of 1972, II, III, XI, XV, XXXVIII and XLVI of 1973, IV, VIII, XXXV and LVIII of

1974, XXIV, XXVII and XXXVII of 1975, III, XIV, XVIII, XIX and XXII of 1976, XI of 1977,

XIII and XVIII of 1980, XLIX and LIII of 1981, IX of 1982, XIII and XIV of 1983, I of 1984, XXXII of 1986, XIII of 1987, XXII of 1988, XXIX of 1989, VIII and XXIX of 1990, XII of 1991, XIX of 1992, XXI of 1993, IV and XXIV of 1994, XXIV of 1995, XVI and XVII of 1996, XXXII

of 1997, II and X of 1998, VII of 1999, X of 2000, III and VI of 2001, III, XIII, XXIV and XXXI

of 2002, IX of 2003, III of 2004, I, V, VI, XIII, XX and XXII of 2005, XVI of 2006; Legal Notice

274 of 2007; Acts VI, XXIV and XXXI of 2007; Legal Notice 407 of 2007; and Acts VIII of

2008, XI of 2009, VII and XXII of 2010, and XXI of 2011.

ARRANGEMENT OF CODE

Articles

Title 1

Preliminary Provisions 2-6

BOOK FIRST PENAL LAWS

PART I

OF PUNISHMENTS AND GENERAL RULES FOR THEIR APPLICATION, OF THE WILL AND AGE OF THE

OFFENDER, OF ATTEMPTED OFFENCE, OF

ACCOMPLICES AND OF RECIDIVISTS

PART II

OF CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS

racially aggravated or motivated by Xenophobia 83B Title III Of Crimes against the Administration of Justice and other

Public Administrations 84-162

Sub-title I Of the Usurpation of Public Authority and of the Powers

thereof 84-90

§ Of the Usurpation of Functions 84

§ Of the Unlawful Assumption by Private Persons of Powers

belonging to Public Authority 85-90

Sub-title II Of Outrage and Violence against Public Officers 91-99

Sub-title III O f C a lumnious Accu sations, o f Per j ur y an d of False

swearing 100-111

Sub-title IV Of Abuse of Public Authority 112-141

§ Of Unlawful Exaction, of Extortion and of Bribery 112-121E

§ Of Abuses committed by Advocates and Legal Procurators 122-123

§ Of Malversation by Public Officers and Servants 124-127

§ Of Abuses relating to Prisons 128-130

§ Of the Refusal of a Service lawfully due 131-132

§ Of Abuse of Authority, and of Breach of Duties pertaining

to a Public Office 133-140

General Provision applicable to Public Officers 141

Sub-title V Of the Violation of Public Archives, Public Offices, Public

Places of Confinement, and Public Monuments 142-162

§ Of the Breaking of S e als, an d of th e Pur l o i ni ng of

Documents or Deposits from the Public Archives or

other Public Offices 142-150

§ Of the Violation of Public Places of Confinement, of the

Escape of Persons in Custody or Suspected or

Sentenced, and of the Harbouring of Offenders 151-160

§ Of the Violation of Public Monuments 161-162

Title IV Of Crimes against the Religious Sentiment 163-165

Title V Of Crimes affecting Public Trust 166-190

Sub-title I Of Forgery of Papers, Stamps and Seals 166-178

Sub-title II Of Forgery of other Public or Private Writings 179-188

General Provisions applicable to this Title 189-190

Title VI Of Crimes against Public Trade 191-195

Of Bankruptcy Offences 191-195

Title VII Of Crimes affecting the Good Order of Families 196-210

Sub-title I Of Crimes relati ng to the Re cipr oca l Duti es of th e

Members of a Family 196-197

Sub-title II Of Crimes against the Peace and Honour of Families and

against Morals 198-209

Sub-title III Of Crimes tending to Prevent or Destroy the Proof of the

Status of a Child 210

Title VIII Of Crimes against the Person 211-257

Sub-title I Of' Wilful Homicide 211-213

Sub-title II Of Wilful Offences against the Person 214-222A

Sub-title III Of Justifiable Homicide or Bodily Harm 223-224

Sub-title IV Of Involuntary Homicide or Bodily Harm 225-226B

Sub-title V Of Excuses for the Crimes referred to in the foregoing Sub-

titles of this Title 227-238

Sub-title VI Of the Concealment of Homicide or Bodily Harm, and of

the Concealment of Dead Bodies 239-240

Sub-title VII Of Abortion, o f th e Administratio n or Su pplying o f

Substances Poisonous or Injurious to Health,and of the

Spreading of Disease 241-244A

Sub-title VIII Of Infanticide and of the Abandonment, Exposure and Ill-

treatment of Children 245-248 Bis

Sub-ti tle VII

Bis

Of the Traffic of Persons 248A-248E

Sub-title IX Of Threats, Private Violence and Harassment 249-251D

Sub-title X Of Defamation, and of the Disclosing of Secret Matters 252-257

Title IX Of Crimes against Property and Public Safety 261-337H

Sub-title I Of Theft 261-289

§ Of Aggravated Theft 261-283A

§ Of Simple Theft 284-288

General Provision applicable to this Sub-title 289

Sub-title II Of other Offences relating to Unlawful Acquisition and

Possession of Property 290-292

Sub-title III Of Fraud 293-310C

Sub-title IV Of Crimes against Public Safety, and of Injury to Property 311-328

Sub-title IV A Of Acts of Terrorism, Funding of Terrorism and Ancillary

Offences 328A-328M Sub-title IV B Of Piracy 328N-328O General Provisions applicable to this Title 329-337AA

Sub-title V Of Computer Misuse 337B-337H

PART III

OF CONTRAVENTIONS AND PUNISHMENTS

BOOK SECOND

LAWS OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I

OF THE AUTHORITIES TO WHICH THE

ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS ENTRUSTED

Title I O f t h e P o w e r s a n d D u t i e s o f t h e E x e c u t i v e P o l i c e i n

respect of Criminal Prosecutions 346-366

General 346-350

Sub-title I Power to Stop and Search 351-354

Sub-title II Road Checks 355-355D

Sub-title III Powers of Entry, Search and Seizure under Warrant 355E-355J

Sub-title IV Powers of Entry and Search without Warrant 355K-355O

Sub-title V Seizure and Retention 355P-355U

Sub-title VI Powers of Arrest and Detention 355V-355AF

Sub-title VII Warrants 355AG-

355AK

Sub-title VIII Detention 355AL-

355AR

Sub-title IX Rights of Persons Detained 355AS-

355AU

Sub-title X Taking of Samples, Fingerprinting and other Investigative 355AV-BC

Procedures

Sub-title XI P o wers and Duties of the Police in re spect of Court

Proceedings 356-366

Title II Of the Court of Magistrates 367-429

Sub-title I Of t h e Co ur t o f Magi str a tes as Court of Cri minal

Judicature 370-388

Sub-title II Of the Court of Magistrates as Court of Criminal Inquiry 389-409A

General Provisions applicable to the Court of Magistrates,

whether as Court of Criminal Judicature or as Court of

Criminal Inquiry 410-412D

Sub-title III Of Appeals from Judgments of the Court of Magistrates as

Court of Criminal Judicature 413-429

Title III Of the Attorney General 430-435E

Title IV Of the Criminal Court 436-496

Title V The Court of Criminal Appeal 497-515

Provisions applicable to the Courts of Criminal Justice 516-534

PART II

OF MATTERS RELATING TO CERTAIN MODES OF PROCEDURE AND TO CERTAIN TRIALS

Title VII Allegation of Insanity and other Collateral Issues before

the Criminal Court 620-628

Title VIII Of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters 628A-628B

PART III

OF MATTERS APPLICABLE TO ALL CRIMINAL TRIALS

SCHEDULES

Schedule A Fees payable to the Executive Police in Cases instituted on the Complaint of the Injured Party.

Schedule B F ees payable in the Registry in Ca ses institute d on the

Complaint of the Injured Party.

Schedule C F ees payable to Legal Practitioners befo re t h e Court of

Magistrates - Criminal Jurisdiction.

Schedule D

Title. l. The title of this Code is Criminal Code.

Classification of offences. Amended by:

XI. 1900.1.

Actions arising from an offence. Amended by: VI.1871.1.

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

2. Offences are divided into crimes and contraventions.

3. (1) Every offence gives rise to a criminal action and a civil action.

(2) The criminal action is prosecuted before the courts of criminal jurisdiction, and the punishment of the offender is thereby demanded.
(3) The civil action is prosecuted before the courts of civil jur i sdiction, and compensation for t h e damage caused by the offence is thereby demanded.

Nature of criminal action.

Amended by: L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68;

XXVII. 1975.2; III. 2002.2.

4. (1) The criminal action is essentially a public action and is vested in the State and is prosecuted in the name of the Republic of Malta, through the Executive Police or the Attorney General, as the case may be, according to law.

Prosecution. (2) A criminal action is prosecuted ex officio in all cases where the complaint of the private party is not requisite to set the action in motion or where the law does not expressly leave the prosecution of the action to a private party.

Persons subject to prosecution. Amended by: VI.1899.1; XI.1899.107; I.1903.1; XXXI.1966.2; XXXIII.1972.2; XI.1973.377; XXIV.1975.2; XXIX. 1990.2; XVII. 1996.19;

III. 2002.3; XIII. 2002.10;

XXIV. 2002.13.

5. (1) Saving any other special provision of this Code or of any other law conferring jurisdiction upon the courts in Malta to try offences, a criminal action may be prosecuted in Malta -

(a) against any person who commits an offence in Malta, or on the sea in any place within the territorial jurisdiction of Malta;
(b) against any person who commits an offence on the sea beyond such limits on board any ship or vessel belonging to Malta;
(c) against any person who commits an offence on board any aircraft while it is within the air space of Malta or on board any aircraft belonging to Malta wherever it may be;
For the purposes of this paragraph the expression "air space" means the air space above the land areas and territorial waters of Malta;
(d) without prejudice to the preceding paragraphs of this subarticle, against any citizen of Malta or permanent resident in Malta who in any place or on board any ship or vessel or on board any aircraft wherever it may be shall have become guilty of the offences mentioned in article 54A or of an offence against the safety of the Government or of the offences mentioned in articles
133, 139A, or of the offences mentioned in articles 311 to 318 and in article 320 when these are committed or are directed against or on a state or government facility, an infrastructure facility, a public place or a place accessible to the public, a public transportation system, or of forgery of any of the Government debentures referred to in article 166 or of any of the documents referred to in article 167, or of the offence mentioned in article 196, or of any other offence against the person of a citizen of Malta or of any permanent resident in Malta;
For the purposes of this paragraph:
"permanent resident" means a person in favour of whom a permit of residence has been issued in accordance with the provisions contained in article 7 of the of the Immigration Act;
"offence against the person" includes the offences mentioned in articles 86 to 90 and in articles 211 to
205;
the expressions "state or government facility", "infrastructure facility" and "public transportation system" shall have the same meaning assigned to them respectively by article 314A(4);
(e) against any person who being in Malta -
(i) shall have become guilty of any offence under article 87(2) or articles 198, 199, 211, 214 to 218,
220, 249 to 251, 311, 312, 314A, 314B, 316 or
317 when committed or directed on or against the person of a protected person or to the
prejudice or injury of such person or likely to endanger the life or to cause serious injury to the property, life or health of such a person, or in
connection with an attack on any relevant premises or on any vehicle ordinarily used by a protected person or when a protected person is
on or in the premises or vehicle; or
(ii) shall have committed any act which if committed in Malta would constitute an offence and such act involved the use of a bomb, grenade, rocket, automatic firearm, letter bomb or parcel bomb which endangered persons,
although the offences referred to in this paragraph shall have been committed outside Malta:
Provided that for the purposes of sub-paragraph (i) of this paragraph it shall be immaterial whether the offender knew that the person was a protected person;
(f) against any person who -
(i) commits any offence in premises or in a building outside Malta having diplomatic immunity due to the fact that it is being used as an embassy, a

Cap. 217.

residence or for such other purpose connected with the diplomatic service of Malta; or
(ii) commits an offence in a place outside Malta when such person enjoys diplomatic immunity by virtue of such service;
(g) against any person who being in Malta, shall be a principal or an accomplice in any of the crimes referred to in article 87(2), or in articles 139A, 198,
199, 211, 214 to 218, 220, 249 to 251, 298, or in articles 311 to 318 or in article 320 when these are
committed in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (d) or (e) of this subarticle, or in a crime which is committed by any act as is mentioned in
paragraph (e)(ii) of this subarticle, or conspires with one or more persons for the purpose of committing any of the said crimes, although the crimes shall have been
committed outside Malta;
(h) against any person in respect of whom an authority to proceed, or an order for his return, following a request by a country for his extradition from Malta, is not issued or made by the Minister responsible for justice on the ground that the said person is a Maltese citizen or that the offence for which his return was requested is subject to the death penalty in the country which made the request, even if there is no provision according to the laws of Malta other than the present provision in virtue of which the criminal action may be prosecuted in Malta against that person;
(i) against any person who commits an offence which, by express provision of law, constitutes an offence even when committed outside Malta:

Exception. Provided that no criminal action shall be prosecuted against the President of Malta in respect of acts done in the exercise of the functions of his office.

(2) For the purposes of subarticle (1)(b) and (c), a ship or vessel or an ai rcraft shall be deemed to belong to Malta if it i s registered in Malta or, if it is not registered anywhere, is owned wh olly by p e rsons habit u ally resi dent i n Malta o r by bodi es corporate established under and subject to the laws of Malta and having their principal place of business in Malta.
(3) For the purposes of subarticle (1)(e):
"a protected person" means, in relation to an alleged offence, any of the following:
(a) a person who at the time of the alleged offence is a Head of State, a member of a body which performs the functions of Head of State under the constitution of the State, a Head of Government or a Minister for Foreign Affairs and is outside the territory of the State in which he holds office;
(b) a person who at the time of the alleged offence is a
representative or an official of a State or an official or agent of an international organisation of an inter- governmental character, is entitled under international law to special protection from attack on his person, freedom or dignity and does not fall within the preceding paragraph;
(c) a person who at the time of the alleged offence is a member of the family of another person mentioned in either of the preceding paragraphs and -
(i) if the other person is mentioned in paragraph (a)
above, is accompanying him,
(ii) if the other person is mentioned in paragraph (b)
above, is a member of his household;
"relevant premises" means premises at which a protected person r e sid e s o r is stay in g or w h i c h a p r ot ected p e rson u s es f o r t h e purpose of carrying out his functions as such a person; and
"vehicle" includes any means of conveyance;
and if in any proceedings a question arises as to whether a person is or was a protected person, a certificate issued by or under the authority of the Minister responsible for foreign affairs and stating any fact relating to the question shall be conclusive evidence of that fact.

6. The criminal action and the civil action are prosecuted independently of one another.

Criminal and civil actions are independent of each other.

BOOK FIRST
PENAL LAWS
PART I
OF PUNISHMENTS AND GENERAL RULES FOR
THEIR APPLICATION, OF THE WILL AND AGE OF
THE OFFENDER, OF ATTEMPTED OFFENCE,
OF ACCOMPLICES AND OF RECIDIVISTS
Title I
OF PUNISHMENTS AND GENERAL RULES FOR THEIR APPLICATION

Sub-title I

Punishments to which crimes and contraventions are subject.

Amended by: II.1886.1;

XVI.1888.1; XI.1900.2; IX.1911.1;

XXI.1971.2; XLIX.1981.4.

Punishment restrictive of personal liberty.

OF PUNISHMENTS TO WHICH OFFENCES ARE SUBJECT

7. (1) Saving the exceptions laid down in the law, the punishments that may be awarded for crimes are -

(a) imprisonment;
(b) solitary confinement; (c) interdiction;
(d) fine (multa).
(2) Subject to the provisions of article 53 or of any other special law , the punishm e nt s that may be awarded for contraventions are -
(a) detention;
(b) fine (ammenda);
(c) reprimand or admonition.
(3) The expression "punishments restrictive of personal liberty" includes the punishments of imprisonment and detention.

Imprisonment. 8. (1) Persons sentenced to imprisonment shall be confined in t h e pri s o n or in that p a rt o f t h e pri s o n appo inted for person s se ntenced to that punis hment , and th ey shall b e subj ect to th e restrictions prescribed in the prison regulations lawfully made.

(2) The duration of the punishment of imprisonment is established by law in each particular case.

Solitary confinement. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2002.4.

9. (1) The punishment of solitary confinement is carried into effect by keeping the person sentenced to imprisonment, during one or more terms in the course of any such punishment, continuously shut up in the appointed place within the prison, without permitting any other person, not employed on duty nor specially authorized by

the Minister responsible for the prisons, to have access to him.
(2) No term of solitary confinement shall exceed ten continuous days.
(3) More terms of solitary confinement may only be applied with an interval of two months between one term and another.
(4) Nevertheless, solitary confinement may be applied during those intervals in case o f any infringement of t h e pri s on regulations, or for any other offence committed during the said
intervals, provided that the terms be of short duration and that they shall not together exceed fifteen days in any one interval.
(5) Where the law prescribes the punishment of solitary confinement and does not specify the particular number of terms, it shall not be lawful to inflict more than twelve terms of solitary confinement.
(6) The punishment of solitary confinement is applied in the cases prescribed by law.
(7) Before awarding the punishment of solitary confinement th e co ur t shal l sati sfy i tsel f, i f ne cessary by medical evidence, which may include a medical examination of the person convicted, that the person convicted is fit to undergo the said punishment.
(8) Where, in the course of the execution of the punishment of solitary confinement, the medical officer of the prison certifies in wri tin g th at t h e p r iso n er is n o lo ng er fi t to un der g o su ch punishment, the execution of that punishment shall be suspended until such time as the prisoner is again certified to be medically fit to undergo such punishment.

Duration of each term of solitary confinement.

Rules to be observed.

10. (1) Interdiction is either general or special.

(2) General interdiction disqualifies the person sentenced for any public office or employment, generally.
(3) Special interdiction disqualifies the person sentenced from holding some particular public office or employment, or from the exercise of a particular profession, art, trade, or right, according to the law in each particular case.
(4) Either kind of interdiction may be for life or for a stated time.
(5) Temporary interdiction shall be for a time not exceeding five years, except where the law especially prescribes a longer time.
(6) Interdiction, whether for life or for a stated time, may, upon the application of the person sentenced to such punishment and on good grounds being shown to the satisfaction of the court by which the sentence was awarded, be discontinued at any time by order of the said court.

Interdiction. Amended by: XI. 1900.3; VIII.1909.1; VI. 1947.3.

General interdiction.

Special interdiction.

Duration of interdiction.

Publication of sentence of interdiction.

Penalty for non- fulfilment of obligations.

Fine (multa). Amended by: XI.1900.4; XII.1914.1; XXII.1934.2; XXVII.1938.2; V.1956.2; III.1971.2; XXXIII.1972.3; XXII.1976.4. Substituted by: XIII.1980.2. Amended by: XIII. 1983.5; III. 2002.5;

L.N. 407 of 2007; XXI. 2011.45.

(7) The court shall order a sentence awarding general or special interdiction or a decree ordering the discontinuance thereof to be pub li sh ed i n t h e G a zette, but , in respect of a decr ee o r deri ng d i sconti nuance as aforesai d, at th e expen s e of the p e rson concerned.
(8) If any person sentenced to interdiction, shall infringe any of t h e o b l i gat i on s arisin g from th at pun ishm ent , he sh all , on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months and to a fine (multa).
11. (1) Where it is not otherwise specifically provided, the maximum of a fine (multa) is one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euro and sixty-nine cents (1,164.69) and the minimum is twenty-three euro and twenty-nine cents (23.29).
(2) Where the maximum of a fine (multa) prescribed in this Code or in any other law is less than twenty-three euro and twenty- nine cents (23.29), the maximum shall be twenty-three euro and twenty-nine cents (23.29) and the minimum shall be eleven euro and sixty-five cents (11.65).
(3) In default of payment of a fine (multa) within the period prescribed in article 14, such fine (multa) shall be converted into imprisonment at the rate of one day for every thirty-five euro (35) or part thereof:
Provided that in no case (save as provided in article 17(g) and in article 29(1)) shall imprisonment in substitution of a fine ( mu lt a ) exceed six months if the fine is not higher than seven thousand euro (7,000), one year if the fine is not higher than thirty thousand euro (30,000), eighteen months if the fine is not higher than eighty thousand euro (80,000) and two years if it is higher than eighty thousand euro (80,000).

Detention. Amended by: IV. 1874.1; II.1886.2: XVI.1888.2; XXV.1962.3; L.N.4 of 1963;

L.N.46 of 1965; XXXI. 1966.2.

Substituted by: III. 2002.6.

12. (1) Persons sentenced to detention shall be detained in the prison or in that part of the prison appointed for persons sentenced to that punishment.

(2) Where it is not otherwise specifically provided, no term of detention shall exceed two months.

Fine (ammenda).

Amended by:

II. 1886.3;

XVI. 1888.3;

XI. 1900.5;

IX. 1911.2;

XII.1914.2,3;

XXII.1934.3;

V.1956.3;

III.1971.3;

XIII.1980.3;

XIII.1983.5;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Conversion of fine (ammenda) into detention.

13. (1) Where it is not otherwise specifically provided, the maximum of a fine (ammenda) is fifty-eight euro and twenty-three cents (58.23) and the minimum is six euro and ninety- nine cents (6.99).
(2) In default of payment of a fine (ammenda) within the period prescribed in article 14, the fine (ammenda) shall be converted into detention at the rate of one day for every eleven euro and sixty-five
cents (11.65) or fraction thereof:
Provided that in no case (save as provided in article 29(1), in article 17(g) and in article 53) shall detention in substitution for a fine (ammenda) exceed one month.
14. (1) A person sentenced to a fine (ammenda or multa) shall pay the same forthwith. Nevertheless the court may, for a reason to be recorded, order that the person sentenced shall pay the fine to the registrar within such period as the court in passing sentence shall direct:
Provided that, in the case of a fine (ammenda) of fifty-eight euro and twenty-three cents (58.23) or less, the said period shall not be more than ten days, and, in the case of a fine (ammenda) of more than fifty-eight euro and twenty-three cents (58.23), or in the case of a fine (multa), the said period shall not be more than one month:
Provided that in default of payment of the fine (multa or ammenda) within the time laid down by the court in its sentence or, failing a time-limit in the sentence, within the time of one week from the date of the se ntence, th e said fi ne shal l be conv erted forthwith into imprisonment or detention as provided in articles 11 and 13 as the case may be, and the police shall, by virtue of the authority conferred upon them by the sentence and by this proviso, arrest the person sentenced an d shall escort him to the place d e sign ated accordi ng to law for t h e con f inement of persons sentenced to a fine converti ble into impri sonment or dete ntion according to law:
Provided further that the court may, notwithstanding the p r ovi sions of arti cl es 11 and 13, in passin g sentence of a fine (ammenda or multa) determine any other period of detention or im pr isonm en t w h ich th e o ff e nder sh all und erg o i n d e fau lt of payment thereof forthwith or within the prescribed time, as the case may be; but the period of detention or imprisonment so determined shall in no case exceed the period laid down in articles 11 and 13, respectively.
(2) The court may also in its discretion in passing sentence or at any time thereafter direct that any fine (ammenda or multa) to which any person is sentenced, may be paid by instalments in such amounts and in relation to such recurrent intervals as the court may deem fit, but so nevertheless that the period over which the whole amount shall be paid shall in no case exceed three years, and that in default of payment of any one such instalment the whole of the am oun t out st an ding sh al l becom e and b e imm ediately due and payable, and all the provisions of this Code applicable to a sentence of fine (ammenda) or of fine (multa) and to arrest and detention or imprisonment, as the case may be, in default of payment thereof, shall apply to the same accordingly.

Time for payment of fine (multa or ammenda).

Added by: XXII. 1934.4. Amended by:

XIV. 1936.2: VI. 1947.4; V. 1956.4;

III. 2002.7;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Power of court to fix other period of detention or imprisonment.

Reprimand or admonition. Repealed by: II.1886.4.

and

re-enacted by:

XVI.1888.4.

15. (1) The reprimand or admonition shall be made in open court by the judge or magistrate who tried the offence.

(2) Whosoever shall receive the reprimand or admonition with ove r t acts of contempt or want of respect, sh al l be li able to detention or to a fine (ammenda).

Sub-title II

Reckoning of punishment.

Concurrent offences and punishments. Amended by: IX.1859.1;

XI. 1900.6; IX.1911.3,4;

XII.1914.4; XXXIII.1972.4; XXXVIII.1973.2;

XLIX. 1981.4,6; XVI.1996.6.

GENERAL PROVISIONS RESPECTING THE INFLICTION AND

EXECUTION OF PUNISHMENTS

16. Where the punishment is for a term of days, a day of p uni sh men t shal l b e reck oned at twent y -fou r hours; w h ere the punishment i s fo r a term o f months, but not m o re t h an three months, each month shall be reckoned at thirty days; where the punishment is of longer duration, the months and years shall be reckoned according to the calendar.

17. In the case of concurrent offences and punishments, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) a person guilty of more than one crime liable to punishments restrictive of personal liberty, one of which is for life, shall be sentenced to this punishment with the addition of solitary confinement;
(b) a person guilty of more than one crime liable to temporary punishments restrictive of personal liberty, shall be sentenced to the punishment for the graver crime with an increase varying from one-third to one- half of the aggregate duration of the other punishments, provided the period to be awarded shall not exceed thirty-five years;
(c) a person guilty of more than one contravention shall be sentenced to the punishment established for each contravention:
Provided that if the accused is sentenced to detention, the aggregate duration of the punishment to be awarded shall in no case exceed the period of three months;
(d) a person guilty of one or more crimes and of one or more contraventions, shall only be sentenced to the punishment established for the crime or to the punishment to which the offender may be liable for the commission of more crimes according to the rules laid down in the preceding paragraphs, if the punishment to be inflicted for the crimes is not less than three months’ imprisonment. Where the punishment to be inflicted for the crimes is less than three months’ imprisonment, the punishment established for the contravention or the punishment to which the offender may be liable for the commission of more
preceding paragraph, shall also be applied;
(e) where the law prescribes the punishment of temporary interdiction, that which is of the longest duration shall be applied with an increase varying from one-third to one-half of the aggregate duration of the others:
Provided that the term awarded shall in no case exceed twenty years;
(f) a person found guilty of more than one offence liable to pecuniary punishments shall be sentenced to the punishment of the higher or highest fine (multa or ammenda), as the case may be, in addition to one-half of each of the other fines (multa or ammenda);

(g) in the case of conversion of more than one pecuniary punishment into a punishment restrictive of personal liberty, the duration of this punishment shall not exceed three years, in the case of a fine (multa), or six months in the case of a fine (ammenda); and if both fines (multa and ammenda) have been awarded, the conversion shall be made into detention or imprisonment as the court shall direct;

(h) when several offences, which taken together do not constitute an aggravated crime, are designed for the commission of another offence, whether aggravated or simple, the punishment for the graver offence shall be applied.

18. Where the several acts committed by the offender, even if at different times, constitute violations of the same provision of the law, and are committed in pursuance of the same design, such acts shall be deemed to be a single offence, called a continuous offence, but the punishment may be increased by one or two degrees.

19. Every punishment established for any offence shall be d e emed to be so estab lished w itho u t p r ej udice to an y hi gher punishment prescribed for the offence in any other law, whenever the ci rcumstances mention e d in su ch other law concur in the offence.

20. When the law expressly provides that a punishment shall not be awarded in its minimum, the punishment to be awarded shall always include at leas t one-third of the diff erence between th e minimum and the maximum.

21. Saving the provisions of article 492, the court may, for special and exceptional reasons to be expressly stated in detail in the decision, apply in its discretion any lesser punishment which it deems adequate, notwithstanding that a minimum punishment is prescribed in the article contemplating the particular offence or under the provisions of article 20, saving the provisions of article 7.

Continuous offence. Amended by: XI. 1900.6.

Rules respecting the award of punishments.

Punishment not awardable in its minimum. Amended by: XI.1900.7;

IX. 1911.5; XLIX. 1981.6.

Punishment below prescribed minimum.

Added by: XII. 1944.2.

Amended by: XXI. 1971.4.

sentences of imprisonment. Added by:

VI. 1947.6. Substituted by:

III. 2002.8.

of imprisonment or detention in default of payment of a fine (multa or ammenda), any time prior to conviction and sentence during which the person sentenced is in prison for the offence or offences for which he has been so convicted and sentenced, not being time in prison in execution of a sentence, shall count as part of the term of imprisonment or detention under his sentence; but where he was previously subject to a probation order, an order for conditional discharge or to a suspended sentence in respect of such offence or offences, any such period falling before that order was made or suspended sentence passed shall be disregarded for the purposes of this article:
Provided that where any time prior to conviction as aforesaid has, by virtue of this article, been counted as part of the term of imprisonment or detention under the sentence in respect of that conviction, such time shall not be counted as part of the term of imprisonment or detention under any other sentence.

Forfeiture of corpus delicti. Amended by: VI. 1947.7; XXXI. 2007.3.

23. (1) The forfeiture of the corpus delicti, of the instruments used or intended to be used in the commission of any crime, and of anythi ng obtain e d by such crime, is a consequence of t h e punishment for the crime as established by law, even though such forfeiture be not expressly stated in the law, unless some person who has not participated in the crime, has a claim to such property.
(2) In case of contraventions, such forfeiture shall only take place in cases in which it is expressly stated in the law.
(3) In the case of things the manufacture, use, carrying, keeping or sale whereof c o nstitut es an offence , the forfeiture thereof may be ordered by the court even though there has not been a conviction and although such things do not belong to the accused.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subarticles (1) to (3), where the Attorney General communicates to a magistrate a request by a foreign au thority for the return of an arti cl e o b tained by criminal means for purposes of restitution to its rightful owner, the court may after hearing the parties and if it deems it proper so to act after taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, order that the forfeiture of any such article shall not take place and that the article shall be returned to the requesting foreign authority.

Freezing of property of person accused.

Added by: III. 2002.9. Amended by:

III. 2004.69.

23A. (1) In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

"relevant of fence" me ans a ny of fence no t bei n g on e o f an in voluntary nature oth er than a crim e under t h e Ordinances or u nder t h e A c t, li abl e to th e pu ni sh men t o f im pr ison men t o r of detention for a term of more than one year;
Cap. 373. "the Act" means the Prevention of Money Laundering Act;

Cap. 101. Cap. 31.

"the Ordinances" means the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and the
Medical and Kindred Professions Ordinance.
(2) Where a person is charged with a relevant offence the provisions of article 5 of the Act shall apply mutatis mutandis and the same provisions shall apply to any order made by the Court by
the said article 5 of the Act.

23B. (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of article 23 the court shall, in addition to any punishment to which th e person convicted of a relevant offence may be sentenced and in addition to any penalty to which a body corporate may become liable under the provisions of article 121D, order the forfeiture in favour of the Government of the proceeds of the offence or of such property the value of which corresponds to the value of such proceeds whether such proceeds have been received by the person found guilty or by the body corporate referred to in the said article 121D.

(1A) Any property, whether in Malta or outside Malta, of or in the possession or under the control of any person convicted of a relevant offence or in the possession or under the control of a body corporate as ma y become lia ble under the pr ov isions of article
121D shall, unless proved to the contrary, be deemed to be derived from the relevant offence and be liable to confiscation or forfeiture
by the court.
(1B) The provisions of article 7 of the Act shall mutatis mutandis apply sohowever that any reference in that article to "article 3(3)" shall be construed as a reference to subarticle (1A) of this article and any reference in the said article 7 to "an offence under article
3" shall be construed as a reference to a relevant offence.
(2) Where the proceeds of the offence have been dissipated or for any other reason whatsoever it is not possible to identify and forfeit those proceeds or to order the forteiture of such property the value of which corresponds to the value of those proceeds the court shall sentence the person convicted or the body corporate, or the person convicted and the body corporate in solidum, as the case may be, to the payment of a fine (multa) which is the equivalent of the amount of the proceeds of the offence. The said fine may be r e co vered as a ci vil d e b t an d the sent ence of th e Co urt sh al l constitute an executive title for all intents and purposes of the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure.
(3) For the purposes of this article:
"proce eds" means any economic advantage and any property derived from or obt ained, directly or indirectly, through the commission of the offence and includes any income or other benefits derived from such property;
"property" means assets of every ki nd, whether corporeal or incorporeal, movable or immovable, tangible or intangible, and legal documents or instruments evidencing title to, or interest in, such assets;
"relevant offence" and "the Act" have the same meaning assigned to them by article 23A(1).

Forfeiture of proceeds. Added by: III. 2002.9.

Amended by: XXXI. 2007.4.

Cap. 12.

23C. (1) Where it is established that the value of the property of the person found guilty of a relevant offence is disproportionate to his lawful income and the court based on specific facts is fully convinced that the property in question has been derived from the

Forfeiture of prop- erty derived from criminal activity. Added by:

XXXI. 2007.5.

Cap. 101.

forfeiture.
(2) When a person has been found guilty of a relevant offence and in consequence thereof any moneys or other movable property or any immovable property is liable to forfeiture, the provisions of article 22(3A)(b) and (d) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance shall apply mutatis mutandis in the circumstances mentioned in those paragraphs.

Liability of person having the charge of another, in case of contravention. Added by: VIII.1909.2.

Abolition of disabilities arising out of punishments. Amended by: VI.1871.2;

XXI. 1971.5.

Right of civil action unaffected. Amended by:

VIII. 1909.3.

24. In the case of any contravention committed by a person who is under the authority, control or charge of another person, not only the person committing the contravention but also such other person shall be liable to punishment, if the contravention is against some provision the observance of which such other person was bo und t o enfo rce, an d if the cont raventio n could have been prevented by the exercise of diligence on the part of such other person.

25. All disabilities arising, under the provisions of any law whatsoever, out of any punishment, are abolished.

26. (1) Any sentence to a punishment established by law shall always be deemed to have been awarded without prejudice to the right of civil action.

(2) A pardon commuting or remitting a punishment lawfully awarded shall not operate so as to bar the civil action.

Difference between punishment at the time of the offence and that at the time of trial.

Rules as to the serving of punishments. Amended by: XII. 1914.5.

27. If the punishment provided by the law in force at the time of the trial is different from that provided by the law in force at the tim e wh en th e offence was com mitt ed, t h e l e ss sev e r e ki nd of punishment shall be awarded.

28. (1) When more punishments of the same kind are awarded at the same time against the same offender, they shall be undergone one after the termination of the other; if they are of different kinds, the heavier punishment shall be undergone first, and immediately on its termination, the less severe punishment shall commence.

(2) If any person, while actually undergoing one punishment, shall be sentenced to another punishment either of the same or of a less severe kind, he shall continue to undergo the first punishment, and immediately on its termination, he shall undergo the second punishment.
(3) If the second punishment be heavier than the first, the person se ntence d shall at onc e be subjected to the second punishment, and on its termination, he shall immediately revert to the first punishment and undergo the remainder thereof.
(4) The punishment of interdiction shall take effect from the date of the sentence awarding such punishment.

28A. (1) Subject to subarticles (2) to (7) and to articles 28B to

28I, a court which passes a sentence of imprisonment for a term of not more than two years for an offence may order that the sentence
shall not take effect unless, during a period specified in the order, being not less than one year or more than four years from the date of the order, the offender commits another offence punishable with
impris onment a nd therea fte r a c ourt competent to do so or ders under article 28B that the original sentence shall take effect; and in this article and whenever it occurs in articles 28B to 28G and in
article 28I "operation a l p e riod ", in relation t o a suspended sentence, means the period so specified.
(2) A court shall not deal with an offender by means of a suspended sentence unless the case appears to the court to be one in which a sentence of imprisonment would have been appropriate in the absence of any power to suspend such a sentence by an order under subarticle (1).
(3) A court which passes a suspended sentence on any person for an offen ce shall not m a ke in hi s case a prob at ion order, as provi ded in th e Prob ation Act, in respect o f another offen ce of which he is convicted by or before the court or for which he is dealt with by the court.
(4) On passing a suspended sentence the court shall explain to the offender in ordinary language his liability under article 28B if during the operational period he commits an offence punishable with imprisonment.
(5) A suspended sentence which has not taken effect shall for all intents and purposes of law be deemed, except as provided in subarticle (1), to be a sentence awarding punishment and nothing in this article shall be deemed to effect -
(a) the applicability of any other punishment which may be awarded, or any suspension, cancellation, disqualification, forfeiture, loss or removal which may be ordered, together with the punishment of imprisonment so suspended; and
(b) the operation of articles 383, 384, 385, 386, 387 and
533.
(5A) Without prejudice to the provisions of article 28F, the punishment awarded under a suspended sentence whe n that sentence has not taken effect shall, for the purposes of article 50, be deemed to have expired on the exp i ration of the original operational period referred to in subarticle (1) or of the operational period substituted therefore as provided in article 28B(2)(b).
(6) The provisions of subarticle (1) shall not apply to any imprisonment awarded in default of payment of a fine (multa) or of costs.
(7) An order under subarticle (1) shall not be made in any of the following cases -
(a) where the person sentenced is already serving a sentence of imprisonment;

Suspended sentence of imprisonment. Added by: XXIX. 1990.3. Amended by: III. 2002.10.

Cap. 446.

Cap. 446.

terms of article 50;
(c) where the offence has been committed during a period of probation or of conditional discharge under the Probation Act.
(8) The registrar shall keep a special register of offenders dealt with by means of a suspended sentence.

Commission of an offence during the operational period. Added by:

XXIX. 1990.3.

28B. (1) Where an offender is convicted of an offence punishable with imprisonment committed during the operational period of a suspended sentence and either he is so convicted by or before a cou rt com petent under article 2 8C to deal with him in respect of the suspended sentence or he subsequently appears or is brought before such a court, then, unless the sentence has already taken effect, that court shall order that the suspended sentence shall take effect.

(2) If the further offence committed during the operational period is of an involuntary nature or if, in the case of any other kind of offence, the court is of opinion, in view of all the circumstances including the facts of such further offence, that it would be unjust to make an order under subarticle (1), it may deal with the offender by one of the following methods -
(a) it may abstain from making an order under subarticle (1) and the operational period shall then remain in force; or
(b) it may by order vary the original order under article
28A(1) by substituting for the operational period
specified therein a period expiring not later than four years from the date of the variation:
Provided that if it does not make an order under subarticle
(1) the court shall state its reasons.
(3) In proceedings for dealing with an offender in respect of a suspended sentence which take place before the Criminal Court any question whether the offender has been convicted of an offence punishable with imprisonment committed during the operational per i o d of t h e susp end e d sent en ce sh all , n o tw it hst a nd in g t h e provisions of article 436(2) and of article 467, be determined by the court and not by the verdict of a jury.
(4) Where a court deals with an offender under this article in respect of a suspended sentence passed by another court t h e registrar shall, by means of a copy, notify forthwith the court which passed the sentence of the method adopted.
(5) Where a court deals with an offender under this article the regist rar sh al l mak e th e necessary ann o tati on s in t h e special register mentioned in article 28A(8).

28C. (1) An offender may be dealt with in respect of a susp en ded sent en ce by t h e C o u r t of Crim i n a l Ap pe al, by th e Criminal Court or, where the sentence was passed by the Court of Magistrates, by such court.

(2) Where an offender is convicted by the Court of Magistrates o f an offence pu ni shab le wi th i m p r i s on ment an d th e co ur t is satisfied that the offence was committed during the operational period of a suspended sentence passed by the Criminal Court, that court shall commit the offender in custody or on bail before the Criminal Court for the purpose of being dealt with in respect of the suspended sentence:
Provided that where the Court of Magistrates is of the opinion that the appropriate punishment for the further offence is imprisonment, the provisions of article 28E(3) shall apply.
(3) For the purposes of this article and of articles 28D and
28E -

Competent court for dealing with suspended sentence.

Added by: XXIX. 1990.3.

Amended by: VIII. 1990.3; III. 2002.11.

(a) a suspended sentence passed on an offender on appeal shall be deemed to have been passed by the court from which the appeal was made;
(b) the Juvenile Court shall be deemed to be a Court of Magistrates (Malta) or a Court of Magistrates (Gozo), as the case may be.
28D. (1) If it appears to the Court of Criminal Appeal, to the Criminal Court or to the Court of Magistrates that an offender has been co nv ict e d o f an of fence pu ni sh abl e w i t h im priso n m e nt committed during the operational period of a suspended sentence and that he has not been dealt with in respect of the suspended sentence, that court shall, either ex officio or on the application of the Attorney General or of the Executive Police, as the case may require, issue a summons ordering the offender to appear before it on a date and at a time specified therein, or a warrant for his arrest.
(2) A summons or warrant issued under this article shall direct the offender to appear or to be brought before the court in order to be dealt with in respect of the suspended sentence.

Suspended sentence not dealt with on conviction of further offence. Added by: XXIX.1990.3. Amended by:

VIII. 1990.3; III. 2002.12.

28E. (1) Where an offender is sentenced for more than one crime in accordance with the provisions of article 17(b), an order un der arti cl e 2 8 A ( 1 ) m a y be ma de if t h e sin g l e t e rm of imprisonment deemed appropriate and fixed by the court in the sentence so suspended does not exceed two years and if the other conditions for a suspended sentence to be passed apply.
(2) Deleted by: III. 2002.13.
(3) Where the Court of Magistrates convicts an offender of an o f fence p uni shabl e wi th imp riso nment commi tted du rin g t h e operational period of a suspended sentence passed by the Criminal Court, it shall, after making the declaration of guilt of the offender in respect of such offence and stating its conclusion, where it is so satisfied, that the appropriate pu ni shmen t for t h at o f fence is imp rison m ent , refer th e case for th e deter m i n atio n of th e punishment to the Criminal Court by committing the offender to

Concurrent offences and punishments in relation to suspended sentence.

Added by: XXIX.1990.3. Amended by: VIII. 1990.3; III. 2002.13.

that court as provided in article 28C(2) without pronouncing the term of imprisonment for the further offence:
Provided that if the Criminal Court does not make an order under article 28B(1), it shall determine the term of imprisonment for the further offence only.
(4) Deleted by: III. 2002.13.
(5) No court dealing with an offender as provided in article
28C and in this article may vary the term of imprisonment awarded
in the suspended sentence by reducing such term, except in so far as may be ne cess a ry for the purpos e of complianc e with the provisions of article 17(b).

Recidivists. Added by: XXIX.1990.3.

Suspended sentence supervision order. Added by:

XXIX. 1990.3. Amended by:

III. 2002.14;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Cap. 446.

28F. In dealing with an offender for an offence punishable with im prisonment com mitted during the operational period of a suspended sentence the court shall consider him a recidivist within th e mean in g of ar ti cl e 49 fo r the pur po se of assessin g an y punishment to which he is liable for such further offence, but the punishment awarded under the suspended sentence shall not be taken into account for the purposes of article 50 unless such sentence has taken effect and until the expiration or remission of such punishment.

28G. (1) Where a sentence of more than six months imprisonment is suspended in accordance with the provisions of art i cle 28A (1), the court may i n addi tio n make a suspended sentence supervision order (hereinafter referred to as "a supervision order") placing the offender under the supervision of a supervising offi cer for a period specifi ed in th e order, b e i ng a perio d n o t exceeding the operational period.

(2) A supervision order shall specify the name, address and other identification particulars of the offender, and the supervising officer shall be a probation officer appointed under the Probation Act and named in the supervision order; and the supervision order may moreover require the offender to comply, during the whole or any part of the period of supervision, with such requirements as may be imposed by the court under the provisions of article 7 of the said Act.
(3) An offender in respect of whom a supervision order is in force shall keep in touch with the supervising officer in accordance with such instructions as he may from time to time be given by that officer and shall notify him of any change of address.
(4) The court by which a supervision order is made shall cause a co py o f th e orde r to b e served fort hw it h on t h e su pervi s i n g officer.
(5) A supervision order shall cease to have effect if before the end of a period specified in it -
(a) a court orders that the suspended sentence passed in the proceedings in which the supervision order was made shall have effect; or
(b) the order is discharged or replaced in accordance with
the following provisions of this article.
(6) A supervision order may be discharged on the application of the supervising officer or the offender by the court which made the order. If such order was made on appeal, the court from which the appeal was made shall be deemed to be the court which made the order.
(7) The court which made the supervision order may replace it by an order extending its duration in accordance with any variation of the operational period of the suspended sentence made under article 28B(2).
(8) On making or replacing a supervision order the court shall explain its effect in ordinary language to the offender.
(9) If at any time while the supervision order is in force it appears to the court that made the order, on the written report of the supervising officer, that the offender has failed to comply with any of the requirements of subarticles (2) and (3), the court shall cause the offender to be brought before it on an appointed day and at an ap poi nt ed t ime, an d i f the co urt , aft e r h e ari n g th e offend er, is satisfied that such failure has occurred, it may either in serious or re pe ated c ases orde r that the su spended sentence passed in the proceedings in which the supervision order was made shall have effect or, without prejudice to the continuation of the order, impose on him a fine (ammenda) not exceeding two hundred and thirty-two euro and ninety-four cents (232.94).

28H. (1) When making an order for suspended sentence under subarticle (1) of article 28A, the court may enter in such order a direction obliging the offender to make restitution to the injured party of anything stolen or knowingly received or obtained by fraud or other unlawful gain by the offender to the detriment of such party by or through the offence to which the suspended sentence rel a tes, or to pay to such party such sum of m oney as may be determined by the court in that direction as compensation for any such loss as aforesaid or for any damages or other injury or harm caused to such party by or through the offence; and any such order may include both a direction to make restitution and, in default, to pay as aforesaid.

(2) In any case in which it enters such a direction in its order under article 28A(1) the court shall, in that direction, fix the time- lim it, not being l onger than six mon t hs from the date of t h e direction, within which the restitution or payment of compensation specified in the direction shall be made by the offender.
(3) The court shall determine the amount of any compensation directed to be paid under this article after summarily hearing the parties, if they so wish, and any other evidence, including that of experts, it may deem relevant, but the amount of compensation so determined shall be without prejudice to the rights of either of the p a r ties, or an y o t her p e r s o n i n terested, ensui ng from the fi nal li qu i d a t i o n of th e am o u n t d u e , i f an y, a s m a y be su b s eq ue nt ly agreed or adjudicated upon in a civil action or in any other manner permitted by law.

Court direction for restitution or compensation. Added by:

XXIX. 1990.3.

(4) If the offender fails to comply with a direction entered u n d e r th is a r t i cl e w i t h in t h e ti me f i xe d b y th e co ur t in t h at direction, the court shall on the sworn application of the party to whom such restitution or compensation is due, to be served on the offender, appoint a date and time not later than seven days from the date of service of the application, for hearing the parties.
(5) If the court, after such hearing, is satisfied that the offender has failed to comply with its direction under this article, it shall order that the suspended sentence shall take effect. The court may, however, for reasonable cause, gr ant to the offender a furt her peremptory period not exceeding one month, for complying with the direction.
(6) The court shall abstain from taking cognizance of an application as is mentioned in subarticle (4) if such application is filed after the lapse of three months from the expiration of the time- limit fixed by the court for compliance with such direction.
(7) On entering a direction under this article the court shall explain to the offender in ordinary language his liability under this article if he fails to comply with that direction.

Appeals. Added by: XXIX. 1990.3.

28I. (1) For the purposes of any right of appeal an order made by a court under article 28B(1) or article 28H(5) that a suspended sentence shall take effect shall be treated as a sentence passed on the offender by that court for the offence for which the suspended sentence was passed.

(2) Nothing in this article shall affect the right of appeal of any person against conviction or sentence provided for in this Code but no appeal shall be permitted on any of the following matters:
(a) the length of the operational period fixed under article
28A(1);
(b) any variation of the operational period made under article 28B(2)(b);
(c) any direction entered under article 28H for the making of restitution or the payment of compensation, the length of the time-limit fixed for the making of such restitution or the payment of such compensation under subarticle (2) of that article, or the determination of the amount of compensation payable under subarticle (3) of that article.

Procedure in default of payment of fine (ammenda or multa). Amended by: IV.1856.2; II.1886.5; XVI.1888.5;

XII. 1914.6; XXII. 1934.5; I. 1939.2;

III. 2002.15.

29. (1) Any person sentenced to the payment of a fine (ammenda or multa) and who is granted the benefit of time by order of the court according to the provisions of article 14(2), and who does not pay such fine in accordance with the conditions laid down in the same order, shall be liable to be arrested and brought before the court; and the court, upon ascertaining the identity of the person sentenced and that payment has not been paid according to the conditions of the order, shall commit such person to undergo the detention or imprisonment prescribed in substitution for the fine (ammenda or multa), or in substitution of the balance of the fine (ammenda or multa) still unpaid, as the case may be. The arrest
shall take place upon a warrant to be issued by the court.
(2) The aforesaid warrant shall be issued within four days from the date of any breach of the conditions laid down by the court in its order or from the date of the expiration of the period prescribed for payment under article 14:
Provided that no plea in favour of the person sentenced shall be admissib le by reason of the fa ct that the issue of such warrant was, for any reason whatsoever, delayed beyond the said period of four days.
(3) The court may, on the application of the Police and on reasonable cause being shown, upon hearing the person sentenced, determine the period prescribed under article 14 at any time during the course of suc h period and commit the person sentenced to undergo the punishm e nt prescribed i n subst itutio n for the fi ne (ammenda or multa).
(4) A person sentenced may at any time obtain his release from the substituted punishment by paying the fine (ammenda or multa) with the deduction of such amount thereof as corresponds to the portio n o f the pun ishm ent und ergo ne at th e rates lai d d o wn in articles 11 and 13 respectively, and also at similar rates may obtain his release from any unexpired period of detention or imprisonment awarded to him under the provisions of subarticle (1).

30. (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of any other law im p o si n g or au th ori s in g t h e su spe n si o n or can cel l a ti o n of, or disqualification from holding or obtaining, any warrant, licence, permit or other authority held from the Government or any other public authority, where any person is convicted, whether as a principal or an accomplice, of a criminal offence which has been committed -

(a) in or in connection with the exercise of any profession, art, trade, calling or other occupation for which a warrant, licence, permit or authority has been or may be issued to him by the Government or any other public authority; or
(b) in the use or by means of any instrument, vehicle, substance or other thing whatsoever for the carrying, keeping or using of which a licence, permit or authority has been or may be issued to him,
the court may, in addition to sentencing the person convicted as aforesaid to any punishment provided by law for the offence, order such person to be disqualified from holding or obtaining, for such time as the court deems fit, such warrant, licence, permit or authority.
(2) Where, by virtue of a conviction under this Code or any other law, any person has a warrant, licence, permit or authority su spend e d , or is disq uali fied fro m ho ld ing o r o b tai n in g an y war r an t, li cence, per m it or a u th or it y, th e co ur t m a y, o n th e application of such person, as it thinks expedient, having regard to his character, to his conduct subsequent to the conviction, to the

Disqualifications in case of convictions. Added by:

XXIV. 1938.2. Substituted by:

V. 1956.6. Amended by: III. 2002.16.

and after hearing the Police in the case of an application before the C ourt of M agis trates or the Attorney General in the cas e of an application before any other court, either remove the suspension or disqualification as from such date as it may specify or refuse the application:
Provided that, where an application under this subarticle is refused, a further application thereunder shall not be entertained if made within three months after the date of the refusal.

Sub-title III

OF THE ASCENT AND DESCENT FROM ONE PUNISHMENT TO ANOTHER

Scale of punishments. Amended by: IV.1856.3,4,5; V.1868.2, 3; VI.1871.3; II.1886.6;

XVI. 1888.6; XI.1900.9;

IX.1911.6; XXI. 1971.6;

XLIX. 1981.4; XVI.1996.6.

31. (1) The ascent or descent from one degree of punishment to another shall be as follows:

(a) subject to any special provision contained in this Code, from the punishment of imprisonment for life the descent shall be in accordance with the scale of punishments of imprisonment as specified in paragraph (b);
(b) subject to any special provision contained in this Code, the following shall be the scale of punishments of imprisonment:
(i) from eight years to thirty years, (ii) from seven to twenty years,
(iii) from six to twelve years, (iv) from five to nine years,
(v) from four to six years,
(vi) from three to five years, (vii) from two to four years,
(viii) from eighteen months to three years,
(ix) from thirteen months to two years, (x) from nine to eighteen months,
(xi) from seven months to one year, (xii) from five to nine months,
(xiii) from two to six months,
(xiv) from one to three months;
(c) the descent from the fourteenth degree shall be to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty days, or to detention or to a fine (ammenda);
(d) in the ascent from one degree to another, the order shall be inverted, commencing from the fourteenth degree;
(e) in default of an express provision to the contrary, the ascent from the first degree shall be made by adding to the punishment of imprisonment the punishment of solitary confinement for not more than twelve terms, or by adding other aggravations of punishment established by the prison regulations;
(f) the ascent from the punishment of a fine (multa) shall be to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, and the descent shall be to the punishments established for contraventions;
(g) the ascent from the punishments established for contraventions shall be to the punishment of a fine (multa) or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.
(2) The law establishing in general terms a descent from one punish ment to another, shall not be deem ed to include cases of co ntravent ions or of crimes liabl e to th e punishm e n t s for contraventions.

32. (1) Where the punishment includes a latitude of more degrees, the ascent or descent shall be made by raising or lowering the maximum and the minimum to the nearest degree respectively.

(2) When the punishment of solitary confinement is added to another punishment, the ascent or descent shall be reckoned on such other punishment:
Provided that in cases of descent, the court may restrict the punishment of solitary confinement to any smaller number of terms or omit such punishment altogether.

Gradation in the scale of punishments. Amended by: XI.1900.9.

TITLE II

OF THE WILL AND AGE OF THE OFFENDER

33. Every person is exempt from criminal responsibility if at the time of the act or omission complained of, such person -

(a) was in a state of insanity; or
(b) was constrained thereto by an external force which he could not resist.

Defect of will. Amended by: XI.1900.10; V.1956.7;

XVIII. 1976.52.

33A. (1) Where an offence is committed by a person who is a pri s on er th e pu ni sh m e nt fo r t h e o f fenc e sha l l i n ca se of a conviction be increased by one or two degrees and the provisions of articles 21 and 21 of the Probation Act shall not apply.
(2) For the purposes of this article ''prisoner'' has the same meaning assigned to it by article 2 of the Prisons Act and includes a prisone r deeme d to be confined in a prison according to the provisions of article 3(3) of the same Act.

Increase in punishment for offences committed by

prisoners in prison.

Added by:

XIII. 2005.3.

Cap. 446.

Cap. 260.

Added by: XIII. 1935.2. Amended by: V. 1956.8.

constitute a defence to any criminal charge.
(2) Intoxication shall be a defence to any criminal charge if - (a) by reason thereof the person charged at the time of the
act or omission complained of was incapable of understanding or volition and the state of intoxication
was caused without his consent by the malicious or negligent act of another person; or
(b) the person charged was by reason of the intoxication insane, temporarily or otherwise, at the time of such act or omission.
(3) Where the defence under subarticle (2) is established, then, in a case falling under paragraph (a) thereof, the person charged shall be discharged, and, in a case falling under paragraph (b), the provisions of articles 620 to 623 and 625 to 628 shall apply.
(4) Intoxication shall be taken into account for the purpose of determining whether the person charged had formed any intention specific or otherwise, in the ab sen ce of which he w ould no t be guilty of the offence.
(5) For the purposes of this article "intoxication" shall be deemed to include a state produced by narcotics or drugs.

Minors under nine years.

Amended by:

III.1899.10;

XI.1900.11;

XII.1913.1.

Substituted by:

V.1956.9.

Amended by:

XVIII.1980.15;

XIII. 1983.5;

XXIX. 1990.4;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Minors under fourteen years acting without discretion.

35. (1) Minors under nine years of age shall be exempt from criminal responsibility for any act or omission.

(2) Minors under fourteen years of age shall likewise be exempt from criminal responsibility for any act or omission done without mischievous discretion.

Powers of court. (3) Nevertheless, in any of the cases referred to in subarticles (1) and (2), the court may, on the application of the Police, require the parent or other person charged with the upbringing of the minor to appear before it, and, if the fact alleged to have been committed b y the m i no r is proved an d is contemplated by the law as an o ffence, th e court may bin d over the parent or other person to watch over the co ndu ct o f t h e min or und er p e n a l t y for no n- compliance of a sum of not less than eleven euro and sixty-five cents (11.65) and not exceeding two hundred and thirty-two euro and ninety- four cents (232.94), regard being had to the means of the person bound over and to the gravity of the fact.

(4) If the fact committed by the minor is contemplated by the law as an offence punishable with a fine (ammenda), the court may, in lieu of ap plying the provisions of subarticle (3), award th e punishment against the parent or other person charged with the
upbringing of the minor, if the fact could have been avoided by his diligence.
(5) For the purpose of the application of the provisions of the preceding su barticles of this arti cle, the parent or other person charged with the upbringing of the m inor as aforesaid, shall be required to appear, by summons, in accordance with the provisions contained in Book Second of this Code.
36. Saving the powers of the Minister under the Children and Young Person (Care Orders) Act, minors under the age of fourteen but over nine who, acting with a mischievous discretion, shall commit an offence, shall be liable on conviction to the punishments established for contraventions:
Provided that the court may instead of sentencing the minor to a punishment apply the provisions of article 35(3) or (4):
Provided also that where the court is of the opinion that, when it takes into account the age of the offender, his previous conduct, the gravity of the fact of which he has been convicted and the degree of mischievous discretion shown by the offender as it appears from his conduct by which the offence was committed and from all the other circumstances of the offence, the punishments established for contraventions would not be appropriate, the court may sentence the person convicted to the punishment laid down for the offence decreased by three degrees provided that in no case may the punishment exceed four years imprisonment.

Minors under fourteen but over nine years acting with discretion. Amended by:

IV. 1856.6,7; VI. 1871.4;

II.1886.7; XVI. 1888.7;

XI.1900.12. Substituted by: V.1956.10.

Amended by: XVIII. 1980.15. Substituted by:

III. 2002.17.

37. If the offender has attained the age of fourteen but is under the age of eighteen years, the punishment applicable to the offence shall be diminished by one or two degrees.

38. Repealed by: XVIII. 1980.15.

*39. (1) Deaf-mutes, who at the time of the offence have not attained the age of fourteen years, shall be exe mpted from any punishment established by law:

Provided that the provisions contained in article 35(3), (4)
and (5) may be applied to such persons.
(2) Deaf-mutes, who at the time of the offence have attained

Minors under eighteen but over fourteen years. Added by: XI.1900.12. Amended by:

XII. 1913.2. Substituted by:

V.1956.11. Amended by:

XVIII.1980.15.

Definition of "Approved Institution". Amended by: XII. 1913.3. Substituted by: V. 1956.12. Amended by: L.N. 4 of 1963; XXXI.1966.2.

Rules concerning deaf-mutes. Added by: III.1899.13. Amended by:

XI. 1900.13.

*The references, in this article, to subarticle (6) of article 35 and to “Industrial School” and “House of Correction” have been omitted in view of the repeal of the said subarticle (6) of article 35 and of article 38, by Act XVIII. 1980.15.

chievous discretion, shall likewise be exempted from punishment:
Provided that the provisions contained in article 35(3), (4)
and (5) may be applied to such persons.

Other rules concerning deaf- mutes.

Added by: III.1899.13. Amended by:

XI.1900.13; XXI.1971.7; XLIX. 1981.4.

40. The following rules shall be observed in the case of deaf- mutes who have acted with a mischievous discretion:

(a) if at the time of the offence they have attained the age of fourteen but not the age of eighteen years, the provisions contained in articles 36 and 37 shall apply;
(b) if at the time of the offence they have attained the age of eighteen years -
(i) in the case of a crime liable to the punishment of imprisonment for life, they shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty years;
(ii) in the case of any other crime, they shall be liable to the punishment established by law diminished by one-third;
(iii) in the case of contraventions, they shall be liable to the punishments established for contraventions.
TITLE III

OF ATTEMPTED OFFENCE

Attempted crime. 41. (1) Whosoever with intent to commit a crime shall have manife sted such inte nt by overt ac ts which are followe d by a commencement of the execution of the crime, s h all, save as otherwise expressly provided, be liable on conviction -

(a) if the crime was not completed in consequence of some accidental cause independent of the will of the offender, to the punishment established for the completed crime with a decrease of one or two degrees;
(b) if the crime was not completed in consequence of the voluntary determination of the offender not to complete the crime, to the punishment established for the acts committed, if such acts constitute a crime according to law.

Attempted contravention.

(2) An attempt to commit a contravention is not liable to punishment, except in the cases expressly provided for by law.
TITLE IV

OF ACCOMPLICES

42. A person shall be deemed to be an accomplice in a crime if he -

(a) commands another to commit the crime; or
(b) instigates the commission of the crime by means of bribes, promises, threats, machinations, or culpable devices, or by abuse of authority or power, or gives instructions for the commission of the crime; or
(c) procures the weapons, instruments or other means used in the commission of the crime, knowing that they are to be so used; or
(d) not being one of the persons mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c), in any way whatsoever knowingly aids or abets the perpetrator or perpetrators of the crime in the acts by means of which the crime is prepared or completed; or
(e) incites or strengthens the determination of another to commit the crime, or promises to give assistance, aid or reward after the fact.

Complicity in crime. Amended by: VIII. 1909.4.

43. Unless otherwise provided by law, an accomplice in a crim e shall be liabl e to the puni shmen t establ ished for th e principal.

44. Where two or more persons take part in the commission of a crime, the circumstances which refer solely to the person of any one of them individually, whether he be a p r incipal or an accomplice, and which may exclude, aggravate, or mitigate the punishment in regard to him, shall not operate either in favour of, or against the other persons concerned in the same crime.

45. Where two or more persons take part in the commission of a crime, any act committed by any of such persons, whether he be a principal or an accomplice, which may aggravate the crime, shall only be imputable -

(a) to the person who commits the act;
(b) to the person with whose previous knowledge the act is committed; and
(c) to the person who, being aware of the act at the moment of its commission, and having the power to prevent it, does not do so.

Punishment for complicity.

Personal circumstances not communicable.

Real circumstances when communicable.

46. Where the actual commission of a crime is established, an accomplice shall be liable to be punished, independently of the principal, notwithstanding that such principal shall die or escape or b e p a rd on ed o r ot her w i s e d e li ver e d bef o r e co nv ict i o n , o r notwithstanding that the principal is not known.

Accomplice liable to punishment independently of the principal.

Constraint to commit offence, etc.

Added by: V. 1956.13.

Complicity in contraventions.

47. Any person who -

(a) constrains another person by an external force which such other person could not resist, to commit an offence; or
(b) participates by any of the acts specified in article 42 in an offence committed by any other person who is according to law exempt from criminal responsibility,
shall himself be guilty of that offence as a principal offender.

48. The provisions contained in this Title shall also apply to contraventions.

Added by: III. 2002.18.

Conspiracy. Added by: III. 2002.18.

Cap. 248.

TITLE IV BIS
OF CONSPIRACY
48A. (1) Whosoever in Malta conspires with one or more persons in Malta or outside Malta for the purpose of committing any crime in Malta liable to the punishment of imprisonment, not being a crime in Malta under the Press Act, shall be guilty of the offence of conspiracy to commit that offence.
(2) The conspiracy referred to in subarticle (1) shall subsist from the mo ment in which any mode of action whatsoever i s planned or agreed upon between such persons.
(3) Any person found guilty of conspiracy under this article shall be liable to the punishment for the completed offence object of the conspiracy with a decrease of two or three degrees.
(4) For the purposes of subarticle (3), in the determination of the punishment for the completed offence object of the conspiracy account shall be had of any circumstances aggravating that offence.
TITLE V

Definition of recidivist. Amended by: IV. 1856.8; XI. 1900.14;

XXXI. 2007.6.

OF RECIDIVISTS

49. A person is deemed to be a recidivist, if, after being sent en ced for any of fence by a jud g ment which has beco me absolute, he commits another offence:

Provided that the court may, in determining the punishment, take into account a judgment delivered by a foreign court which has become absolute.

Effect of previous conviction for crime.

Amended by: XI.1900.14.

50. Where a person sentenced for a crime shall, within ten years from the date of the expiration or remission of the punishment, if the term of such punishment be over five years, or within five years, in all other cases, commit another crime, he may be sentenced to a pu nish ment hi gher by o n e degree than the punishment established for such other crime.

51. Where, however, a person, while undergoing a punishment for life and restrictive of personal liberty, commits another crime subject to a lesser punishment, he shall be liable to one or more terms of solitary confinement.

52. For the purposes of the provisions contained in the foregoing articles of this Title, any sentence in respect of any crime co mmi t t ed t h ro ug h im pr ud en ce o r neg l i g en ce, or t h r o u g h unskilfulness in the exercise of any art or profession, or through non-observance of regulations, shall not be taken into account in awarding punishment for any other crime, and vice versa.

53. Where a person sentenced for a contravention shall, within three months from the date of the expiration or remission of the punishment, commit another contravention, he may be sentenced to detention for a term not exceeding two months, or to a fine (multa), or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month.

54. A person sentenced shall continue to be considered as such for t h e p u rpose of th e prov is ions concerning recidivists notwithstanding any pardon commuting the punishment lawfully awarded to him.

Solitary confinement in the case of relapsers serving a life sentence.

Amended by: XI. 1900.14.

Exceptions. Amended by: XI.1900.14.

Effect of previous conviction for contravention. Amended by: XI.1900.14;

IX. 1911.7; XLIX. 1981.4.

Effect of pardon in respect of recidivists. Amended by:

XI. 1900.14.

PART II

OF CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS

Title I
OF GENOCIDE, CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AND WAR CRIMES

54A. (1) It is a crime for a person to commit genocide, a crime against humanity or a war crime.

(2) In this Title -
''the ICC Treaty'' means the Statute of the International Criminal
Court, done at Rome on 17th July, 1988;
''the ICC'' means the International Criminal Court established by the ICC Treaty;
''genocide'' means an act of genocide as defined in article 54B;
''crime against humanity'' means a crime against humanity as defined in article 54C;
''war crime'' means a war crime as defined in article 54D;
''Minister'' means the Minister responsible for Justice.
(3) In interpreting and applying the provisions of this Title the court shall take into account the original text of the ICC Treaty and of any treaty and convention referred to in the ICC Treaty.

General. Added by: XXIV. 2002.13.

(4) In interpreting and applying the provisions of articles 54B,
54C and 54D, hereinafter, in this Title, referred to as ''the relevant articles'', the court shall take into account -
(a) any relevant Elements of Crimes adopted in accordance with article 9 of the ICC Treaty, and
(b) until such time as Elements of Crimes are adopted under that article, any relevant Elements of Crimes contained in the report of the Preparatory Commission for the International Criminal Court adopted on 30th June, 2000.
(5) The Minister may set out in regulations the text of the Elements of Crimes referred to in subarticle (2), as amended from time to time.
(6) The relevant articles shall for the purposes of this Title be co nst r ued su bj ect t o an d in ac corda n ce with any releva nt reservation or declaration made by Malta when ratifying any treaty or agreement relevant to the interpretation of those articles.
(7) The Minister may by regulations set out the terms of any reservation or declaration referred to in subarticle (5) and where any such reservation or declaration is withdrawn in whole or in part may revoke or amend any regulations as aforesaid which contain the terms of that reservation or declaration.
(8) In interpreting and applying the provisions of the relevant articles the court shall take into account any relevant judgment or decision of t h e ICC an d may also take into accou nt any other relevant international jurisprudence.

Genocide. Added by: XXIV. 2002.13.

54B. (1) Genocide is committed where any of the following acts is committed with intent to destroy, in whol e or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such -

(a) killing members of the group;
(b) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
(c) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
(d) imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
(e) forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
(2) Whosoever directly and publicly incites others to commit genocide shall be guilty of a crime.

Crimes against humanity. Added by: XXIV. 2002.13.

54C. (1) A crime against humanity is committed where any of t h e fo llow i ng act s is com mit ted as part of a w i despread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack:

(a) murder;
(b) extermination; (c) enslavement;
(d) deportation or forcible transfer of population;
(e) imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty in violation of fundamental rules of international law;
(f) torture;
(g) rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, or any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity;
(h) persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender as defined in subarticle (3), or other grounds that are universally recognized as impermissible under international law, in connection with any act referred to in this sub-article or any crime under article 54A;
(i) enforced disappearance of persons; (j) the crime of apartheid;
(k) other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health.
(2) For the purpose of subarticle (1) -
(a) ''attack directed against any civilian population'' means a course of conduct involving the multiple commission of acts referred to in subarticle (1) against any civilian population, pursuant to or in furtherance of a State or organizational policy to commit such attack;
(b) ''extermination'' includes the intentional infliction of conditions of life, inter alia the deprivation of access to food and medicine, calculated to bring about the destruction of part of a population;
(c) ''enslavement'' means the exercise of any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership over a person and includes the exercise of such power in the course of trafficking in persons, in particular women and children;
(d) ''deportation or forcible transfer of population'' means forced displacement of the persons concerned by expulsion or other coercive acts from the area in which they are lawfully present, without grounds permitted under international law;
(e) ''torture'' means the intentional infliction of severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, upon a person in the custody or under the control of the accused; except that torture shall not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to, lawful sanctions;
(f) ''forced pregnancy'' means the unlawful confinement of a woman forcibly made pregnant, with the intent of affecting the ethnic composition of any population or carrying out other grave violations of international law. This definition shall not in any way be interpreted as affecting national laws relating to pregnancy;
(g) ''persecution'' means the intentional and severe deprivation of fundamental rights contrary to international law by reason of the identity of the group or collectivity;
(h) ''the crime of apartheid'' means inhumane acts of a character similar to those referred to in subarticle (1), committed in the context of an institutionalized regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial group over any other racial group or groups and committed with the intention of maintaining that regime;
(i) ''enforced disappearance of persons'' means the arrest, detention or abduction of persons by, or with the authorization, support or acquiescence of, a State or a political organization, followed by a refusal to acknowledge that deprivation of freedom or to give information on the fate or whereabouts of those persons, with the intention of removing them from the protection of the law for a prolonged period of time.
(3) For the purpose of this Title, it is understood that the term
''gender'' refers to the two sexe s, male and female, within the context of society. The term ''gender'' does not indicate any
meaning different from the above.

War crimes. Added by: XXIV. 2002.13.

54D. A war crime is committed where any of the following acts is committed:

(a) grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 12
August 1949, namely, any of the following acts against
persons or property protected under the provisions of the relevant Geneva Convention:
(i) wilful killing;
(ii) torture or inhuman treatment, including biological experiments;
(iii) wilfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health;
(iv) extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly;
(v) compelling a prisoner of war or other protected person to serve in the forces of a hostile Power;
(vi) wilfully depriving a prisoner of war or other protected person of the rights of fair and regular trial;
(vii) unlawful deportation or transfer or unlawful
confinement;
(viii) taking of hostages;
(b) other serious violations of the laws and customs applicable in international armed conflict, within the established framework of international law, namely, any of the following acts:
(i) intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities;
(ii) intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects, that is, objects which are not military objectives;
(iii) intentionally directing attacks against personnel, installations, material, units or vehicles involved in a humanitarian assistance or peacekeeping mission in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, as long as they are entitled to the protection given to civilians or civilian objects under the international law of armed conflict;
(iv) intentionally launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects or widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipated;
(v) attacking or bombarding, by whatever means, towns, villages, dwellings or buildings which are undefended and which are not military objectives;
(vi) killing or wounding a combatant who, having laid down his arms or having no longer means of defence, has surrendered at discretion;
(vii) making improper use of a flag of truce, of the flag or of the military insignia and uniform of the enemy or of the United Nations, as well as of the distinctive emblems of the Geneva Conventions, resulting in death or serious personal injury;
(viii) the transfer, directly or indirectly, by the Occupying Power of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies, or the deportation or transfer of all or parts of the population of the occupied territory within or outside this territory;
(ix) intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals and places where the sick and wounded
are collected, provided they are not military objectives;
(x) subjecting persons who are in the power of an adverse party to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are neither justified by the medical, dental or hospital treatment of the person concerned nor carried out in his or her interest, and which cause death to or seriously endanger the health of such person or persons;
(xi) killing or wounding treacherously individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army;
(xii) declaring that no quarter will be given;
(xiii) destroying or seizing the enemy’s property unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war;
(xiv) declaring abolished, suspended or inadmissible in a court of law the rights and actions of the nationals of the hostile party;
(xv) compelling the nationals of the hostile party to take part in the operations of war directed against their own country, even if they were in the belligerent’s service before the commencement of the war;
(xvi) pillaging a town or place, even when taken by assault;
(xvii) employing poison or poisoned weapons;
(xviii) employing asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and all analogous liquids, materials or devices;
(xix) employing bullets which expand or flatten easily in the human body, such as bullets with a hard envelope which does not entirely cover the core or is pierced with incisions;
...... omissis .......
(xxi) committing outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment;
(xxii) committing rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, as defined in article 54C(2)(f), enforced sterilization, or any other form of sexual violence also constituting a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions;
(xxiii) utilizing the presence of a civilian or other protected person to render certain points, areas or military forces immune from military operations;
(xxiv) intentionally directing attacks against buildings, material, medical units and transport, and personnel using the distinctive emblems of the
Geneva Conventions in conformity with international law;
(xxv) intentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare by depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival, including wilfully impeding relief supplies as provided for under the Geneva Conventions;
(xxvi) conscripting or enlisting children under the age of fifteen years into the national armed forces or using them to participate actively in hostilities;
(c) in the case of an armed conflict not of an international character, serious violations of article 3 common to the four Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, namely, any of the following acts committed against persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention or any other cause:
(i) violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kind, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture;
(ii) committing outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment;
(iii) taking of hostages;
(iv) the passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgement pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all judicial guarantees which are generally recognized as indispensable;
(d) paragraph (c) applies to armed conflicts not of an international character and thus does not apply to situations of internal disturbances and tensions, such as riots, isolated and sporadic acts of violence or other acts of a similar nature;
(e) other serious violations of the laws and customs applicable in armed conflicts not of an international character, within the established framework of international law, namely, any of the following acts:
(i) intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities;
(ii) intentionally directing attacks against buildings, material, medical units and transport, and personnel using the distinctive emblems of the Geneva Conventions in conformity with international law;
(iii) intentionally directing attacks against personnel, installations, material, units or vehicles involved in a humanitarian assistance or peacekeeping mission in accordance with the Charter of the
United Nations, as long as they are entitled to the protection given to civilians or civilian objects under the international law of armed conflict;
(iv) intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are collected, provided they are not military objectives;
(v) pillaging a town or place, even when taken by assault;
(vi) committing rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, as defined in article 54C(2)(f), enforced sterilization, and any other form of sexual violence also constituting a serious violation of article 3 common to the four Geneva Conventions;
(vii) conscripting or enlisting children under the age of fifteen years into armed forces or groups or using them to participate actively in hostilities;
(viii) ordering the displacement of the civilian population for reasons related to the conflict, unless the security of the civilians involved or imperative military reasons so demand;
(ix) killing or wounding treacherously a combatant adversary;
(x) declaring that no quarter will be given;
(xi) subjecting persons who are in the power of another party to the conflict to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are neither justified by the medical, dental or hospital treatment of the person concerned nor carried out in his or her interest, and which cause death to or seriously endanger the health of such person or persons;
(xii) destroying or seizing the property of an adversary unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of the conflict;
(f) paragraph (e) applies to armed conflicts not of an international character and thus does not apply to situations of internal disturbances and tensions, such as riots, isolated and sporadic acts of violence or other acts of a similar nature. It applies to armed conflicts that take place in the territory of a State when there is protracted armed conflict between governmental authorities and organized armed groups or between such groups.

54E. (1) This article applies in relation to offences under this

Part.
(2) A military commander, or a person effectively acting as a military com m ander, is respon sible fo r offences com mitted by forces under his effective command and control, or (as the case may be) his effective authority and control, as a result of his failure to exercise control properly over such forces where -
(a) he either knew, or owing to the circumstances at the time, should have known that the forces were committing or about to commit such offences, and
(b) he failed to take all necessary and reasonable measures within his power to prevent or repress their commission or to submit the matter to the competent authorities for investigation and prosecution.
(3) With respect to superior and subordinate relationships not described in subarticle (2), a superior is responsible for offences com mitt ed b y su bord i n a t e s und er hi s ef fect iv e au tho r it y an d control, as a result of his failure to exercise control properly over such subordinates where -
(a) he either knew, or consciously disregarded information which clearly indicated, that the subordinates were committing or about to commit such offences,
(b) the offences concerned activities that were within his effective responsibility and control, and
(c) he failed to take all necessary and reasonable measures within his power to prevent or repress their commission or to submit the matter to the competent authorities for investigation and prosecution.
(4) A person responsible under this article for an offence is regarded as an accomplice in the commission of the offence.
(5) In interpreting and applying the provisions of this article (which corresponds to article 28 of the ICC Treaty) the court shall take into account any relevant judgment or decision of the ICC and account may also be taken of a ny other relevant i n ternati onal jurisprudence.
(6) Nothing in this article shall be read as restricting or excluding -
(a) any liability of the commander or superior apart from this article, or
(b) the liability of persons other than the commander or superior.

Responsibility of commanders and other superiors. Added by:

XXIV. 2002.13.

54F. (1) References in this Part to a person committing - (a) genocide,
(b) a crime against humanity, or
(c) a war crime,
shall be construed in accordance with this article.

Mental element.

Added by:

XXIV. 2002.13.

(2) Unless otherwise provided by -
(a) the articles mentioned in the definition in article
54A(1) of the crimes specified in subarticle (1)(a) to (c) of this article, or in any relevant Elements of Crimes referred to in article 54A(3),
(b) article 54E,
a person is regarded as committing a crime referred to in subarticle (1) only if the material elements of the crime are committed with intent and knowledge.
(3) For this purpose -
(a) a person has intent -
(i) in relation to conduct, where he means to engage in the conduct, and
(ii) in relation to a consequence, where he means to cause the consequence or is aware that it will occur in the ordinary course of events, and
(b) ''knowledge'' means awareness that a circumstance exists or a consequence will occur in the ordinary course of events.
(4) In interpreting and applying the provisions of this article (which corresponds to article 30 of the ICC Treaty) the court shall take into account any relevant judgment or decision of the ICC and may also take into account any other relevant international jurisprudence.

Jurisdiction. Added by: XXIV. 2002.13.

54G. Without prejudice to the provisions of article 5, a criminal action for an offence under this Title may also be prosecuted in Malta -

Cap. 220.

(a) against any person subject to military law in terms of articles 178, 179 and 180 of the Malta Armed Forces Act even if the offence was committed outside Malta; or
(b) against any citizen of Malta or permanent resident in Malta who outside Malta conspires to commit any offence under this Title even if the offence is to be committed outside Malta.

Protection of victims and witnesses. Added by: XXIV. 2002.13.

Supplementary provisions for offences under this Title.

Added by: XXIV. 2002.13.

54H. The provisions of any law which make provision for the protection of victims and witnesses of certain offences shall apply mutatis mutandis to any victim or witness of an offence under this Title.

54I. (1) The following provisions apply in relation to offences under this Title.

(2) Proceedings for an offence shall not be instituted except by or with the consent of the Attorney General.
(3) A person convicted of an offence involving murder shall be dealt with as for an offence consisting in the killing of a person in such circumstances as would, if committed in Malta, constitute
wilful homicide.
(4) In any other case a person convicted of an offence is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding thirty years.
(5) The provisions of Title VI of Part III of Book Second of this
Code do not apply.
Title I Bis
OF CRIMES AGAINST THE SAFETY OF THE GOVERNMENT

55. Whosoever shall take away the life or the liberty of the President of Malta, or shall endanger his life by bodily harm, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for life.

56. (1) Whosoever shall subvert or attempt to subvert the Go vernment of Malt a by committing any of the acts hereunder mentioned, shall, on conviction , be liable to t he punishment of imprisonment for life:

(a) taking up arms against the Government of Malta for the purpose of subverting it;
(b) bearing arms in the service of any foreign Power against the Republic of Malta;
(c) aiding the enemies of the Republic of Malta in any other manner whatsoever against the said Republic;
(d) usurping or unlawfully assuming any of the executive powers of the Government of Malta, for the purpose of subverting it;
(e) taking up arms for the purpose of compelling the Government of Malta to change its measures or counsels, or of obstructing the exercise of its lawful authority.
(2) The punishment, however, shall be diminished by one or two degrees, where the crim e is not carried into ef fect, in consequence of the voluntary determination of the offender not to complete the crime.

Attempts against the President of Malta.

Amended by: XXI. 1971.8.

Substituted by: XXVII.1975.3. Amended by:

XLIX. 1981.4.

Insurrection or coup d’état. Substituted by: XXI.1971.9. Amended by: XXVII.1975.4; XLIX.1981.4.

Extenuating circumstances.

57. (1) Whosoever shall take part in a conspiracy having for its object any of the crimes referred to in the last preceding two articles, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from three to six years.

(2) Where, besides the mere conspiracy, preparatory measures for carrying the crime into effect shall also have been taken, the punishment shall be of imprisonment for a term from five to nine years.

Conspiracy against the State.

Amended by:

V. 1868.4;

XLIX. 1981.4.

Aggravating circumstance.

Commencement of conspiracy.

Provocation to perpetrate crimes against the safety

of the Government.

58. A conspiracy shall subsist from the moment in which any mode of action whatsoever is planned or agreed upon between two or more persons.

59. (1) Whosoever, by any speech delivered in any public pl ace or at an y pu bl ic meeti n g, sh all d i rect ly pro vok e t h e perpetration of any of the crimes referred to in this Title, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment for the crime provoked by him, diminished by one degree.

(2) If the provocation shall produce no effect, the punishment shall be decreased from one to three degrees.

Exemption from punishment.

60. In the crimes referred to in the preceding articles of this Title, any of the offenders who shall, before the commission of the crime or before any attempt to commit the crime, and prior to the commencement of any proceedings, give information thereof to the Go vernm e n t or to th e au thori ties of t h e Govern ment, shall be exempted from punishment.

Failure to disclose. 61. Whosoever, knowing that any of the crimes referred to in the preceding articles of this Title is about to be committed, shall not, within twenty-four hours, disclose to the Government or to the authorities of the Government, the circumstances which may have come to his knowledge, shall, for the mere omission, be liable, on co nv ic ti on, to i m p riso nm en t fo r a term fr om ni ne to ei gh teen months.

Exemptions. 62. The provisions of the last preceding article shall not apply to the husband or wife, the ascendants or descendants, the brother or sist er, the father-in-law or m o ther-in-l aw, the son-in-law or daughter-in-law, the uncle or aunt, the nephew or niece, and the brother-in-law or sister-in-law of a principal or an accomplice in the crime so not disclosed.

TITLE II

When offence is deemed to be accompanied with public violence. Amended by:

IX. 1859.2.

Definition of "arms proper" and "arms improper". Amended by: XI.1900.15.

OF CRIMES AGAINST THE PUBLIC PEACE

63. Any offence committed by three or more persons assembled with in tent to commit an offenc e, and two of whom carry arms proper, shall be deemed to be accompanied with public violence.

64. (1) Arms proper are all fire-arms and all other weapons, instruments and utensils which are mainly intended for defensive or offensive purposes.

(2) All other weapons, instruments or utensils are not considered as arms, except when they are actually made use of for any offensive or defensive purpose, in which case they are called arms improper.

65. (1) The punishment for an offence accompanied with public violence, shall be higher by one degree than the punishment provided for the same offence when not accompanied with public violence.

(2) In no case shall the punishment be less than that provided in article 66.

Punishment for offences accompanied with public violence. Amended by:

IX. 1859.3.

66. The persons assembled as provided in article 63 shall, for the mere fact of having so assembled, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to three months.

67. Any crime committed by any of the persons mentioned in article 63, shall, for the purposes of punishment, be considered as being accompanied with public violence if in the commission of the crime such persons shall have acted in pu rsuance of a common design.

68. (1) Whosoever shall incite an assembly of persons, who when so incited shall be ten or more in number, for the purpose of committing an offence, shall, for the mere fact of the incitement, be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term from one to three months or to a fine (multa).
(2) Whosoever shall take an active part in an assembly of ten or more persons for the purpose of committing an offence, although t h e sai d assemb ly may n o t hav e been incite d by any one in particular, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from three days to three months or to a fine (multa).
(3) Where the offence which such assembly of persons i n tend ed t o commi t i s commit ted, t h en, i f t h e pu nish men t established for the offence is less than the punishments aforesaid, these punishments shall be applied with an increase of one degree; if, however, the punishment established for the offence is greater than, or equal to, the punishments aforesaid, then that punishment shall be applied with an increase of one degree.

Assembly under arms.

Amended by: IX. 1859.4.

Conspiracy.

Unlawful assembly. Amended by: IX. 1859.5; VIII. 1909.5.

69. Whosoever shall publicly instigate any other person to commit an offence, shall, for the mere fact of the instigation, be liable, on conviction, to -

(a) imprisonment for a term from two to five years, in the case of a crime liable to a punishment higher than the punishment of imprisonment for a term of three years; or
(b) imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, in the case of a crime liable to the punishment of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years; or
(c) a fine (multa) or detention, in the case of any other offence.

Instigation to commit an offence. Amended by:

XLIX. 1981.4.

70. Whosoever shall publicly incite any other person to disobey the law, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine (multa), or, in minor cases, to detention or to a fine (ammenda).

Incitement to disobey the law.

Unlawful endeavour to compel Government to alter measures or counsels. Amended by: XXI. 1971.10; XXVII. 1975.5.

Contempt of the President. Amended by: XXVII. 1975.6.

Unlawful assembly with seditious intent.

Amended by: XXI. 1971.11;

XXVII. 1975.7; XLIX. 1981.4.

Seditious conspiracy. Amended by: XXVII. 1975.8; XLIX. 1981.4.

False imputation of misconduct in the administration of the Government. Amended by: XXVII.1975.9.

Administering unlawful oath.

71. Whosoever shall, by any unlawful means not amounting to the crim e referr ed t o in art i cl e 56, endeavour to compel the President of Malta or the Government of Malta, to change his or their mea s ures or counsels, shal l , on co nvi ction , be l i able to imprisonment for a term from six months to two years.

72. Whosoever shall use any defamatory, insulting, or disparaging words, acts or gestures in contempt of the person of the President of Malta, or shall censure or disrespectfully mention or represent the said Pres ident, by words, signs, or visible representations, or by any other means not provided for in the law relating to the Press, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to three months or to a fine (multa).

73. If three or more persons shall unlawfully assemble, or being unlawfully assembled, shall continue so together, with intent, by public speeches, exhibition of flags, inscriptions, or other means or devices whatsoever, to excite hatred or contempt towards the person of the President of Malta or towards the Government of Ma lta, or to ex cite ot her per son s to at tem pt to al ter any m att er established by law, otherwise than by lawful means, every person so offending shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from six to eighteen months.

74. If two or more persons shall conspire to excite hatred or contempt towards the person of the President of Malta or towards the Government of Malta, or to incite other persons to attempt the alter a t i o n of an y matter estab l i s hed by l a w, ot herw ise th an b y lawful means, every person so offending shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from six to eighteen months.

75. Whosoever, by speeches delivered in any public place or at an y pu bli c meetin g, shall f a lsely impu t e misco ndu ct in administering the Government of Malta to a person employed or concerned in the administration of the Government of Malta, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to three months or to a fine (multa).

76. (1) Whosoever shall administer, or cause to be administered or taken, any oath or engagement intended to bind the person taking th e same to engage in any muti nous or seditious purpose, or to disturb the public peace, or to be of any association, society or co nfederacy formed fo r any such purpose, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from seven months to two years.

(2) The punishment established in subarticle (1) shall also apply, where the oath or engagement is intended to bind the person taking the same in any of the modes following:
(a) to obey the orders of any committee or body of men not lawfully constituted, or of any leader or other person not having authority by law for that purpose;
(b) not to inform or give evidence against any associate or other person, or not to reveal or discover any illegal act done, attempted, or intended to be done by such
person or any other.

77. The punishment established in the last preceding article sh all app l y to any person who shal l t a ke an y su ch o a th or engagement as provided in that article, unless he shall have been compelled thereto:

Provided that compulsion shall not justify or excuse any person taking such oath or engagement, unless he shall, within four days after such compulsion shall cease, report the fact to the public authorities.

Person taking unlawful oath. Amended by: IX. 1982.2.

78. Whosoever shall endeavour to seduce any person serving in the Armed Forces of Malta from his duty and allegiance to the Republic of Malta, or to incite or stir up any such person to commit any act of mutiny, or to make or endeavour to make any mutinous assemb ly, or to com m i t any trait o rou s or m u ti nous pract i ce whatsoever, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from nine months to three years.

79. (1) If three or more persons shall assemble or shall continue together, for any purpose whatsoever, in such manner and under such circumstances of violence, threats, tumults, numbers, display of arms or otherwise, as are calculated to create terror and alarm among persons in Malta, every such assem b ly shall be deemed unlawful, and every person forming part of such assembly shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from four to twelve months.

(2) Where the unlawful assembly shall proceed, either wholly or in part, to execute their common design, or shall attempt so to do , an y p ers on so a ssem bl in g sh all , o n co nv ic ti on , b e li abl e to imprisonment for a term from six to eighteen months.

Inciting to sedition or to mutiny. Amended by: XXVII. 1975.10; XLIX. 1981.4.

Tumultuous assembly. Amended by: XXVII.1975.10; XLIX. 1981.4.

Aggravating circumstance.

80. If twelve or more persons being unlawfully assembled together to the disturbance of the public peace, and being formally warned or required by any com p etent authority t o disperse themselves and peaceably to depart to their habitations or to their lawful business, shall, to the number of twelve or more, unlawfully remain or continue together for the space of one hour after such public warning shall have been given, every such offender shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from nine months to three years.

81. There shall not be deemed to be an unlawful assembly under the provisions of the preceding articles, where three or more persons shall assemble for the common purpose of assisting in the defence of the possession of the dwelling-house or other property of any one of them or in the defence of the person of any one of them alt hough they m ay execute or endeavour to execute such p u rp ose, or o t herw ise co ndu ct th emselves vi olent l y an d tumultuously, or in such manner and under such circumstances as are calculated to create terror and alarm among persons in Malta.

82. Whosoever shall maliciously spread false news which is likely to alarm public opinion or disturb public good order or the public peace or to create a commotion among the public or among

Disobedience of order for dispersal.

Assembly when not unlawful. Amended by: XXVII. 1975.12.

Spreading of false news.

Added by: VI. 1933.2.

Incitement to racial hatred, etc.

Added by: III. 2002.19.

Amended by: XI. 2009.2.

cer tai n classes o f the pu bli c , shal l, o n co nv icti on , be liab l e to imprisonment for a term from one to three months.

82A. (1) Whosoever uses any threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or displays any written or printed mater ial which is threatening, abusive or insulting, or otherwise conducts himself in such a manner, with intent thereby to stir up violence or racial hatred or whereby violence or racial hatred is likely, having r e gard t o all the circu m stances, to be stir red up shall, on convi ction, be liable to imprison m ent for a term from six to eighteen months.

(2) For the purposes of the foregoing subarticle "violence or racial hatred" means violence or hatred against a group of persons in Malta defined by reference to colour, race, religion, descent, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origins or against a member of such a group.

Condoning, denying or trivialising genocide, etc., against a group. Added by:

XI. 2009.3.

82B. Whosoever publicly condones, denies or grossly trivialises genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes directed against a grou p of persons or a member of su ch a group defined by reference to race, colour, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin when the conduct is carried out in a manner -

(a) likely to incite to violence or hatred against such a group or a member of such a group;
(b) likely to disturb public order or which is threatening, abusive or insulting,
shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from eight months to two years:
Provided that for the purposes of this article "genocide", "crimes against humanity" and "war crimes" shall have the same meaning assigned to them in article 54A.

Condoning, denying or trivialising crimes against peace against a group. Added by:

XI. 2009.3.

82C. (1) Whosoever publicly condones, denies or grossly trivialises crimes against peace directed against a group of persons defined by reference to race, colour, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin or against a member of such a group when the conduct is carried out in a manner -

(a) likely to incite to violence or hatred against such a group or a member of such a group; or
(b) likely to disturb public order or which is threatening, abusive or insulting,
shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from eight months to two years.
(2) For the purposes of this article a crime against peace means conduct consisting in:
(a) the planning, preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression, or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements or assurances;
(b) participation in a common plan or conspiracy for the accomplishment of any of the acts referred to in
paragraph (a).

82D. Whosoever aids, abets or instigates any offence under articles 82A to 82C, both inclusive, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to the punishment laid down for the offence aided, abetted or instigated.

82E. (1) The provisions of articles 121D, 208B(5) and 248E(4)

shall apply mutatis mutandis to an offence under articles 82A to
82D, both articles inclusive.
(2) The provisions of article 328K shall also apply mutatis mutandis to any offence under articles 82A to 82D, both articles inclusive, as if the reference to article 328J in article 328K were a reference to article 121D.

Aiding, abetting or instigating

offences under articles 82A to

82C. Added by: XI. 2009.3.

Applicability of articles 121D,

208B(5), 248E(4)

and 328.

Added by:

XI. 2009.3.

83. Any person who establishes, maintains or belongs to any association of persons who are organised and trained or organised and equipped for the purpose of enabling them to be employed for the use or display of physical force in pr om oting any political object shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on conviction, to a fine (multa) not exceeding two hundred and thirty-two euro and ninety-four cents (232.94) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

83A. (1) Any person who promotes, constitutes, organises or finances an organisation of two or more persons with a view to commit criminal offences liable to the punishment of imprisonment for a term of four years or more shall be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for a term from three to seven years.

(2) Any person who belongs to an organisation referred to in subarticle (1) shall for that mere fact be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for a term from one to five years.
(3) Where the number of persons in the organisation is ten or more the punishment in the preceding subarticles shall be increased form one to two degrees.
(4) Where the person found guilty of an offence under this title is the director, manager, secretary or other principal officer of a body corporate or is a person having a power of representation of such a body or having an authority to take decisions on behalf of that body or having authority to exercise control within that body and the of fence of which that p e rso n was found guilty was comm i tted for the ben e fit, in part or in whole, of that bo dy corporate, the said person shall for the purposes of this title be deemed to be vested with the legal representation of the same body corporate which shall be liable as follows:
(a) where the offence of which the person was found guilty is the offence in subarticle (1), to the payment of a fine (multa) of not less than thirty-four thousand and nine hundred and forty euro and sixty cents (34,940.60) and not more than one hundred and sixteen thousand and four hundred and sixty-eight euro and sixty-seven cents

Promotion of political object by use or display of physical force. Added by: XV.1959.2. Substituted by:

XV. 1973.2. Amended by:

XIII.1983.5;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Promoting, etc., an organization of two or more persons with a view to commit criminal offences.

Added by: III. 2002.20;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

(116,468.67);
(b) where the offence of which the person was found guilty is the offence in subarticle (2), to the payment of a fine (multa) of not less than twenty-three thousand and two hundred and ninety-three euro and seventy-three cents (23,293.73) and not more than sixty-nine thousand and eight hundred and eighty-one euro and twenty cents (69,881.20);
(c) where the offence of which the person was found guilty is punishable as provided in subarticle (3) of this article -
(i) where the offence is that provided in subarticle (1), to the punishment of a fine (multa) of not less than forty-six thousand and five hundred and eighty-seven euro and forty-seven cents (46,587.47) and not more than one million and one hundred and sixty-four thousand and six hundred and eighty-six euro and seventy cents (1,164,686.70);
(ii) where the offence is that provided in subarticle (1), to the punishment of a fine (multa) of not less than thirty-four thousand and nine hundred and forty euro and sixty cents (34,940.60) and not more than one hundred and sixteen thousand and four hundred and sixty-eight euro and sixty-seven cents (116,468.67).
(5) The criminal action for an offence against the provisions of this article may be prosecuted in Malta notwithstanding that the organization of persons is based or pursues its criminal activities outside Malta.

General provision.

Added by:

XI. 2009.4.

GENERAL PROVISION APPLICABLE TO OFFENCES WHICH ARE RACIALLY AGGRAVATED OR MOTIVATED
BY XENOPHOBIA

83B. The punishment established for any offence shall be increased by one to two degrees when the offence is racially or religiously aggravated within the meaning of sub-articles (3) to (6), both inclusive, of article 222A or is motivated, wholly or partly, by xenophobia.

TITLE III

OF CRIMES AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND OTHER PUBLIC ADMINISTRATIONS

Sub-title I

OF THE USURPATION OF PUBLIC AUTHORITY AND OF THE POWERS THEREOF

§ OF THE USURPATION OF FUNCTIONS

84. Whosoever shall assume any public function, whether civil or military, without being entitled thereto, and shall perform any act thereof, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from four months to one year.

§ OF THE UNLAWFUL ASSUMPTION BY PRIVATE PERSONS OF

POWERS BELONGING TO PUBLIC AUTHORITY

Unlawful exercise of public functions.

85. (1) Whosoever, without intent to steal or to cause any wrongful damage, but only in the exercise of a pretended right, shall, of his own authority, compel another person to pay a debt, or to fulfil any obligation whatsoever, or shall disturb the possession of anything enjoyed by another person, or demolish buildings, or d i vert or take p o ssession o f a ny water- course, or i n an y other manner unlawfully interfere with the property of another person, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to three months:

Provided that the court may, at its discretion, in lieu of the above punishment, award a fine (multa).
(2) The provisions of article 377(5) shall apply in the case of any conviction under subarticle (1) and when the conduct of the offender has resulted in a person being despoiled the Court shall apply the provisions of that subarticle in order to ensure that the person despoiled is fully revested in the position before he was despoiled.

Arbitrary exercise of pretended rights. Amended by:

XVI. 2006.2.

86. Whosoever, without a lawful order from the competent authorities, and saving the cases where the law authorizes private individuals to apprehend offenders, arrests, detains or confines any person against the will of the same, or provides a place for carrying out such arrest, detention or confinement, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from seven months to two years:

Provided that the court may, in minor cases, award imprisonment for a term from one to three months or a fine (multa).

Illegal arrest, detention or confinement. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Aggravating circumstances. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4; IV. 1994.2; XVII. 1996.19; XX. 2005.10.

Punishment for illegal arrest, etc., accompanied with bodily harm. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Extenuating circumstance.

87. (1) The punishment for the crime referred to in the last preceding article, shall be imprisonment for a term from thirteen months to three years in each of the following cases:

(a) if the detention or confinement continues for more than twenty days;
(b) if the arrest is effected with the unauthorized use of a uniform, or under an assumed name, or under a warrant falsely purporting to be issued by a public authority;
(c) if the individual arrested, detained or confined, is subjected to any bodily harm, or is threatened with death;
(d) if the detention or confinement is continued by the offender notwithstanding his knowledge that a writ or warrant for the release or delivery of the person detained or confined has been issued by the competent authority;
(e) if the crime is committed with the object of extorting money or effects, or of compelling any other person to agree to any transfer of property belonging to such person;
(f) if the crime is committed for the purpose of forcing another person to do or to omit an act, which, if voluntarily done or omitted, would be a crime;
(g) if the crime is committed as a means of compelling a person to do an act or to submit to treatment injurious to the modesty of that person’s sex;
(h) if the crime is committed on the person of the father, mother or on any person mentioned in article 202(h).
(2) Where a person who commits the crime referred to in the last preceding article threatens to kill, to injure or to continue to detain or confine the person arrested, detained or confined, with the obj ect of compelling a state, an internatio nal governmental organisation or person to do or to abstain from doing an act he shall be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for life.
88. Where the bodily harm referred to in paragraph (c) of the last preceding article is liable to a punishment higher than th e pu ni sh ment o f im pr iso n m e nt f o r a t e rm o f tw o year s, o r is committed or accomp an ied with an y kind of to rture, the punishment shall be imprisonment for a term from four to six years.
89. The punishment for the illegal arrest, detention or confinement of a person, without the concurrence of any of the circumstances mentioned in article 87(b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g), and in the last preceding article, shall be imprisonment for a term from seve n m onths to one year, where the offender, be fore the commencement of any proceedings at law, restores to liberty the person arrested, detained or confined, within twenty-four hours after the arrest, detention or confinement, provided that during this interval the offender has not attained the object for which such person has been arrested, detained or confined.

90. Whosoever unlawfully and forcibly removes any person to any other country, or wrongfully detains, arrests or confines any citizen of Malta in any other country, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment laid down in article 87.

Sub-title II

OF OUTRAGE AND VIOLENCE AGAINST PUBLIC OFFICERS

Unlawful removal of persons to a foreign country or unlawful confinement therein.

Amended by: XXVII. 1975.13.

91. Whosoever by violence or threats compels a public officer t o do o r not t o do any act app e rtaining to hi s o ffice, sh all, o n conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from four months to three years.

92. The general expression "public officer", includes not only th e constituted auth or ities, civi l and military, bu t also all such persons as are lawfu lly app ointed to adm inister any part of t he executive power of the Government, or to perform any other public service imposed by law, whether it be judicial, administrative or mixed.

93. (1) Whosoever reviles or threatens a judge, or the Attorney General, or a magistrate or a juror, while in the exercise of his functions or because of his having exercised his functions, or with intent to intimidate or unlawfully influence him in the exercise of his functions, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to three months and to a fine (multa).
(2) If the object of the vilification is that of damaging or d iminishing t h e reputation of the per s on against who m it is directed, the punishment shall be imprisonment for a term from three months to one year.
(3) Where the threat is of a crime, the punishment shall be imprisonment for a term from seven to eighteen months, and if the threat be made by means of any writing, whether anonymous or signed in one’s own name or in a fictitious name, the punishment shall be increased by one degree, and in either case, the offender may be required to enter into a recognizance as provided in articles
383, 3 84 and 385, with or without surety , acco r ding to circumstances.

Violence and threats against public officers.

Definition of

"public officer".

Reviling or threatening judge, Attorney General, magistrate or juror. Amended by: VI.1871.6; XI.1900.16;

L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68.

Aggravating circumstance.

94. (1) Whosoever shall cause a bodily harm to any of the p e r s o n s ment ion e d in the l a st preced i ng article, whil e in the exercise of his functions or because of his having exercised his functions, or with intent to intimidate or unduly influence him in the exercise of his functions, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from two to five years.

(2) Where the bodily harm is of such a nature that, if caused to any person other than those mentioned in the last preceding article, it would render the offender liable to a higher punishment, such higher punishm e nt shall be awarde d, with an increase of one degree.

Bodily harm caused to judge, Attorney General, magistrate or juror. Amended by:

IX. 1859.6; XI.1900.I7;

XLIX. 1981.4.

Vilification, threats or bodily harm against other

public officers. Amended by: IV. 1856.10;

XI. 1900.18, 19; XLIX. 1981.4.

95. (1) Whosoever, in any other case not included in the last preceding two articles, shall revile, or threaten, or cause a bodily harm to any person lawfully charged with a public duty, while in the act of discharging his duty or because of his having discharged such duty, or with intent to intimidate or unduly influence him in the discharge of such duty, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment established for the vilification, threat, or bodily harm, when not accompanied with the circumstances mentioned in this article, increased by one degree.

(2) No increase, however, shall be made when the punishment is that established for contraventions.
(3) Nor shall an increase be made when the punishment is that of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months: in such case, however, the court may, in addition, award a fine (multa).

Assault or resistance. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

96. Whosoever shall assault or resist by violence or active force no t amou nting to pu blic viol ence, any person l a wfu lly charged with a public duty when in the execution of the law or of a lawful order issued by a competent authority, shall, on conviction, be liable -

(a) where the assault or resistance is committed by one or two persons, to imprisonment for a term from four months to one year;
(b) where the assault or resistance is committed by three or more persons, to imprisonment for a term from seven months to two years.

Aggravating circumstance. Amended by: IX.1859.7; V.1956.14; XLIX. 1981.4.

Assault or resistance accompanied with public violence. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Exemption from punishment in case of desistance.

97. If any of the offenders mentioned in the last preceding article sha l l use any a r m proper in th e ac t o f th e a ssaul t o r resistance, or shall have previously provided himself with any such arm with the design of aiding such assault or resistance, and shall, on apprehension, be found in possession of any such arm, he shall be liable to imprisonment for a term from nine m onths to three years.

98. Where any of the crimes referred to in article 96 be accompan ied w ith pub lic v i olence, the punish men t shall be imprisonment for a term from two to five years.

99. No punishment shall be awarded for the mere act of the assault or resistance mentioned in articles 96 and 98 against any person who, although he shall have attempted to commence or shall have actually commenced to act, shall, at the first warning given by the person assaulted or to whom resistance is offered, or by any public authority, desist from the further commission of the crime.

Sub-title III

OF CALUMNIOUS ACCUSATIONS, OF PERJURY AND OF FALSE

SWEARING

100. In this sub-title "criminal proceedings" includes the inquiry referred to in Sub-title II of Title II of Part I of Book Second of this Code and any proceedings under the Malta Armed Forces Act.

101. (1) Whosoever, with intent to harm any person, shall accuse such person before a competent authority with an offence of which he knows such person to be innocent, shall, for the mere fact of having made the accusation, on conviction, be liable -

(a) to imprisonment for a term from thirteen to eighteen months, if the false accusation be in respect of a crime liable to a punishment higher than the punishment of imprisonment for a term of two years;
(b) to imprisonment for a term from six to nine months, if the false accusation be in respect of a crime liable to a punishment not higher than the punishment of imprisonment for a term of two years, but not liable to the punishments established for contraventions;
(c) to imprisonment for a term from three days to three months, if the false accusation be in respect of any other offence.
(2) Where the crime is committed with intent to extort money or other effects, the punishment shall be increased by one degree.

Amended by: IV. 1856.11.

Interpretation. Added by: XXI. 1971.13.

Substituted by: III. 2002.21. Cap. 220.

Calumnious accusations. Amended by: IX.1859.8; V.1956.15; XLIX.1981.4.

Aggravating circumstances.

102. Whosoever, in any civil or criminal proceedings, suborns a witness, a referee, or an interpreter, to give false evidence or to make a false report or a false interpretation, shall, on conviction, be liable -

(a) where the false evidence, report or interpretation has been given or made, to the punishment to which a person giving false evidence would be liable;
(b) where there has only been an attempt of subornation of a witness, a referee, or an interpreter, to the same punishment decreased by one or two degrees;
(c) where the subornation has been committed by the use of force, threats, intimidation or by promising, offering or giving of an undue advantage to induce false testimony, to the punishment mentioned in paragraph (a) increased by one or two degrees.

Subornation or attempted subornation of witness, referee or interpreter. Amended by:

XI. 1900.20; III. 2002.22;

XXXI. 2007.7.

103. Whosoever, in any civil or criminal proceedings, shall cause a false document to be prepared or shall knowingly produce a false document, shall be liable to the same punishment as the forger thereof.

Preparation or production of false documents.

Perjury in certain criminal trials. Amended by: VIII.1909.6;

XXI. 1971.12; XLIX. 1981.4;

XIV. 1983.2; III. 2002.23; XVI. 2006.3.

Perjury in other criminal trials. Amended by:

IX. 1859.9; XLIX. 1981.4;

III. 2002.24.

Perjury in civil proceedings. Amended by: XII.1914.7; XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2002.25.

104. (1) Whosoever shall give false evidence in any criminal proc eedings for a crim e liable to a punishment hi gher than the punishment of imprisonment for a term of two years, either against or in favour of the person charged or accused, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from two to five years.

(2) Where, however, the person accused shall have been sentenced to a punishment higher than that of imprisonment for a term of five years, the witness who shall have given false evidence against such person in the trial, or of whose evidence use shall have been made against such person in the trial, shall be liable to such higher punishment.

105. Whosoever shall give false evidence in any criminal proceedings for an offence not referred to in the last preceding article, either against or in favour of the person charged or accused, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from nine months to two years.

106. (1) Whosoever shall give false evidence in civil matters, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from seven months to two years.

(2) The provisions of subarticle (1) shall apply to any person who, being a party to a civil action, shall make a false oath.
(3) Whosoever shall make a false affidavit, whether in Malta or outside Malta, knowing that such affidavit is required or intended for any civil proceedings in Malta, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment mentioned in subarticle (1).

Perjury by referee or interpreter.

107. (1) Any referee who, in any civil or criminal proceedings, shall knowingly certify false facts, or maliciously give a false opinion, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment to which a false witness is liable under the preceding articles of this sub-title.

(2) The same punishment shall apply to any person who, when acting as interpreter in any judicial proceedings and upon oath, shall knowingly make a false interpretation.

False swearing. Amended by: XI.1900.21,22; XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2002.26.

Interdiction in sentences for calumnious accusations, perjury and false swearing.

108. (1) Whosoever, in any other case not referred to in the preceding articles of this sub-title, shall make a false oath before a

jud g e, magi strate o r any o t her of fi cer au th orized by law to
administer oaths, shall, on conviction, be liable -
(a) to imprisonment for a term from four months to one year, if the oath be required by law, or ordered by a judgment or decree of any court in Malta;
(b) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, if the oath be not so required or ordered.
(2) The provisions of this article shall not apply to promissory oaths.

109. (1) The court shall, in passing sentence against the offender for any crime referred to in this sub-title, expressly award the punishment of general interdiction, as well as interdiction from acting as witness, except in a court of law, or from acting as referee in any case whatsoever.

(2) Such interdiction shall be for a term from five to ten years in the cases referred to in the last preceding article, and for a term from ten to twenty years in any other case referred to in the other preceding articles of this sub-title.

110. (1) Whosoever shall fraudulently cause any fact or circumstance to exist, or to appear to exist, in order that such fact or circumstance may afterwar ds be prov ed in evidence agai nst anot her perso n , wi th int e nt to procure such ot her perso n t o b e unju s t l y ch arged wit h , or convi cted o f , any offence, sh all, on con v i c ti on, be li abl e t o the pu ni shm e n t e s tab lish e d fo r a fal s e witness, in terms of the preceding articles of this sub-title.

(2) Whosoever shall lay before the Executive Police an information regarding an offence knowing that such offence has not been committed, or shall falsely devise the traces of an offence in such a manner that criminal proceedings may be instituted for the ascertainment of such offence, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year.

Fabrication of false evidence.

Amended by: IX.1911.9;

XLIX.1981.4.

Simulation of offence.

111. (1) Whosoever shall hinder any person from giving the necessary information or evid ence in any civi l or cr im in al proceedings, or to or before an y competent authority, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from four months to one year or to a fine (multa).
(2) Whosoever, in any case not otherwise provided for in this Code, shall knowingly suppress, or in any other manner destroy or alter the traces of, or any circumstantial evidence relating to an offence, shall, on conviction, be liable -
(a) if the offence is a crime liable to a punishment not less than that of imprisonment for a term of one year, to the punishment laid down in subarticle (1);
(b) in the case of any other offence, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to detention or to a fine (ammenda) of not less than two euro and thirty- three cents (2.33).

Hindering person from giving necessary information or evidence. Amended by:

VIII. 1909.7; XLIX. 1981.4; XIII. 1983.5;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Suppression, destruction or alteration of traces of crime.

Sub-title IV

OF ABUSE OF PUBLIC AUTHORITY

§ OF UNLAWFUL EXACTION, OF EXTORTION AND OF BRIBERY

112. Any officer or person employed in any public adm i n i s trati o n , o r an y perso n em pl oy ed by o r un de r th e G overnment, wh eth e r aut horized or not to receiv e mo ney s or effects, either by way of salary for his own services, or on account of the Government, or of any public establishment, wh o shall,

Unlawful exaction.

Amended by:

XLIX. 1981.4.

Extortion. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Aggravating circumstances.

Bribery. Amended by: XII. 1914.8, 9; IV.1974.2; XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2002.27; III. 2004.70.

under colour of his office, exact that which is not allowed by law, or more than is allowed by law, or before it is due according to law, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from three months to one year.

113. Where the unlawful exaction referred to in the last preceding article, is committed by means of threats or abuse of authority, it shall be deemed to be an extortion, and the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from thirteen months to three years.

114. Where the crimes referred to in the last two preceding articles are accompanied with circumstances which render such crim es l iab le also to other puni shm en ts, the higher punishment shall be applied with an increase of one degree.

115. Any public officer or servant who, in connection with his office or employment, requests, receives or accepts for himself or for any other person, any reward or promise or offer of any reward in money or other valuable consideration or of any other advantage to whi c h h e is no t enti tl ed, shall , o n con v i c t i o n , be liab l e t o punishment as follows:

(a) where the object of the reward, promise or offer, be to induce the officer or servant to do what he is in duty bound to do, the punishment shall be imprisonment for a term from six months to three years;
(b) where the object be to induce the officer or servant to forbear from doing what he is in duty bound to do, the punishment shall, for the mere acceptance of the reward, promise or offer, be imprisonment for a term from nine months to five years;
(c) where, besides accepting the reward, promise, or offer, the officer or servant actually fails to do what he is in duty bound to do, the punishment shall be imprisonment for a term from one year to eight years.

Where failure of duty consists in passing sentence on defendant or person accused. Amended by: XXI. 1971.14;

IV. 1974.3; XLIX. 1981.4; X. 2000.11; III. 2004.71.

116. (1) Where the crime referred to in paragraph (c) of the last preceding article consists in sentencing a defendant or person accused, the punishment shall be imprisonment for a term from eighteen months to ten years:
Provided that in no case shall the punishment be lower than that to which the defendant or person accused has been sentenced.
(2) Where the punishment to which the defendant or person ac cused is sentenced is high er than the punishment of im pri s on ment for ten years, such higher punishm e n t shall be applied.
117. Where the crime referred to in article 115(c) consists in the release of a person charged with an offence, or in the discharge o f a defendant or person accu sed, the pun ishment sh all be as follows:
(a) where the charge, complaint, or indictment be in respect of a crime liable to a punishment higher than that of imprisonment for a term of two years, the punishment shall be imprisonment for a term from eighteen months to five years;
(b) where it be in respect of an offence liable to a punishment not higher than that of imprisonment for a term of two years, but not falling in the class of contraventions, the punishment shall be imprisonment for a term from nine months to three years;
(c) where it be in respect of a contravention, the punishment shall be imprisonment for a term from four to twelve months.

Where failure of duty consists in releasing a person charged or in discharging a defendant or person accused. Amended by:

IV. 1974.4; XLIX. 1981.4;

III. 2004.72.

118. Any member of the House of Representatives who requests, receives or accepts, for himself or for any other person, any reward or promise or offer of any reward in money or other valuable consideration or of any other advantage given or made with the object of influencing him in his conduct as a member of the House shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one year to eight years.

119. The punishment of perpetual general interdiction shall be added to the punishments established in the preceding articles of this sub-title when the maximum of such punishments exceeds two years’ imprisonment; when the maximum of the said punishments does not exceed two years’ imprisonment, then the punishment of temporary general interdiction shall be added.

120. (1) In the cases referred to in articles 115, 116, 117 and

118, the person who bribes the public officer or servant or the member of the House of Representatives, or the person to whom any of the said articles applies in accordance with any provision
under this Code or under any other law, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be an accomplice.
(2) Where the public officer or servant or other person does not commit the crime, the person who attempts to induce such officer or servant or other person to commit the crime shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from six months to three years.
(3) Where the member of the House of Representatives does not commit the crime, the person who attempts to indu ce such mem b er to co mm it the cr im e shall , o n co nvict ion, b e liab l e to imprisonment for a term from six months to four years.

Bribery of member of House of Representatives. Added by: IV.1974.5. Amended by:

XLIX. 1981.4; XIII. 2002.10;

III. 2004.73.

Cases in which punishment of general interdiction is applied.

Amended by: XLIX.1981.4.

Punishment for persons bribing public officers or servants.

Added by: I.1903.3. Substituted by: IV.1974.6. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2004.74.

Embracery and corruption of other persons.

Amended by: VI. 1871.7. Substituted by:

IV. 1974.7. Amended by: III. 2002.28;

XIII. 2002.10; III. 2004.75.

121. (1) The provisions of this sub-title shall apply to and in relatio n to any person wh o i s en trust e d wi th or h a s functi ons relating to the administration of a statutory or other corporate body having a distinct legal personality, or who is employed with such a body, as they apply to or in relation to an officer or person referred to in article 112 or a public officer or servant referred to in article

115.
(2) Articles 115 to 117, article 119 and article 120(1) and (2) shall apply to and in relation to jurors as they apply to or in relation to a public officer or servant referred to in article 115.
(3) The provisions of this sub-title in relation to an officer or person referred to in article 112 or a publ ic officer or servant referred to in article 115 shall also apply to and in relation to any emp l oyee or oth e r per s o n w h en di rectin g o r wo rkin g in any capacity for or on behalf of a natural or legal person operating in the private sector who knowingly, in the course of his business activities, directly or through an intermediary and in breach of his dut ies, cond ucts h imself in an y man n er p r ovi ded for in tho s e articles:
Provided that for the purposes of this subarticle the e x p r essi on "b re ach of du ty " i n c l u d e s any di sl oy al beh a v i ou r constituting a breach of a statutory duty, or, as the case may be, a breach of professional regulations or instruct ions, which apply within the business in question.
(4) The provisions of this sub-title shall also apply to any conduct falling within the descriptions set out in the provisions of this sub-title and in which is involved:
(a) a public officer or servant of any foreign State including any member of a domestic assembly of any foreign State which exercises legislative or administrative powers; or
(b) any officer or servant, or any other contracted employee, of any international or supranational organization or body or of any of its institutions or bodies, or any other person carrying out functions corresponding to those performed by any said officer, servant or contracted employee; or
(c) any member of a parliamentary assembly of any international or supranational organisation; or
(d) any holder of judicial office or any official of any international court; or
(e) any member, officer or servant of a Local Council; or
(f) any person mentioned in the preceding paragraphs and the offence was committed outside Malta by a Maltese citizen or by a permanent resident in Malta;
For the purposes of this paragraph, the phrase "permanent resident" shall have the same meaning assigned to it by article 5(1)(d); or
(g) as the person who committed the offence, any person
mentioned in paragraph (b) and the organisation, institution or body in question has its headquarters in Malta:
Provided that:
(i) where the person involved is any person mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b), (d) or (e) the provisions of articles 115, 116, 117 and 120 shall apply; and
(ii) where the person involved is any person mentioned in paragraph (c) the provisions of articles 118 and 120 shall apply.

121A. (1) Any person who promises, gives or offers, directly or indirectly, any undue advantage to any other person who asserts or confirms that he or she is able to exert an improper influence over the decision-making of any person referred to in the preceding articles of this sub-title, in order to induce such other person to exercise such influence, whether such undue advantage is for such other person or anyone else, shall on conviction be liable to the p uni shment of i m pri s o n ment for a term fr om t h ree mont hs t o eighteen months.

(2) Any person who requests, receives or accepts any offer or promise of any undue advantage for himself or for anyone else with the object of exercising any improper influence as is referred to in subarticle (1) shall on conviction be liable to the punishment laid down in that subarticle.
(3) The offences referred to in subarticles (1) and (2) shall be complete whether or not the alleged ability to exert an improper in flu e nce existed, whether or not the influence is exerted and whether or not the supposed influence leads to the intended result.

Trading in influence. Added by: III. 2002.29.

Amended by: VI. 2007.2;

XXXI. 2007.8.

121B. Whosoever, with intent to commit, conceal or disguise any offence under the preceding articles of this sub-title, creates or uses an invoice or any other accounting document or record containing fa ls e or in comple te information or un lawfully omit s to make a record of payment, shall on conviction be liable to the punishment of imprisonment from three months to eighteen months without prejudice to any other punishment to which he may be liable under any other provision of this Code or of any other law.

121C. Without prejudice to the provisions of article 5, the Maltese courts shall also have jurisdiction over the offences laid down in this sub-title where:

(a) only part of the action giving execution to the offence took place in Malta; or
(b) the offender is a Maltese national or permanent resident in Malta, a public officer or servant of Malta or a member of the House of Representatives or of a Local Council; or
(c) the offence involves a public officer or servant of Malta or is a member of the House of Representatives or of a Local Council; or

Accounting offences. Added by: III. 2002.29.

Amended by: VI. 2007.3.

Jurisdiction. Added by: III. 2002.29.

Amended by: XIII. 2002.10.

Corporate liability for offences under this title.

Added by: III. 2002.29.

Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Applicabilty of article 248E(4) of the Code.

Added by: XXXI. 2007.9.

(d) the offence involves any of those persons to whom reference is made in article 121(4)(b), (c) or (d) and that person is at the same time a citizen or permanent resident in Malta within the meaning of article 5(1)(d).
121D. Where the person found guilty of an offence under this title is the director, manager, secretary or other principal officer of a body corporate or is a person having a power of representation of such a body or having an authority to take decisions on behalf of that body or having authority to exercise control within that body and the of fence of whi c h that person was found g u ilty was committed for the benefit, in part or in who l e, of that body corporate, the said person shall for the purposes of this title be deemed to be vested with the legal representation of the same body corporate which shall be liable to the payment of a fine (multa) of not less than one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euro and sixty- nine cents (1,164.69) and not more than one million and one hundred and sixty-four thousand and six hundred and eighty-six euro and seventy cents (1,164,686.70).
121E. The provisions of article 248E(4) shall apply mutatis mutandis to any person found guilty of any of the offences under this sub-title.

Prevarication by advocate or legal procurator.

Betrayal of interests of client. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

§ OF ABUSES COMMITTED BY ADVOCATES AND LEGAL

PROCURATORS

122. Any advocate or legal procurator who, having already commenced to act on behalf of one party, shall, in the same lawsuit, or in any other involving the same matter and interest, in opposition to such party or to any person claiming under him, change over, without the consent of such party or person, and act on behalf of the opposite party, shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa), and to temporary interdiction from the exercise of his profession for a term from four months to one year.

123. Any advocate or legal procurator who shall betray the interests of his client in such a manner that, in consequence of his betrayal or deceitful omission, the client shall lose the cause, or any right w h atsoever shal l be barred to hi s p r ejudice, shall, on conv iction , be li able to imprisonment fo r a term fr om seven to eighteen months, and to perpetual interdiction from the exercise of his profession.

Private interest in adjudications, etc.

§ OF MALVERSATION BY PUBLIC OFFICERS AND SERVANTS

124. Any public officer or servant who shall overtly or covertly or through another person take any private interest in any adjudication, contract, or administration, whether he holds wholly or in part the direction or superintendence thereof, or held such direction or superintendence at the time when such adjudication, contract, or administration commenced, shall, on conviction, be

liable to imprisonment for a term from one to six months and to perpetual interdiction from his public office or employment.

125. Any public officer or servant who takes any private interest in any matter in respect of which he is entrusted with the issui ng of ord e rs, th e windi ng up of accoun ts, th e makin g of arra ng em en ts or pa ym en ts of any sort , shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishments laid down in the last preceding article.

126. Whenever, in the cases referred to in the last two p r eced ing arti cles, an y lo ss i s fraud ulently caused to the administration to which the matter belongs, the punishment shall be

imprisonment for a term from eighteen months to three years, with interdiction as provided in those articles.

127. Any public officer or servant who for his own private gain or for the benefit of another person or entity, misapplies or purloins any m oney, whether belonging to the Government or to private part ies, credi t secu rit i es or do cum e n t s, bo nd s, i n st rum e n t s, or movable property, entru s ted t o him by virtue of h i s o ffice or employment, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from two to six years, and to perpetual general interdiction.

Private interest in the issuing of orders, etc.

Aggravating circumstance. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Embezzlement. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4; XXXI. 2007.10.

§ OF ABUSES RELATING TO PRISONS

128. Any turnkey or gaoler who shall take any prisoner in custody without a lawful warrant or order from a person authorized by law to issue such warrant or order, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to three months.

129. (1) Any turnkey or gaoler who shall subject any person under his custody to any arbitrary act or restriction not allowed by th e p r iso n reg u l a t i o n s, shal l, on co nv ic ti on , b e l i ab le t o th e punishment established in the last preceding article.

(2) Where the restriction or arbitrary act aforesaid of itself constitutes a crime liable to an equal or a higher punishment, such punishment shall be applied with an increase of one degree.

Turnkey or gaoler taking person in custody without warrant.

Arbitrary acts or restrictions by turnkeys or gaolers.

Aggravating circumstance.

130. Any public officer or servant who, without authority or necessity, detains or causes to be detained, any person under arrest, in any place other than a place appointed as a public prison, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to three months or to a fine (multa).

Detention of persons under arrest in place other than a public prison.

§ OF THE REFUSAL OF A SERVICE LAWFULLY DUE

131. Any public officer or servant who has under his orders the civ il pol ice force and wh o, o n a l a w f ul request mad e by an y competent authority, fails to afford the assistance of such force, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from four to six months.

Refusal to perform a lawful duty.

Allegation of false excuse by juror, witness or referee.

132. Any juror, witness or referee who, with the object of not affording assistance to the competent authority lawfully requiring such assistance, or of explaining his non-appearance before such authority, alleges an excuse which is shown to be false, shall, in addition to the punishment established for his non-appearance, be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term from one to three months.

Amended by: VI. 1899.3.

§ OF ABUSE OF AUTHORITY, AND OF BREACH OF DUTIES PERTAINING TO A PUBLIC OFFICE

Disclosing official secrets.

Added by: VI. 1899.4. Amended by:

I. 1903.4.

Unlawful continuance in office or employment.

Obstruction of execution of law by public functionaries. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Unlawful domiciliary entry by public officials. Amended by:

VI. 1871.8.

Aggravating circumstances.

Failure or refusal of magistrates or Police to perform certain duties.

Malicious violation of official duties. Amended by: V.1868.5;

VI. 1871.9; I.1903.5.

133. Any public officer or servant who communicates or publ ishes any document or fact, ent r usted or known to hi m by reason of his office, and which is to be kept secret, or who in any manner facilitates the knowledge thereof, shall, where the act does not constitute a more serious offence, be liable, on conviction, to imprison m ent for a term not exceedin g one year or to a fin e (multa).

134. Any public officer or servant who, having been dismissed, i n terdicted , or su spended , an d h a ving had due not ice th ereof, continues in the exercise of his office or employment, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to six months.

135. Any person vested with public authority who, by any un law f ul m e asures devised w ith other perso n s, hinders the ex ecuti on o f the law , shal l, on con v ict i on , be li able to imprisonment for a term from eighteen months to three years.

136. (1) Any public officer or servant who, under colour of his office, shall, in cases other than those allowed by law, or without the formalities prescribed by law, enter any house, or other building or enclosure belonging to any person, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine (multa or ammenda).
(2) Where it is proved that the entry has taken place for an unlawful purpose or for a private advantage, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to twelve months.

137. Any magistrate who, in a matter within his powers, fails or refuses to attend to a l a wful compl a i n t to uching an unlawful d e te nt io n, a n d an y offi cer o f t h e Exec ut iv e Pol i c e , w h o , on a similar complaint made to him, fails to prove that he reported the same to his superior authorities within twenty-four hours, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to six months.

138. Any public officer or servant who shall maliciously, in violation of his duty, do or omit to do any act not provided for in the preceding articles of this Title, to the oppression or injury of any other person, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment

for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine (multa):
Provided that the court may, in minor offences, award any of the punishments established for contraventions.

139A. Where the injurious or oppressive act is one of those mentioned i n articles 86, 87, 88 and 89, the offen d er sh al l, on conviction, be liable to the punishment laid down in those articles respectively, increased by one degree.

139A. Any public officer or servant or any other person acting in an official capacity who intentionally inflicts on a person severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental -

(a) for the purpose of obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession; or
(b) for the purpose of punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed; or
(c) for the purpose of intimidating him or a third person or of coercing him or a third person to do, or to omit to do, any act; or
(d) for any reason based on discrimination of any kind,
shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from five to nine years:
Provided that no offence is committed where pain or suffering arises only from, or is inherent in or incidental to, lawful sanctions or measures:
Provided further that nothing in this article shall affect the applicability of other provisions of this Code or of any other law providing for a higher punishment.

Aggravating circumstance.

Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Added by:

XXIX. 1990.5.

140. In the cases referred to in articles 133 to 139 inclusively, the court may, in addition to the punishment therein laid down, award the pu nishment of temp o r ary or per p et ual general interdiction.

Additional punishment of interdiction.

GENERAL PROVISION APPLICABLE TO PUBLIC OFFICERS

Substituted by: III. 2002.30.

141. Saving the cases where the law specifically prescribes the punishment to which offences com mitted by public officers or servants are subject, any public officer or servant who shall be guilty of any other offence over which it was his duty to watch or which by virtue of his office he was bound to repress, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment laid down for such offence, increased by one degree.

General provision.

Amended by:

IX. 1859.10.

Sub-title V

OF THE VIOLATION OF PUBLIC ARCHIVES, PUBLIC OFFICES,

PUBLIC PLACES OF CONFINEMENT, AND PUBLIC MONUMENTS

§ OF THE BREAKING OF SEALS, AND OF THE PURLOINING OF DOCUMENTS OR DEPOSITS FROM THE PUBLIC ARCHIVES OR OTHER PUBLIC OFFICES

Breaking of seals. 142. (1) Whosoever shall be guilty of breaking any seal affixed by order of a public authority, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to three months.

Negligence of person in charge.

(2) Where there has been negligence on the part of the person in charge, such person shall, for the mere negligence, be liable to the same punishment laid down in subarticle (1).
(3) In either case, the court may, in lieu of the said punishment, award a fine (multa).

Theft aggravated by "breaking".

Embezzlement, etc., of documents, etc., from places of public deposit. Amended by:

XLIX. 1981.4; V. 2005.37;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Negligence of functionaries.

143. Every theft committed by means of the breaking of any seal affixed by order of a public authority shall be deemed to be a theft aggravated by "breaking".

144. (1) In cases of embezzlement, destruction, mutilation or purloining of documents, records or other papers, registers, acts or any effects whatsoever existing in the public archives, or in any other p ublic offi ces, or deliver ed to any public dep o sitary or functionary whatsoever in virtue of his office, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa) of not less than four hundred and sixty-five euro and eighty-seven cents (465.87) and not more than twenty-three thousand and two hundred and ninety-three euro and seventy-three cents (23,293.73) or to imprisonment for a term from
thi r teen m onths to seven years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(2) Where there has been negligence on the part of the archivist, registrar, recording officer, notary, or other functionary, such archivist, re gistra r, rec o rdi ng o f ficer, n o tary or ot her functionary shall, for the mere negligence, be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term from four to six months or to a fine (multa).
(3) Where the destruction, mutilation, damage, or alteration of any thing referred to in subarticle (1) is caused through imprudence, negligence, unskilfulness in an art or profession or through non-observance of any regulation the offender shall be
liable to a fine (multa) of not more than nine thousand and three hundred and seventeen euro and forty-nine cents (9,317.49) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Aggravating circumstance of "violence". Amended by: XLIX.1981.4.

145. Where any of the crimes referred to in the preceding art icles o f thi s sub- title is com mit ted with violence against the person, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from two to six years.

146. Repealed by: XVII.1996.19.

147. Repealed by: XVII.1996.19.

148. Repealed by: XVII.1996.19.

149. Repealed by: XVII.1996.19.

150. Saving the cases of negligence referred to in articles 142 and 144, any public officer or servant who shall, in the execution of his office, commits or connives at any of the crimes mentioned in th e preceding articles of this sub-title, shall, on convicti on , be liable to the punishment established for the crime, increased by one degree, and to the punishment of perpetual general interdiction.

Fraudulent withdrawal of letters or packets. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Fraudulent retention, etc., of postal packets or parcels.

Amended by: V.1868.6;

XVI.1900.136; XLIX.1981.4.

Unlawful opening of letters, etc., by post office officials.

Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Suppression of letters, etc., by post office officials. Amended by:

XLIX. 1981.4.

Aggravation of punishment in the case of public officers.

§ OF THE VIOLATION OF PUBLIC PLACES OF CONFINEMENT, OF THE ESCAPE OF PERSONS IN CUSTODY OR SUSPECTED OR

SENTENCED, AND OF THE HARBOURING OF OFFENDERS

151. Any person under sentence and any other prisoner who shall be guilty of simple escape or who escapes from the custody of the person o r person s ch ar g e d wit h hi s cust od y, sh all , on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than six months but not more than one year.

In this article ''prisoner'' means any person who is confined in prison and includes a prisoner while he is being moved to or from a prison or from one prison to another or while he is under treatment or observation in any hospital.

Simple escape of a person sentenced. Substituted by:

VII. 1999.6.

152. Any prisoner who shall be guilty of escape from any place of confinement or of punishment, or from a hospital where he is under treatment or observation, or from the custody of the person or persons charged with his custody, shall, when the escape has been effected by violence on th e person, or with breaching the places mentioned, be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term from two years to four years saving any other punishment to which he may be subject under any other provision of this Code or any other law.

In this article ''prisoner'' has the same meaning assigned to

Prison breaking. Substituted by: VII. 1999.6.

it in article 151.

Negligence or imprudence of person charged with the custody, etc., of person escaping. Amended by: XXI.1971.15; XLIX. 1981.4.

153. Where the escape of any person under arrest or sentence is effected in consequence of the negligence or imprudence of the person charged with his custody, care or conveyance, the person so charged shall, on conviction, be liable -

(a) if the party escaping is accused of, or sentenced for any crime liable to a punishment not exceeding two years’ imprisonment, or if he is in lawful custody for any cause other than a crime, to imprisonment for a term from one to three months;
(b) if the party escaping is accused of, or sentenced for any crime liable to a punishment exceeding two years but not exceeding five years’ imprisonment, to imprisonment for a term from four to six months;
(c) if the party escaping is accused of, or sentenced for any crime liable to a punishment exceeding five years’ imprisonment, to imprisonment for a term from seven months to one year.

Connivance, etc., of person charged with the custody, etc., of person escaping. Amended by: XXI.1971.16; XLIX. 1981.4,

Aggravating circumstances.

Aiding and

abetting on the part

of person not

charged with the

custody, etc., of

person escaping.

Amended by:

IX. 1982.2.

154. Where the escape of any person under arrest or sentence is effected with the connivance of or by bribing the person charged with his custody, care, or conveyance, the person so charged shall, in the cases referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of the last preceding article, be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for the term as respectively fixed in the said paragraphs, increased by one degree and to the punishment of perpetual general interdiction.

155. The punishment laid down in the last two preceding articles shall be increased by one de gree , whe r e the es ca pe is effected by any of the means m e ntioned in article 152, or by conv eying into the place of confinem ent or of punishment any instrument or weapon to facilitate the escape.

156. Whosoever, not being charged with the custody, care, or conveyance of any person under arrest or sentence, shall facilitate or be an accomplice in the es cape of such person, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment established for the person so charged and conniving, decreased by one degree:

Provided that in the cases referred to in the last preceding article, the of fender shall b e liable t o the sam e puni shm e nt established for the person so charged and conniving.

Assisting criminals to escape from Malta.

Amended by: XXI. 1971.17;

II. 1973.2; XLIX. 1981.4.

157. Whosoever shall knowingly provide the means for effecting an escape from Malta, whether of a person accused of a crime or of a person under arrest or sentence for a crime, or of a person under warrant of arrest for a crime, or of a person who has committed a crime although not yet sentenced nor under arrest or warrant of arrest, shall, on conviction, be liable -

(a) where the said crime as regards the fugitive is not liable to a punishment exceeding two years’ imprisonment, to imprisonment for a term from one to three months;
(b) where the said crime as regards the fugitive is liable to a punishment exceeding two years’ but not five years’ imprisonment, to imprisonment for a term from four to six months;
(c) where the said crime as regards the fugitive is liable to a punishment exceeding five years’ imprisonment, to imprisonment for a term from seven months to one year.

158. Whosoever shall knowingly harbour or cause to be harboured any person against whom there is a warrant of arrest for an y offence liable t o im prison ment for a term ex ceedi ng th ree months, or for whom the Executive Police is searching for the purpose of arresting him for any such offence, or who has escaped from arrest for any such offence, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from three days to three months.

159. Nevertheless, the wife or husband, the ascendant or descendant, the brother or sister, the father-in-law, or mother-in- l a w, th e so n-i n - l aw or d a ug ht er-in-law, the uncle or aunt, the ne phew or ni ece and the brot her- in-law or sister-in-law of any fu gitive or person so harbo u red , shall b e exem p t ed from the punishments laid down in the last two preceding articles.

160. The provisions of articles 151 to 159 inclusively shall apply in the case of escape of any person lawfully confined from any place appointed for his custody.

Harbouring of criminals. Amended by: VIII.1857.1; XXI.1971.18; XLIX. 1981.4.

Exemptions.

Escape from places of custody.

Added by: I. 1903.6.

§ OF THE VIOLATION OF PUBLIC MONUMENTS

161. Whosoever shall destroy, throw down, deface, or otherwise damage any monument, statue, or other object of art, destined for public utility or public embellishment, and erected by, or with the permission of the public authority, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one month to one year or to a fine (multa) not exceeding two thousand and three hundred and twenty- nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37):
Provided that the court may, in minor cases, apply any of the punishments established for contraventions.

Damage to monuments, etc. Amended by:

III. 2002.31;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

162. Whosoever shall violate any tomb or burial place, publicly acknow led g ed as such, shall, o n convi cti on, be li abl e t o imprisonment for a term from one to eighteen months or to a fine (multa) not exceeding one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euro and sixty-nine cents (1,164.69).

Violation of tombs.

Amended by:

III. 2002.32;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Added by: XXVIII. 1933.1.

Vilification of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion.

Added by: XXVIII. 1933.2.

Vilification of other cults tolerated by law. Added by: XXVIII. 1933.2.

Obstruction of religious services. Added by:

XXVIII. 1933.2.

Title IV
OF CRIMES AGAINST THE RELIGIOUS SENTIMENT

163. Whosoever by words, gestures, written matter, whether printed or not, or pictures or by some other visible means, publicly vilifies th e Ro m a n Catholic A postolic Religion which is th e religion of Malta, or gives offence to the Roman Catholic Apostolic Reli gi on by vi li fyi ng th ose w ho pro f ess such reli gio n or its ministers, or anything which forms the object of, or is consecrated to, or is necessarily destined for Roman Catholic worship, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to six months.

164. Whosoever commits any of the acts referred to in the last prec eding artic l e a g ains t any c u lt t o lerated by law, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to three months.

165. (1) Whosoever impedes or disturbs the performance of any function, ceremony or religious service of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion or of any other religion tolerated by law, which is carried out with the assistance of a minister of religion or in any place of worship or in any public place or place open to the public shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year.

(2) If any act amounting to threat or violence against the person is com mitted, the punishm ent shall be imprisonm ent for a term from six months to two years.
Title V

OF CRIMES AFFECTING PUBLIC TRUST

Sub-title I

OF FORGERY OF PAPERS, STAMPS AND SEALS

Forgery of Government debentures. Amended by: XII. 1913.4; XLIX. 1981.4.

166. (1) Whosoever shall forge any Government debenture for sums advanced on loan to the Government, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from three to five years, with or without solitary confinement.

(2) The same punishment shall apply where the forgery consists in opening a credit relative to such loan in the books of the Government Treasury.
(3) Where the forgery consists in the endorsement of a genuine Government debenture, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from thirteen months to four years, with or without solitary confinement.

167. (1) Whosoever shall forge any schedule, ticket, order or other document whatsoever, upon the presentation of which any payment may be obtained, or any delivery of goods effected, or a deposit or pledge withdrawn from any public office or from any bank or other public institution established by the Government, or re cognized by any pu bl ic act of t h e G o v e rnm e n t , shal l, on co nvictio n, b e liable to imp risonm en t for a term fr om thir teen months to four years, with or without solitary confinement.

(2) The same punishment shall apply where the crime consists in the forgery of any entry in the books of any such office, bank or other institution, relating to any such payment, goods, deposit, or pledge.
(3) Where the forgery consists only in the endorsement of a genuine schedule, ticket, order, or document, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from nine months to three years, with or without solitary confinement.

Forgery of documents. Amended by: XII. 1913.5; XLIX. 1981.4.

168. (1) Any public officer or servant who, by abuse of his office or employment, becomes guilty of any of the crimes referred to in the last two preceding articles, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment therein prescribed for any such crime, increased by one degree.

(2) The same punishment shall apply to any public officer or servant who shall knowingly re-issue any order for payment of money or any of the documents mentioned in the last preceding article, after the payment or the delivery of the goods obtainable upon the presentation of such order or document has been effected.

Forgery of Government debentures and documents by public officers. Amended by: IV. 1882.1.

169. Whosoever shall knowingly make use of any of the i n struments speci f ied in arti cl es 16 6, 167 an d 16 8 shall, o n co nvi ctio n, be l i abl e to th e same pu nish ment as th e pr incip a l offender.

170. (1) Whosoever shall forge any act containing an order or resolution of the Government of Malta, and whosoever shall forge any judgment, decree, or order of any court, judge, magistrate, or public officer, whereby any obligation is imposed or terminated, or any cl aim all o we d o r di sal l ow ed, or w h ereby a ny person i s acquitted or convicted on any criminal charge, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from two to four years, with or without solitary confinement.

(2) Whosoever shall knowingly make use of any such forged act, judgment, decree or order, shall, on conviction, be liable to the same punishment as the principal offender.
(3) Where the person guilty of any of the crimes referred to in this article is a public officer or servant specially charged with the dr awing up, registration, or custody of any such act, judgment, decree or order, the punishment shall be increased by one degree.

Use of forged debentures or documents.

Forgery of Government, judicial or official acts.

Amended by: XXVII. 1975.14;

XLIX. 1981.4.

Making use of forged acts.

Forgery of acts or use of forged acts by public officer or servant.

Public Seal of Malta. Amended by: XV. 1937.3;

XXVII. 1975.15; XLIX.1981.4.

Counterfeiting of seals, stamps, or other Government marks.

Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4;

III. 2002.33.

Making use of counterfeited seal, stamp, or mark.

shall knowingly make use of such counterfeited seal, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from three to five years, with or without solitary confinement.

172. (1) Whosoever, except in the cases referred to in the last preceding article, shall counterfeit any seal, stamp, or other mark, used for sealing, stamping, marking, authenticating or certifying, in the name of the Government or of any of the authorities thereof, documents or effects, whether public or private property, or which are under the public guarantee, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from thirteen months to three years, with or without solitary confinement.

(2) Whosoever shall knowingly make use of any such seal, stamp, or mark and whosoever shall knowingly and without lawful authority be in possession of the said objects, shall be liable to the same punishment.

Counterfeiting postage stamps, and making use of same.

Added by:

XVI. 1900.137.

Amended by:

XLIX. 1981.4.

Possessing counterfeited postage stamps, dies, etc.

Added by. XVI.1900.137.

Amended by: XXVII.1975.16.

173. Whosoever shall counterfeit postage stamps, or shall kn owing ly m ake use of counterfeited postage stamps, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, with or without solitary confinement.

174. (1) Whosoever, without the special permission of the Government, shall knowingly keep in his possession counterfeited po st ag e st am ps, d ies, m ach ines or i nst rum ents intend ed for the manufacture of postage stamps, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment established in the last preceding article.

(2) The provisions contained in this and in the last preceding article shall also apply in regard to any stamp denoting a rate of postage of any foreign country.

Purchasing or having in possession certain paper before it has been duly stamped and issued.

Added by: XVI.1900.137.

Amended by: VIII.1909.9.

Act of counterfeiting Public Seal of Malta, stamps, etc., defined.

Punishment for counterfeiting Public Seal of Malta, stamps, etc., when committed

by public officers.

175. The same punishment established in article 173 shall apply to any person who, without lawful authority or excuse, (the proof whereof shall lie on the person accused), knowingly purchases or receives, or takes or has in his custody or possession any paper exclusively manufactured or provided by or under the authority of the Government of Malta, for us e as envelopes, wrappers or postage stamps, and for receiving the impression of stamp dies, plates or other instruments provided, made or used by or under the authority of the Government for postal purposes, before such paper has received such impression and has been issued for public use.

176. There shall be forgery within the meaning of articles 171 and 172, not only if a false instrument is made or affixed but also if the genuine instrument is fraudulently affixed.

177. Where the person guilty of any of the crimes referred to in articles 171, 172 and 176 is a public officer or servant charged with the direction, custody, or proper application of the seals, stamps, or other instruments, the punishment shall be increased by one degree.

178. Any person guilty of any of the crimes referred to in articles 166 to 177 inclusively, shall be exempted from punishment i f , before the completion o f su ch crime and prev iously t o an y proceedings, he shall have given the first information thereof and revealed the offenders to the competent authorities.

Exemption from punishment. Substituted by: IX. 1982.2.

Sub-title II

OF FORGERY OF OTHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE WRITINGS

179. Saving the cases referred to in the preceding sub-title, any public officer or servant who shall, in the exercise of his functions, commit forgery by any false signature, or by the alteration of any act, wri ting, or signature, or by inserting the name of any supposititious person, or by any writing made or entered in any register or other public act, when already formed or completed, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from two to four years, with or without solitary confinement.

180. Any public officer or servant who, in drawing up any act within the scope of his duties, shall fraudulently alter the substance or the circumstances thereof, whether by inserting any stipulation d i ff er en t from th at d i ctated or dr aw n up by th e part ies, o r b y declaring as true what is false, or as an acknowledged fact a fact which is not acknowledged as such, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment established in the last preceding article or to imprisonment for a term from eighteen months to three years, with or without solitary confinement.

181. Any public officer or servant who shall give out any writing in a legal form, representing it to be a copy of a public act wh en suc h act d oes n ot ex is t, s hal l, on c on vi cti o n, b e li ab le to imprisonment for a term from thirteen months to two years, with or without solitary confinement.

182. (1) The punishment laid down in the last preceding article shall be a pplie d where th e forg ery is committe d by the public officer or servant on a legal and authentic copy, by giving ou t t he sam e i n vi rtu e of hi s offic e, i n a m an ne r co nt rary to or dif f er en t fro m the o r iginal, with out thi s bein g altered or suppressed.

(2) Where such copy is so given out by the mere negligence of the public officer or servant, he shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa).

Forgery of acts by public officer. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Fraudulent alteration of acts by public officer. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Delivery of writings falsely purporting to be copies of public acts which do not exist.

Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Delivery of copies of acts differing from the original.

Penalty in case of negligence.

183. Any other person who shall commit forgery of any authentic and public instrument or of any commercial document or private bank document, by counterfeiting or altering the writing or signature, by feigning any fic titious agreement, disposition, obligation or discharge, or by the insertion of any such agreement, disposition, obligation or discharge in any of the said instruments or documents after the formation thereof, or by any addition to or

Forgery of public, commercial or private bank documents by person not being a public officer. Amended by: VI.1871.10; XLIX.1981.4.

Malicious use of false documents.

Issue of false declarations or certificates. Amended by: VI.1871.11; XLIX. 1981.4.

or docum ents were intended to contain or prove, shall, on conv iction, be li ab le to i m pr iso n ment for a term fro m th irteen months to four years, with or without solitary confinement.

184. Any person who shall knowingly make use of any of the false acts, writings, instruments or documents mentioned in the preceding articles of this sub-title, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment established for the forger.

185. (1) Saving the cases referred to in the preceding articles of this Title, where any public officer or servant who, by reason of his office, is bound to make or issue any declaration or certificate, shall falsely make or issue such declaration or certificate, he shall, o n con v i c t i o n , be li ab le to i m p r i so nm en t f o r a te rm fr o m ni ne months to three years.

(2) Where the falsification is committed by any person, other than a public officer or servant acting with abuse of authority, the punishment shall be imprisonment for a term from seven months to two years.

Malicious use of false declarations or certificates.

Forgery of private writings.

Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Malicious use of forged private writings.

186. Whosoever shall knowingly make use of any of the do cum e nts mentio ned in the last pr eceding article, shall, on conviction, be liable to the same punishment established for the author thereof.

187. (1) Whosoever shall, by any of the means specified in article 179, commit forgery of any private writing tending to cause injury to any person or to procure gain, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from seven months to three years, with or without solitary confinement.

(2) Whosoever shall knowingly make use thereof, shall be liable to the same punishment.

False declarations or information to a public authority. Added by:

XIII. 1980.4.

Other kinds of forgery and use of forged documents. Amended by: IX.1911.10. Substituted by: V.1956.16.

188. Whosoever, in order to gain any advantage or benefit for himself or others, shall, in any document intended for any public authority, knowingly make a false declaration or statement, or give false information, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine (multa):
Provided that nothing in this article shall affect the applicability of any other law providing for a higher punishment.

GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THIS TITLE

189. Whosoever shall commit any other kind of forgery, or shall knowingly make use of any other forg ed document, not provided for in the preceding articles of this Title, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, and if he is a pu blic of ficer or servant acting w ith abuse of his of fice or employment, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term from seven months to one year.

189A. For the purposes of this Title, "document", "instrument", "writing" and "book" include any card, disc, tape, soundtrack or other device on or in which information is or may be recorded or stored by mechanical, electronic or other means.

190. In all crimes of forgery when committed by public officers or servants, the punishment of perpetual general interdiction shall always be added to the punishment laid down for the crime.

Definition of docu- ment, etc.

Added by:

III. 2002.34.

Additional punishment of perpetual general interdiction.

Title VI

OF CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC TRADE

Amended by: XI. 1900.23.

OF BANKRUPTCY OFFENCES

191. A bankrupt trader shall be declared guilty of fraudulent bankruptcy and shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term from eighteen months to three years, in each of the cases following:

(a) if he conceals or falsifies his books;
(b) if he misapplies, conceals or dissembles any part of his assets;
(c) if he simulates fictitious debts;
(d) if in his books or in any public or private writing he fraudulently acknowledges himself debtor of any sum which is not due.

Fraudulent bankruptcy. Amended by: IX.1859.12; VI. 1871.12; XI. 1900.23; XLIX. 1981.4.

192. A bankrupt trader shall be declared guilty of simple bankruptcy and shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term from seven months to one year, in each of the cases following:

(a) if his personal expenses or those of his family have been excessive, having regard to his means;
(b) if he has spent a considerable part of his estate in purely hazardous or obviously rash transactions;
(c) if, with the object of delaying his bankruptcy, he has purchased goods with the intention of re-selling them below the market value and has actually so re-sold them, or if he has had recourse to loans, to indorsement of mercantile documents or to other ruinous means for the purpose of obtaining funds;
(d) if, after having stopped payments, he has continued to carry on business;
(e) if, after having stopped payments, he has paid or given any undue preference to any creditor to the prejudice of the general body of creditors:
Provided that the court may, according to circumstances, decrease the punishment laid down in this article, from one to three degrees.

Circumstances which give rise to simple bankruptcy. Amended by:

IX. I859.13; VI. 1871.12;

XI. 1900.23.

Bankruptcy of broker. Amended by: XI. 1900.23.

Circumstances which may give rise to simple bankruptcy. Amended by: XI.1900.23.

193. Any broker who, in the course of the habitual exercise of his trade, becomes a bankrupt, shall be liable to the punishment laid down in the last preceding article.

194. A bankrupt trader can be declared guilty of simple bankruptcy and be liable to the punishment laid down in article

192, in each of the cases following:
(a) if he has not kept the books prescribed by law, or has irregularly kept such books, or if such books do not show his true financial position, (debit and credit);
(b) if, being lawfully summoned for examination before the competent authority and not being lawfully prevented, he fails to attend within the period fixed for his appearance.

Complicity in bankruptcy. Amended by: XI. 1900.23.

195. Complicity in bankruptcy shall be restricted solely to those persons who collude with the bankrupt to defraud his creditors:

Provided that no charge of complicity shall lie against any person -
(a) who, having simulated claims against the bankrupt, shall not have made such claims in the bankruptcy proceedings, either in his own name or through an intermediary;
(b) who, having colluded with the bankrupt for misapplying, concealing, or dissembling any part of his assets, shall first disclose the fact to the competent authority and shall furnish or indicate the means by which the things misapplied, concealed, or dissembled may be recovered.
Title VII

OF CRIMES AFFECTING THE GOOD ORDER OF FAMILIES

Sub-title I

OF CRIMES RELATING TO THE RECIPROCAL DUTIES OF THE

MEMBERS OF A FAMILY

Bigamy. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

196. A husband or wife who, during the subsistence of a lawful m arri ag e, cont racts a secon d marriage, shall, on conv iction, be l iab le t o im pr i sonm en t f or a te rm f r om th ir tee n mo nt hs to f ou r years.

197. (1) Any ascendant by consanguinity or affinity who, by the use of violence or by threats, compels, or, by deceit, induces any descendant under age to prostitution, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from three to six years, with or without solitary confinement.

(2) The same punishment shall be applied to any husband or wife or tutor who, by the use of violence or by threats, compels, or, by deceit, induces to prostitution his or her spouse under age or the minor under his or her tutorship.
(3) If the ascendant or the husband or wife, by the use of v i olence or by t h reats, comp els, o r, by deceit, i nduces the descendant or his or her spouse, of age, to prostitution, he or she shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment of a term from one to four years, with or without solitary confinement.
(4) A conviction under this article shall entail the forfeiture of every authority and right granted to the offender over the person or pr operty of the hu sband or wife or of the descenda nt to whos e prejudice the offence shall have been committed, and, in the case of the tutor, his removal from the tutorship and his perpetual disability from holding the office of tutor.

Prostituting of descendant under age by ascendant. Amended by: VIII.1909.10; XIV.1918.2; XLVI.1973.108; XLIX.1981.4; IV.1994.3.

Prostituting of spouse under age or of minor by husband or wife or tutor.

Prostituting of descendant or spouse of age, by ascendant or husband or wife.

Consequences of conviction.

Sub-title II

OF CRIMES AGAINST THE PEACE AND HONOUR OF FAMILIES, AND AGAINST MORALS

Amended by: XI. 1900.24.

198. Whosoever shall, by violence, have carnal knowledge of a person of either sex, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from three to nine years, with or without solitary confinement.

199. (1) Whosoever shall, by violence, abduct any person, with intent to abuse or marry such person, shall, on conviction, be liable, in the first case, to imprisonment for a term from eighteen months to three years, with or without solitary confinement, and, in the second case, to imprisonment for a term from nine to eighteen months.

(2) The punishments laid down in subarticle (1) shall apply to any person who shall, by fraud or seduction, abduct any person under the age of eighteen years, who is under the authority of a paren t or t u t o r, or u n d e r t h e care o f an ot her p e rson , o r in an educational establishment.

Rape or carnal knowledge with violence. Amended by:

XI. 1900.26; XLIX. 1981.4.

Abduction. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

200. (1) If the offender under the last preceding article shall within twenty-four hours voluntarily release the person abducted without having abused such person, and shall restore such person to the family, or to his or her place of custody, or shall convey such person to any oth e r p l ace of safety, th e puni sh ment shall b e

Where offender restores person abducted. Amended by: VIII. 1909.15; IV. 1994.4.

Where offender marries person abducted.

Presumption of violence in cases of carnal knowledge and indecent assault.

Amended by: XI. 1900.27.

imprisonment for a term from one to three months.
(2) In such case, if the offender, after abducting a person, shall marry such person, he shall not be liable to prosecution, except on the complaint of the party whose consent, according to the civil laws, would be required for the marriage; and if the marriage takes place after the conviction, the penal consequences thereof shall cease and the party convic t ed sh all, upon his application, be forthwith released by order of the court.

201. Unlawful carnal knowledge and any other indecent assault, shall be presumed to be accompanied with violence -

(a) when it is committed on any person under twelve years of age;
(b) when the person abused was unable to offer resistance owing to physical or mental infirmity, or for any other cause independent of the act of the offender, or in consequence of any fraudulent device used by the offender.

Aggravating circumstances. Amended by. XI. 1900.28; XX. 2005.11.

202. The punishment prescribed for any of the crimes referred to in the preceding articles of this sub-title, shall be increased by one degree in each of the following cases:

(a) when the offender has availed himself of his capacity of public officer, or when the offender is a servant of the injured party, with salary or other remuneration;
(b) when the crime is committed by any ascendant, tutor, or institutor on any person under eighteen years of age;
(c) when the crime is committed on any prisoner by the person charged with the custody or conveyance of such prisoner;
(d) when the offender has, in the commission of the crime, been aided by one or more persons;
(e) when the offender has, in the commission of the crime, made use of any arms proper;
(f) when the person on whom the crime is committed, or any other person who has come to the assistance of that person, has sustained any bodily harm;
(g) when the person carnally known has not completed the age of nine years;
(h) when the crime is committed on the person of: (i) the spouse; or
(ii) the brother or sister; or
(iii) a natural ascendant or descendant; or
(iv) another person having or having had a child in common with the offender; or
(v) another person living in the same household as the offender or who had lived with the offender within a period of one year preceding the offence; or
(vi) another person who is or had been formally or informally engaged with a view to get married; or
(vii) other persons who are related to each other by consanguinity or affinity up to the third degree inclusively:
Provided that in this paragraph "spouse" includes the person whose marriage with the offender has been dissolved or declared null;
(i) when the crime is committed in the presence of, or within hearing distance of a minor.

203. (1) Whosoever, by lewd acts, defiles a minor of either sex, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, with or without solitary confinement:

Provided that the offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term from three to six years, with or without solitary confinement, in each of the following cases:
(a) if the offence is committed on a person who has not completed the age of twelve years, or with violence;
(b) if the offence is committed by means of threats or deceit;
(c) if the offence is committed by any ascendant by consanguinity or affinity, or by the adoptive father or mother, or by the tutor of the minor, or by any other person charged, even though temporarily, with the care, education, instruction, control or custody of the minor.
(2) The provisions of article 197(4) shall also apply in the case of an offence under this article, when the offence is committed by any ascendant or tutor.
(3) No proceedings shall be instituted in respect of any offence under this article except on the complaint of the injured party:
Provided that where the offence is not accompanied by any of the circumstances as to fact or person mentioned in subarticle (1)(a), (b), and (c), the complaint shall not be admissible after the lapse of one year from the day on which the act was committed or knowledge thereof was obtained by the person entitled to lodge the complaint in lieu of the injured party:
Provided further that proceedings shall be instituted ex officio -
(a) in any of the cases referred to in the proviso to article
544;
(b) when the act is committed with abuse of parental authority or of tutorship.

Defilement of minors. Amended by: III. I885.1; VIII. 1909.16; XIV. 1918.3; II. 1973.4; XLIX. 1981.4; IV. 1994.5.

Aggravating circumstances.

Applicability of article 197 (4).

Complaint of injured party.

Inadmissibility of complaint.

Proceedings ex officio.

Instigation, etc., of defilement of minors.

Added by: III. 2002.35.

203A. Whosoever, by any means other than those mentioned in article 203(1), instigates, encourages or facilitates the defilement of a minor of either sex, shall, on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years and the provisions of article

203(2) and (3) shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to an offence under this article:
Provided that the offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years in any of the cases referred to in the proviso to article 203(1).

Inducing, etc., persons under age to prostitution. Added by:

XIV. 1918.4. Amended by:

IX. 1935.2; XLIX. 1981.4;

XXIX. 1990.6; IV. 1994.6.

Aggravating circumstances.

204. (1) Whosoever in order to gratify the lust of any other person ind u ces a person under age to practise p r ostitution, or instigates t h e d e filemen t of such perso n , or enco urag es or facilitates the prostitution or defilement of such person, shall, on con victi on, be liabl e to im pri so nmen t f or a term f rom eig hteen months to four years, with or without solitary confinement:

Provided that the offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term from two to six years, with or without solitary confinement, in each of the following cases:
(a) if the offence is committed to the prejudice of a person who has not completed the age of twelve years;
(b) if the offence is committed by deceit;
(c) if the offence is committed by any ascendant by consanguinity or affinity, by the adoptive father or mother, by the husband or wife or tutor of the minor, or by any other person charged, even though temporarily, with the care, eduction, instruction, control or custody of the minor;
(d) if the offence is committed habitually or for gain.
(2) The provisions of article 197(4) shall also apply in the case of any offence under this article, when the offence is committed by the husband or the wife, by an ascendant or by the tutor.

Instigation with violence of persons under age to prostitution or to participation in a pornographic performance. Added by:

XXXI. 2007.11.

204A. (1) Whosoever -

(a) with violence compels a person under age into prostitution or into participating in a pornographic performance, or
(b) knowingly makes any gain or derives any benefit from the conduct referred to in paragraph (a),
shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from two to six years, with or without solitary confinement.
(2) The punishment for the offence in subarticle (1)(b) shall be increased by one degree, with or without solitary confinement, in each of the following cases:
(a) when the offender wilfully or recklessly endangered the life of the person under age;
(b) when the offence involves violence or grievous bodily
harm on such person;
(c) when the offence is committed with the involvement of a criminal organisation within the meaning of article
83A(1).

204B. (1) Whosoever in order to gratify the lust of any other person engages a person under age to practise prostitution, or to participate in pornographic performances, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from eighteen months to four years, with or without solitary confinement.

(2) The offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term from two to six years, with or without solitary confinement, in each of the following cases:
(a) when the offender wilfully or recklessly endangered the life of the person under age;
(b) when the offence involves violence or grievous bodily harm on such person;
(c) when the offence is committed with the involvement of a criminal organisation within the meaning of article
83A(1).

Inducing persons under age to prostitution or to participation in a pornographic performance. Added by:

XXXI. 2007.11.

204C. (1) Whosoever takes part in sexual activities with a person under age shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term n o t ex ceed ing two years, wit h or wi thou t soli tary confinement.

(2) The offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term from two to six years, with or without solitary confinement, in each of the following cases:
(a) if the offence is committed with violence;
(b) where money or other forms of remuneration or consideration is given as payment in exchange for the child taking part in sexual activities and any of the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (d) occurs;
(c) where the offender abuses of a recognised position of trust, authority or influence over such person and any of the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (d) occurs;
(d) the circumstances referred to in paragraph (b) and (c)
are the following:
(i) the offender wilfully or recklessly endangered the life of the person under age;
(ii) the offence involves violence or grievous bodily harm to such person;
(iii) the offence is committed with the involvement of a criminal organisation within the meaning of article 83A(1).

204D. Whosoever:

(a) compels a person under age to perform sexual

Participation in sexual activities with persons under age.

Added by: XXXI. 2007.11.

Unlawful sexual activities.

Added by: VII. 2010.9.

Compelling or inducing person of age to prostitution. Added by:

XIV. 1918.4. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4. Substituted by: IV. 1994.7.

Proof of carnal connection. Substituted by: II. 1973.6.

Violent indecent assault.

Amended by:

VI. 1871.13;

XI.1900.30;

VIII. 1909.17;

XLIX. 1981.4.

activities with another person, or
(b) knowingly causes, for sexual purposes, a person under age to witness sexual abuse or sexual activities, even without causing the said person to participate in the activities, or
(c) knowingly causes, for sexual purposes, a person under age to participate in real or simulated sexually explicit conduct or exhibition of sexual organs, including through information and communication technologies, or
(d) participates in sexual activities with a person under age, where recourse is made to child prostitution, or
(e) knowingly attends a pornographic performance involving the participation of a person under age,
shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from eig h teen mont hs to five years, with or with out solitary confinement.

205. Whosoever in order to gratify the lust of any other person, by the use of violence, compels or, by deceit, induces a person of age, to practise prostitution, shall, where the act committed does not constitute a more serious offence, be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, with or without solitary confinement:

Provided that the offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term from one to four years, if it is committed -
(a) with abuse of authority, of trust or of domestic relations; or
(b) habitually or for gain.

206. The crimes referred to in this Title to constitute which there must be a carnal connection shall be deemed to be complete by the co mm en cem e nt o f th e connectio n, and it shall n o t be necessary to prove any further acts.

207. Whosoever shall be guilty of any violent indecent assault which do es not, in itself, cons titute any of the crim es, either completed or attempted, referred to in the preceding articles of this sub-title, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from three months to one year:

Provided that in the cases referred to in article 202, the punishment shall be increased by one degree.

Offences relating to pornographic or obscene articles. Added by:

XXVII. 1975.17. Amended by:

XIII. 1983.5;

L.N. 407 of 2007;

VII. 2010.10.

208. (1) Whosoever, for gain, or for distribution, or for display

in a pu blic place or in a place accessible to the public, manufactures, prints or otherwise makes, or introduces into Malta,
or acquires, keeps, puts in circulation or exports, any pornographic or obscene print, painting, photograph, film, book, card or writing, or any other pornographic or obscene article whatsoever, whether
simil ar to the above or not, shal l, on conviction , be liable to i mprisonm ent for a term from six t o twel ve m onths o r to a fine (multa) of not less than one thousand euro (1,000) and not more
than three thousand euro (3,000), or to both such imprisonment and fine.
(2) Whosoever trades in any article mentioned in subarticle (1), even if such trade is clandestine, or distributes any such article or displays any such article in public or in a place accessible to the public, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment prescribed in subarticle (1).
(3) For the purposes of this article an article shall be regarded as pornographic or obscene if it is so described or defi ned b y r e gu lation s mad e und er su barticle (4) or is oth e rwise to be so regarded in accordance with any regulation made as aforesaid.
(4) The Minister responsible for justice shall, in consultation with the commi ttee estab lished und er sub a rti c le (5), m a ke regulations for the purpose of describing or defining or otherwise establishing what is to be regarded as pornographic or obscene for
the purposes of this article and m a y by such regul atio ns mak e provision regarding the criteria to be followed for that purpose and
may make diff erent provision for diff erent circumstances and different purposes.
(5) There shall be a committee whose functions shall be to advise the Minister responsible for justice in making regulations under this article. The committee shall consist of the said Minister, who shall be the chairman, a nd four members of the House of Represent a ti ves appo in ted by t h e Prime M i nister after he has consulted the Leader of the Opposition.
(6) Without prejudice to any other right competent to him, any member of the committee may request that any regulation made under this article with which he disagrees be discussed in the House of Representatives; and upon receipt of any such request in writing, the Minister responsible for justice shall ensure that the matter is discussed in the House as early as practicable.

208A. (1) Any citizen or permanent resident of Malta whether in Malta or outside Malta, as well as any person in Malta, who makes or pro d u c e s or pe rmi t s to be m a d e o r p r od u ced an y in d ece nt material or produces, distributes, disseminates, imports, exports, offers, sells, transmits, makes available, procures for oneself or for another, or shows such indecent material shall, on conviction, be liable imprisonment for a term from twelve months to five years.

(1A) The offence in subarticle (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term from two to eight years, with or without solitary confinement, in each of the following cases:
(a) when the offender wilfully or recklessly endangered the life of the person under age;
(b) when the offence involves violence or grievous bodily harm on such person;
(c) when the offence is committed with the involvement of a criminal organisation within the meaning of article
83A(1).

Indecent photographs, films, etc., of persons under age.

Added by: III. 2002.36.

Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007;

XXXI. 2007.12;

VII. 2010.11.

(1B) Any person who acquires, knowingly obtains access through information and communication technologies to, or is in poss ession of, any indecent mate rial whic h shows, depicts or represents a person under age, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from not exceeding three years.
(1C) For the purposes of subarticle (1) the expression "permanent resident" shall have the same meaning assigned to it by article 5(1)(d).
(2) A photograph, film, video recording or electronic image shall, if it shows a person under age and is indecent, be treated for all purposes of this article as an indecent photograph, film, video recording or electronic image.
(3) Where the offences in subarticles (1) and (1B) are committed by any ascendant by consanguinity or affinity, or by the adoptive father or mother, or by the tutor, or by any other person ch ar ged, ev en t hou gh tempo r aril y, w ith t h e care, educati on, instruction, cont rol or custody of the person under age shown, depicted or represented in the indecent m aterial, or where such person under age has not completed the age of nine years or where the indecent material shows, depicts or represents a minor involved in acts of bestiality, brutality, sadism or torture:
(a) in the case of the offence in subarticle (1), the punishment shall be of imprisonment for a term from two to nine years, and
(b) in the case of the offence in subarticle (1B), the punishment shall be of imprisonment for a term from six months to four years,
and the provisions of article 197(4) shall also apply.
(4) Where a person is charged with distributing or showing, or with being in possession of, any indecent material under subarticle (1), it shall be a defence for him to prove that he had a legitimate reason for distributing or showing, or for having in his possession, such indecent material, or that he had not himself seen the indecent material, and neither knew nor had any reason to suspect them to be indecent.
(5) For the purposes of article 635(1)(a), the person under age shown in the indecent material shall be deemed to be the person against whom the offence is committed.
(6) In this article references to a photograph includes the negative as well as the positive version.
(7) For the purposes of this article the expression "indecent material" includes photographs, images, audio or video recordings, digitally created or electronic images, drawings, cartoons, text and simulated representations or realistic images of a minor, even if the minor is non-existent, or of the sexual parts of a child for primarily sexual purposes.

208AA. Whosoever, by means of information and communication technologies, proposes to meet a person under age for the purpose of committing any of the offences in articles 204,

204A to 204D, both inclusive, and 208A, shall, where the proposal is followed by material acts leading to such a meeting, be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term from twelve months to four
years.

208AB. Whosoever disseminates any materials advertising the opportunity to commit any of the offences under articles 204, 204A to 204C, both inclusive, 208A(1) and 208A(1A), or is involved in the or ganiza tion of travel a rrangem ents wit h t h e purpose of committing any of the said offences, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from twelve months to two years.

208AC. (1) The punishment for the offences referred to in articles 204, 204A to 204D, both inclusive, 208A(1) and 208(1A), shall be increased by one to two degrees in each of the following cases:

Solicitation of person under age. Added by:

VII. 2010.12.

Advertisement of sexual tourism. Added by:

VII. 2010.12.

Aggravating circumstances. Added by:

VII. 2010.12.

(a) where the offence results in harm to the physical or mental health of the person under age;
(b) where the person under age is a vulnerable person within the meaning of subarticle (2);
(c) where the offence is committed by two or more persons acting together;
(d) in any of the circumstances described in article 202(a), (b), (c) and (h);
(e) if the offender lives with or is a member of the victim’s family;
(f) if the offender has been previously convicted of an offence under this sub-title.
(2) For the purposes of this article a vulnerable person means: (a) any person under the age of fifteen years; or
(b) any person suffering from a physical or mental
infirmity; or
(c) any other person considered by the court to be particularly at risk of being induced into cooperating with the offender or into surrendering to the offender ’s will when taking into account the person’s age, maturity, health, pregnancy, disability, social or other conditions including any situation of dependence, as well as the physical or psychological consequence of the offence on that person.

208B. (1) The following provisions shall apply to the offences u n d e r arti cles 20 4, 204 A to 20 4D , both inclusive, and article

208A(1), (1A), 208AA and 208AB.
(2) In addition to the punishment established for the said offences, the Court may order that the offender be temporarily or per manently prev ented fr om exer cising acti vities related to the supervision of children.

Provisions applicable to articles 204 to

204C and 208A of the Code.

Added by:

XXXI. 2007.13.

Amended by:

VII. 2010.13.

(2A) Where the court makes an order under subarticle (2) such order shall be registered in any criminal record of the offender.
(2B) Where the person convicted of any of the offences ment io ned in su bart icle (1) i s t h e su bj ect o f an o r der as t h at provided for by subarticle (2) made by a foreign court the court sh al l or der that effect shall b e given to t h e ord e r made b y th e foreign cou r t as if i t were an order made by the court under subarticle (2).
(3) The provisions of articles 121D and 248E(4) shall apply

mutatis mutandis.

Cap. 63. (4) The provisions of articles 13 and 14 of the White Slave

Traffic (Suppression) Ordinance, shall apply mutatis mutandis.
(5) Without prejudice to the provisions of article 5, the Maltese courts shall also have jurisdiction over the said offences where:
(a) only part of the action giving execution to the offence took place in Malta; or
(b) the offender is a Maltese national or permanent resident in Malta or the offence was committed for the benefit of a body corporate registered in Malta; or
(c) the offence was committed by means of a computer system accessed from Malta notwithstanding that such computer system may be outside Malta; or
(d) the offence was committed against a Maltese national or permanent resident in Malta.
(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code or of any other law, the period of prescription shall run from the day on which the victim attains the age of majority.

Offences against decency or morals committed in public.

209. Whosoever, except in the cases referred to in the preceding articles of this sub-title or in any other provision of law, shall commit an of fenc e against dec e ncy or morals, by any act committed in a public place or in a place exposed to the public, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months and to a fine (multa).

Sub-title III

OF CRIMES TENDING TO PREVENT OR DESTROY THE PROOF OF THE STATUS OF A CHILD

Kidnapping or concealing an infant, etc. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

210. Any person found guilty of kidnapping, or concealing, an infant, or of suppressing its birth, or of substituting one infant for another, or of suppositiously representing an infant to have been born of a woman who had not been delivered of a child, shall, on con victi on, be liabl e to im pri so nmen t f or a term f rom eig hteen months to three years.

Title VIII

OF CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON

Sub-title I

OF WILFUL HOMICIDE

211. (1) Whosoever shall be guilty of wilful homicide shall be punished with imprisonment for life.

(2) A person shall be guilty of wilful homicide if, maliciously, with intent to kill another person or to put the life of such other person in manifest jeopardy, he causes the death of such other person.
(3) Where the offender gives cause to the death of a person wit h i n t h e l imi ts o f the terri to rial ju risd icti on of Mal t a, t h e homicide shall be deemed to be wholly completed within the limits of the said ju risdic ti on, notwit hstanding that the de ath of such person occurs outside such limits.

Wilful homicide. Amended by: V.1868.7; XXI.1971.19; XLIX.1981.4.

Definition of

"wilful homicide".

Death outside the jurisdiction, of a person stricken within the jurisdiction.

212. The provisions contained in the last preceding article shall also apply even though the offender did not intend to cause the death of any particular person, or, by mistake or accident, shall have killed some person other than the person whom he intended to kill.

213. Whosoever shall prevail on any person to commit suicide or shall give him any assistance, shall, if the suicide takes place, be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve years.

Where the offender did not intend to cause the death of any person in particular, or where the offender kills a person other than the intended

victim.

Inciting or helping others to commit suicide.

Added by: XI.1900.31. Amended by:

XLIX.1981.4.

Sub-title II

OF WILFUL OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON

214. Whosoever, without intent to kill or to put the life of any person in manifest jeopardy, shall cause harm to the body or health of another person, or shall cause to such other person a m ent al derangement, shall be guilty of bodily harm.

215. A bodily harm may be either grievous or slight.

Bodily harm. Amended by: XI. 1900.32.

Grievous or slight bodily harm.

Grievous bodily harm.

Amended by:

V.1868.8;

VI.1871.14;

XI. 1900.32;

XLIX. 1981.4.

216. (1) A bodily harm is deemed to be grievous and is punishable wi th imprisonment for a term from three months to three years -

(a) if it can give rise to danger of - (i) loss of life; or
(ii) any permanent debility of the health or
permanent functional debility of any organ of
the body; or
(iii) any permanent defect in any part of the physical structure of the body; or
(iv) any permanent mental infirmity;
(b) if it causes any deformity or disfigurement in the face, neck, or either of the hands of the person injured;
(c) if it is caused by any wound which penetrates into one of the cavities of the body, without producing any of the effects mentioned in article 218;
(d) if it causes any mental or physical infirmity lasting for a period of thirty days or more; or if the party injured is incapacitated, for a like period, from attending to his occupation;
(e) if, being committed on a woman with child, it hastens delivery.
(2) Where the person injured shall have recovered without ever having been, during the illness, in actual danger of life or of the effects mentioned in subarticle (1)(a), it shall be deemed that the harm could have given rise to such danger only where the danger was probable in view of the nature or the natural consequences of the harm.

Grievous bodily harm with arms proper, etc. Amended by: VIII. 1857.2; VI.1871.14; XI.1900.32; XLIX. 1981.4; XIV. 1983.3. Cap. 446.

217. A grievous bodily harm is punishable with imprisonment for a term from five months to four years if it is committed with arms proper, or with a cutting or pointed instrument, or by means of any explosive, or any burning or corrosive fluid or substance:

Provided that where the offence is committed by means of any explosive fluid or substance the minimum punishment shall be imprisonment for two years and the provisions of the Probation Act shall not be applicable.

Other cases of grievous bodily harm.

Amended by: IX.1859.14;

V. 1868.9; XI. 1900.32;

XLIX. 1981.4; XIV. 1983.4.

218. (1) A grievous bodily harm is punishable with imprisonment for a term from nine months to nine years -

(a) if it causes any permanent debility of the health or any permanent functional debility of any organ of the body, or any permanent defect in any part of the physical structure of the body, or any permanent mental infirmity;
(b) if it causes any serious and permanent disfigurement of the face, neck, or either of the hands of the person injured;
(c) if, being committed on a woman with child, it causes
miscarriage.
(2) Any debility of the health or any functional debility of any organ of the body, and any mental infirmity, serious disfigurement, or defect shall be deemed to be permanent even when it is probably so.
(3) The punishment for the offences referred to in subarticle (1) shall be that establis he d in article 312(2) if th e bodily harm is committed by means of any explosive fluid or substance.

219. The punishments laid down in articles 216 and 218 shall be decreased by one or two degrees if a supervening accidental cause has contributed to produce the effects mentioned in the said articles.

220. (1) Whosoever shall be guilty of a grievous bodily harm from which death shall ensue solely as a result of the nature or the natural consequences o f the h a rm and n o t of any supervening accidental cause, shall be liable -

(a) to imprisonment for a term from six to twenty years, if death shall ensue within forty days to be reckoned from the midnight immediately preceding the crime;
(b) to imprisonment for a term from four to twelve years, if death shall ensue after the said forty days, but within one year to be reckoned as above.
(2) If death shall ensue as a result of a supervening accidental cause and not so lel y as a resul t of t h e nature or the natural consequences of the harm, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from three to nine years.
(3) If the bodily harm is inflicted within the limits of the territorial jurisdiction of Malta, the crime shall be held to have been completed within those limits, even if the death of the person injured shall occur outside those limits.

Decrease of punishment in case of supervening accidental cause. Amended by:

V. 1868.10; XI. 1900.32.

Grievous bodily harm from which death ensues. Amended by: V.1868.11; XI.1900.32; XLIX. 1981.4.

221. (1) A bodily harm which does not produce any of the effects referred to in the preceding articles of this sub-title, shall be deemed to be slight, and shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or with a fine (multa).
(2) Where the offence is committed by any of the means referred to in article 217, it shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term from two months to one year.
(3) Where the effect, considered both physically and morally, is of small consequence to the injured party, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to -
(a) imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a fine (multa), if the offence is committed by any of the means referred to in article 217, or is committed on any of the persons mentioned in article 222(1)(a) and (b);
(b) the punishments established for contraventions, in any

Slight bodily harm.

Amended by:

VIII. 1857.3, 5;

VI. 1871.15;

II. 1886.8;

XI. 1900.32;

I. 1903.7;

VIII. 1909.19;

IX. 1911.12;

XX. 2005.12.

Where effect of bodily harm is of small consequence.

Complaint by injured party.

other case.
(4) In the cases referred to in subarticles (1) and (3), pro c eedi ngs may n o t be t a k e n except on th e co mpl a i n t of th e injured party, unless the offence is committed on any of the persons mentioned in article 222(1)(a) and (b).

Aggravating circumstances. Amended by: VIII. 1857.4; XXXII. 1986.2; III. 2002.37; XX. 2005.13; XXII. 2010.11.

Cap. 389.

No increase of punishment in case of mistake or accident.

222. (1) The punishments established in articles 216, 217, 218 and 220, and in subarticles (1) and (2) of the last preceding article shall be increased by one degree when the harm is committed -

(a) on the person of the father, mother, or any other legitimate and natural ascendant, or on the person of a legitimate and natural brother or sister, or on the person of the husband or wife, or on the person of the natural father or mother, or on any person mentioned in article 202(h);
(b) on the person of any witness or referee who shall have given evidence or an opinion in any suit, and on account of such evidence or opinion, or on the person of a child under nine years of age;
(c) on the person of whosoever was a public officer or was lawfully charged with a public duty or is or was an officer or employee of a body corporate established by law and the offence was committed because of that person having exercised his functions;
(d) on the person of whosoever was exercising his lawful duties as a private guard, a specialised private guard or local warden in accordance with the provisions of the Private Guards and Local Wardens Act.
(2) Nevertheless, no increase of punishment shall take place where the offender, without intent to cause harm to any particular person, or with intent to cause harm to some other person, shall, by mistake or accident, cause harm to any of the persons referred to in subarticle (1)(a) and (b).

Increase of punishment in certain cases. Added by: XXIX. 1990.7. Amended by: III. 2002.38; XI. 2009.5.

222A. (1) The punishments established in the foregoing provisions of this sub-title shall be increased by one or two degrees when the harm is committed on a person who has attained the age of sixty years or on a person suffering from a degree of physical or mental infirmity in consequence of which he is unable to defend himself adequately.

(2) The punishments established in the foregoing provisions of this sub-title shall also be increased by one to two degrees when the offence is racially or religiously aggravated or motivated, wholly or partly, by xenop hobia with in the m e ani ng of the foll owing subarticles.
(3) An offence is racially or religiously aggravated or motivated by xenophobia if:
(a) at the time of committing the offence, or immediately before or after the commission of the offence, the offender demonstrates towards the victim of the
offence hostility, aversion or contempt based on the victim’s membership (or presumed membership) of a racial or religious group; or
(b) the offence is motivated, wholly or partly, by hostility, aversion or contempt towards members of a racial group based on their membership of that group.
(4) In subarticle (3)(a):
"membership", in relation to a racial or religious group, includes association with members of that group;
"presumed" means presumed by the offender.
(5) It is immaterial for the purposes of subarticle (3)(a) or (b) whether or not the offender ’s hostility is also based, to any extent, on any other factor not mentioned in that those paragraphs.
(6) In this article:
"racial group" means a group of persons defined by reference to race, descent, colour, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origins;
"religious group" means a group of persons defined by reference to religious belief or lack of religious belief.

Sub-title III

OF JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE OR BODILY HARM

223. No offence is committed when a homicide or a bodily harm is ordered or permitted by law or by a lawful authority, or is imposed by actual necessity either in lawful self-defence or in the lawful defence of another person.

224. Cases of actual necessity of lawful defence shall include the following:

(a) where the homicide or bodily harm is committed in the act of repelling, during the night-time, the scaling or breaking of enclosures, walls, or the entrance doors of any house or inhabited apartment, or of the appurtenances thereof having a direct or an indirect communication with such house or apartment;
(b) where the homicide or bodily harm is committed in the act of defence against any person committing theft or plunder, with violence, or attempting to commit such theft or plunder;
(c) where the homicide or bodily harm is imposed by the actual necessity of the defence of one’s own chastity or of the chastity of another person.

Justifiable homicide or bodily harm.

Cases of lawful defence.

Sub-title IV

OF INVOLUNTARY HOMICIDE OR BODILY HARM

Involuntary homicide. Amended by: IX. 1859.15; VI.1871.16; XI. 1900.33; III. 1971.4; XIII. 1980.5; XIII. 1983.5; III. 2002.39;

L.N. 407 of 2007; VII. 2010.14.

225. (1) Whosoever, through imprudence, carelessness, unskilfuln e ss in his art or pro f essio n , or non -observance of regulations, causes the death of any person, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years or to a fine (multa) not exceeding eleven thousand and six hundred and forty- six euro and eighty-seven cents (11,646.87).
(2) Where the offender has caused the death of more than one person or where in addition to causing the death of a person the offender has also caused bodily harm to another person or other persons the punishment shall be that of imprisonment of a term from five to ten years.

Involuntary bodily harm.

Amended by: VI. 1871.17; XI. 1900.33;

VIII. 1909.20; III. 1971.5; XIII. 1980.6;

XIII. 1983.5; III. 2002.40;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

226. (1) Where from any of the causes referred to in the last preceding article a bodily harm shall ensue, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable -

(a) if the harm is grievous and produces the effects mentioned in article 218, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to a fine (multa) not exceeding four thousand and six hundred and fifty-eight euro and seventy-five cents (4,658.75);
(b) if the harm is grievous without the effects mentioned in article 218, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine (multa) not exceeding two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37);
(c) if the harm is slight, to the punishments established for contraventions.
(2) In the cases referred to in subarticle (1)(c), proceedings may only be taken on the complaint of the injured party.

Involuntary homicide or involuntary bodily harm in the course of theft or attempted theft. Added by: XXIX.1990.8.

226A. Where a person gives cause to a death or bodily harm mentioned in the foregoing provisions of this sub-title in the course of the execution by him of a theft or in the course of an attempted theft, or immediately after the commission of such theft or such attem p t while he is fleeing from the place where the theft was committed or attempted, he shall, without prejudice to any liability incur r ed by hi m in relatio n t o t h e th eft or attempt e d theft and saving the provisions of article 17, on conviction, be liable -

(a) in the case of death, to the punishment of imprisonment from four to nine years;
(b) in the case of bodily harm, to the punishments mentioned in article 226 which shall be increased by one or two degrees.

Explosive fluid or substance.

Added by: VIII. 2008.17.

226B. Where any of the offences in articles 225, 226 and 226A h a s been com m i tted by any exp l osi v e flui d or substan ce, the punishment laid down for the offence shall be increased by two to

three degrees.

Sub-title V

OF EXCUSES FOR THE CRIMES REFERRED TO IN THE FOREGOING SUB-TITLES OF THIS TITLE

227. Wilful homicide shall be excusable -

(a) where it is provoked by a grievous bodily harm, or by any crime whatsoever against the person, punishable with more than one year ’s imprisonment;
(b) where it is committed in repelling, during the day- time, the scaling or breaking of enclosures, walls, or the entrance of any house or inhabited apartment, or the appurtenances thereof having a direct or an indirect communication with such house or apartment;
(c) where it is committed by any person acting under the first transport of a sudden passion or mental excitement in consequence of which he is, in the act of committing the crime, incapable of reflecting;
the offender shall be deemed to be incapable of reflecting whenever the homicide be in fact attributable to heat of blood and not to a deliberate intention to kill or to cause a serious injury to the person, and the cause be such as would, in persons of ordinary temperament, commonly produce the effect of rendering them incapable of reflecting on the consequences of the crime;
(d) where it is committed by any person who, acting under the circumstances mentioned in article 223, shall have exceeded the limits imposed by law, by the authority, or by necessity:
Provided, moreover, that any such excess shall not be liable to punishment if it is due to the person being taken unawares, or to fear or fright.

Cases of excusable wilful homicide. Amended by:

V. 1868.12; VIII. 1909.21;

XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2002.41.

228. (1) In the case of wilful homicide excusable in terms of paragraph (a) or (b) of the last preceding article, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
(2) In the case of wilful homicide excusable in terms of paragraph (c) of the last preceding article, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from five to twenty years.
(3) In the case of wilful homicide excusable in terms of paragraph (d) of the last preceding article, the offender shall, on conviction , b e liab le to impr isonment for a term not exceeding twelve years.

Punishment for excusable wilful homicide. Amended by:

V. 1868.13; VIII. 1909.22;

III. 2002.42.

Cases of inadmissibility of excuse.

229. The excuse referred to in article 227(c), shall not be admissible -
(a) where the passion is provoked by the lawful correction of the person accused;
(b) where the passion is provoked by the lawful performance of duty by a public officer;
(c) where the offender has either sought provocation as a pretext to kill or to cause a serious injury to the person, or endeavoured to kill or to cause such serious injury before any provocation shall have taken place.

Excusable bodily harm.

Amended by: V.1868.14; VIII. 1909.23.

230. The crime of wilful bodily harm shall be excusable -

(a) in the cases mentioned as excuses for wilful homicide in article 227(a) and (b);
(b) in the cases mentioned as excuses for wilful homicide in article 227(c);
(c) if it is provoked by any crime whatsoever against the person;
(d) in the cases mentioned as excuses for wilful homicide in article 227(d).

Punishment for excusable bodily harm referred to in paragraph (a) of s.230,

Amended by: V.1868.15; XI. 1900.34; XIII.1980.7.

231. (1) In the cases referred to in paragraph (a) of the last preceding article, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable -
(a) if death has ensued -
(i) solely as a result of the nature or the natural consequences of the harm and not of any supervening accidental cause, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year;
(ii) as a result of a supervening accidental cause and not solely as a result of the nature or natural consequences of the harm, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months;
(b) if the harm is grievous and produces the effects mentioned in article 218, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months;
(c) if the harm is grievous without the effects mentioned in article 218, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months;
(d) if the harm shall have become grievous owing to a supervening accidental cause -
(i) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, in the case referred to in paragraph (b);
(ii) to the punishments established for contrav- entions, in the case referred to in paragraph (c).
(2) In the cases referred to in subarticle (1), if the harm is slight, no proceedings shall be instituted.
232. In the cases referred to in article 230(b) and (c) the offender shall, on conviction, be liable -
(a) if the harm is grievous, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two-thirds of that established for the crime when not excusable;
(b) if the harm is slight and is committed by any of the means referred to in article 217, or on any of the persons mentioned in article 222(a) and (b), or on any of the persons mentioned in article 222A, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months;
(c) if the harm is slight, without the aggravating circum- stances referred to in the last preceding paragraph, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to a fine (multa) or to the punishments established for contraventions:
Provided that if the punishment established for the crime when not excusable be that established for contraventions, the period of detention shall not exceed twenty days and the amount of the fine (ammenda) shall not exceed six euro and ninety-nine cents (6.99).

in paragraphs (b) and (c) of s. 230, Amended by: VIII. 1857.6,7;

V. 1868.15; XI. 1900.34;

I.1903.8; XIII. 1983.5; XXIX. 1990.9;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

233. (1) In the cases referred to in article 230(d), the offender shall, on conviction, be liable -
(a) in the case of grievous bodily harm, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one-third of that established for the crime when not excusable;
(b) in the case of slight bodily harm committed by any of the means referred to in article 217, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months.
(2) In the cases referred to in subarticle (1) if the harm is slight and is not committed by any of the means referred to in article 217, no punishment shall be awarded.

234. Whosoever shall, by mistake or accident, commit a homicide or cause a bodily harm on a person other than that against whom the act was intended, shall have the benefit of any excuse which wou l d d e crease th e p unishment fo r the crime i f it were committed to the prejudice of the person against whom the act was intended.

235. The provocations referred to in articles 227 and 230 shall not benefit the offender, unless they shall have taken place at the time of the act in excuse whereof they are pleaded.

236. Repealed by: XXIX. 1990.10.

in paragraph (d) of s. 230.

Added by:

VIII. 1909.24.

Admissibility of excuse in case of homicide or bodily harm caused to person other than the intended

victim.

Amended by:

XI.1900.34.

When provocation may be pleaded. Amended by:

V. 1868.14.

Homicide or bodily harm caused by husband on adulterous wife

and adulterer.

Homicide or bodily harm in accidental affray.

Amended by: VIII. 1857.8; VI.1871.18;

III.1885.2; XI. 1900.35; XLIX. 1981.4.

237. Where in an accidental affray a homicide or bodily harm is committed and it is not known who is the author thereof, each person who shall have taken an active part against the deceased or the person injured shall, on conviction, be liable -

(a) in the case of homicide, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years;
(b) in the case of a grievous bodily harm producing the effects mentioned in article 218, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year;
(c) in the case of a grievous bodily harm without the effects mentioned in article 218, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months;
(d) in the case of a slight bodily harm, to the punishments established for contraventions:
Provided that, in the case of homicide, the person or persons who shall have inflicted on the party killed a bodily harm from which death might have ensued, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from five to twelve years.

Provoking tumult or affray for the purpose of committing homicide or causing a bodily harm.

Added by: XI. 1900.35.

238. Whosoever shall provoke a tumult or an affray for the purpose of committing a homicide or of causing a bodily harm, shall, on conviction, be liable -

(a) if any person is killed, to the punishment established for wilful homicide;
(b) if any person suffers a bodily harm, to the punishment established for such bodily harm increased by one degree.

Sub-title VI

OF THE CONCEALMENT OF HOMICIDE OR BODILY HARM, AND OF THE CONCEALMENT OF DEAD BODIES

Concealing body of person killed.

Concealing birth of child.

Amended by:

IV.1994.8.

239. Whosoever shall knowingly conceal the body of a person whose death has been caused by a crime, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from four to six months.

240. Any person who, immediately after the delivery of a child, shall, by secretly burying or otherwise disposing of the dead body of the child, endeavour to con ceal the birth ther eof, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from four months to one year.

Sub-title VII

OF ABORTION, OF THE ADMINISTRATION OR SUPPLYING OF SUBSTANCES POISONOUS OR INJURIOUS TO HEALTH, AND OF THE SPREADING OF DISEASE

Substituted by: III. 2002.43.

241. (1) Whosoever, by any food, drink, medicine, or by violence, or by any other means whatsoever, shall cause the mi scarri ag e of an y w o man wit h chi l d, wheth e r th e wom a n be consenting or not, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from eighteen months to three years.

(2) The same punishment shall be awarded against any woman w ho shall procure her own miscarriage, or who shal l have co nsented to the use of the mean s by which the miscarriage is procured.

Procuring miscarriage. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

242. If the means used shall cause the death of the woman, or shall cause a serious injury to her person, whether the miscarriage has taken place or not, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to the pu ni shm e nt ap pl icab le to wi lful h o m i ci de or wi lful b o d ily harm, diminished by one to three degrees.

243. Any physician, surgeon, obstetrician, or apothecary, who shall have knowingly prescri b ed or adm i nistered the means whereby the miscarriage is procured, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from eighteen months to four years, and to perpetual interdiction from the exercise of his profession.

243A. Whosoever, through imprudence, carelessness, u n sk ilfulness in his art or profession, o r non-ob servance of regulations, causes the miscarriage of a woman with child, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine (multa) not exceeding two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37).

244. Whosoever shall, in any manner, maliciously administer to, or cause to be taken by another person any poisonous or noxious substance capable of causing any harm or injury to health, shall, on co nvictio n, b e liable to imp risonm en t for a term fr om thir teen months to t w o years, prov ided the of fence does not in i t self constitute the offence of homicide, completed or attempted, or a serious injury to the person.

244A. (1) Any person who, knowing that he suffers from, or is af flicte d by, any disea s e or condition a s may be specifie d in accordance with subarticle (3), in any manner knowingly transmits, communicates or passes on such disease or condition to any other person not otherwise suffering from it or afflicted by it, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from four year to nine years:

Provided that where the other person dies as a result of such disease or condition, the offender shall be liable to the punishment established in article 211(1).
(2) Where any such disease or condition as is referred to in

Death or grievous bodily harm caused by means used for miscarriage. Amended by:

III. 2002.44.

Where physician, etc., prescribes or administers means for causing miscarriage. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Culpable miscarriage. Added by: III. 2002.45.

Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Administering or causing others to take substances injurious to health. Amended by: XLIX.1981.4.

Transmission, communication. etc., of disease. Added by:

III. 2002.46. Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007.

subarticle (1) is transmitted, communicated or passed on through imprudence, careles sne ss or th ro ugh no n-o b servance of any regulation by the person who knew or should have known that he suff ers th er e from or i s afflicted thereby th at person shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine (multa) not exceeding two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37):
Provided that where the other person dies as a result of such disease or condition, the offender shall be liable to the punishments established in article 225.
(3) The Minister responsible for justice shall, by notice in the
Gazette, specify diseases or conditions to which this article applies.

Sub-title VIII

Amended by: VI. 1947.8. Substituted by: III. 2002.47.

OF INFANTICIDE AND OF THE ABANDONMENT,

EXPOSURE AND ILL-TREATMENT OF CHILDREN

Infanticide. Added by: VI. 1947.9.

Abandoning or exposing child under seven years. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

If child dies or sustains injury. Amended by: IX. 1859.I6;

V. 1868.16; VI. 1947.10; III. 2002.48.

Abandoning or exposing child without danger to life or limb.

245. Where a woman by any wilful act or omission causes the death of her child, being a child under the age of twelve months, but at the time of the act or omission the balance of her mind was d istu rbed by reason of her no t h avi ng ful ly reco vered fro m the effects of giving birth to the child or by reason of the effects of lactation consequent upon th e birth of the child, then, notwithstanding that the circumstances were such that but for this article the offence would have amounted to wilful homicide, she shall be guilty of infanticide and shall be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty years.

246. Whosoever shall be guilty of abandoning or exposing any child under the age of seven years shall be liable to imprisonment for a term from seven months to one year.

247. (1) Saving the provisions of article 245, where, in consequence of the abandonment or exposure of the child, such child dies or sustains a bodily injury, the offender shall be deemed, in the first case, to be guilty of wilful homicide, and, in the second case, to be guilty of wilful bodily harm, and shall be subject to the provisions relating to homicide and bodily harm respectively; but the punishment shall be diminished by one degree.

(2) Where the abandonment or the exposure of a child as pro v id ed in thi s article sh al l n o t h a v e taken p l ace u nder circumstances of manifest danger either to the life or to the person of th e child so abandoned or exposed, the punishment shall be diminished by two degrees:
Provided that where the punishment prescribed in sub a r ticl e s (1) and (2 ), b e n o t heavi e r th an the pun ish m ent presc r ibed in the la st prec edi ng article, the offender shall, on
conviction, be liable to th e pu ni shment pr escribed in the latt er article, increased by one degree.

247A. (1) Whosoever, having the responsibility of any child under twelve years of age, b y means of persistent acts of commission or omission ill-treats the child or causes or allows the ill-treatment by similar means of the child shall, unless the fact constitutes a more serious offence under any other provision of this Co de, be li ab le on co nv ict i o n to i m p r iso n m e nt fo r a t e rm no t exceeding two years.

(2) For the purposes of subarticle (1), ill-treatment includes neglecting the child’s need for adequate nutrition, clothing, shelter, and protection from harm, persistently offending the child’s dignity and self-esteem in a serious manner and persistently imposing upon the child age-inappropriate tasks or hard physical labour.
(3) The provisions of article 197(4) shall also apply in the case of an offence under this article, when the offence is committed by any ascendant or tutor.

Ill-treatment or neglect of child under twelve years. Added by:

III. 2002.49.

248. Whosoever, having found a newly born child, shall fail to provide for its immediate safety, or, having ass u med the care thereof, shall not, within twenty-four hours, deliver the same, or give inf o rm at ion th er eo f, to the Executive Police, shall , on conviction, be liable, in the first case, to imprisonment for a term from four to six months, and, in the second case, to imprisonment for a term from one to three months:

Provided that in either case, the court may, in its discretion, award a fine (multa or ammenda) in lieu of imprisonment.

Failure to take care of foundling or to make report thereof.

GENERAL PROVISION APPLICABLE TO OFFENCES UNDER SUB-TITLES I TO V, BOTH INCLUSIVE,
AND SUB-TITLE VIII

248 Bis. The provisions of article 208B(2) and (2A) shall apply to any person found guilty of any offence under Sub-titles I to V, both inclusive, and Sub-title VIII when committed against a person under age.

Added by: VII. 2010.15.

Disability in case of offences against persons under age. Added by:

VII. 2010.15.

Sub-title VIII BIS

OF THE TRAFFIC OF PERSONS

Added by: III. 2002.50.

Traffic of a person of age for the purpose of exploitation in the production of goods or provision of services.

Added by: III. 2002.50.

Amended by: VII. 2010.16.

248A. (1) Whosoever, by any means mentioned in subarticle (2), traffics a per s o n of age for the purp o se of explo iting that person in:

(a) the production of goods or provision of services; or
(b) slavery or practices similar to slavery; or
(c) servitude; or
(d) activities associated with begging; or
(e) any other unlawful activities not specifically provided for elsewhere under this sub-title,
shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for a term from two to nine years.
For the purposes of this subarticle exploitation includes requiring a person to produce goods and provide services under conditions and in circumstances which infringe labour standards governing working conditions, salaries and health and safety.
(2) The means referred to in subarticle (1) are the following: (a) violence or threats, including abduction;
(b) deceit or fraud;
(c) misuse of authority, influence or pressure;
(d) the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of the person having control over another person.

Traffic of a person of age for the purpose of exploitation in prostitution, etc. Added by:

III. 2002.50.

Traffic of a person of age for the purpose of exploitation in the removal of organs. Added by:

III. 2002.50.

Traffic of a minor for any of the purposes mentioned in articles 248A to

248C.

Added by:

III. 2002.50.

248B. Whosoever, by any means mentioned in article 248A(2), trafficks a person of age for the purpose of exploiting that person in prostitution or in pornographic performances or in the production of po rn og raph ic mat e ri al sh all, o n co nv icti on , be l i ab le t o th e punishment laid down in article 248A(1).

248C. Whosoever, by any means mentioned in article 248A(2), trafficks a person of age for the purpose of exploiting that person in the removal of any organ of the body shall on conviction be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for a term from four to twelve years.

248D. Whosoever trafficks a minor for any of the purposes m e nti oned in articl e s 248 A to 248 C, bot h in clusive, shal l, on conviction be liable to the same punishment laid down in those articles, as the case may be, even if none of the means mentioned in article 248A(2) has been used:

Provided that where any of the means mentioned in article
248A(2) has been used in the commission of the offence under this article the punishment for the offence shall be increased by one
degree.

248DA. Whosoever, for any purpose referred to in articles 248A to 248C, both inclusive, acting as an intermediary for the adoption of a ch ild i mproperl y ind uces t he consent o f any person w hose consent is required for the adoption shall on conviction be liable to the punishment laid down in article 248D.

248DB. Whosoever shall practice or engage in child labour for any of the purposes mentioned in article 248A shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment established under article 248D.

For the purposes of this article child labour shall include the co ercio n of a person und er ag e i n to forced or compulsory labo ur for any pu rp ose w h atso ever including the forced or compulsory recruitment of minors to take part in armed conflict.

Improperly inducing consent to adoption of a

minor for purposes of exploitation. Added by:

VII. 2010.17.

Child labour. Added by: VII. 2010.17.

248E. (1) In this sub-title, the phrase "trafficks a person" or "trafficks a minor" means the recruitment, transportation, sale or transfer of a person, or of a minor, as the case may be, including harbouring and subsequent reception and exchange of control over that person, or minor, and includes any behaviour which facilitates the entry into, transit through, residence in or exit from the territory of any country for any of the purposes mentioned in the preceding articles of this sub-title, as the case may be.

(2) Where any of the offences in articles 248A to 248D, both inclusive -
(a) is accompanied by violence; or
(b) generates proceeds exceeding eleven thousand and six hundred and forty-six euro and eighty-seven cents (11,646.87); or
(c) is committed with the involvement of a criminal organisation within the meaning of article 83A(1); or
(d) is committed by a public officer or servant in the course of the exercise of his duties; or
(e) is committed against a vulnerable person within the meaning of article 204D(2); or
(f) when the offender willfully or recklessly endangered the life of the person trafficked,
the punishment otherwise due shall be increased by one degree.
(3) The provisions of article 121D shall apply mutatis mutandis to the offences under this sub-title, so however that the punishment to which the body corporate shall be liable under this subarticle shall be the payment of a fine ( mu lta ) of not less than eleven thousand and six hundred and forty-six euro and eighty-seven cents (11,646.87) and not more than one million and eight hundred and sixty-three thousand and four hundred and ninety-eight euro and seventy-two cents (1,863,498.72).
(4) Where the person found guilty of any of the offences under this sub-title -
(a) was at the time of the commission of the offence an employee or otherwise in the service of a body

General provisions applicable to this sub-title.

Added by: III. 2002.50.

Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007;

XXXI. 2007.14;

VII. 2010.18.

Exemption for acts under compulsion.

Inapplicability of Immigration Act. Cap. 217.

corporate, and
(b) the commission of the offence was for the benefit, in part or in whole, of that body corporate, and
(c) the commission of the offence was rendered possible because of the lack of supervision or control by a person referred to in article 121D,
the person found guilty as aforesaid shall be deemed to be vested with the legal representation of the same body corporate which shall be liable to the payment of a fine (multa) of not less than four thousand and six hundred and fifty-eight euro and seventy-five cents (4,658.75) and not more than one million and one hundred and sixty- four thousand and six hundred and eighty-six euro and seventy cents (1,164,686.70).
(5) Without prejudice to the provisions of article 5, the Maltese courts shall also have jurisdiction over the offences laid down in this sub-title where:
(a) only part of the action giving execution to the offence took place in Malta; or
(b) the offender is a Maltese national or permanent resident in Malta.
(6) The offences committed under this sub-title shall not be li abl e to p u n i shmen t if th e o ffe nder wa s comp elled thereto by another person where the provisions of article 33(b) do not apply.
(7) The provisions of article 14 of the Immigration Act shall no t ap pl y u n t i l th e lap s e of th ir ty days fro m t h e d a te t h at th e Principal Immigration Officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person concerned is a victim of any of the offences under this sub-title.

Sub-title IX

Amended by: VIII. 1909.25. Substituted by: XX. 2005.14.

OF THREATS, PRIVATE VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT

Threats by means of writings. Amended by:

IX. 1859.17; XIV. 1983.5;

III. 2002.51.

249. (1) Whosoever by means of any writing, whether anonymous or signed in his own or in a fictitious name, shall threate n the commission of an y cr ime whatsoever, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to six months:

Provided that where the threat concerns the use of nuclear materi al t o cau s e death o r seri ou s i n j u ry t o an y perso n or substantial damage to property or the commission of an offence of theft of nuclear material in ord e r to compel a natural or legal person, international organization or State to do or to refrain from doing any act the punishment for the offence shall be increased by three degr ees; th e expression "nuclear material" shall have the
same meaning assigned to it by article 314B(4).
(2) Where the threat, be it even verbal, contains an order, or imposes a condition, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment prescribed in subarticle (1) and to a fine (multa).
(3) Moreover the offender shall be required to find a surety, or to enter into a recognizance as provided in articles 383, 384 and
385.

250. (1) Whosoever, with intent to extort money or any other thing, or to make any gain, or with intent to induce another person to execute, destroy, alter, or change any will, or written obligation, t itle or security, or to do or omit from do ing any thing, shall threaten to accuse or to make a complaint against, or to defame, t h at or ano t her perso n , shall , o n co nv icti on, be liab l e t o imprisonment for a term from five to eighteen months.

(2) Where by such threat the offender shall have attained his end, he shall be liable to imp risonment for a term from seven months to three years.

Blackmail. Amended by: IX. 1859.18; VIII. 1909.26; XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2002.52.

251. (1) Whosoever shall use violence in order to compel another person to do, suffer or omit anything shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment laid down in subarticle (1) of the last preceding article.

(2) Where the offender shall have attained his end, he shall be li able to th e punishment laid down in subarticle (2) of the last preceding article.

Private violence.

251A. (1) A person who pursues a course of conduct:

(a) which amounts to harassment of another person, and
(b) which he knows or ought to know amounts to harassment of such other person,
shall be guilty of an offence under this article.
(2) For the purpose of this article, the person whose course of conduct is in question ought to know that it amounts to harassment of another person if a reasonable person in possession of the same i n for m ati on woul d t h in k th e cou r se of con duct amou nted t o harassment of the other person.
(3) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this article to show that:
(a) his course of conduct was pursued for the purpose of preventing or detecting crime; or
(b) his course of conduct was pursued under any enactment, regulation or rule, or to comply with any condition or requirement imposed by any person under any enactment; or
(c) in the particular circumstances the pursuit of the course of conduct was reasonable.
(4) A person guilty of an offence under this article shall be

Harassment. Added by: XX. 2005.15. Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007.

liable to the punishment of imprisonment for a term from one to three months or to a fine (multa) of not less than two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2329.37) and not more than four thousand and six hundred and fifty-eight euro and seven t y-fi ve cents (4658.75), o r t o b o t h s u c h f i n e a n d imprisonment:
Provided that the punishment shall be increased by one degree wh ere the of fence is committed against any person mentioned in article 222(1).

Causing others to fear that violence will be used against them. Added by:

XX. 2005.15. Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007.

251B. (1) A person whose course of conduct causes another to fear that violence will be use d ag ain s t hi m or h i s pr op ert y or agai nst t h e person o r p r op erty of any of his ascendan t s, descendants, brothers or sisters or any person mentioned in article

222(1) shall be guilty of an offence if he knows or ought to know that his course of conduct will cause the other so to fear on each of those occasions, and shall be liable to the punishme n t of im prisonment for a term from th ree to six m onths or to a fine (multa) of not less than four thousand and six hundred and fifty-eight euro and seventy-five cents (4658.75) and not more than eleven thousand and six hundred and forty-six euro and eighty-seven cents (11,646.87), or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(2) For the purpose of this article, the person whose course of co ndu ct i s in questi on oug ht to kno w t hat it wil l cause anot her person to fear t h at violence wi ll be used against hi m on any occasion if a reasonable pers on in pos s ession of the same information would think the course of conduct would cause the other so to fear on that occasion.
(3) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this article to show that:
(a) his course of conduct was pursued in the circumstances mentioned in article 251A(3)(a) or (b); or
(b) the pursuit of his course of conduct was reasonable for the protection of himself or another or for the protection of his or another ’s property.

Interpretation of articles 251A and

251B. Added by: XX. 2005.15.

251C. In articles 251A and 251B references to harassing a person include alarming the person or causing the person distress.

Increase of punishment in certain cases. Added by: XVI. 2006.5.

251D. The punishments established in the foregoing provisions of this sub-title shall be increased by one to two degrees when the offence is racially or religiously aggravated within the meaning of sub-articles (3) to (6), both inclusive, of article 222A.

Sub-title X

OF DEFAMATION, AND OF THE DISCLOSING OF SECRET

MATTERS

252. (1) Whosoever, with the object of destroying or damaging the reputation of any person, shall offend such person by words, gestures, or by any writing or drawing, or in any other manner, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to a fine (multa).
(2) Where the defamation consists in vague expressions or indeterminate reproaches, or in words or acts which are merely indecent, the offender shall be liable to the punishments established for contraventions.
(3) Where the defamation is committed by means of writings, effig i es or drawings, divulged or exhibited t o the public, the offender shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year.
(4) Where the defamation is directed against an ascendant, and the offence is punishable with imprisonment, the offender shall also be liable to a fine (multa).

Defamation. Amended by: XI.1900.36; IV. 1916.2.

253. (1) The party charged with the offence referred to in the last preceding artic le shall not be allowed to produce, in his d e fence, evid ence of t h e truth or o f the no toriety of th e fact attributed to the person aggrieved.

(2) Evidence of the truth is, however, admitted -
(a) if the person aggrieved is a public officer or employee, and the fact attributed to him refers to the exercise of his functions, and the defendant, in the preliminary stage of the cause, assumes responsibility for the defamation and declares in his defence that he wishes to prove the truth of the fact attributed by him to the aggrieved party:
Provided that this provision shall not apply in the case of the offences referred to in articles 93 and 95;
(b) if the complainant formally requests that the proceedings shall include an inquiry into the truth or the falsity of the fact attributed to him.
(3) If the truth of the fact be proved, the defendant shall be exempted from punishment, whenever the court is satisfied that the proof of the truth has been in the public interest, and the means used, having regard to the circumstances of time, place and person, do not in themselves constitute a defamation or any other offence independently of the proof of the truth of the fact attributed to the complainant.
(4) Where the defendant, in the case in which he is allowed to prove the truth of the fact attributed to the complainant, fails in proof of such truth, the cour t may, if the defamation is proved, increase the punishment by one or two degrees, having regard to all

Evidence of truth inadmissible. Amended by: XI.1900.36;

IV. 1916.3.

Exceptions.

the circumstances of the case.

Extenuating circumstances. Discretionary power of court. Amended by: XI. 1900.36.

No proceedings without complaint of aggrieved party. Where party aggrieved dies before complaint or where the offence is against the memory of deceased persons. Amended by:

XI. 1900.36.

Libel. Amended by: XIV. 1889.44; XI.1900.36; XXII.1976.4. Cap. 248.

254. Where there are extenuating circumstances, the court may award a punishment lesser than those hereinbefore laid down or apply the provisions of article 378, according to the circumstances of the case.

255. No proceedings shall be instituted for defamation except on the complaint of the party aggrieved:

Provided that where the party aggrieved dies before having made the complaint, or where the offence is committed against the memory of a deceased person, it shall be lawful for the husband or wife, the ascendants, descendants, brothers and sisters, and for the immediate heirs, to make the complaint.

256. (1) In cases of defamation committed by means of printed matter, the provisions contained in the Press Act shall apply.

(2) Where, according to the said Act, proceedings may only be instituted on the complaint of the party aggrieved, the provisions co nt ain ed in t he prov iso to t he last prece ding article shall also apply.

Disclosing of professional secrets. Substituted by: XXIV. 1994.15. Amended by:

II. 1998.7;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Cap. 101. Cap. 31.

Cap. 373.

257. If any person, who by reason of his calling, profession or office, becomes the depositary of any secret confided in him, shall, except when compelled by law to give inf o rmation to a public authority, disclose such secret, he shall on conviction be liable to a fine (multa) not exceeding forty-six thousand and five hundred and eighty - seven euro and forty- seven cents (46,587.47) o r t o imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment:
Provided that, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, it shall be a defence to show that the disclosure was made to a competent public authority in Malta or outside Malta investigating any act or omission committed in Malta and which constitutes, or if committed outside Malta would in corresponding circumstances constitute -
(a) any of the offences referred to in article 22(2)(a)(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance; or
(b) any of the offences referred to in article 120A(2)(a)(1)
of the Medical and Kindred Professions Ordinance; or
(c) any offence of money laundering within the meaning of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act:
Provided further that the provisions of the first proviso of this article shall not apply to a person who is a member of the legal or the medical profession.
Title IX

OF CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Amended by: XVI. 1901.1; I. 1903.11.

Sub-title I

OF THEFT

§ OF AGGRAVATED THEFT

261. The crime of theft may be aggravated - (a) by "violence";
(b) by "means";
(c) by "amount"; (d) by "person"; (e) by "place";
(f) by "time";
(g) by "the nature of the thing stolen".

Theft. Aggravating circumstances.

262. (1) A theft is aggravated by "violence" -

(a) where it is accompanied with homicide, bodily harm, or confinement of the person, or with a written or verbal threat to kill, or to inflict a bodily harm, or to cause damage to property;
(b) where the thief presents himself armed, or where the thieves though unarmed present themselves in a number of more than two;
(c) where any person scouring the country-side and carrying arms proper, or forming part of an assembly in terms of article 63, shall, by a written or verbal request, made either directly or through another person, cause to be delivered to him the property of another, although the request be not accompanied with any threat.
(2) In order that an act of violence may be deemed to aggravate the theft, i t shall be suf f i c ient t h at such act be co mmit ted previously to, at the time of, or immediately after the crime, with the object of facilitating the completion thereof, or of screening the offender from punishment or from arrest or from the hue and cry raised by the injured party or by others, or of preventing the recovery of the stolen property or by way of revenge because of impediment placed or attempted to be placed in the way of the theft, or because of the recovery of the stolen property or of the discovery of the thief.

Theft aggravated by "violence".

Theft aggravated by "means".

Definition of "breaking". Amended by: IX.1859.19; XVI. 1921.3, 4; XXXII. 1986.3.

Presumptive evidence in the case of breaking of pipes, etc.

263. Theft is aggravated by "means" -

(a) when it is committed with internal or external breaking, with false keys, or by scaling;
(b) when the thief makes use of any painting, mask, or other covering of the face, or any other disguise of garment or appearance, or when, in order to commit the theft, he takes the designation or puts on the dress of any civil or military officer, or alleges a fictitious order purporting to be issued by any public authority, even though such devices shall not have ultimately contributed to facilitate the theft, or to conceal the perpetrator thereof.

264. (1) "Breaking" shall include the throwing down, breaking, demolishing, burning, wrenching, twisting, or forcing of any wall, not being a rubb le wall en cl osing a field, ro of, bol t, padlock, door, or other similar contrivances intended to prevent entrance into any dwelling-house or other place or enclosure, or to lock up or secure w a res or other articles in boxes, tru nks, cupboards, or other receptacles, and the breaking of any box, trunk, or other receptacle even though such breaking may not have taken place on the spot where the theft is committed.

Savi ng the provisions of article 326, any br eaking, twisting, wrenching, or forcing of the pipes of the public water service or of the gas service, or of the wires or cables of the electricity service, or of the meters thereof, or of any seal of any meter, made for the purpose of effecting an unlawful communication with such pipes, wi res, or cab l es, or th e exist e n c e of ar tif icial m e ans as ar e mentioned in subarticle (2), shall also be deemed to be "breaking".
(2) In the case of breaking of pipes of the public water service or of the gas service, or of the wires or cables of the electricity service, or of the metres thereof, or of any seal of any meter, or in the case of the existence of artificial means capable of effecting the unlawful use or consumption of water, gas or electric current, or capable of preventing or altering the measurement or registration on the meter of the quantity used or consumed, shall, until the contrary is proved, be taken as evidence of the knowledge on the part of the person occupying or having the control of the tenement in which such breaking or artificial means are found, of the said use or consumption of water, gas or electric current, as the case may be.

Definition of "false key".

Definition of

"scaling".

265. Any hook, picklock, skeleton-key, or any key imitated, counterfeited, or adapted, and any genuine key when procured by means of theft, fraud or any kind of artifice, and, generally, any other instrument adapted for opening or removing fastenings of any kind whatsoever, whether internal or external, shall be deemed a false key.

266. (1) The entry into any of the places mentioned in article

264 by any way other than by the doors ordinarily intended for the
purpose, whether the entry is effected by means of a ladder or rope or by any other means whatsoever, or by the bodily assistance of any other person or by clambering in any way whatsoever in order
to mount or descend, as well as the entry by any subterraneous aperture other than that established as an entrance, shall be deemed "scaling".
(2) For the purposes of punishment, there shall also be deemed to be "scaling" when the offender, although he shall have entered into any of the places aforesaid by any way ordinarily destined for the purpose, shall get out of the same by any of the m e ans aforesaid.

267. Theft is aggravated by "amount", when the value of the thing stolen exceeds two hundred and thirty-two euro and ninety-four cents (232.94).

268. Theft is aggravated by "person" -

(a) when it is committed in any place by a servant to the prejudice of his master, or to the prejudice of a third party, if his capacity as servant, whether real or fictitious, shall have afforded him facilities in the commission of the theft;
the term "servant" shall include every person employed at a salary or other remuneration in the service of another, whether such person lives with his master or not;
(b) when it is committed by a guest or by any person of his family, in the house where he is receiving hospitality, or, under similar circumstances, by the host or by any person of his family, to the prejudice of the guest or his family;
(c) when it is committed by any hotel-keeper, innkeeper, driver of a vehicle, boatman, or by any of their agents, servants or employees, in the hotel, inn, vehicle or boat wherein such hotel-keeper, innkeeper, driver or boatman carries on or causes to be carried on any such trade or calling, or performs or causes to be performed any such service; and also when it is committed in any of the above-mentioned places, by any individual who has taken lodgings or a place, or has entrusted his property therein;
(d) when it is committed by any apprentice, fellow workman, journey-man, professor, artist, soldier, seaman, or any other employee, in the house, shop, workshop, quarters, ship, or any other place, to which the offender has access by reason of his trade, profession, or employment.
269. Theft is aggravated by "place", when it is committed - (a) in any public place destined for divine worship;
(b) in the hall where the court sits and during the sitting of the court;

Theft aggravated by "amount". Amended by:

XI. 1900.37; III. 1971.6;

XIII. 1980.8; XIII. 1983.5;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Theft aggravated by "person".

Definition of

"servant".

Theft aggravated by "place".

(c) on any public road in the country-side outside inhabited areas;
(d) in any store or arsenal of the Government, or in any other place for the deposit of goods or pledges, destined for the convenience of the public;
(e) on any ship or vessel lying at anchor;
(f) in any prison, or other place of custody or punishment; (g) in any dwelling-house or appurtenance thereof.

Theft aggravated by "time".

Theft aggravated by "the nature of the thing stolen". Amended by: XIII. 1983.5; XXXII. 1986.4; III. 2002.53;

V. 2005.37;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Cap. 477.

270. Theft is aggravated by "time", when it is committed in the night, that is to say, between sunset and sunrise.

271. Theft is aggravated by "the nature of the thing stolen"-

(a) when it is committed upon things exposed to danger, whether by their being cast away or removed for safety, or by their being abandoned on account of urgent personal danger arising from fire, the falling of a building, or from any shipwreck, flood, invasion by an enemy, or any other grave calamity;
(b) when it is committed on beehives;
(c) when it is committed on any kind of cattle, large or small, in any pasture-ground, farmhouse or stable, provided the value be not less than two euro and thirty-three cents (2.33);
(d) when it is committed on any cordage, or other things essentially required for the navigation or for the safety of ships or vessels;
(e) when it is committed on any net or other tackle cast in the sea, for the purpose of fishing;
(f) when it is committed on any article of ornament or clothing which is at the time on the person of any child under nine years of age;
(g) when it is committed on any vehicle in a public place or in a place accessible to the public, or on any part or accessory of, or anything inside, such vehicle;
(h) when it is committed on nuclear material as defined in article 314B(4);
(i) when it is committed on any public record as defined in article 2 of the National Archives Act.

Punishment for theft accompanied with wilful homicide. Amended by:

XXI. 1971.20; XLIX. 1981.4.

272. Whosoever shall be guilty of theft accompanied with wilful homicide shall be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for life.

272A. (1) Whosoever shall be guilty of theft accompanied with grievous bodily harm from which death ensues shall be liable:

(a) if the harm is grievous and death ensues as a result of the nature or the natural consequences of the harm and not of any supervening accidental cause:
(i) to imprisonment for a term from eight to thirty years, if death shall ensue within forty days to be reckoned from the midnight immediately preceding the crime;
(ii) to imprisonment for a term from six to twenty five years, if death shall ensue after the said forty days, but within one year to be reckoned as above;
(b) if death shall ensue as a result of a supervening accidental cause and not solely as a result of the nature or the natural consequences of the harm, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from five to ten years.
(2) The provisions of article 220(3) shall apply where the harm is caused within the territorial limits of Malta but death occurs outside those limits.

Punishment for theft accompanied with grievous bodily harm from which death ensues.

Added by: VII. 2010.19.

273. Whosoever shall be guilty of theft accompanied with attempted homicide shall be liable to imprisonment for a term from six to twenty years.

274. Whosoever shall be guilty of theft accompanied with bodily harm shall be liable -

(a) if the harm is grievous and produces the effects mentioned in article 218, to imprisonment for a term from four to twelve years;
(b) if the harm is grievous without the effects mentioned in article 218, to imprisonment for a term from three to nine years;
(c) if the harm is slight, to imprisonment for a term from two to five years;
(d) if the harm is slight and of small consequence, and is not committed by any of the means mentioned in article 217, to imprisonment for a term from eighteen months to three years.

Punishment for theft accompanied with attempted homicide. Amended by:

IV. 1856.13; VI. 1871.l9;

XI.1900.38; XLIX. 1981.4.

Punishment for theft accompanied with bodily harm. Amended by: XI.1900.38;

XLIX. 1981.4.

275. Whosoever shall be guilty of theft accompanied with confinement of the person shall be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to four years.

Punishment for theft accompanied with confinement of person. Amended by: V.1868.17;

XLIX. 1981.4.

Punishment for theft aggravated by "violence" not accompanied with wilful or attempted homicide or with bodily harm or confinement of person.

Amended by: V.1868.17; XLIX.1981.4.

Punishment when "violence" is directed against certain persons. Added by:

XXIX. 1990.12. Amended by:

III. 2002.54.

Punishment for theft aggravated by "violence" accompanied with other aggravating circumstances. Amended by: XXIX.1990.13.

276. Whosoever shall be guilty of theft aggravated by "violence", but not accompanied with any of the circumstances mentioned in articles 272, 273, 274 and 275, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term from nine months to three years.

276A. The punishment established in articles 273, 274, 275 and

276 shall be increased by one or two degrees when the "violence" therein mentioned is directed against a person who is under the age of twelve years or over the age of sixty years or against a person
who is suffering from a degree of physical or mental infirmity in consequence of which he is unable to offer adequate resistance.

277. When the theft aggravated by "violence" in terms of article

274, 275 or 276, is accompanied with any of the other aggravating circumstances specified in article 261, the offender shall, on
conviction, be liable -
(a) where the theft is accompanied with one or more of such other aggravating circumstances, with the exception of that of "means", to the punishment established in article 274, 275, 276 or 276A, which shall not be awarded in its minimum;
(b) where the theft is accompanied with the aggravating circumstance of "means", whether with or without other aggravating circumstances, to the punishment established in article 274, 275, 276 or 276A, increased by one or two degrees.

Punishment for theft aggravated by "means" only or by "means" and other aggravating circumstances. Amended by: VI.1871.20; XI.1900.39; I.1903.12; XII.1913.6; III.1971.7; XIII.1980.9; XLIX.1981.4; XIII.1983.5;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

278. (1) Whosoever shall be guilty of theft aggravated by "means" only shall be liable to imprisonment for a term from five months to three years.

(2) Where the theft, besides being accompanied with the aggravating circumstance of "means", is also accompanied with one of the other aggravating circumstances, with the exception of that of "violence", the said punishment shall not be awarded in its minimum.
(3) Where the theft, besides being accompanied with the aggravating circumstance of "means", is also accompanied with t w o or mo re of the oth e r aggr avating circumstances, with the exception of that of "violence", the said puni shment shall be increased by one degree and shall not be awarded in its minimum.
Powers of court. (4) Where, however, the value of the thing stolen does not exceed twenty-three euro and twenty-nine cents (23.29), t h e c o u r t m a y, without prejudice to the operation of article 371(2)(c), apply in each case the punishment of imprisonment for a term from five to nine months.

279. Whosoever shall be guilty of theft aggravated by

"amount" only shall be liable -
(a) if the value of the thing stolen does not exceed two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37), to imprisonment for a term from five months to three years;
(b) if the value of the thing stolen exceeds two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37), to imprisonment for a term from thirteen months to seven years:
Provided that where for any reason mentioned in article
325(2) it is not possible to estimate the value of the thing stolen the said value shall be deemed to exceed two thousand and three hundred
and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37).

Punishment for theft aggravated by "amount". Amended by:

XI. 1900.39; XII. 1913.7;

III. 1971.8; XIII. 1980.10; XLIX. 1981.4;

XIII. 1983.5; V. 2005.37;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

280. (1) Where the theft aggravated by "amount" is accompanied with one or more of the other aggravating circumstances, with the exception of that of "violence" or "means", the offender shall be liable, as the case may be, to the punishments established in the last preceding article, which shall not, however, be awarded in their minimum.

(2) Where the theft, besides being accompanied with the aggravating circumstance of "amount", is also accompanied with the a g gravating circumstance of "vio lence", or wi th that of "means", or with both, the punishment applicable to theft when accompanied with such aggravating circumstances shall be applied:
Provided that, if such punishment be lower than the p unishments l a i d do wn i n th e l a st p r eceding ar ticle, the latter punishments shall be applied with an increase of one degree.
(3) For the purposes of the foregoing subarticle, where the "violence" is dir ected against any of the persons mentioned in article 276A, the punishment applicable to theft when accompanied with the a g gravating circumstan ce of "violence" shall be the punishment as increased by that article.

Punishment for theft aggravated by "amount" accompanied with other aggravating circumstances. Amended by: XI.1900.39; XII.1913.8; XXIX.1990.14.

281. Whosoever shall be guilty of theft aggravated only by "person", "place", "time", or "the nature of the thing stolen", shall be liable -

(a) where the theft is accompanied with one only of these four aggravating circumstances, to imprisonment for a term from seven months to two years;
(b) where the theft is accompanied with two of such aggravating circumstances, to the same punishment, which, however, shall in no case be awarded in its minimum;
(c) where the theft is accompanied with more than two of such aggravating circumstances, to the said punishment, which may, however, be increased to any term not exceeding three years.

Punishment for theft aggravated by "person", "place", "time" or "nature

of thing stolen".

Amended by:

XLIX.1981.4.

Punishment for aggravated theft when the value of the thing stolen does not exceed twenty-three euro and twenty-nine cents (23.29). Amended by: IV.1856.14; V.1868.18; VI.1871.21; XI.1900.40; I.1903.14; III.1971.9; XLIX.1981.4;

XIII. 1983.5;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Theft of water, gas or electric current. Added by: XVI.1921.5. Amended by: XIII.1983.5;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

When deemed to

be completed.

Punishment when

value of water, etc.,

does not exceed

twenty-three euro

and twenty-nine

cents (23.29).

Complaint of the injured party. Added by:

XXII. 2005.3.

282. Where in cases of theft accompanied with one or more of the aggravating circumstances mentioned in article 261, with the exception of that of "violence" or "means", the value of the thing stolen does not exceed twenty-three euro and twenty-nine cents (23.29), the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.

283. In the cases set forth in the second paragraph of article

264(1), the thef t aggravated by "m ea ns" shall be deem ed to be completed when the communication therein mentioned is effected, and the offender shall be liable to the punishment laid down in
article 278(4), unless it is proved that the value of the water, gas or electric current stolen exceeds twenty-three euro and twenty-nine cents (23.29).

283A. No proceedings shall be instituted in respect of any offence of theft of electricity except on the complaint of the injured party even if the offence is one which falls within the competence of the Court of Magistrates as provided in article 370(1) and even if the injured party has not expressly waived the right to prosecute within four days from the commission of the of fen ce. The provisions of this article shall apply notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided in article 373.

§ OF SIMPLE THEFT

Simple theft. 284. Theft, when not accompanied with any of the aggravating circumstances specified in article 261, is simple theft.

Punishment. Amended by: III.1971.10; XLIX.1981.4; XIII. 1983.5;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

285. Whosoever shall be guilty of simple theft shall be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to six months:

Provided that if the value of the thing stolen does not exceed twenty-three euro and twenty-nine cents (23.29), the offender shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.

286. The punishment established for simple theft according to the value of the thing stolen shall be applied against any person who, having been convicted in Malta for theft, or for receiving stolen articles, is found to have in his possession any stolen article the lawful possession of which he does not satisfactorily account for.

287. Whosoever, having been convicted in Malta for theft, or for receiving stolen articles, is found to have in his possession fruits, plants, or other field or garden produce or money or other articles, not in keeping with his condition, the lawful possession of which he does not satisfactorily account for, or is found to have in his possessi on an y a dap ted or c oun terfeit ke ys, o r any im p lem ent s capable o f open i ng or forcing open any lock, or to have in his possession any impression of locks, the actual lawful destination of which he does not satisfactorily account for, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.

288. The offender shall be liable to the punishments established for contraventions, when, in any case of simple theft, the gain contemplated by the offender is the mere use of the thing, with intent to restore the same immediately.

GENERAL PROVISION APPLICABLE TO THIS SUB-TITLE

Possession of stolen articles by person previously convicted of theft or of receiving stolen articles. Amended by:

XI. 1900.41; I.1903.15.

Unjustified possession of moneys, articles, etc., by person previously convicted of theft, etc.

Added by: XI.1900.41.

Theft for mere use of thing stolen. Amended by: IV.1856.15; VI.1871.22; XI.1900.42.

289. (1) In the case of a second or subsequent conviction for any offence referred to in this sub-title, the punishment may be i n creased , in the case of a secon d co nviction, b y one or tw o degrees, and, in the case of a third or subsequent conviction, by one to three degrees.

(2) When the increase of punishment cannot otherwise take pla ce than by the ap pl icat io n o f soli tar y confinement, such punishment may be awarded to the extent of eighteen periods.

Punishment in case of second or subsequent conviction for

theft.

Sub-title II

OF OTHER OFFENCES RELATING TO UNLAWFUL ACQUISITION AND POSSESSION OF PROPERTY

290. Whosoever shall purchase or otherwise receive from any other person or shall be found to have in his possession any article bearing any mark or sign denoting such article to be the property of the Republic of Malta, or any article which the possessor knows to be the property of the Republic of Malta, for the disposal of which no wri tten permi ssi on sh all h a ve b een g i ven by the com p etent authority, and shall fail to give a satisfactory account as to how he came by the article or thing found in his pos s ession, shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa) or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month.

Unlawful possession of property of the Republic of Malta. Amended by:

IV. 1856.16; XXVI. 1931.3;

XXVII. 1975.19.

obliterating marks denoting property of the Republic of Malta.

Amended by: XXII. 1931.3;

XXVII. 1975.20; XLIX. 1981.4.

Unlawful dealings in or possession of marine or ship’s stores.

Republic of Malta, shall destroy or obliterate, in any of the articles or t h ing s m e nt ioned i n th e last two preceding articles, f o r th e disposal of which no permission shall have been given, any mark or si gn deno tin g su ch arti cle or th ing to b e th e prop ert y o f the Republic of Malta, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from one to six months.
292. Whosoever, without a licence from the Government, shall keep for sale or deal in any articles which are by common repute considered to come under the denomination of marine or ship’s stores, and whosoever, without such licence, shall be found in possession of such articles, without being able to give a satisfactory account as to how he came by th e articles so found, shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa) and to the forfeiture of the said articles.

Misappropriation.

Amended by:

IV. 1874.3;

VIII. 1909.28;

XLIX. 1981.4;

III. 2002.55.

Sub-title III

OF FRAUD

293. Whosoever misapplies, converting to his own benefit or to the benefit of any other person, anything which has been entrusted or delivered to him under a title which implies an obligation to return such thing or to make use thereof for a specific purpose, shall be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term from three to eighteen months:

Provided that no criminal proceedings shall be instituted for such offence, except on the complaint of the injured party.

Aggravating circumstances. Amended by: VIII. I909.29; XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2002.56.

Fraud relating to insurance. Amended by: VIII. 1857.9;

IV. 1874.4; VIII. 1909.30;

XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2002.57.

Barratry. Amended by: IV. 1874.5; XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2002.58.

294. Nevertheless, where the offence referred to in the last preceding article is committed on things entrusted or delivered to t h e o f fender by reaso n o f his p r o f ession , trade, bu si ness, management, office or service or in consequence of a necessary deposit, criminal proceedings shall be instituted ex officio and the punishment shall be of imprisonment for a term from seven months to two years.

295. Whosoever, with intent to obtain for himself or for any other person the payment of any money due under any insurance against risks, or any other undue benefit, destroys, disperses or deteriorates, by any means whatsoever, things belonging to him, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from seven months to two years, and, where he succeeds in his intent, from nine months to three years.

296. (1) Any master, padrone or boatman or any person entrusted with the command, use or custody of any lighter, boat, skiff, caique or other vessel, even if intended to navigate once only within the limits of Malta, who, for purposes of gain -
(a) abandons or damages the vessel or causes the vessel to sink;
(b) steals or damages any goods or other things which are
on the vessel;
(c) falsely represents the loss of or damage to the vessel, goods or other things;
(d) sells or otherwise disposes of the vessel against the will and to the prejudice of the owner,
shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from five months to two years.
(2) The said punishment shall also be applied where the offender is a part-owner of the vessel, goods or things.

297. Whosoever, making an improper use of any paper signed in blank entrusted to him, sha ll, for the pur pose of gain, write thereon anything to the prejudice of another person, or shall, for the like purpose, add upon any paper not in blank, entrusted to him,

any writin g or clause, shall, on convicti on, be liable to imprisonment for a term from nine months to three years.

298. (1) Whosoever -

(a) forges or alters, without the consent of the owner, the name, mark or any other distinctive device of any intellectual work or any industrial product, or knowingly makes use of any such name, mark or device forged or altered, without the consent of the owner, even though by others;
(b) forges or alters, without the consent of the owner, any design or model of manufacture, or knowingly makes use of any such design or model forged or altered, without the consent of the owner, even though by others;
(c) knowingly makes use of any mark, device, signboard or emblem bearing an indication calculated to deceive a purchaser as to the nature of the goods, or sells any goods with any such mark, device or emblem;
(d) puts on the market any goods in respect of which a distinctive trade mark has been registered, after removing the trade mark without the consent of the owner thereof;
(e) applies a false trade description to any goods, that is to say, applies to goods any forged or altered figure, word or mark which according to the custom of the trade is taken to indicate -
(i) the number, quantity, measure, gauge or weight of the goods,
(ii) the place or country in which the goods are made or produced,
(iii) the mode of manufacturing or producing the goods,
(iv) that the goods are the subject of an existing patent, privilege or industrial copyright;

Fraudulent breach of trust in respect of papers signed in blank or otherwise. Amended by:

XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2002.59.

Commercial or industrial fraud. Amended by:

XI. 1899.106; XLIX. 1981.4.

or imports for any purpose of trade, any goods bearing a fraudulent imitation of any mark, device or emblem;
(g) knowingly makes, keeps or transfers to any person, any die, block, machine or other instrument for the purpose of forging, or of being used for forging, a trade mark,
shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from four months to one year.
(2) For the purposes of subarticle (1)(e), any figure, word or mark which, according to the custom of the trade, is commonly taken to indicate any of the matters therein referred to, shall be deemed to be a trade description thereof.

Fraudulent access to tele- communications systems.

Added by: XII.1991.41. Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007.

298A. Whoever shall construct, alter, make, be in possession of, sell or purchase any device whereby such person may unlawfully connect with any telecommunication system shall, on conviction, be liable -

(a) where the offence is committed for gain or by way of trade, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to a fine (multa) of not more than four thousand and six hundred and fifty-eight euro and seventy-five cents (4,658.75) or to both such fine and imprisonment; and
(b) in all other cases, to a fine (multa) of not more than two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37).

Violation of copyright. Added by: XII.1991.41. Amended by: XIX.1992.2;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

298B. (1) Whosoever, for gain, or by way of trade prints, m anu fact ures, d upl icat es or ot herwise reprod uces o r copi es, or sells, distributes or otherwise offers for sale or distribution, any article or other thing in violation of the rights of copyright enjoyed by any other person and protected by or under Maltese law, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to a fine (multa) not exceeding eleven thousand and six hundred and forty-six euro and eighty-seven cents (11,646.87) or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(2) Proceedings under this article may not be taken except on the complaint of the injured party.

Usury. Added by: III. 2002.60.

Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007.

298C. (1) Whosoever receives from another person or obtains from another person a promise to give, to himself or to others, in consideration of a loan, interests or any other gain under any form whatsoeve r in exce s s of what is allowed by law sha ll, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding eighteen months and to the payment of a fine (multa) from two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37) to thirty-four thousand and nine hundred and forty euro and sixty cents (34,940.60).
(2) The same punishment laid down in subarticle (1) shall apply to whosoever receives from another person or obtains from
another person a promise to give, to himself or to o t hers, in consideration of a service consisting in any other benefit of any kin d, i nt ere st s o r any ot her g ain u nde r any fo rm wha tsoev er in excess o f what is allowed by law or ot herwise grossly disproportionate to the service given.
(3) The same punishment laid down in subarticle (1) shall also apply to whosoever, not being an accomplice in the offence in the same subarticle, intervenes to procure for another person a sum of money or any other benefit by having a person give or promise to giv e , t o hi msel f or t o ot hers, in respe c t of t h e in terven ti on, a grossly disproportionate compensation.
(4) For the purposes of subarticles (1), (2) and (3), in the de term i n a t i o n o f w h et h e r t h e in t e rest s are, or an y ga in or compensation is, grossly disproportionate account shall be had of all the circumstances of the fact and of the average rates usually applicable to operations similar to the one in question.
(5) Where, in the course of criminal proceedings for an offence under this article, it is proved before the court that the accused has recei ved from another person an amount of interest, or a consideration of an amount, in excess of what is allowed by law or otherwise grossly disproportionate to the service given, the court shall order the accused to pay to the said other person such amount as may be determined by the court as being the excess received by the a ccused as aforesa i d. The sa id o r der of th e cou r t shal l b e without prejudice to any right of such other person to recover by any other means any greater amount due to him and the order shall consti tute an executi v e titl e enfo r c eabl e as if i t were a final judg em ent given in a civil action betw een the offender an d th e person to whom payment is ordered.
(6) The punishment for an offence under this article shall be decreased by one de gree where the a ccus e d, before final j udgemen t , reimbur ses ex cess amou nt receiv ed by h im to the person from whom such amount was received.
298D. Any person who, without the prior approval in writing of the Commissioner of Police, in any manner whatsoever, tampers, removes, alters or makes a chassis or engine identification number of, or on, any m o tor vehicle shall, on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to a fine (multa) of not less than six hundred and ninety-eight euro and eighty-one cents (698.81)and not more than two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37) or to both such imprisonment and fine.

Tampering, removal, etc., of chassis or engine number.

Added by: III. 2002.61. Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007.

299. In the cases referred to in article 298(1)(a), (b), (c) and (d), criminal intent shall be presumed, unless the accused proves that he has acted without such intent.
300. In the cases referred to in the last part of article 298(1)(a) and in (b) and (d), the burden of proof of the consent of the owner shall lie on the accused.

Presumption of malice.

Added by:

XI.1899.106.

Amended by:

XII. 1991.41.

Burden of proof.

Added by:

XI. 1899.106.

Added by:

XI. 1899.106.

How presumption of malice may be rebutted in certain cases.

Added by:

XI. 1899.106.

prevent such trade description being a false trade description within the meaning of the said paragraph.
302. In the cases referred to in article 298(1)(f), criminal intent shall be presumed, unless the accused proves -
(a) that, having taken all necessary precaution against committing the offence referred to in the said paragraph, he had, at the time of the commission of the alleged offence, no reason to suspect the genuineness of the mark or sign; and
(b) that, on demand made by any member of the Police, he gave all the information in his power with respect to the persons from whom he obtained the goods in question; and
(c) that otherwise he had acted innocently.

Exemption from punishment. Added by: XI.1899.106.

303. In the cases referred to in article 298(1)(g), no punishment shall be awarded if the accused proves -
(a) that, in the ordinary course of his business he is employed, on behalf of other persons, to make dies, blocks, machines or other instruments for making or being used in making trade marks, or, as the case may be, to apply marks, devices or emblems to goods; and
(b) that, in the case which is the subject of the charge, he was so employed by some person resident in Malta, and was not in any manner whatsoever interested in the goods by way of profit dependent on the sale of the goods to which any such mark, device or emblem might have been applied.

Cases in which a trade mark, device or description is deemed to have been applied. Added by:

XI. 1899.106.

304. For the purposes of the preceding articles, every person is dee m ed t o app l y a trade mark or dis tinc tive devi ce or trad e description to goods, who -

(a) actually applies it to the goods themselves; or
(b) applies it to any covering, label, reel or other thing in or with which the goods are sold or exposed or had in possession for any purpose of sale, trade or manufacture; or
(c) places, encloses or annexes any goods which are sold or exposed or had in possession for any purpose of sale, in, with or to any covering, label, reel or other thing, in respect of which a trade mark has been registered or to which a trade description has been applied; or
(d) uses a trade mark, device or trade description in any manner calculated to lead to the belief that the goods in connection with which it is used are truly designated by that trade mark, device or trade description.

305. For the purposes of the foregoing articles, the expression "covering" includes any stopper, cask, bottle, vessel, box, cover, capsule, case or wrapper; and the expression "label" includes any band or ticket indicative of the thing to which it is applied.

306. For the purposes of article 298(1)(d), where a watch case h a s thereon any word s or m a rks which con s tit ute, or are b y comm on repute considered as constituting a description of the country in which the watch was made, and the watch bears no such description on any of its parts, those words or marks shall, until the contrary is proved, be deemed to be a description of that country.

307. Whosoever, by the use of false weights or measures, shall d e ceiv e ot hers i n r e sp ect of th e qu an tit y of goo ds g i v e n fo r valuab le consideration, sha ll, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year.

308. Whosoever, by means of any unlawful practice, or by the use of any fi ct itious name, or t h e assumpti on of an y false designation, or by means of any other deceit, device or pretence calculated to lead to the belief in the existence of any fictitious enterprise or of any imaginary power, influence or credit, or to create the expectation or apprehension of any chimerical event, shall make any gain to the prejudice of another person, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from seven months to two years.

309. Whosoever shall make, to the prejudice of any other person, any other fraudulent gain not specified in the preceding articles of this sub- title, shall, on con v ict i on, be li able to i m prison ment for a ter m from o n e to si x mon t hs o r to a fine (multa).

310. (1) In the cases referred to in this sub-title -

(a) when the amount of the damage caused by the offender exceeds two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37) the punishment shall be that of imprisonment from thirteen months to seven years;
(b) when the amount of the damage caused by the offender exceeds two hundred and thirty-two euro and ninety-four cents (232.94) but does not exceed two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37), the punishment shall be that of imprisonment from five months to three years:
Provided that if the punishment laid down for the relevant offence in the preceding articles of this sub- title is higher than the punishment laid down in this paragraph the former punishment shall apply increased by one degree and in the case of the offence under article 294 the punishment so increased shall not be awarded in its minimum;
(c) when the amount of the damage caused by the offender does not exceed twenty-three euro and twenty-nine cents

Definition of "covering" and "label".

Added by:

XI. 1899.106.

Words or marks on watch cases.

Added by:

XI. 1899.106.

Use of false weights or measures. Added by: XI.1900.43. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Obtaining money or property by false pretences.

Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2002.62.

Other cases of fraudulent gain. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2002.63.

Scale of punishment according to the amount of the damage. Amended by:

VI. 1871.23; IV.1874.6;

XI. 1900.44; I.1903.16; III. 1971.11;

XLIX. 1981.4: XIII. 1983.5; III. 2002.64;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Corporate liability for offences under this sub-title. Added by:

III. 2002.65. Amended by:

XXXI. 2007.15.

Jurisdiction. Added by: III. 2002.65.

(23.29), the offender shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months;
(d) when the amount of the damage caused by the offender does not exceed eleven euro and sixty-five cents (11.65), the offender shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty days or to a fine (multa) or to the punishments established for contraventions.
(2) The provisions of subarticle (1)(c) and (d) shall not apply in the case of any of the crimes referred to in articles 296 and 298.

310A. The provisions of articles 121C, 121D and 248E(4) shall apply to offences under this sub-title.

310B. The offences under this sub-title shall be deemed to be of fe nce s e v en when committed outside Ma lta and, without prejudice to the provisions of article 5, the criminal action therefor may also be prosecuted in Malta according to the laws thereof against any person who commits or participates in the offence as provided in this Code -

(a) when the offence took place, even if only in part, in Malta or on the sea in any place within the territorial jurisdiction of Malta; or
(b) when the gain to the prejudice of another person has been received in Malta; or
(c) when a person in Malta knowingly assisted or induced another person to commit the offence; or
(d) when the offender is a Maltese citizen or a permanent resident in Malta and the fact also constitutes an offence according to the laws of the country where it took place:
Provided that for the purposes of this paragraph "permanent resident" shall have the same meaning assigned to it by article 5(1)(d).

Added by: VII. 2010.20.

Disability in case of offences against minors.

Added by: VII. 2010.20.

GENERAL PROVISION APPLICABLE TO OFFENCES UNDER SUB-TITLES I, II and III

310C. The provisions of article 208B(2) and (2A) shall apply to any person found guilty of any offence under Subtitles I to III, both inclusive, when committed against a person under age.

Sub-title IV

OF CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY, AND OF INJURY TO PROPERTY

Amended by: XVI.1901.2.

311. Any person who maliciously causes, by an explosive substance, an explosion of a nature likely to endanger the life or to cause serious injury to the property of any other person, shall be liable, on conv iction, to impr isonm en t for a term fr om three to fourteen years, even though no injury to such person or property has been actually caused.

312. (1) If as a result of the offence referred to in the last preceding article, any person shall perish, the offender shall be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for life.

(2) If as a result of the offence referred to in the last preceding article, a grievous bodily harm is caused to any person, the offender shall be liabl e to imprisonm ent for a term from four to twenty years.
(3) If as a result of the offence referred to in the last preceding article, any serious spoil, damage or injury to or upon any movable or im m ova ble prope rt y b e lo ngi ng to any p e rso n i s caused , th e p unishment therein menti oned sh all not be awarded in its minimum.

Causing explosion likely to endanger life or property. Added by: XVI.1901.3. Amended by: XLIX.1981.4; XIV.1983.6.

Where death or grievous bodily harm is caused by the explosion. Added by: XVI.1901.3. Amended by: XXI.1971.21; XLIX. 1981.4; XIV.1983.7.

313. Any person who makes or knowingly has in his possession o r u n d e r hi s con t ro l an y ex pl osiv e sub s t a nce, un der su ch circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable suspicion that he is making it or has it in his possession or under his control for an unlawful object, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from eighteen months to nine years, and the provisions of

the Probatio n Act and of art i cle 21 o f thi s Co de shall not be applicable.

314. For the purposes of the last preceding three articles, the expression "explosive substance" shall be deemed to include any materials for making any explosive substance; also any apparatus, machine, implement, or materials used, or intended to be used, or adapted, for causing, or aiding in causing, any explosion of or with any explo s iv e substance; also any part of any such apparatus, machine or implement.

314A. (1) Whosoever, maliciously, delivers, places, discharges or detonates a lethal device likely to endanger the life or to cause serious injury to the property of any other person, shall be liable, on conviction, to the punishment laid down in article 311, even t h o ugh n o inj u ry t o su ch p e r s on or pr opert y has been act u all y caused.

(2) If as a result of the offence referred to in subarticle (1) any person shall p erish, or a g rievous bodily h arm is cau sed to any person, or any seriou s spoil, damage or inj u ry to or upo n any movable or immovable property belonging to any person is caused, the offender shall be liable to the punishments laid down in article

Unlawful making or possession of explosives.

Added by: XVI. 1901.3.

Amended by: XLIX. 1981.9. Substituted by:

XIV. 1983.8. Amended by: III. 2002.66.

Cap. 446.

Definition of "explosive substance". Added by: XVI. 1901.3.

Discharge, etc., of lethal device. Added by:

III. 2002.67. Amended by:

VII. 2010.21.

312 as the case may be.
(3) Where the offence takes place in, or is directed at, a public place, a state or government facility, an infrastructural facility or a public transportation system the punishment for the offence shall be increased by one degree.

(4) In this article:

"lethal device" includes any radioactive dispersal or radiation- emitting device, and any other thing, that is designed, or has the cap a bi li ty, to cau se death , ser i o u s bo di ly in ju ry o r su bst a nt ial material damage through the release, dissemination or impact of toxic chemicals, biological agents or toxins or similar substances or radiatio n or radi oactive materi al or owi ng to its radiol ogical properties;
"state or go ver n men t facili ty " i n cl ud es any p e r m anen t or temporary facility or conveyance t h at is used or occupied by representatives of a State, members of Government, the legislature or the judiciary or by officials or employees of a State or any other public authority or entity or by employees or of ficials of an intergovernmental organization in connection with their official duties;
"infrastructure facility" means any publicly or privately owned facility providing or distributing ser vices f or the benefit of the public, such as water, sewage, energy, fuel or communications;
"public transportation system" means all facilities, conveyances and instrumentalities, whether publicly or privately owned, that are used in or for publicly available services for the transportation of persons or cargo.

Possession, use, etc., of nuclear material.

Added by: III. 2002.67.

314B. (1) Whosoever, maliciously, is in possession or makes use of, transfers, alters, disposes of or disperses nuclear material which is likely to cause death or serious injury to any person or substantial damage to property shall be liable, on conviction, to the same punishment laid down in article 311, even though no injury to such person or property has been caused.

(2) The provision of article 314A(2) shall apply to an offence under this article.
(3) The provisions of article 313 shall apply to whosoever keeps or is in possession of or has under his control any nuclear material under the same circumstances mentioned in that article.
(4) In this article:
"nuclear material" means plutonium except that with isotopic concentration exceeding 80% in plutonium-238; uranium enriched in the isotopes 235 and 233; uranium containing the mixture of isotopes as occurring in nature other than in the form of ore or ore- residue; any material containing one or more of the foregoing;
"uranium enriched in the isotope 235 or 233" means uranium containing the isotopes 235 or 233 or both in an amount such that the abundance ratio of the sum of these isotopes to the isotope 238 is greater than the ra tio of th e i s ot op e 23 5 to th e i s ot o p e 23 8
occurring in nature.

314C. (1) Whosoever knowingly has in his possession or under his cont ro l an y leth al devi ce or n u cl ear mat e ri al, un der such circumstances as give rise to a reasonable suspicion that he has it in his possession or under his control for an unlawful object or for the p u rpo s e o f pro liferatio n shall, on con v ictio n, be l i ab le to the punishment laid down in article 313.

(2) For the purpose of this article:
"lethal device" shall have the same meaning assigned to it by article 314A(4) and "lethal device" and "nuclear material" shall include their delivery systems, materials, equipment or technology, of whatever nature or type, that are related to and destined for use in the de ve lo pm ent, production, utilization or delivery of such lethal devices or nuclear material; and
"proliferation" means the transportation of nuclear, chemical, bi ological or radiological weapons, their deli very systems and related materials to or from states or entities engaged in efforts to develop, acquire, or traf fick in, such weapon s, systems or materials.

Possession of lethal devices for unlawful object or for purpose of proliferation. Added by:

XXIV. 2007.6.

314CA. Whosoever uses in any way radioactive material or a lethal device, or uses or damages a nuclear facility in a manner which releases or risks the release of radioactive material:

(a) with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury;
or
(b) with the intent to cause serious damage to property or to the environment; or
(c) with the intent to compel a natural or legal person, an international organization or a State to do or refrain from doing an act,
shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term from eight to thirty years even though no injury to any person, property or the environment has actually been caused and even if no natural or legal person or any international organization or any State has been compelled as aforesaid.

314CB. (1) If as a result of the offence referred to in the last preceding article, any person shall perish, the offender shall be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for life.

(2) If as a result of the offence referred to in the last preceding article, a grievous bodily harm is caused to any person, the offender shall be liabl e to imprisonm ent for a term from four to twenty years:

Use of radioactive material, lethal device or nuclear facility with intent to cause death etc. Added by:

VII. 2010.22.

Where death or grievous bodily harm etc. is caused by use of radioactive

material or lethal device.

Added by: VII. 2010.22.

Provided that if a grievous bodily harm is caused to two or more persons the punishment laid down in the last preceding article shall apply and shall not be awarded in its minimum.
(3) If as a result of the offence referred to in the last preceding article -
(a) any serious spoil, damage or injury to or upon any
movable or immovable property belonging to any person or to or upon the environment is caused;
(b) a natural or legal person or an international organization or a State is compelled to do or to refrain from doing an act;
the punishment therein mentioned shall not be awarded in its minimum.
(4) Where the offence takes place in, or is directed at, a public place, a state or government facility, an infrastructural facility or a public transportation system the punishment for the offence shall be increased by one degree.

Unlawful possession of radioactive

material or making or possession of a

lethal device. Added by: VII. 2010.22.

314CC. (1) Whosoever unlawfully possesses radioactive material or makes or possesses a lethal device -

(a) with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury;
or
(b) with the intent to cause serious damage to property or to the environment,
shall be liable to the punishment laid down in article 313 increased by one or two degrees.
(2) Whosoever -
(a) threatens, under circumstances which indicate the credibility of the threat, to commit the offence under subarticle (1); or
(b) by the use of threats, under the same circumstances aforesaid, or by the use of force, unlawfully and knowingly demands radioactive material, a lethal device or a nuclear facility
shall be liable to the punishment laid down in article 313 increased by one or two degrees.
(3) Whosoever -
(a) organizes or directs others to commit an offence under subarticles (1) to (3), both inclusive; or
(b) in any other way knowingly contributes to the commission of one or more of the offences under subarticles (1) to (3), both inclusive, by a group of persons acting with a common purpose when such contribution is made with the aim of furthering the general criminal activity or purpose of the group or in the knowledge of the intention of the group to commit the offence or offences concerned,
shall be liable to the punishment laid down for the offence under subarticles (1) to (3), both inclusive, as the case may be, provided that where that offence has only been attempted but not completed the punishment shall be that laid down for the attempted offence.
(4) In this article and in articles 314CA and 314CB:
"lethal device" has the same meaning assigned to it by article
314A(4) of and includes a nuclear explosive device; "nuclear facility" means:
(a) any nuclear reactor, including reactors installed on vessels, vehicles, aircraft or space objects for use as an energy source in order to propel such vessels, vehicles, aircraft or space objects or for any other purpose;
(b) any plant or conveyance being used for the production, storage, processing or transport of radioactive material;
"nuclear material" shall have the same meaning assigned to it by article 314B(4);
"radioactive material" m e ans nuclear m a terial and other radioactive sub s tances which contain nuclides w h ich underg o spontaneous disintegration (a process accompanied by emission of one o r more t ypes o f i oni zing radi atio n, such as alph a-, bet a -, neutron particles and gamma rays) and which may, owing to their radiological or fissile properties, cause death, serious bodily injury or substantial damage to property or to the environment;
"public transportation system" "state or government facility", and "infrastructure facility" shall have the same meaning assigned to them respectively by article 314A(4).

314CD. Without prejudice to the provisions of article 5, the Maltese cour ts shall also have jur isdiction over the offences in articles 314A, 314B, 314C, 314CA and 314CB, where:

(a) the offender is a Maltese national or permanent resident in Malta; or
(b) the offence is committed against a Maltese national or permanent resident in Malta; or
(c) the offence is committed in an attempt to compel
Malta to do or to abstain from doing an act; or
(d) the offence is committed on board an aircraft which is operated by the Government of Malta; or
(e) the offence is committed against Malta or a government facility of Malta abroad, including an embassy or other diplomatic or consular premises of Malta.

Jurisdiction. Added by: VII. 2010.22.

314D. (1) Where the commander of the Armed Forces of Malta receives, or is informed about, a request made by or on behalf of a judicial, prosecuting, l aw en fo rce men t, ad m ini strati ve or ot her com peten t au thority of any State or pl ace other than or outside Malta (her einafter in this article r eferred to as the "r equesting authority") seeking authorisation for the competent authorities of tha t St ate or place to take appropriate measures in regard to a rel e vant vessel rea s o n abl y su sp ected to be engaged in the commission of a relevant offence the commander of the Armed Forces of Malta may, with the concurrence of the Prime Minister, auth orise the taking of the said measures by the aforesaid competent authorities subject to such conditions as may have been

Co-operation in the suppression of relevant offences at sea.

Added by: XXIV. 2007.6. Amended by: VII. 2010.23.

agreed by Malta with that State or as may be agreed between the requesting authority and the commander of the Armed Forces of Malta with the concurrence of the Prime Minister.
(2) Where the authorisation has been given by the commander of the Armed Forces of Malta as aforesaid the competent authorities referred to in subarticle (1), subject to the conditions as may have been agreed upon as provided in the same sub-article, shall be a uthorised to take the a ppropriate measures and to e xerc ise on board the vessel in regard to which appropriate measures have been authorised under this article all such powers of arrest, entry, search and seizure as are vested in the executive police of Malta.
(3) For the purpose of this article:
"relevant offence" means any offence consisting in any act or omission which if committed in these islands, or in corresponding circumstances, would constitute any of the offences in articles 313,
314B, 314C, 314CA and 314CC;
"relevant vessel" means a vessel used for commercial or private purposes flying or entitled to fly the flag of Malta or registered in Malta and exercising freedom of navigation in accordance with international law.

Setting on fire of arsenals, etc. Amended by: XXI.1971.22; XLIX.1981.4.

Arson endangering life.

Amended by: XXI.1971:23;

XLIX.1981.4.

315. Whosoever shall wilfully set on fire or otherwise destroy any arsen a l, vessel of war, whether su ch v e ssel b e on float or building, powder magazine, public dock or artillery park, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for life.

316. Whosoever shall wilfully set fire to any house, warehouse, shop, dwelling-house, vessel, dock or any building, shed or other place wha t soever, any pe rson bein g therein at the time of the setting on fire, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for life:

Provided that if no person shall perish, the offender shall be liable -
(a) if he could have foreseen that any person was actually in the place, to imprisonment for a term from nine to twelve years;
(b) otherwise, to imprisonment for a term from five to nine years.

Arson to the common danger. Amended by: XXI. 1971.24; XLIX. 1981.4.

317. Whosoever shall wilfully set fire to any building, shed or other place mentioned in the last preceding article, no person being therein at the time of the setting on fire, or whosoever shall wilfully set fire to any combustible substance, and such building, shed or other place or such substance is so situated that the fire would communicate to any other building, shed or place, any person being therein at the time, shall, on conviction, be liable -

(a) where the fire had actually communicated, to the punishment of imprisonment for life:
Provided that if no person shall perish, the offender shall be liable -
(i) if he could have foreseen that any person was actually in the building, shed or place to which the fire had communicated, to imprisonment for a term from five to nine years;
(ii) otherwise, to imprisonment for a term from three to six years;
(b) where the fire had not communicated to any other building, shed or place, to imprisonment for a term from three to five years.

318. Whosoever shall wilfully set fire to any building, shed or other place mentioned in article 316, no person being therein at the time, and such building, shed or other place being so situated that the fire would not communicate to any other building, shed or place in which there is a person at the time, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from two to four years.

319. Whosoever shall wilfully set fire to any vineyard, plantation of trees, stack or heap of corn, cotton or other useful produce or any other matter whatsoever, whether uprooted or cut down or st ill grow ing, and so situat ed that the fire would not communicate to any building, shed or other place mentioned in articl e 316 , an y perso n bei ng t h erein at t h e ti me, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from two to four years.

320. For the purposes of punishment, the destruction of any such matter or thing as in the last five preceding articles mentioned, b y th e sp ringi ng o f a mine, shall b e deemed to co nstitu te the offence therein mentioned.

321. (1) Whosoever shall exhibit any false light or signal or any other thing tending to summon ships, vessels or boats, or to regulate their navigation, with intent to cause the loss or stranding of any ship, vessel or boat, or shall with the like intent extinguish or rem ove any lig ht, signal or other thing intended by t h e Government for the guidance of seamen, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from three to five years, even though no accident has occurred.

(2) Where an accident has occurred, the offender shall, on conviction, be liable -
(a) if the damage is to a ship, vessel or boat or to the gear or appurtenances thereof or to the cargo or to any other thing which is on board, to imprisonment for a term from five to nine years, if the amount of the damage exceeds one hundred and sixteen euro and forty-seven cents (116.47), or, to imprisonment for a term from four to six years, if the amount of the damage does not exceed one hundred and sixteen euro and forty-seven cents (116.47);
(b) if, with or without any damage as aforesaid, any individual suffers a grievous bodily harm with any of the effects mentioned in article 218, to imprisonment for a term from five to twenty years, or, if the bodily

Arson without danger of life. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Arson of vineyards, etc. Amended by: XLIX. 1981.4.

Destruction by the springing of a mine.

Exhibition of false lights, etc., with danger to navigation. Amended by:

IV. 1874.7; XI. 1900.45;

III. 1971.12; XXI. 1971.25;

XLIX. 1981.4; XIII. 1983.5;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

harm is grievous but without the effects mentioned in the said article, to imprisonment for a term from four to twelve years, or, if the bodily harm is slight, to imprisonment for a term from two to six years;
(c) if any person shall perish, to the punishment of imprisonment for life.

Cutting away chains, etc. Amended by: IV. 1874.7.

322. (1) Whosoever shall cut away, unfasten or otherwise remove any chain, cable or other rope by which any public buoy intended for the purpose of navigat i on is fastened, shall , on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term from three to nine months.

(2) Whosoever shall cut away, unfasten or otherwise remove an y ch ain, cab l e o r o t her ro pe by w h i c h any shi p or vessel is moored, anchored or otherwise fastened, or any rope by which the buoy of a ship’s anchor is fastened, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment laid down in subarticle (1).

Aggravating circumstances. Amended by: IV. 1874.7.

Setting on fire of one’s own property. Amended by:

IV. 1874.7.

Spoil, damage or injury in general. Amended by:

IX. 1859.20; V. 1868.19; VI. 1871.24;

XI.1900.47; V. 1956.17; III. 1971.13;

XLIX. 1981.4; XIII. 1983.5;

XIV. 1983.9; III. 2002.68;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

323. If, in consequence of any of the offences referred to in the last preceding article, any damage is caused to a ship or a bodily harm to a person, the punishment laid down in that article shall be awarded together with the punishment laid down in this Code for wilful damage or for wilful bodily harm, according to the extent of the damage or the nature of the bodily harm; and if at the same time both damage to a ship and a bodily harm to a person are caused, the higher punishment between that laid down for the damage and that laid down for the bodily harm shall be applied, in addition to the punishment laid down in the last preceding article.

324. In the cases referred to in articles 316, 317 and 318, the offender shall be liable to the punishments therein mentioned, even th ough he be th e owner of t he pro perty in respect o f wh ich the offence is committed.

325. (1) Whosoever, by any means other than those referred to in the preceding articles of this sub-title, shall wilfully commit any spoil, damage or inj u ry to o r upon any m ovable or im movable property belonging to any other person, shall, on conviction, be liable -

(a) if the amount of the damage exceeds one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euro and sixty-nine cents (1,164.69), to imprisonment for a term from thirteen months to four years;
(b) if the amount of the damage does not exceed one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euro and sixty- nine cents (1,164.69) but exceeds one hundred and sixteen euro and forty-seven cents (116.47), to imprisonment for a term from five months to one year;
(c) if the amount of the damage does not exceed one hundred and sixteen euro and forty-seven cents (116.47) but exceeds twenty-three euro and twenty-nine cents (23.29), to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months;
(d) if the amount of the damage does not exceed twenty-three
euro and twenty-nine cents (23.29), to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to the punishments established for contraventions:
Provided that if the crime be excusable by reason of an unjust provocation, the offender shall, in the cases referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c), be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two-thirds of the period therein mentioned; and in the case referred to in paragraph (d), to the punishments established for contraventions.
In considering the excuse, regard shall be had to the rule laid down in article 235:
Provided further that in the cases referred to in paragraphs (c) and (d), except where the damage is caused to public property proceedings may be instituted only on the complaint of the injured party:
Provided further that in the case of damage to public property, the punishment shall be increased by one or two degrees, and the offender shall be ordered to pay by way of fine (multa) the amount of the damage caused.
(2) Where because of the geological, palaeontological, archeological, arch itechtonic, art i stic or historical nature or importance of the property spoiled, damaged or injured it is not possible to estimate the damage according to the rule laid down, in article 335, the damage shall be deemed to exceed one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euro and sixty-nine cents (1,164.69).

325A. (1) The punishments established in the foregoing provisions of this sub-title in respect of a relevant offence shall be increased by one to two degrees when the offence is racially or religiously aggravated within the meaning of sub-articles (3) to (6), both inclusive, of article 222A.

(2) For the purposes of this article "relevant offence" means any of the offences under articles 311, 312, 314A, 316, 317 to 320, both inclusive, and 325.

Increase of punishment in certain cases. Added by: XVI. 2006.6.

326. (1) Whosoever shall wilfully -

(a) break or block the pipes or conduits of any public aqueduct, or in any other manner impede or divert the course of the waters or otherwise damage any part of such aqueduct;
(b) break any public cistern, well or aqueduct, or foul the water thereof;
(c) damage any electric machinery or cable, or cause the loss of electric current;
(d) damage any conduit or part of the public sewer;
(e) cut, break, throw down, destroy, damage or remove any battery, machinery, wire, cable, post or other matter, or thing whatsoever, being part of or being used or employed in or about any electric or magnetic

Damage to water pipes, etc. Amended by: XVI.1901.4; I.1904.51;

L.N. 4 of 1963; XXVII.1975.21;

XII. 1991.41; XXII. 2005.4.

telegraph, with or without wires, or in the working thereof, or do anything which prevents or obstructs in any manner whatsoever the conveyance of any message;
(f) damages or breaks any part of any energy meter, or the seals thereof, or any part of any apparatus or cables used for the supply of electricity, or the seals thereof;
(g) cut, break, throw down, destroy, damage, remove, tamper or connect with, any part of any apparatus, duct, pole, cabinet, wire, cable or other matter or thing whatsoever, being part of or being used or employed in the cable television network or in the working thereof or for the supply of the cable television service,

Unlawful entry into subways used for public service. Amended by:

XVI. 1901.4.

shall, saving any higher punishment to which he may be subject under the last preceding article, be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years:
Provided that no proceedings shall be instituted in respect of any off e nce un der paragraphs (c ), (e) and (f ) except on the complaint of the injured party.
(2) Whosoever shall, even without any malicious intent, -
(a) touch any telegraph wire or place or throw anything upon any battery, machinery, wire, cable or other matter or thing mentioned in subarticle (1)(e), or do anything in proximity to such telegraph wire in such manner as might damage such wire, or prevent or obstruct the conveyance or delivery of any message; or
(b) fish in any place in which the Minister responsible for electricity, with a view to preventing damage to any submarine telegraph cable, shall have declared fishing to be absolutely prohibited, or fish with any net or other implement, the use of which shall have been for the same purpose prohibited by the Minister responsible for electricity; or
(c) do anything described in subarticle (1)(g),
shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishments established for contraventions.

327. Whosoever, without any just cause, the proof whereof shall lie on the person accused, shall enter into any subway wherein there is any electric cable or any main conduit of the public sewer, shall, on conviction, be liable -

(a) to imprisonment for a term from one to three months, where the circumstances show that the object of the offender was to damage the cables or conduits above mentioned;
(b) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month, in any other case.

328. Whosoever, through imprudence, negligence or unskilfulness in his trade or profession, or through non-observance of any regulation, shall cause any fire or any damage, spoil or injury as mentioned in this sub-title, shall, on conviction, be liable -

(a) if the death of any person is caused thereby, to the punishments established in article 225;
(b) if any grievous bodily harm with any of the effects mentioned in article 218 is caused thereby, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine (multa) not exceeding two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37);
(c) if any grievous bodily harm without any of the effects aforesaid is caused thereby, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine (multa) not exceeding one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euro and sixty-nine cents (1,164.69);
(d) in any other case, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine (multa) or to the punishments established for contraventions:
Provided that in the cases referred to in paragraph (d), except where damage is caused to public property, other than a motor vehicle, proceedings may be instituted only on the complaint of the injured party.

Involuntary fire or damage.

Amended by:

IV. 1856.17;

XI. 1900.48;

V. 1956.18;

XIII. 1980.11;

XIII. 1983.5;

L.N. 407 of 2007;

VII. 2010.24.

Sub-title IV A*

OF ACTS OF TERRORISM, FUNDING OF TERRORISM AND ANCILLARY OFFENCES

Added by: VI. 2005.2.

328A.(1) For the purposes of this sub-title, "act of terrorism" means any act listed in subarticle (2), committed wilfully, which may seriously damage a country or an international organization where committed with the aim of:

(a) seriously intimidating a population, or
(b) unduly compelling a Government or international organization to perform or abstain from performing any act, or
(c) seriously destabilising or destroying the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structures of a country or an international organization.
(2) The acts to which reference is made in subarticle (1) are the following:
(a) taking away of the life or liberty of a person;
(b) endangering the life of a person by bodily harm;

Acts of terrorism.

Added by:

VI. 2005.2.

*originally, as enacted by Act VI of 2005, this sub-title was numbered Sub-title V.

(c) bodily harm;
(d) causing extensive destruction to a state or government facility, a public transportation system, an infrastructure facility, including an information system, a fixed platform located on the continental shelf, a public place or private property likely to endanger the life or to cause serious injury to the property of any other person or to result in serious economic loss;
(e) seizure of aircraft, ships or other means of public or goods transport;
(f) manufacture, possession, acquisition, transport, supply or use of weapons, explosives or of nuclear, biological or chemical weapons;
(g) research into or development of biological and chemical weapons;
(h) release of dangerous substances, or causing fires, floods or explosions endangering the life of any person;
(i) interfering with or disrupting the supply of water, power or any other fundamental natural resource endangering the life of any person;
(j) threatening to commit any of the acts in paragraphs (a)
to (i):
Provided that in this subarticle "state or government facil ity", "infrastructure fac ility" and "p ublic transportation system" shall have the same meaning assigned to them in article
314A(4).
(3) Whosoever commits an act of terrorism shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to the punishment of imprisonment from five years to life.

Terrorist groups.

Added by:

VI. 2005.2.

328B. (1) For the purpose of this sub-title "terrorist group" means a structured group of more than two persons, established over a period of time and acting in concert to commit terrorist offences.

(2) In sub-article (1) "structured group" means a group that is not randomly formed for the immediate commission of an offence an d th at doe s no t need t o hav e form all y d e fin e d ro les fo r it s members, continuity of its membership or a developed structure.
(3) Whosoever promotes, constitutes, organises, directs, finances, supplies information or materials to, a terrorist group kn owing that such p articipat ion or inv olvemen t will contr ibute towards the criminal activities of the terrorist group shall be liable -
(a) where the said participation or involvement consists in directing the terrorist group, to the punishment of imprisonment not exceeding thirty years:
Provided that where the activity of the terrorist group consists only of the acts mentioned in article
328A(2)(j) the punishment shall be that of imprisonment for a period not exceeding eight years;
(b) in any other case, to the punishment of imprisonment not exceeding eight years.
328C. (1) Whosoever, with the intention of committing any of the acts listed in article 328A(2)(a) to (i) or in article 328B -
(a) commits an offence of theft aggravated as provided in article 261; or
(b) commits the offence in article 113 or 250; or
(c) commits an offence of forgery or the offence in article
188,
shall be liable to the same punishment laid down in article 328A(3). (2) Whosoever, knowingly -
(a) publicly provokes the commission of an act of terrorism;
(b) recruits or solicits another person to commit an act of terrorism;
(c) trains or instructs another person in the making or use of explosives, firearms or other weapons or noxious or hazardous substances, or in other specific methods or techniques, for the purpose of committing an act of terrorism,
shall be liable to the same punishment laid down in article 328A(3). (3) Whosoever contributes to the commission of an offence
mentioned in article sub-article (2) by a group of persons acting
with a common design, knowing that the contribution will further the group’s criminal activity or criminal purpose to commit any such offence, shall be liable to the same punishment laid down in
article 328B(3)(b).
(4) For the commission of an offence under this article it shall not be necessary that an act of terrorism be actually committed.

Offences linked to terrorist acts. Added by:

VI. 2005.2. Amended by:

XI. 2009.6.

328D. Whosoever incites, aids or abets any offence under the aforegoing articles of this sub-title shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to the punishment laid down for the offence incited, aided or abetted.

328E.(1) In this sub-title, "terrorist property" means -

(a) money or other property which is likely to be used for the purposes of terrorism, including any resources of a terrorist group,
(b) proceeds of the commission of acts of terrorism, and
(c) proceeds of acts carried out for the purposes of terrorism.
(2) In sub-article (1) -
(a) a reference to proceeds of an act includes a reference

Inciting, aiding or abetting.

Added by: VI. 2005.2.

Terrorist property.

Added by:

VI. 2005.2.

to any property which wholly or partly, and directly or indirectly, represents the proceeds of the act (including payments or other rewards in connection with its commission), and
(b) the reference to a group’s resources includes a reference to any money or other property which is applied or made available, or is to be applied or made available, for use by the group.

Funding of terrorism. Added by: VI. 2005.2.

Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007.

328F. (1) Whosoever receives, provides or invites another person to provide, money or other property intending it to be used, or which he has reasonable cause to suspect that it may be used, for the purposes of terrorism shall, on conviction, and unless the fact constitutes a more serious offence under any other provision of this

Co de or o f an y ot her law, b e liab l e t o th e pu nishm e nt of imprison m en t for a term not exceedi ng f our y e ars or t o a fin e
(multa) not exceeding eleven thousand and six hundred and forty-six euro and eighty-seven cents (11,646.87) or to b oth such f ine and imprisonment.
(2) In this article a reference to the provision of money or other property is a reference to its being given, lent or otherwise made available, whether for consideration or not.

Use and possession. Added by: VI. 2005.2.

328G. (1) Whosoever uses money or other property for the purpo ses of terrorism shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment of imprisonment not exceeding twelve years.

(2) Whosoever is in possession of money or other property intending it to be used, or having reasonable cause to suspect that it may be used, for the purposes of terrorism shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment laid down in article 328F(1).

Funding arrangements. Added by:

VI. 2005.2.

Facilitating retention or control of terrorist property.

Added by: VI. 2005.2.

328H. Whosoever -

(a) enters into or becomes concerned in an arrangement as a result of which money or other property is made available or is to be made available to another, and
(b) knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that the money or other property will or may be used for the purposes of terrorism,
shall on conviction be liable to the punishment laid down in article
328F(1).

328I. (1) Whosoever enters into or becomes concerned in an arrang ement which facilitates the re tention or control by or on behalf of another person of terrorist property -

(a) by concealment,
(b) by removal from the jurisdiction, (c) by transfer to nominees, or
(d) in any other way,
shal l, o n conv ictio n, be l i able to th e p uni sh men t l a i d do wn in article 328F(1).
(2) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subarticle (1) to prove that he did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the arrangement related to terrorist property.
328J. (1) The provisions of article 121D shall apply where a person is found guilty of an offence under this subtitle sohowever t h at th e bod y corpo r ate shall for such offence b e liable to the punishment of a fine (multa) of not less than eleven thousand and six hundred and forty-six euro and eighty-seven cents (11,646.87) and not more than two million and three hundred and twenty-nine thousand and th ree hu ndred and seven t y-three eu ro an d fo rty cents (2,329,373.40).
(2) The body corporate shall also be held liable for an offence under this sub-title where the lack of supervision or control by a perso n referred t o i n arti cle 1 21D h a s mad e po ssibl e th e commission of the offence for the benefit of the body corporate, which shall upon conviction be liable to the punishment laid down in subarticle (1).

Corporate criminal liability.

Added by: VI. 2005.2. Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007.

328K. Without prejudice to any other punishment to which the offence may be liable under this Code or any other law, where the o f fend er i s a b ody cor por at e li able to pu nish ment un der t h e prov isi o n s of art i cl e 32 8J t h e Co urt m a y, at th e req u est o f th e prosecution, order -

(a) the suspension or cancellation of any licence, permit or other authority to engage in any trade, business or other commercial activity;
(b) the temporary or permanent closure of any establishment which may have been used for the commission of the offence;
(c) the compulsory winding up of the body corporate.

Other penalties.

Added by:

VI. 2005.2.

328L.(1) The court by or before which a person is convicted of an offence under any of articles 328F to 328I may make a forfeiture order in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(2) Where a person is convicted of an offence under articles
328F or 328G the court may order the forfeiture of any money or other property -
(a) which, at the time of the offence, he had in his possession or under his control and,
(b) which, at that time, he intended should be used, or which he knew or had reasonable cause to suspect would or might be used, for the purposes of terrorism.
(3) Where a person is convicted of an offence under article
328H the court may order the forfeiture of the money or other property -
(a) to which the arrangement in question related, and
(b) which, at the time of the offence, he knew or had reasonable cause to suspect would or might be used, for the purposes of terrorism.

Forfeiture. Added by: VI. 2005.2.

(4) Where a person is convicted of an offence under article
328I the court may order t h e forfe iture of th e m oney or other property to which the arrangement in question related.
(5) Where a person is convicted of an offence under any of articles 328F to 328I, the court may order the forfeiture of any money or other property which wholly or partly, and directly or indirectly, is received by any person as a payment or other reward in connection with the commission of the offence.
(6) Where a person other than the convicted person claims to be the owner of, or otherwise interested in, anything which can be forfeited by an order under this article, the court shall give him an opportunity to be heard before making an order.

Jurisdiction. Added by: VI. 2005.2.

Cap. 460.

328M. Without prejudice to the provisions of article 5, the courts in Malta shall also have jurisdiction over the offences laid down in this sub-title where -

(a) the offence is committed even if only in part in the territory of Malta or on the sea in any place within the territorial jurisdiction of Malta;
(b) the offender is a Maltese national or permanent resident in Malta;
(c) the offender is a person suspected or convicted of an offence laid down in this sub-title and whose surrender or extradition to another country for such an offence is refused by Malta even if there is no provision according to the laws of Malta other than the present provision in virtue of which the criminal action may be prosecuted in Malta against that person;
(d) the offence is committed for the benefit of a legal person established in Malta;
(e) the offence is an offence under article 328B or an offence under article 328D which involves a terrorist group even if the terrorist group is based or pursues its criminal activities outside Malta;
(f) the offence is committed against the institutions or people of Malta or against an institution of the European Union or a body set up in accordance with the Treaties and based in Malta:
Provided that for the purposes of this paragraph:
"the European Union" shall have the same meaning assigned to it by article 2(1) of the European Union Act;
"the Treaties" means the Treaty establishing the European Community done at Rome on the 25th March, 1957 and the Treaty on European Union done at Maastricht on the 7th February, 1992, and the Protocols annexed thereto.
OF PIRACY

328N. (1) For the purposes of this subtitle "piracy" means any of the following acts:

(a) any illegal acts of violence or detention, or any act of depredation, committed for private ends by the crew or passengers of a private ship or a private aircraft, and directed:
(i) on the high seas, against another ship or aircraft, or against persons or property on board such ship or aircraft;
(ii) against a ship, aircraft, persons or property in a place outside the jurisdiction of any State;
(b) any of the acts referred to in paragraph (a) committed by the crew or passengers of a warship, government ship or government aircraft whose crew has mutinied and taken control of the ship or aircraft;
(c) any act of voluntary participation in the operation of a ship or of an aircraft with knowledge of facts making it a pirate ship or aircraft;
(d) any act of inciting or of knowingly facilitating an act described in paragraph (a) or (b) or (c).
(2) For the purposes of this Title, a ship or aircraft is considered a pirate ship or aircraft if it is intended by the persons in dominant control to be used for the purpose of committing one of the acts referred to in subarticle (1) or if the ship or aircraft has been used to commit any such act and the ship or aircraft remains under the control of the person guilty of that act.
(3) Any person guilty of piracy under this article shall be liable:

XI. 2009.7.

Definition of piracy.

Added by: XI. 2009.7.

(a) where the offence consists in any of the acts referred to in subarticle (1)(a) and (b) when accompanied with the loss of life of any person, to the punishment of imprisonment for life;
(b) where the offence consists in any of the acts referred to in (1)(a) and (b) when not accompanied with the loss of life of any person, to the punishment of imprisonment not exceeding thirty years;
(c) where the offence consists in any act referred to in subarticle (1)(c), to the punishment of imprisonment for a term not exceeding eight years;
(d) where the offence consists in any act referred to in subarticle (1)(d), to the punishment laid down for the act incited or facilitated.

328O. (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of article 5, the Maltese courts shall also have jurisdiction over the offences laid down in this article where the offence is committed:

Jurisdiction. Added by: XI. 2009.7.

(a) by any citizen of Malta or permanent resident in
Malta;
(b) by any person while on board any ship, vessel or aircraft belonging to Malta;
(c) by any person against any ship, vessel or aircraft belonging to Malta or against the person or property of any citizen of Malta or permanent resident in Malta.
(2) For the purposes of this article a ship, vessel or aircraft shall b e deem ed to b el ong to Mal t a in the same circumstances mentioned in article 5(2).

GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THIS TITLE

Punishment in respect of offences against property accompanied with offences against

the person.

Unlawful entry into houses, etc. Added by:

IX. 1859.21. Amended by: VI. 1871.25;

XLIX. 1981.4; III. 2002.69.

329. The punishments established in the respective articles of this Title for any offence against property accompanied with homicide, bodily harm, or confinement of the person, shall always be applied if the act of violence has been completed, even though the offence against the property was merely attempted.

330. In the case of any entry into any house or other place or enclosure by any of the means mentioned in articles 264, 265 and

266, alth ough there is no eviden ce o f any act constituting an
attempt to commit another offence, the offender shall, for the mere entry as aforesaid, on conviction, be liable -
(a) if the circumstances show that the object of the offender was to commit theft or damage to property or any offence against the person as defined in article
5(1)(d), or if it is proved that the offender was previously convicted of any such offence or of any of
the offences referred to in article 338(i) and (w), to imprisonment for a term from five to eighteen months;
(b) in any other case, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine (multa).

No criminal action for offences

against the

property of

descendants, etc.

Amended by:

XI. 1900.49;

XX. 2005.16.

Criminal action for offences against

the property of ascendants, etc., to be instituted on

complaint of injured party. Amended by:

XI. 1900.49.

331. Except in the cases referred to in articles 316, 317 and

318, no criminal pr oceedings may be instituted except on the complaint of the injured party for offences committed against the
property of any descendant or relative by affinity in the descending l i n e , or o f th e hu sban d o r wi fe, unl ess suc h o f fenc es be accompanied with homicide, bodily harm or confinement of the
person or with a threat to kill or to inflict bodily harm.

332. Except in the cases referred to in articles 316, 317 and

318, no criminal pr oceedings may be instituted except on the
complaint of the injured party for offences committed against the property of any ascendant or relative by affinity in the ascending line, or of a brother or sister or of any relative by affinity in the
same degree, unless such offences be accompanied with homicide, bodily harm, other than a slight bodily harm of small consequence, or with confinement of the person.
articles shall not operate in favour of such other persons as may have taken part in the commission of the offence.

334. Whosoever shall in Malta knowingly receive or purchase any p rop erty whi ch h as been sto len, m isappli ed o r o btain ed by means of any offence, whether committed in Malta or abroad, or shall knowingly take part, in any manner whatsoever, in the sale or disposal of the same, shall, on conviction, be liable -

(a) if the property has been obtained by theft, to the punishment established for theft, according to the value of the property;
(b) if the property has been obtained by means of any of the various offences relative to unlawful acquisition and possession of property, to the punishment established for such unlawful acquisition or possession;
(c) if the property has been obtained by fraud, to the punishment established for the particular fraud by which the property was obtained:
Provided that the offender shall be exempted from any punish ment in respect o f any of the offences referred to in this article, if, before any criminal proceedings are instituted against him and within three days after receiving, purchasing, or taking part in the purchase, sale or disposal as aforesaid, he shall deliver to the competent authority the property received, purchased, sold or disposed of, and shall make known the perpetrators of the offence:
Provided further that for the purpose of this article such property shall only be deemed to have been stolen, misapplied or obtained by means of any offence committed abroad if it has been obtained by any act of commission or omission which, if committed in Malta, would have amounted to any of the offences mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c).

excepted. Amended by: XI. 1900.49.

Receiving stolen property. Amended by: XI.1900.50; XXIX. 1990. 16.

Exemption from punishment.

334A. Whosoever, on becoming aware that any property in his possession is stolen property or property misapplied or obtained by means of any offence, fails to give notice thereof to the Executive Police within a week of becoming so aware, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine (multa).

Failure to inform about stolen, etc., property.

Added by: III. 2002.70.

335. In any offence the punishment whereof varies according to t h e amou nt of th e damag e cau s ed , such am oun t sh al l n o t be estimated by the gain made by the offender nor shall it include any interest accruing thereon, but it shall only be represented by the actual damag e suff ered by the in jured party at the ti m e o f the offence.

336. Where by the same offence the offender shall injure the property of any of the persons referred to in article 331 and also the property of any other person, and the punishment varies according

to th e am ou nt of t h e dam a ge caused, such amount shall be r e p r esen ted so lely by th e amo u n t o f t h e damage caused t o the

Rule as to estimation of damage.

Estimation of damage caused both to relative and outsider.

Decrease of punishment. Substituted by: III. 2002.71.

property of such other person.

337. (1) In cases of fraud, the prescribed punishment shall be d i m i n i she d b y one or t w o de grees i f , p r ev io usly t o the commencement of any criminal proceedings against the offender, the damage caused by the offence shall have been fully made good.

(2) In cases of theft, whether simple or aggravated, as well as any off ence of volun tary damage to property com mitted in the co urs e of th e ex ec ut ion of th e offe nc e of th eft , th e pre s cr ibe d punishment shall be diminis hed by tw o degrees if, prio r to his arraignment in court in connection with that theft:
(a) the offender discloses to the competent authority any person who may have received or purchased from him, or who may have taken part in the sale or disposal of, the stolen property, and
(b) (i) either he delivers to the competent authority all the property stolen by him, making good to the injured party any damage that may have been caused to the property, or
(ii) where the property has not been recovered, he pays to the injured party the full value of the property so stolen; and
(c) fully makes good to the injured party any damage, to other moveable or immoveable property, caused by, or in the course of the execution of, the offence of theft.
(3) The prescribed punishment in the case of the offences mentioned in subarticle (2) may be diminished by one degree if the offender complies with the provisions of that subarticle after his arraignment in court as aforesaid.
(4) The provisions of subarticles (2) and (3) shall not apply -
(a) in the case of theft aggravated by violence consisting in wilful homicide, attempted homicide, wilful bodily harm or confinement of the person;
(b) in the case of theft aggravated by violence directed against any of the persons mentioned in article 276A;
(c) in the case of theft in the course of the execution of which a death or bodily harm ensues as provided in article 226A.
(5) The circumstances mentioned in subarticles (1) and (2) shall not be considered as special or exceptional reasons for the purpose of article 21.
337A. (1) Any person who with the intent to make any gain whatsoever aids, assists, counsels or procures any other person to enter or to attempt to enter or to leave or attempt to leave or to transit across or to attempt to transit across, Malta in contravention of the laws thereof or who, in Malta or outside Malta, conspires to that effect with any other person shall, without prejudice to any other punishment under this Code or under any other law, be liable to the punishment of imprisonment from six months to five years or to a fine (multa) of twenty-three thousand and two hundred and ninety- three euro and seventy-three cents (23,293.73) or to both such fine and imprisonment and the provisions of articles 21 and 28A and those of the Probation Act shall not apply:
Provided that where the persons aided, assisted, counselled, procured or the object of the conspiracy as aforesaid number more than three the punishme nt shall be increased by one to three degrees:
Provided also that where the offence is committed - (a) as an activity of a criminal organization; or
(b) while endangering the lives of the persons aided,
assisted, counselled, procured or the object of the conspiracy as aforesaid,
th e punishment shall always be in creased by two degrees even when the first proviso does not apply.
(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of article 5, the courts in Malta shall also have jurisdiction over the offence in this article where -

Traffic in persons to enter or leave Malta illegally. Added by:

III. 2002.72. Amended by:

VI. 2005.3;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Cap. 446.

(a) the offence is committed even if only in part in the territory of Malta or on the sea in any place within the territorial jurisdiction of Malta;
(b) the offender is a Maltese national or permanent resident in Malta;
(c) the offence is committed for the benefit of a legal person established in Malta.
337AA.* The provisions of articles 328J and 328K shall apply mutatis mutandis to any offence under Sub-title IV of this title and to the offence in article 337A.

Corporate criminal liability.

Added by: VI. 2005.4.

*originally, as enacted by Act VI of 2005, this article was numbered article 337B.

Sub-title V

Added by: III. 2001.27.

OF COMPUTER MISUSE

Interpretation.

Added by:

III. 2001.27.

Amended by:

VII. 2010.26;

VII. 2010.25.

337B. (1) For the purposes of this Sub-title the following definitions, unless the context otherwise requires, shall apply:

"computer" means an electronic device that performs logical, arithmetic and memory functions by manipulating electronic or m a gn eti c i m p u l ses, and in clud es al l inp u t , out pu t, p r o cessing , storage, software and communication facilities that are connected or related to a computer in a computer system or computer network;
"computer data" means any representation of facts, information or concepts in a form suitable for processing in a computer system, including a program suitable to cause a computer system to perform a function;
"comp u ter netwo r k" m e ans th e interconnection of communication lines and circuits with a computer through a remote dev i ce or a co mp l e x co nsi s t i n g of t w o or mo re i n tercon nected computers;
"co m pu ter ou tpu t " o r "o ut pu t" means a statement or a representation of data whether in written, printed, pictorial, screen display, photographic or other film, graphical, acoustic or other form produced by a computer;
"computer software" or "software" means a computer program, procedure or associated documentation used in the operation of a computer system;
"computer supplies" means punched cards, paper tape, magnetic tape, disk packs, diskettes, CD-roms, computer output, including paper and microform and an y storage media, electroni c or otherwise;
"computer system" means a set of related computer equipment, hardware or software;
"function" includes logic, control, arithmetic, deletion, storage, retrieval and communication of data or telecommunication to, from or within a computer;
"supporting documentation" means any documentation used in the computer s y stem in the construction, cla r ification, implementation, use or modification of the software or data.
(2) A reference in this Sub-title to software includes a reference to a part of the software.
(3) A reference in this Sub-title to a computer includes a reference to a computer network.
(4) A reference in this Sub-title to data, software or supporting documentation held in a computer or computer system includes a reference to data, software or supporting documentation being transmitted through a computer network.
(5) For the purposes of this Sub-title, a person uses software if
the function he causes the computer to perform:
(a) causes the software to be executed; or
(b) is itself a function of the software.
(6) A reference in this Sub-title to any software or data held in a computer includes a reference to any software or data held in any r e mov a bl e st or age medi um w h i c h is fo r th e t i m e b e i n g in t h e computer.

337C. (1) A person who without authorisation does any of the following acts shall be guilty of an offence against this article -

(a) uses a computer or any other device or equipment to access any data, software or supporting documentation held in that computer or on any other computer, or uses, copies or modifies any such data, software or supporting documentation;
(b) outputs any data, software or supporting documentation from the computer in which it is held, whether by having it displayed or in any other manner whatsoever;
(c) copies any data, software or supporting documentation to any storage medium other than that in which it is held or to a different location in the storage medium in which it is held;
(d) prevents or hinders access to any data, software or supporting documentation;
(e) hinders or impairs the functioning or operation of a computer system, software or the integrity or reliability of any data;
(f) takes possession of or makes use of any data, software or supporting documentation;
(g) installs, moves, alters, damages, deletes, deteriorates, suppresses, destroys, varies or adds to any data, software or supporting documentation;
(h) discloses a password or any other means of access, access code or other access information to any unauthorised person;
(i) uses another person’s access code, password, user name, electronic mail address or other means of access or identification information in a computer;
(j) discloses any data, software or supporting documentation unless this is required in the course of his duties or by any other law;
(k) intercepts by technical means, non-public transmissions of data, to, from or within a computer system, including electromagnetic emissions from a computer system carrying such computer data;
(l) produces, sells, procures for use, imports, distributes, possesses or otherwise makes available a device,

Unlawful access to, or use of, information. Added by:

III. 2001.27. Amended by:

VII. 2010.26.

including a computer program, designed or adapted primarily for the purpose of committing any of the acts in paragraphs (a) to (j).
(2) For the purposes of this Sub-title:
(a) a person shall be deemed to act without authorisation if he is not duly authorised by an entitled person;
(b) a person shall be deemed to be an entitled person if the person himself is entitled to control the activities defined in subarticle (1)(a) to (j) or in article 4(a) and (b) of this Sub-title.
(3) For the purposes of subarticle (1):
(a) a person shall be deemed to have committed an offence irrespective of whether in the case of any modification, such modification is intended to be permanent or temporary;
(b) the form in which any software or data is output and in particular whether or not it represents a form in which, in the case of software, it is capable of being executed or, in the case of data, it is capable of being processed by a computer, is immaterial.
(4) For the purposes of subarticle (1)(f), a person who for the fact t h at he has i n h i s custo dy or und er h i s con t ro l an y dat a , computer software or supporting documentation which he is not authorised to have, shall be deemed to have taken possession of it.

Misuse of hardware. Added by: III. 2001.27.

337D. Any person who without authorisation does any of the following acts shall be guilty of an offence against this article -

(a) modifies computer equipment or supplies that are used or intended to be used in a computer, computer system or computer network;
(b) takes possession of, damages or destroys a computer, computer system, computer network, or computer supplies used or intended to be used in a computer, computer system or computer network or impairs the operation of any of the aforesaid.

Commission of an offence outside Malta.

Added by: III. 2001.27.

Offences and penalties. Added by:

III. 2001.27. Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007.

337E. If any act is committed outside Malta which, had it been committed in Malta, would have constituted an offence against the provisions of this Sub-title, it shall, if the commission affects any computer, software, data or supporting documentation which is situated in Malta or is in any way linked or connected to a computer in Malta, be deemed to have been committed in Malta.

337F. (1) Without prejudice to any other penalty established u nder thi s Su b- titl e, any person who con t rav e nes any of the provisions of this Sub-title shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on convicti on to a fine (multa) not exceeding twenty-three thousand and two hundred and ninety-three euro and seventy-three cents (23,293.73) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(2) Where any such offence constitutes an act which is in any way detri m ental to an y function or activity of Gov ern ment, or h a mpers, impairs o r interr u p ts in any mann er whatsoever the p r o v i s io n o f an y pu bl ic serv ice o r ut il it y, w h eth e r or n o t su ch service or utility is provided or operated by any Government entity, the penalty shall be increased to a fine (multa) of not less than two hundred and thirty-two euro and ninety-four cents (232.94) and not exceeding one hundred and sixteen thousand and four hundred and six t y-eig h t euro and sixt y-seven cents (1 16,468.67) o r t o imprisonment for a term from three months to ten years, or to both such fine and imprisonment:
Provided that where a person is found guilty of an offence against th is subarti c le for a second or sub s eq uent ti me, th e minimum of the penalty for such an offence shall not be less than one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euro and sixty-nine cents (1,164.69).
(3) The penalties established under subarticle (2) shall also apply in the case of any offence against any of the provisions of this Sub-title -
(a) where the offence is committed in any place by an employee to the prejudice of his employer or to the prejudice of a third party, if his capacity, real or fictitious, as employee, shall have afforded him facilities in the commission of the offence; and
(b) with the exception of subarticle (2), where the offence committed by a person is the second or subsequent offence against any of the provisions of this Sub-title.
(4) A person who produces any material or does any other act preparatory to or in furtherance of the commission of any offence und er thi s Su b-tit le sh all be g ui lty of t hat offence and shall on co nvi cti on be l i ab le t o t h e same pun ish m ent pr ov ided fo r t h e offence.
(5) Any person who is an accomplice in the commission of an offence against this Sub-title or who in any way aids or abets such commission shall be liable to the same penalties contemplated for such an offence.
(6) It shall not be necessary for the prosecution to negative by evidence any authorisation required under this Sub-title and the burden of proving any such authorisation shall lie with the person alleging such authorisation:
Provided that this burden shall not be considered to have been discharged with the mere uncorroborated testimony of the person charged.

337G. The Minister may, for the purposes of this Sub-title, by regulations prescribe:

(a) the manner in which the Police may search computers, computer systems or computer supplies and seize data or software stored therein;

Search and seizure.

Added by:

III. 2001.27.

(b) procedures and methods for handling evidence that is in an electronic form.

Applicability of articles 121D,

208B(5), 248E(4)

and 328K.

Added by:

XI. 2009.8.

337H. (1) The provisions of articles 121D, 208B(5) and 248E(4)

shall apply mutatis mutandis to any offence under this sub-title.
(2) The provisions of article 328K shall also apply mutatis mutandis to any offenc e under this sub- title as if the reference therein to article 328J were a reference to article 121D.
PART III

OF CONTRAVENTIONS AND PUNISHMENTS

Title I

OF CONTRAVENTIONS

Sub-title I

OF CONTRAVENTIONS AFFECTING PUBLIC ORDER

Contraventions affecting public order.

Amended by: IV.1856.18; XII.1904.48; XII.1913.9.

338. Every person is guilty of a contravention against public order, who -

(a) without permission, cuts any grass in or about any fortification;
(b) throws any building material or rubbish in any ditch or in the vicinity of any fortification;
(c) not being one of the persons referred to in article 62, in case of a tumult or other calamity, or in the case of any flagrant offence or of a hue and cry, refuses, without reasonable excuse, to give help, or refuses, when so required, to give information thereof, or gives false information or particulars, to any person entrusted with a public service in the actual exercise of his duties;
(d) allows any insane person under his custody, whether furious or otherwise, to go about at large;
(e) not being one of the persons referred to in article 62, is present at any attempt against the life or property of any person and fails to give information thereof to the Executive Police;
(f) without permission keeps a public school;
(g) refuses to give, or untruthfully gives to any public officer or any other person entrusted with a public service in the actual exercise of his duties, his name, surname, address and other particulars;
(h) Repealed by: X.1998.52.
(i) not possessing property of any kind, and having no other means of subsistence, fails to show that he has habitually endeavoured to engage in or exercise some art, trade or other occupation;
(j) without being duly licensed, opens or keeps any place for public divine worship;
(k) refuses to receive at the established value, any money lawfully current;
(l) taking advantage of the credulity of others, for the purpose of gain, pretends to be a diviner, fortune-teller or an interpreter of dreams;
(m) at night time, disturbs the repose of the inhabitants by rowdiness or bawling, or in any other manner;
(n) in any public place, wears any mask, or disguises himself, except at the time and in the manner allowed by law;
(o) without permission, or against the prohibition of the respective authorities, wears any civil, naval, military or air force uniform, or any ecclesiastical habits or vestments;
(p) leaves exposed in any street, open space, field, or other public place, any ladder, iron bar, weapon, or other instrument, of which an improper use might be made by thieves or other wrong-doers, or which might cause any injury;
(q) in the harbours, on the seashore or in any other public place, exposes himself naked or is indecently dressed;
(r) in any street, or open space, quarrels or fights, although jestingly, to the annoyance or injury of passers-by;
(s) drives animals (whether of burden or riding animals) over a drawbridge, with or without a vehicle, otherwise than at an amble;
(t) engages in any conspiracy with persons of the same profession or business with the object of raising or lowering the price of any article, or the wages of labour, or of imposing conditions to the prejudice of the public, in matters relating to such profession or business;
(u) unlawfully tears or pulls down any public notice affixed by the authorities, or any poster or placard affixed in any public place or on any private property

Amended by: IV. 1856.19; XII. 1913.9.

Amended by: XII. 1914.10; XXXII. 1986.5.

Amended by: VIII. 1909.31.

Amended by: XV. 1937.5.

Amended by: XLI. 1933.1.

Amended by: IV. 1856.20; XI. 1905.15.

Amended by: XXVI. 1927.1.

Amended by: XIII.1899.1; XIII. 1918.11.

Added by: XLIII. 1966.2.

Substituted by: XXI.1993.86.

Added by: XIV. 1983.10. Substituted by: XXXII. 1986.5; III. 2002.73. Amended by: XVI. 2006.7; XI. 2009.9.

Added by: IX. 1859.22.

Amended by: IX.1911.13. Substituted by: XXVII. 1975.22.

with the previous consent, express or implied, of the owner, during election time, by any political party or person, containing the names of the candidates and appealing to citizens to vote for such candidates, or covers up, wholly or in part, such poster or placard with any other poster or placard, or in any other manner covers up the print of such poster or placard:
Provided that in any such public place no party or independent candidate may make use of a larger space than that made use of by any other party or independent candidate, having regard to the space available in such public place and to the number of such parties or independent candidates, and for such purpose the Police shall, by regulations to be published in the Gazette, fix the space to be thus made use of by any party or independent candidate and shall remove any poster or placard which may have been affixed in contravention of the said regulations by encroaching upon the space assigned to others;
(v) causes any physician, surgeon, obstetrician, or clergyman, to attend on or visit any person whom he falsely represents to be sick;
(w) leads an idle and vagrant life;
(x) in any public place importunes any person to beg alms; (y) being a parent or a spouse, leaves his children or
spouse in want, whether in consequence of his or her disorderly living or indolence;
(z) when so ordered by a court or so bound by contract fails to give to a person the sum fixed by that court or laid down in the contract as maintenance for that person, within fifteen days from the day on which, according to such order or contract, such sum should be paid:
Provided that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, the criminal action for an offence under this paragraph is barred by the lapse of six months:
Provided further that where the offender is a recidivist in a contravention under this paragraph the offender shall be liable to the punishment of detention not exceeding three months or a fine (multa) not exceeding two hundred euro or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months;
(aa) leaves his parents in want in consequence of his disorderly living or his indolence;
(bb) even though in a state of intoxication, publicly utters any obscene or indecent words, or makes obscene acts or gestures, or in any other manner not otherwise provided for in this Code, offends against public
morality, propriety or decency;
(cc) runs violently in any street or open space, with the risk of running into and injuring other persons;
(dd) in any manner not otherwise provided for in this Code, wilfully disturbs the public good order or the public peace;
(ee) disobeys the lawful orders of any authority or of any person entrusted with a public service, or hinders or obstructs such person in the exercise of his duties, or otherwise unduly interferes with the exercise of such duties, either by preventing other persons from doing what they are lawfully enjoined or allowed to do, or frustrating or undoing what has been lawfully done by other persons, or in any other manner whatsoever, unless such disobedience or interference falls under any other provision of this Code or of any other law;
(ff) in any public place or place open to the public, is found drunk and incapable of taking care of himself; or in any public place or place open to the public, being in charge of a child under the age of seven years, or of any horse, mule or ox, or steam engine, or of any vehicle, is manifestly in a state of intoxication, or, being in such a state, causes any annoyance or disturbance, or is in possession of firearms, or refuses to quit any wine and spirit shop, inn, tavern or lodging-house, or attempts to enter any passenger boat or vessel or other vehicle, or refuses to quit such boat, vessel or other vehicle notwithstanding the warning of the person in charge thereof not to enter into or to quit such boat, vessel or other vehicle;
(gg) except in the cases specially provided for in this Code or in any other law, performs any act without a licence from the competent authority, when such licence is required by any law or by any regulation made by the competent authority thereunder;
(hh) in any case not otherwise provided for in this Code or in any other law, with intent to mislead the authorities, lays before such authorities any genuine act, affidavit or certificate, falsely representing the same as referring to himself, or to any other person;
(ii) except as is allowed by law, and unless any other law provides for a higher punishment for the offence, makes or attempts to make or is in any way concerned in the making of any bet or wager including a bet or wager connected with any game, sport or event occurring in Malta or elsewhere; or who is present in any place while such betting or wagering is taking place;
(jj) in any place, importunes any person to advertise, or to make such person acquire, any service, product,

Added by: IV. 1856.21. Amended by: XII.1913.9.

Added by: III.1885.5. Amended by: IV. 1888.1; XI.1905.15; VIII. 1909.31.

Added by: I.1903.17. Amended by: VIII.1909.31; L.N. 4 of 1963.

Added by: XII. 1913.9.

Added by: XII.1913.9.

Added by: XXXII. 1986.5.

Added by: II. 1967.2.

Added by: XXI. 1993.86. Amended by: III. 2002.73.

Added by: VII 2010.27.

property or property rights whatsoever;
(kk) being a person over fifteen years of age, uses at any children’s playground open to the public any playing equipment or similar facilities therein;
(ll) when ordered by a court or bound by contract to allow access to a child in his or her custody, refuses without just cause to give such access;
(mm) uses gas canons or any other equipment that works manually or automatically, to produce noises, mainly intended to keep away animals from fields or other open spaces:
Provided that in such a case, besides awarding punishment, the Court shall also order the removal of the equipment.

Sub-title II

OF CONTRAVENTIONS AGAINST THE PERSON

Contraventions against the person.

339. (1) Every person is guilty of a contravention against the person who -

(a) challenges another to fight with stones;
(b) without inflicting any wound or blow, threatens others with stones or other hard substances, or throws the same, or takes up any other weapon against any person;
(c) throws stones or other hard substances at the terraces, roofs, windows, doors, courtyards, lamps or walls of houses of other persons, or of any other building; or knocks at the door, or rings the bell of any other person’s house or building;
(d) attempts to use force against any person with intent to insult, annoy or hurt such person or others, unless the fact constitutes some other offence under any other provision of this Code;
(e) utters insults or threats not otherwise provided for in this Code, or being provoked, carries his insult beyond the limit warranted by the provocation;
(f) through carelessness or want of caution throws water, or other liquid, or filth upon any person;
(g) sets his dog at another person, or does not endeavour to restrain the same, when molesting any person;
(h) being authorized to correct any other person, exceeds the bounds of moderation;
(i) frightens or terrifies any other person, in a manner that might cause harm to such person although it be done in
jest;
(j) being in duty bound to take care of children, or of other persons incapable of taking care of themselves, neglects to take the necessary care of such children or persons;
(k) meeting in the street any abandoned or stray child, does not convey such child or immediately report the fact to the Executive Police, or does not otherwise provide for the safety of the child;
(l) pushes against any person in the street with the object of hurting or insulting such person;
(m) throws any dirt or filth at the door or against the wall of the house of any other person;
(n) annoys, vexes or scoffs at any imbecile, aged, crippled, feeble or deformed person;
(o) even though without the intent of committing another offence, enters into the dwelling-house of another person, against the express warning of such person, or without his knowledge, or under false pretences or by any other deceit.

Added by: IV. 1856.22.

(2) In the cases referred to in subarticle (1)(d), (e), (l) and (o), no proceedings shall be instituted except on the complaint of the injured party.

Added by: XI.1900.51. Amended by: I. 1903.18;

VIII. 1909.32, 33.

Sub-title III

OF CONTRAVENTIONS AGAINST PROPERTY

340. Every person is guilty of a contravention against property who -

(a) shoots doves or pigeons, other than wild doves or pigeons, belonging to any other person;
(b) in any field belonging to any other person, plucks or eats the fruit or other produce of such field;
(c) on finding any property mislaid or lost by any other person, fails, within three days, to give information thereof to the Executive Police;
(d) commits any other violation of another person’s property, to the prejudice of the owner or holder thereof, not specified in the preceding paragraphs of this article, nor otherwise provided for in this Code.

Contraventions against property.

Amended by: XI. 1900.52.

Discretion of court in the application of the punishments for contraventions. Amended by: XI.1900.58; IX.1911.14.

Minimum punishment for blasphemous words.

Added by: X.1949.2.

Amended by: XIII. 1983.5;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Disqualification on conviction under article

340 (a).

Added by:

XVI. 1963.2.

Forfeiture of articles in certain contraventions. Amended by: VIII. 1857.10; III.1885.6; IV.1888.3; XXI.1944.2;

IX. 1982.2; XXXII. 1986.6;

X. 1998.52.

Title II

OF THE PUNISHMENTS FOR CONTRAVENTIONS

341. In any case in which the punishments established for co ntravent ions are t o be app lied, t h e co urt may, accordi ng to ci rc ums t an ce s , ap pl y s u ch p uni shment s, eit h er several l y or cumulatively.

342. In respect of the contravention under article 338(bb), where th e act con s i s ts in utt e ri ng blasphemou s word s or expressions, the minimum punishment to be awarded shall in no case be less than a fine (ammenda) of eleven euro and sixty-five cents (11.65) and the maximum punishment may be imprisonment for a
term of three months - saving always the provisions of Title IV of
Part II of Book First.
343. On conviction for a contravention under article 340(a), the court shall, besides awarding punishment, order the offender to be disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence to carry a firearm o f t h e cla ss o r desc ri pt io n use d in t h e com m i ssio n of t h e contravention (including any airgun) for a period of twelve months.
344. It shall be lawful to seize and confiscate - (a) Repealed by: X.1998.52.
(b) the ladders, iron bars, weapons and instruments
mentioned in article 338 (p);
(c) any money found on any person committing an offence under article 338(ii).

GENERAL PROVISION

Particular laws and regulations.

345. In any matter not provided for in this Code, and which forms the subject of any particular law or regulation, such particular law or regulation shall apply.

BOOK SECOND
LAWS OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I
OF THE AUTHORITIES TO WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS ENTRUSTED
Title I
OF THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE POLICE IN RESPECT OF CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS
GENERAL

346. (1) It is the duty of the Police to preserve public order and peace, to prevent and to detect and investigate offences, to c o llect evidence, whether agains t o r i n favo ur of t h e person su sp ected o f havi ng co mmitted that offence, an d to bri ng the offenders, whether principals or accomplices, before the judicial authorities.

(2) Notwithstanding the generality of subarticle (1), where authorised by law and in the manner so provided, the Police may delay it s imm ediate i n terv en tion for the prevent i on o f t h e commission of an offence.

Duties of the Police. Amended by: IV. 1856.23; VIII. 1990.3. Substituted by: III. 2002.74.

347. The Police shall not institute criminal proceedings, except on the complaint of the injured party, in cases where the law does no t all o w cri m i n a l proce e di ng s t o be i n st it ut ed wi th ou t such complaint.

348. Where the head of any household requires an officer of the Police to proceed to such house in order to ascertain any offence which has b e en com mitted or to secur e t h e evi d ence relating thereto, the officer shall proceed thither with all convenient speed taking with him witnesses where practicable.

349. (1) A police officer shall only have such powers as are vested in him by law and to the extent authorised by law and in this pr o vi si o n t he w or d la w h as th e sa m e me an in g a ssi gn ed to it in article 124 of the Constitution.
(2) The omission of any precaution, formality or requirement prescribed under this Title shall be no bar to proving, at the trial, in any manner allowed by law, the facts to which such precaution, formality or requirement relates.

Complaint by the injured party. Amended by:

XIV. 1889.45; XXX. 1934.2;

XXI. 1971.26; XXII. 1976.4;

XLIX. 1981.4. Substituted by: III. 2002.74.

Tendering of assistance when required by head of household. Amended by:

XXII. 1976.4. Substituted by:

III. 2002.74.

Powers according to law.

Substituted by:

III. 2002.74.

Omission of precaution, formality or requirement not a bar to admissibility of evidence.

Definitions. Amended by: XI. 1900.54. Substituted by: III. 2002.74. Amended by:

L.N. 274 of 2007.

350. (1) In this Title, and subject to the provisions of subarticle (2):

"appropriate consent" means -
(a) in relation to a person who has attained the age of eighteen years, the consent of that person;
(b) in relation to a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years but has attained the age of fourteen years, the consent of that person and the consent of his parent or guardian;
(c) in relation to a person who has not attained the age of fourteen years, the consent of his parent or guardian;
"designated police station" means a police station designated by the Minister responsible for the Police by a notice published in the Gazette;
"excluded material" means:
(a) personal records acquired or created by a person in the course of any trade, business, profession or other occupation, or for purposes of any paid or unpaid office and which he holds in confidence;
(b) human tissue or tissue fluid which has been taken for the purpose of diagnosis or medical treatment and which a person holds in confidence;
(c) journalistic material which a person holds in confidence;
"intimate sample" means a sample of blood, semen or any other ti ssu e fl ui d, or pu bi c hai r, and i n clu d es a swab taken fr om a person’s body orifice other than the mouth;
"intimate search" means a search which consists of the physical examination of a person’s body orifices other than the mouth;
"items subject to legal priv ilege" means any communication between a professional legal adviser and his client or any person representing his client and any document or record enclosed with or referred to in such communication and made in connection with the giving of legal advice or in connection with or in contemplation of legal proceedings and for the purposes of such proceedings, but the exp r ession do es not include items held with the intentio n of furthering a criminal purpose;
"journalisti c material" means material in the possession of a person who acquired or created it for the purposes of journalism and a person who receives material from someone who intends that the recipient shall use it for the purposes of journalism is to be taken to have acquired it for those purposes;
"non-intimate sample" means -
(a) a sample of hair other than pubic hair;
(b) a sample taken from a nail or from under a nail;
(c) a swab taken from any part of a person’s body including the mouth but not any other body orifice;
(d) urine or saliva;
(e) a footprint or a similar impression of any part of a person’s body other than a part of his hand;
"pe r sonal records" means doc umentary and othe r records con cerni ng an i ndi vi du al (wh e th er li vi ng o r dea d ) w h o can b e identified from them and relating -
(a) to his physical or mental health; or
(b) to spiritual counselling or assistance given or to be given to him; or
(c) to counselling or assistance given or to be given to him, for the purposes of his personal welfare, by any voluntary organisation or by any individual who by reason of his office or occupation has responsibilities for his personal welfare or by reason of an order of a court has responsibilities for his supervision;
"Schengen Information System" shall have the same meaning assig n ed t o i t by t h e Co nve nti o n o f th e 1 9 t h Jun e , 19 90 implementing the Schengen Agreement of the 14th June, 1985.
(2) For the purpose of this article:
(a) a person holds journalistic material in confidence if -
(i) he holds it subject to such an undertaking, restriction or obligation; and
(ii) it has been continuously held (by one or more persons) subject to such an undertaking, restriction or obligation since it was first acquired or created for the purposes of journalism;
(b) a person holds material other than journalistic material in confidence if he holds it subject -
(i) to an express or implied undertaking to hold it in confidence; or
(ii) to a restriction on disclosure or an obligation of secrecy contained in this Code or in any other law.

Sub-title I

POWER TO STOP AND SEARCH

Power to stop and search.

Amended by: III. 1937.2; XX.1959.4;

XXVII. 1975.23. Substituted by: III. 2002.74.

Amended by:

L.N. 274 of 2007.

351. (1) A police officer may, in a public place, or in any place to which the pu blic is admitt ed , even against paym ent of an entrance fee, search any person or vehicle, if he has a reasonable suspicion that the search will discover the possession of things, which are prohibited, stolen or acquired as the result of any offence whatsoever, or which may be used or may have been used in the commission of an offence or which may serve in the investigation of an offence.

(2) For the purposes of subarticle (1), the Police may stop a person or a vehicle until the search is performed and shall seize any thing discovered during the search and the possession of which is prohibited or which may be connected with an offence.
(3) Pursuant to and for the purposes of the Convention of the
19th June, 1990 implementing the Schengen Agreement of the 14th
June, 1985 an offence under this article shall be deemed to be an
offence even when committed outside Malta.

Warrant. Substituted by: IV. 1994.9;

III. 2002.74.

Limitation as to search, etc. Amended by:

XI. 1900.55;

L.N. 46 of 1965;

VIII. 1990.3.

Substituted by:

III. 2002.74.

Report on search. Substituted by: III. 2002.74.

352. Where the search to be performed is required in an unattended vehicle and it is not possible to obtain the attendance of its registered owner, then a police officer may only carry out the search if he has a warrant from a superior officer not below the rank of an inspector.

353. Except in urgent cases and when a person is apprehended in flagrante delicto nothing in this Title authorises the search of a person by a police officer of the opposite sex, or that a search be conducted by a police of ficer n o t in un if or m un l e ss cl earl y identified by the production of a police identity card.

354. Anything seized as a result of a search under the preceding articles of this title shall be preserved and the Police carrying out the search shall draw up a report stating all the particulars of the search and including a detailed list of the things so seized.

Sub-title II

ROAD CHECKS

Conditions for road checks.

Amended by: VIII. 1857.11;

V. 1868.20. Substituted by: III. 2002.74.

Amended by:

L.N. 247 of 2007.

Cap. 248.

355. The Police may organise a road check where there are reasonable grounds for believing that a check on vehicles in or passing through a locality may lead to -

(a) the arrest of a person who has committed or is reasonably suspected of having committed or of being about to commit a serious crime, not being a crime punishable under the Press Act; or
(b) the discovery of anything the possession of which is prohibited or restricted by law or which is connected in any way whatsoever with the commission of a serious crime or which is evidence of any such crime; or
(c) the arrest of any person whose arrest has been ordered by a court or any other lawful authority or who is otherwise unlawfully at large; or
(d) the ascertainment that a person is not abiding by a condition lawfully imposed on him by a court; or
(e) the ascertainment of violations of any law regarding motor vehicles or traffic regulation; or
(f) the arrest, or ascertainment of whereabouts, of a person in respect of whom an alert has been entered in the Schengen Information System; or
(g) the discovery of any property in respect of which an alert has been entered in the Schengen Information System:
Provided that for the purposes of this article "serious crime" means any crime liable to the punishment of imprisonment.

355A. (1) For the duration of the road check the Police may stop all or any vehicles passing through or in the locality where the road check is being organised.

(2) Where a vehicle has been stopped in pursuance of the pr ovisions of this sub-title that vehicle m ay be searched by the Police.

Exercise of road check.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

355B. A road check under this sub-title may only be organised upon an authorisation in writing by a police officer not below the rank of Inspector unless the matter admits of no delay in which case su ch au thorisati on may be g i ven orally by a po lice o fficer not b e lo w th e rank of serg eant and redu ced to writ ing as soon as practicable.

355C. Notwithstanding anything contained in the preceding articles of this sub-t itle, where in t h e course of a road check, evidence is found of the commission of an offence other than that in respect of which the road check was organised, the Police shall also be entitled to investigate such offence and where appropriate to institute proceedings for that offence.

355D. The provisions of this sub-title shall be without prejudice to any power vested in the Police by any other law to stop vehicles for purposes other than those mentioned in this sub-title.

Authorisation.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

Evidence of other offences.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

Saving of other laws.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

Sub-title III

POWERS OF ENTRY, SEARCH AND SEIZURE UNDER WARRANT

Conditions for search of premises, etc.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

Amended by:

L.N. 247 of 2007.

Cap. 248.

Cap. 248.

Cap. 248.

355E. (1) Saving the cases where the law provides otherwise, no police officer shall, without a warrant from a Magistrate, enter any p r emises, hou se, b u ilding or encl osure for the purpose of ef fectin g any search t h erein or arrest ing any p e rson w ho h a s committed or is reasonably suspected of having committed or of being about to commit any offence unless -

(a) the offence is a crime other than a crime punishable under the Press Act and there is imminent danger that the said person may escape or that the corpus delicti or the means of proving the offence will be suppressed; or
(b) the person is detected in the very act of committing a crime other than a crime punishable under the Press Act; or
(c) the intervention of the Police is necessary in order to prevent the commission of a crime other than a crime punishable under the Press Act; or
(d) the entry is necessary for the execution of any warrant or order issued by any other competent authority in the cases prescribed by law; or
(e) the arrest is for the purpose of apprehending a person who is unlawfully at large after escaping from lawful arrest or detention; or
(f) the entry is necessary for purposes of:
(i) executing the arrest, or ascertaining the whereabouts, of a person in respect of whom an alert has been entered in the Schengen Information System and there is an imminent danger that the said person may escape; or
(ii) discovering any property in respect of which an alert has been entered in the Schengen Information System and there is an imminent danger that the property may be concealed, lost, damaged, altered or destroyed.
(2) The expression "enclosure" does not include any plot of land enclosed by rubble walls.
(3) A warrant may also be issued by a Magistrate as mentioned in subarticle (1) for the purpose of:
(a) effecting the arrest or ascertaining the whereabouts of a person in respect of whom an alert has been entered in the Schengen Information System; or
(b) discovering and seizing any property in respect of which an alert has been entered in the Schengen Information System.

355F. In cases where a police officer is empowered to enter into any of the places mentioned in the last preceding article, it shall be lawful for such officer to open or break any door or window, if, after giving notice of his office and object, he cannot otherwise obtain entry.

355G. (1) Any entry and search warrant issued under this Sub- title and any search or seizure made under the provisions of this Sub-ti tl e shall no t extend to legal pr ivilege or to any excluded material.

(2) An entry and search warrant issued under this Sub-title shal l b e dee m ed t o hav e be en gra n ted to the police officer or officers executing it.
(3) Without prejudice to the right of obtaining a new warrant for the same purpose, an entr y and sear ch w a rrant may n o t be executed after the lapse of one month from the date of issue.

Subsidiary powers of Police in execution of warrants.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

Scope of search and of search warrant.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

355H. No warrant of entry and search may be executed after sunset unl ess the Magistrate ha s otherwise autho r ised i n the warrant, or unless the executing Police officer has reasonable cause to believe that the purpose of the entry and search will be frustrated if the execution of the warrant is delayed.

355I. The executing officer shall hand over a copy of the warrant to the person occupying and present at the place searched or to any other person who appears to the said officer to be in charge of the same place and who happens to be present during the search. If there is no person present who appears to the executing officer to be in charge of the premises the copy of the warrant shall be left in an easily visible place on the premises.

355J. A search under a warrant may only be a search to the extent required for the purpose for which the warrant was issued:

Provided that if, in the course of the search, offences other than the of fence or of fence s m e nt io ned i n th e w a r r an t ar e discovered, the search may extend to the extent required for the purposes of such other offences.

Times for execution of warrant. Added by: III. 2002.74.

Copy of warrant to person.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

Limitation. Added by: III. 2002.74.

Sub-title IV

POWERS OF ENTRY AND SEARCH WITHOUT WARRANT

355K. Any police officer may enter and search without a warrant any premises, house, building or enclosure in the circumstances laid down in article 355E(1)(a) to (e).

355L. (1) The Police have the power to enter and search any p r emises, h o u s e, bui ld ing o r en cl osur e used, occupi ed o r controlled, even temporarily, by a person who is under arrest, if they have reasonable grounds for suspecting that there is evidence, o t her th an items subject to lega l pri v ilege, th at rel a tes to the offence or a connected offence, and such search shall be limited to

Cases admitting of no delay.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

Entry and search after arrest. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

the extent that is reas onably necessary for discovering such evidence:
Provided that if offences other than the offence or offences for which the person was arrested are discovered in the course of the search then the search may extend to the extent required for the purposes of such other offences.
(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of Sub-title V, the Police may in the course of a search carried out in pursuance of the provisions of subarticle (1) seize and retain anything not subject to legal privilege and whic h constitutes relevant evidence for the purpose of any offence mentioned in the same subarticle.

Limitation. Added by: III. 2002.74.

355M. (1) The powers mentioned in article 355L may be exercised by a police officer not below the rank of inspector or by officers of a lower rank if so authorised in writing by an officer not below the rank of inspector.

(2) Where the police officers on the scene are all below the rank of inspector and the matter admits of no delay and the person occupying or in control of the premises is present and his presence is necessary for the effective investigation of the offence, the said police officers may proceed t o ente r a nd s earc h the pre m is es without the authorisation in writing referred to in subarticle (1).

Report by officer.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

Connection of offences. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

355N. A police officer who has exercised any of the powers mentioned in articles 355K and 355L shall, as soon as practicable, draw up a report of the entry and search without warrant, stating the grounds for which it was exercised, and describing the results of the search.

355O. For the purposes of this Sub-title there is connection between offences when -

(a) the facts of the offences are substantially the same; or
(b) an offence has served as a means for the commission of another offence; or
(c) the proof of an offence or of a circumstance thereof has a bearing on the proof of another offence or of a circumstance thereof.

Sub-title V

SEIZURE AND RETENTION

General rules of seizure.

Added by: III. 2002.74. Amended by:

L.N. 274 of 2007.

355P. The Police, when lawfully on any premises, may seize anything which is on the premises if they have reasonable grounds for believing that it has been obtained in consequence of the commission of an offence or that it is evidence in relation to an offence or it is the subject of an alert in the Schengen Information System and that it is necessary to seize it to prevent it being concealed, lost, damaged, altered or destroyed.

355Q. The Police may, in addition to the power of seizing a computer machine, require any information which is contained in a computer to be delivered in a form in which it can be taken away and in which it is visible and legible.

355R. The Police shall always issue to the person on the premises or in control of the thing seized a receipt for anything seized and on request by any such person, the Police shall, against payment and within a reasonable time, supply to him photographs, or a film, video recording or electronic image or copies of the thing seized, unless the investigating officer has reasonable grounds for believing that this would be prejudicial to the investigation or to any criminal proceedings that may be instituted as a result thereof.

355S. (1) Anything which has been lawfully seized by the Po lice may be retai n ed so l ong as is necessary in all the circumstances.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the aforesaid, an ythin g lawfully seized by th e Pol ice under this Cod e may be retained for use as evidence at the trial or for forensic examination or any other aspect of the investigation, or in order to establish the thing’s lawful owner.
(3) The Commissioner shall provide for the proper custody of anything seized.

Computer data.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

Receipt for thing seized.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

Retention. Added by: III. 2002.74.

355T. A person who is the rightful owner of a thing seized and retained may, unless criminal proceedings in the course of which the thing seized has been exhibited or is to be exhibited are pending before any cou r t, m a k e an appl ication to a Magi st rate for i t s restitution, and the Magistrate may, after hearing the Police, by a d e cree o r der it s rel e ase eit h er uncon diti onally, or un der such conditions as may be necessary to preserve the evidential aspects of the thing.

355U. Unless a thing is liable to forfeiture, nothing shall be retained if a photograph, film, video recording or electronic image or a copy of the thing would be sufficient:

Provided that before releasing the thing the Police may, where they deem so necessary, apply to a Magistrate for a repertus to be drawn up and the provisions of Title II of Part II of Book Second of this Code shall apply.

Restitution to owner.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

Photographs.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

Sub-title VI

POWERS OF ARREST AND DETENTION

355V. Where there are lawful grounds for the arrest of a person, the Police may request a warrant of arrest from a Magistrate, unless in accordance with any provision of law the arrest in question may be made without a warrant.

Arrest under warrant. Added by: III. 2002.74.

Arrest by private persons.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

355W. (1) Any person not being a police officer may arrest without warrant anyone who is in the act of committing or has just committed any crime concerning the peace and honour of families and morals, any crime of wilful homicide or bodily harm, or any crime of theft or of wilful unlawful entry or damage to property.

(2) The person making any arrest under subarticle (1) shall without delay inform the Police of the fact of the arrest and shall exercise such power only until it is strictly necessary for the Police to take over the person arrested.

Arrest by police without warrant. Added by:

III. 2002.74. Amended by:

L.N. 274 of 2007.

Cap. 248.

355X. (1) Any police officer may arrest without warrant anyone w ho i s in the act of com mit tin g or has j u st com m itted a cr ime punishable with imprisonment, or whom he reasonably suspects to be about to commit or of having just committed such a crime.

(2) Any police officer may also proceed to the arrest of any person in respect of whom an alert for his arrest has been entered in the Schengen Information System.
(3) Any police officer may also proceed to the arrest of any person who knowingly, or after due warning, obstructs or disturbs him in the execution of his duties, or disobeys his lawful orders.
(4) The powers mentioned in subarticles (1), (2) and (3) shall only be exercised until it is strictly necessary for the police officer to convey the person arrested to a police station and deliver him to a superior officer not below the rank of sergeant.
(5) The provisions of this article shall not apply to any crime punishable under the Press Act.

Detention without warrant under Schengen Information System.

Added by:

L.N. 274 of 2007.

355XX. Any police officer may detain without warrant any person who is indicated in an alert in the Schengen Information System as a missing person or a person who, for his own protection or in order to prevent threats, needs temporarily to be placed under police protection.

Arrest for minor offences.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

Cap. 248.

355Y. (1) In the case of contraventions, or of crimes not subject to the punishment of imprisonment, excepting always the crimes punishable under the Press Act, it shall be lawful for the Police to proceed to the arrest of any person without a warrant, provided that -

(a) the person be detected in the very act of committing the offence; or
(b) the arrest be necessary to prevent the commission of an offence in respect of which the Police may institute criminal proceedings without the complaint of the injured party; and
(c) in either of the cases mentioned in paragraphs (a) or (b) one of the conditions mentioned in article 355Z is satisfied.
(2) A person shall be deemed to be detected in the very act of com m i ttin g an o f fen c e, if he i s cau ght, eith er in the act of committing the offence, or while being pursued by the injured party
or by the public hue and cry.

355Z. The general arrest conditions are -

(a) that the identity of the person is unknown or cannot be readily ascertained by the police officer; or
(b) there is a doubt whether the particulars furnished by the person are true; or
(c) that the person has not furnished a satisfactory address for service, or there are doubts about whether the address provided is satisfactory for service, or that at least some other person may according to law receive service on his behalf at the address given; or
(d) that the arrest is necessary to prevent the person -
(i) causing physical harm to himself or to any other person; or
(ii) suffering physical injury; or
(iii) causing loss or damage to property; or
(iv) committing an offence against public decency;
or
(v) causing an unlawful obstruction on any public road; or
(e) that the police officer has reasonable grounds for believing that the arrest is necessary to protect a child or any other vulnerable person.

General arrest conditions. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

355AB. The officer or any other person authorised by law making an arrest shall not use any harshness, bond or other means of restraint unless indispensably required to secure, or rendered necessary by the insubordination of the person arrested.

355AC. (1) When a person is arrested, the arrest is not lawful unless the person arrested is informed that he is under arrest, even though the arrest may be obvious.

(2) The arrest is not lawful unless the person arrested is informed at the time of his arrest or detention, in a language that he understands, of the reasons for his arrest or detention:
Provided that if an interpreter is necessary and is not readily available or if it is otherwise impracticable to comply with the provisions of this sub-article at the time of the person’s arrest or det e nt ion, such provisions shall b e com p lied with as soon as practicable:
Provided further that, in any case, where the arrest is made by a private person under the provisions of article 355V the giving of the information may be delayed until the person arrested is taken over by the Police.

Conduct towards person arrested. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

Information to be given on arrest. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

355AD. (1) Where, in the course of an investigation, a person attends voluntarily at, or accompanies a police officer to, a police st at ion o r office, that person sha ll be free to leave at any time, unless and until he is informed that he is under arrest.

Attendance at a police station or office.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

(2) Where an inspector of Police has a reasonable suspicion that the person who attended voluntarily at the police station or office may have committed an offence subject to imprisonment, he may arrest such person forthwith without warrant and inform him accordingly. The time of the arrest shall be immediately recorded and immediate notice thereof shall be given to a Magistrate.
(3) The Police may, orally or by a notice in writing, require any person to attend at the police station or other place indicated by them to give such information and to produce such documents as the Police may require and if that person so attends at the police station or plac e indica ted to h im he shall be de emed to have attended that police station or other place voluntarily. The written notice referred to in this subarticle shall contain a warning of the consequences of failure to comply, as are mentioned in subarticle (5).
(4) Any person who is considered by the police to be in possessio n o f any info rmat ion or document rel e v a n t to any investigation has a legal obligation to comply with a request from
the police to attend at a police station to give as required any such information or document:
Provided that no person is bound to supply any information or document which tends to incriminate him.
(5) A person who fails to comply with a notice in writing as is referred to in subarticle (3) or who fails, upon being so requested, even if only orally, to accompany voluntarily a police officer to a police station or other place indicated by the police officer for any purpose mentioned in the said subarticle (3) shall be guilty of a contravention punishable with detention and shall be liable to be arrested immediately under warrant.
(6) The notice mentioned in subarticle (3) may be served with urgency in cases where the interests of justice so require.
(7) A person who attends voluntarily as mentioned in subarticle (3) may be kept apart from any other person, but shall not be kept in any place normally used for the detention of arrested persons.

Arrest outside police stations or offices.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

355AE. (1) When a police officer arrests a person at a place other than a police station the arrested person shall be taken to the nearest police station and where the arresting officer is an officer below the rank of inspector he shall forthwith report the arrest to an officer not below the rank of inspector. In any case the inspector or officer in charge of that police station shall also be informed.

(2) Where there are grounds for the continuation of the arrest the person arrested shall be taken to a designated police station as soon as practicable and in no case later than six hours from the time of the arrest.
(3) The taking of an arrested person to a police station in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this article may be delayed if that person’s presence is required elsewhere for th e purpose of any investigation which may be necessary.
(4) Where a person is released following arrest the police
officer ordering r elease shall record in writing the fact statin g reasons.

355AF. (1) A police officer may immediately search the person arrested:

(a) if the police officer has reasonable grounds for believing that the arrested person may present a danger to himself or others; or
(b) for anything which the arrested person might use to assist him to escape from custody; or
(c) for anything which might be evidence related to an offence.
(2) The provisions of article 353 of this Code shall apply to searches under this article.

Search on arrested person.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

Sub-title VII

WARRANTS

355AG. (1) Saving the provisions of article 666, it is the duty of the Police to execute any warrant or order of arrest or search that may, in the cases prescribed by law, be issued or given by any other competent authority.

(2) Any such warrant or order shall set forth the nature of the offence, the name of the person, if known, by whom the offence is alleged to have been comm it te d and, in the case of a search warrant, it shall indicate the place where the search is to be carried out.
(3) Once a warrant or order of arrest or search has been issued any police officer may execute the warrant or order.

Police to execute warrants of arrest or search.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

355AH. (1) Whenever according to law the carrying out of an act by the police requires the issue of a warrant by a Magistrate a police officer may apply in person to a Magistrate requesting the issue of the appropriate warrant stating the grounds for the request and giving the Magistrate all such information that will enable the Magistrate to decide on the request. Before deciding whether to issue the warrant the Magistrate may require the police officer to confirm on oath the information supplied by him and the warrant sh all on ly b e i ssu ed up on th e Magistrate being sa tisfie d that sufficient grounds for the issue of the warrant exist.

(2) In cases of urgency, the request for the issue of the warrant and the warrant may be communicated even by facsimile:
Provided that, as soon as practicable, the original warrant shall be delivered for record purposes.
(3) Any warrant issued by a Magistrate shall be issued in favour of the Commissioner of Police and may be executed by any

Procedure for warrants. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

police officer.
(4) Whenever a police officer requests the issue of a warrant of arr e s t or s e ar ch from a Ma gis t r a te i n a c c o r da nc e w ith th e p ro vi sio ns of t hi s C ode an d th e Ma gi strate refu ses t o issu e t he warrant the Police may request the issue of the same warrant from a Judge who ordinarily sits in the Criminal Court.

Copies of warrants.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

355AI. Except in the case of a warrant transmitted by facsimile, any warrant shall be drawn upon in three signed copies one of which shall be retained by the Magistrate while the others shall be delivered to the police officer who shall retain one copy for his records and shall cause the other one to be served on the person entitled to be served with it:

Provided that where a police officer comes upon a person against whom a warrant of arrest has been issued and, although not in possession of a copy of the warrant, the police officer knows that the warrant has been so issued, the officer shall arrest that person and shall serve him with the copy of the warrant at the first opportunity.

Report of arrest.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

355AJ. (1) Where any person is arrested, whether with or without a warrant, the arresting police officer or his superior shall, as so on as practi cable and unl ess the person arrested has b een released within six hours from arrest, inform a Magistrate, giving all details as to time and place where the person is being held.

(2) The Magistrate may order that the person arrested be transferred to another place with immediate effect.
(3) Any person arrested in pursuance of any provision of this Code and who has not been brought before a court within forty- eight hours of his arrest shall be released.

Immediate orders.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

355AK. Any order of a competent authority touching on the rights of the individual arising from the provisions of this sub-title shall be carried out without delay, and for such purpose may be comm unicated even by facsim ile or telephone, under such conditions as to guarantee its authenticity.

Sub-title VIII

DETENTION

Right to release.

Added by:

III. 2002.74.

355AL. (1) It shall be duty of the custody officer to order the immediate release from custody of any person in police detention in the circumstances mentioned in article 355AJ(3) or where the custody officer becomes aware that the grounds for the detention of that person have ceased to apply and there are no ot her lawful grounds on which the continued detention of that person could be justified.

(2) Before ordering the release from custody of a person under
subarticle (1) the custody officer shall inform the investigating officer and a Magistrate and the final decision shall be taken by the Magistrate.
(3) A person whose release is ordered under the provisions of subarticle (1) shall be released unconditionally unless it appears to the custody officer -
(a) that there is need for further investigation of any matter in connection with which he was detained at any time during the period of his detention; or
(b) that proceedings may be taken against him in respect of such matter,
and if it so appears, he shall be released subject to the conditions, reduced to writing and signed by the person to be released, that he will not attempt or do anything to leave Malta without the authority of the investigating officer under whose authority he was arrested and that he will attend at such police station at such time as the custody officer may appoint and, or that he will attend before the Court of Magistrates at such time and such place as the court may appoint.
(4) Where a custody officer has granted bail to a person subject to a duty not to attem p t or do anything to leave Malta withou t authority or to appear at a police station, the custody officer may g i ve no ti ce i n w r i t i n g to t h at per s on th at th e co n d i t i o n no t t o attempt or do anything to leave Malta without authority no longer applied or that his attendance at the police station is not required.
(5) Any person who fails to comply with any condition imposed upon him upon his release as provided in subarticle (3) shall be guilty of a contravention.
(6) A police officer may arrest without a warrant any person wh o, having been conditionally released under subarticle (3) su bj ect t o a du ty no t to att e mpt or d o an yt hi ng to l e av e Mal t a without authority or to attend a police station or subject to a duty to appear before the Court of Magistrates, attempts or does anything to leave Malta without authority or fails to attend at that police station or before the Court of Magistrates at the time appointed for him to do so.
(7) For the purposes of this sub-title a person who returns to a police station to answer to bail or is arrested under subarticle (6) shall be treated as arrested for the offence under subarticle (5) and for the offence in connection with which he was granted bail and the provisions of this article shall apply to such person.
(8) The conditions made under subarticle (3) shall not remain in force for more than three months from the date on which they were imposed unless they are renewed by a Magistrate for further periods of three months each period upon an application by the Police which shall be served for his reply upon the person on whom the conditions were imposed.
(9) At any time during which the conditions made under subarticle (3) are in force the person on whom those conditions
were imposed may by an application to be served on the Police for a reply request a Magistrate that those conditions be removed or modified.
(10) The Minister may issue guidelines to be followed by custody o fficers in th e exercise of their discretion to im pose conditions under subarticle (3).

Requirement of custody officer. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

355AM. (1) At every designated place of detention the Commissioner shall appoint one or more custody officers not below the rank of sergeant who, in matters of detention, shall comply with any orders of a Magistrate.

(2) Any officer of any rank may perform the functions of a cu stody officer at a designated place of deten tion if a custody officer is not readily available to perform them.
(3) Where the custody officer who is called upon to carry out any of his functions with respect to a person in police detention is, at the time when the function falls to be performed, involved in the inv e st igati on of an offen c e for whi c h th e person is i n pol ice detention such function shall be carried out by another custody officer or, if no such other custody officer is available, by the next most senior police officer who happens to be available at the time.
(4) In this article and elsewhere in this sub-title "designated place of detention" means such place designated by the Minister where a person may be detained for more than six hours.

Functions of custody officer. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

Functions of custody officer at a place other than a designated place of detention.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

355AN. The custody officer shall perform such functions as may be assigned to him by this Code or by any other law.

355AO. Where an arrested person is taken to a police station whic h is not a designated place of de tention the functions in relation to him which would otherwise fall to be performed by a custody officer shall be performed:

(a) by an officer not below the rank of sergeant who is not involved in the investigation of an offence for which the arrested person is in detention, if such an officer is readily available; and
(b) if no such officer is readily available, by the officer who took the arrested person to the police station or by the most senior police officer at the police station at the time.

Intimate searches of the person detained.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

355AP. Where the arresting officer or the custody officer has a reasonable suspicion that the person arrested may have concealed on his person any drug the unlawful possession of which would constitute a criminal offence or any other item which a custody officer is authorised by this Code or by any other law to seize from the possession of an arrested person, the said officer may request a Magistrate to order an intimate search of the person arrested.

355AQ. (1) Upon a request for an order under article 355AP the Magistrate shall appoint an expert to carry out the search under such safeguards as he may consider necessary for the purpose of decency and to report to him on his findings. A copy of the report shall be communicated without delay to the arresting or custody officer as the case may be.

(2) A person shall not be appointed an expert for the purpose of carrying out an intimate search on a person of the opposite sex unless t he expert is a m edical practit ioner and the person to be searched consents thereto in writing.

Experts to be appointed. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

355AR. Anything found as a result of an intimate search under the foregoing articles may be temporarily retained by the expert and may subsequently be seized by order of the Magistrate, and a receipt t h erefore shall be give n to the detained person . The Magistrate may authorise the delivery against receipt of anything so seized to the police officer investigating the person intimately searched.

Seizure. Added by: III. 2002.74.

Sub-title IX

RIGHTS OF PERSONS DETAINED

355AS. (1) It shall be the duty of the Police to inform without undue delay the person arrested or detained of his right to request that a relative or friend be informed of the fact of his arrest and of his whereabouts unless such relative or friend is reasonably suspected of being involved in the offence being investigated. If the person arrested avails himself of such right the relative or friend shall without undue delay be informed accordingly and a record as provided in subarticles (2 ) and (3 ) sh all be kept of the way the Police discharged their duty under this subarticle.

(2) In all cases the following information shall be entered in the detention record of the person detained:
(a) the day and time in which the detained person was informed of his right under this article;
(b) whether the detained person chose to avail himself of that right or not;
(c) if the detained person chose to avail himself of that right, the details of the relative or friend informed of the detained person’s arrest and whereabouts together with the day and time in which the information was given; if such relative or friend was not so informed the reasons for this.
(3) The arrested or detained person shall be requested to sign the record referred to in subarticle (2) and should he refuse to do so an entry shall be entered in the record to this effect.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subarticle (1), the

Right to inform friends and to medical assistance. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

investigating officer may by application to a Magistrate request that he be authorised to delay informing a relative or friend of the detained person if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that t h e g i vi ng of such in form atio n m a y be p r ej udi cial to the investigation or to the recovery of things, or that it may alert other persons who are connected with the offence and are still not in Police custody. Such a delay shall not be later than six hours from the time when the arrest was effected.
(5) An arrested person shall, at his request, be allowed to consult a medical adviser of his choice provided that such medical adviser is readily available.
(6) The application referred to in subarticle (4) may be communicated to the Magistrate by facsimile:
Provided that, as soon as practicable, the original application shall be delivered for record purposes.

Right to legal advice.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

355AT. (1) Subject to the provisions of subarticle (3), a person arrested and he ld in po lice custody at a po lice station or other authorised place of detention shall, if he so requests, be allowed as soon as practi c ab le to consult pr ivately with a lawyer or legal procurator, in person or by telephone, for a period not exceeding one hour. As early as practical before being questioned the person in custody shall be informed by the Police of his rights under this subarticle.

(2) A request made under subarticle (1) shall be recorded in the custody record together with the time that it was made unless the request is made at a time when the person who makes it is at court after being charged with an offence in which case the request need not be so recorded.
(3) Subject to the provisions of subarticle (7), compliance with a request under subarticle (1) may be delayed if the person making the request is in police detention for a crime and if an officer not below the rank of superintendent authorises such delay.
(4) An authorisation under subarticle (3) may be given orally or in writing but if it is given orally it shall be confirmed in writing as soon as it is practicable.
(5) An officer may only authorise delay where he has reason able ground s for beli ev ing that t h e exerci se o f t h e ri ght conferred by subarticle (1) at the time when the person detained desires to exercise it -
(a) will lead to interference with or harm to evidence connected with the offence being investigated or interference with or physical injury to other persons; or;
(b) will lead to the alerting of other persons suspected of having committed such an offence but not yet arrested for it; or
(c) will hinder the recovery of any property obtained as a result of such an offence; or
(d) in the case of a person detained for an offence of drug trafficking, bribery, or money laundering, will hinder the recovery of the value of that person’s proceeds from the offence.
(6) Where delay has been authorised as provided in subarticle (5) the Police may immediately proceed to question the detained person.
(7) The delay mentioned in subarticle (3) shall in no case exceed thirty-six hours from the time of the arrest.
(8) Any police officer who tries to indicate to a person detained the advocate or legal procurator who should be engaged during the detention of such person, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be punishable with a fine (ammenda) and this without prejudice to any disciplinary proceedings that may be taken against him.
(9) Where the person detained chooses not to seek legal assistance the investigating officer shall record this fact in writing in the presence of two witnesses and thereupon questioning may proceed immediately.

355AU. (1) Where in any proceedings against a person for an offence, evidence is given that the accused -

(a) at any time before he was charged with the offence, on being questioned by the police trying to discover whether or by whom the offence had been committed, failed to mention any fact relied on in his defence in those proceedings; or
(b) on being charged with the offence or officially informed that he might be prosecuted for it, failed to mention any such fact,
being a fact which in the circumstances existing at the time the accused could reasonably have been expected to mention when so questioned, charged or informed, as the case may be, subarticle (2) shall apply if it is shown that the accused had received legal advice before being questioned, charged or informed as aforesaid.
(2) Where this subarticle applies -
(a) a Court of Magistrates as court of criminal inquiry in making a decision under article 401(2);
(b) the court or jury, in determining whether the person charged or accused is guilty of the offence charged,
may draw such inferences from the failure as appear proper, which inferences may not by themselves be considered as evidence of guilt but may be considered as amounting to corroboration of any evidence of guilt of the person charged or accused.
(3) In criminal proceedings against any person for an offence the prosecution shall not, without the permission of the court for reason s which i t co nsiders just, comment on t h e fact th at that person did not request t h e assi st ance of a lawyer or a legal pro c urat or in th e cou r se of p o li ce in vestig atio ns before th ose proceedings.

Inferences from failure to mention facts.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

Sub-title X

TAKING OF SAMPLES, FINGERPRINTING AND OTHER INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES

Samples under authorisation. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

355AV. The investigating officer may in person, by application or by facsimile, request a Magistrate to authorise the necessary procedure -

(a) where he has reasonable grounds to require the taking of intimate samples from the person arrested; or
(b) to take photographs, a film, video recording or electronic image of intimate parts of the body of the person arrested; or
(c) where the person arrested withholds his consent for any procedure which the investigating officer may carry out according to law with the consent of the person arrested:
Provided that where the request falls under paragraph (a), the provisions of article 355AW shall apply and, if the request falls under paragraph (b), the provisions of article 355AP shall mutatis mutandis apply.

Intimate samples by consent. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

When consent for intimate sample is refused.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

355AW. Subject to the provisions of articles 355AV and 355AX, an intimate sample may be taken from a person arrested only if his appropriate consent is given.

355AX. (1) Upon a request under article 355AV(a), the Magistrate shall obtain all such information from the investigating officer to enable him to decide on whether the request is justified or not.
(2) Where the Magistrate decides that the request is justified he shall visit the person arrested to request his consent and before asking for his consent he shall explain to him:
(a) the nature of the request and the reasons thereof;
(b) the consequences of giving his consent and of refusing consent as provided in article 355AZ; and
(c) that he is entitled to consult a lawyer or legal procurator before deciding whether or not to give his consent.
(3) Where the person arrested requests to consult a lawyer or legal procurator under subarticle (2) the magistrate shall make a record of the fact, date and time of the request and, subject to the provisions of subarti c le (4) sh all allow the person arrested to consult with a lawyer o r legal procurato r for such t ime as th e magistrate may deem appropriate in the circumstances of the case.
(4) The magistrate may, on a justified objection by the Police, delay any communication with an advocate or legal procurator if the interests of justice so requ ire or when any of the events m e nt ion e d i n arti cle 355 AT (5) is lik ely to occu r if such communication is allowed immediately:
Provided that where the person arrested has requested to consult a lawyer or l e gal proc urator his consen t can on ly be requested after such consultation has taken place.

355AY. Where an intimate sample is to be taken under these articles the provisions of article 355AP shall apply.

355AZ. Where the appropriate consent to the taking of an intimate sample from a person was refused without a good cause, in any proceedings against the person for an offence, those who have to judge of the facts may draw such inferences from the refusal as appear proper and the refusal may, on the basis of such inferences, be treated as, or as capable of amounting to corroboration of any ev id en ce agai nst th e p e r s on i n relati on t o wh ich th e refu sal is material.

355BA. (1) The investigating officer may, with the appropriate consent in writing of the person arrested, cause to be taken:

(a) fingerprints, palm-prints from the person arrested;
(b) photographs of the person arrested or of non-intimate parts of his body;
(c) non-intimate samples from the person arrested. (2) The person arrested may request in writing that:
(a) his fingerprints, palm-prints or other prints,
(b) photographs of his person or of non-intimate parts of his body,
(c) non-intimate samples from his person,
be take n an d any such requ est s h all be complied with by the investigating officer with the assistance of any competent person as may be necessary.
(3) The person arrested may also request in writing the investigating officer to carry out any of the procedures mentioned in article 355AV(a) and (b), and any such request shall be referred without delay to a Magistrate. The Magistrate shall authorise the procedure requested after verifying the request made by the person arrested and the provisions of artic le 355AP sh all apply where appropriate.

Applicable procedure for samples. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

Inferences from refusal.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

Samples with the consent or at the request of the person arrested. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

355BB. Samples from a person other than a person arrested may only be taken with that person’s prior consent in writing:

Provided that for the taking of an intimate sample a
Magistrate’s authorisation must also be obtained upon application.

Samples from persons other than arrested persons. Added by:

III. 2002.74.

355BC. The provisions of article 355BA shall mutatis mutandis apply to any person, not being an arrested person, who makes a request for the carrying out in his respect of any procedure referred to in that article provided the r e quest is made in writing and contains a declaration that the person making the request has reason to believe that there is the likelihood that the failure to carry out the

Samples at the request of persons other than arrested persons.

Added by: III. 2002.74.

requ est e d p r o cedure i s li kely to resu lt in hi s bei ng arrest ed or detained.

Added by: III. 2002.75.

Sub-title XI

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE POLICE IN RESPECT OF COURT PROCEEDINGS

Production of evidence before court.

Amended by: L.N. 46 of 1965;

LVIII. 1974.68;

VIII. 1990.3;

III. 2002.76.

Collection of further evidence and its production before court.

356. (1) It is the duty of the Executive Police to bring as soon as possible before the court, and, where practicable, together with the offende r, all the evide n c e th at may have be en c o llected in respect of the offence.

(2) It is the duty of police prosecuting officers to disclose to the defence su ch evidence wh ich m ay appear t o favo ur t h e person charged and which the police, for any reason, might not have the intention to produ ce before the co urt as evidence for th e prosecution.
(3) The Executive Police shall, even after the accused has been b roug ht b efore the co urt , co ntin ue to collect and furn ish to the Co ur t o f Mag i str a t e s o r, aft e r h i s co mmit tal fo r t r i a l , t o th e Attorney General, any further information that can be obtained in respect of the offence.

Preservation of articles connected with the offence. Amended by: VIII.1990.3.

Duties of the

Police in respect of

criminal

proceedings.

Substituted by:

III. 2002.77.

357. Where an officer of the Executive Police discovers any weapon, document, trace or vestige or any other thing relating to an offence, he shall take steps to establish and ensure the existence and the preservation thereof in the state in which it was found until he shall have reported the matter to the Court of Magistrates, and, if unable to establish and ensure such existence or preservation, he shall observe the same procedure provided for the drawing up of a "repertus".

358. (1) It is the duty of the Police to issue and to serve ci tation s summon i ng persons t o appear befor e t h e Co urt of Magistrates, in matters within the jurisdiction of such court.

(2) In summary proceedings for offences within the jurisdiction of the Court of Criminal Judicature, it shall not be the duty of the Police to serve on the person charged notice of the date of hearing apart from the first sitting of the proceedings.

Executive Police to execute warrants of arrest or search. Amended by:

IV. 1994.10.

Contents of warrant.

359. (1) Saving the provisions of article 666, it is the duty of the Executive Police to execute any warrant or order of arrest or search that may, in the cases prescribed by law, be issued or given by any other competent authority.

(2) Any such warrant or order shall set forth the nature of the offence and the name of the person, if known, by whom the offence is alleged to have been committed.

360. (1) Where there are not sufficient grounds according to l a w for the arrest of any person ch arge d with an o ffenc e, the Executive Police shall, by an order in writing, summon such person to appear before the Court of Magistrates.

(2) The summons shall contain a clear designation of the person summoned and a brief statement of the facts of the charge together with such particulars as to time and place as it may be necessary or practicable to give. It shall also contain an intimation t h at, in defau lt o f appear ance, the p e rson summoned sh all be arrested by warrant of the court and arraigned on such day as may be stated in the warrant.

Summoning of person accused when not arrested. Amended by:

IX. 1911.15; VIII. 1990.3.

Contents of summons.

360A. (1) In summary proceedings for offences within the j u ri sd ictio n o f th e Co urt of Magistr a t e s as a cou r t o f crimi nal judicature under article 370(1) the police may, together with the summons or at any time thereafter, serve upon the accused copies of any affidavits made by a public officer or by an employee or officer of a body corp orate established by law and who is to be produced as a witness for the prosecution in those proceedings as well as any docum ent to be produced in evidence in the sam e proceedings and if the accused desires to cross-examine any person whose affidavit has been served upon him as aforesaid he shall, not later than fifteen days before the first sitting following the service of the affidavit, give notice thereof to the Commissioner of Police by registered letter whereupon the person to be cross-examined shall be summoned to give evidence in the proceedings:

Provided that for the purposes of this subarticle the word
"document" shall have the same meaning assigned to it by article
558(2):

Service of affidavits together with summons. Added by:

III. 2002.78.

Provided further that where it results that it was not possible for the accused to give notice to the Co mmissioner of Police within the time provided aforesaid such notice of the desire to cross-examine may be given during the first sitting immediately after the service of the affidav it in which case the person to be cross - examined sha l l be s u m m on e d to give evidence in the following sitting.
(2) The person whose affidavit was served on the accused as provided in subarticle (1) shall not be summoned to testify in the proceedings if the accused fails to give notice of the intention to cross-examine that person as provided in that subarticle and the said af fi davit sh all be admissibl e i n evid en ce as proo f of its contents in those proceedings in the same way as if it had been testimony given viva voce in the presence of the accused.

361. Except in urgent cases, the summons shall be served on the person summoned at least two working days previous to the day fixed for his appearance.

Term for service of summons. Amended by: VI.1871.26; II.1886.9;

IX. 1911.16.

Mode of effecting service.

Amended by:

III. 2002.79;

VII. 2010.28.

362. (1) The summons shall be delivered to the person whose appearance is required, and if such person cannot conveniently be met wi th , the summons shall be delivered at hi s usual pl ace of abode. In either case, the officer serving the same shall make a report thereof to the court.

(2) The Minister responsible for justice after consulting with th e Mi ni ster r e sp on sib l e fo r the po lice may make regu lati ons providing, in summary proceedings as those mentioned in article
360A(1), for the service of the summons and of any accompanying documents, and of any other act of the proceedings, by post or in any other manner as may be provided in the regulations.
(3) Where the person to whom a summons or other act of the proceedings is addressed in accordance with any regulations made under subarticle (2) refuses to receive it the court may by means of a decree upon an application by the Police and after examining the certificate of service declare that person to have been duly served with the summons or with that other act and make an order for his arrest.
(4) Where any person, other than the person to whom a summons or other act of the proceedings is addressed, refuses to receive the summons or that other act personally the court may, upon an applicatio n by th e Police and after exam i n ing th e certificate of service and satisfying it self t h at t h at p e rso n is a person in who s e hands t h e summo ns or th at oth e r act may b e lawfully served, sentence that person to a fine (ammenda):
Provided that the Court may, at any time, on just cause being shown, remit the fine (ammenda).
(5) The provisions of subarticles (3) and (4) shall mutatis mu tandis apply to th e servi c e o f the sum m ons and o f any accompanying documents whenever a person is to be served with any summons and with any accompanying documents in accordance with any other provision of this Code or of any other
law.

Time and place for service of summons. Amended by:

XXX. 1934.3; XIX. 1965.18.

363. No summons may be served between seven o’clock in the evening and seven o’clock in the morning or on Sundays or public holidays or in churches during religious service, except where the urgency of the case does not admit of any delay.

Urgent cases. 364. Where the urgency of the case does not admit of any delay, the person may be summoned to appear forthwith or at a given time during the same day. If the person fails to appear, he may, upon a warrant of the court, be arrested and brought before it.

Subpoenaing of witnesses. Amended by: IV.1874.8;

XI. 1900.56; XII. 1913.10; XXXII. 1986.7; VIII. 1990.3.

365. (1) The Executive Police shall summon, in writing, the w itnesses who s e attend ance is r e qui red befo re th e Cou r t of Magistrates, whether for the prosecution or for the accused.

(2) The provisions contained in the last preceding three articles shall apply to the subpoenas of witnesses.
(3) The subpoenas referred to in this article and the summons referred to in article 360 shall be signed by an of ficer of the
Executive Police not below the rank of sub-inspector or be stamped with a facsimile of such a signature.

366. It is the duty of the Executive Police to carry out, besides the warrants or orders referred to in article 359, every judgment or order of the Court of Magistrates:

Provided that fines (multa and ammenda) shall be levied by the registrar of that court.

Judgment, etc., to be carried out by Executive Police. Fines to be levied by registrar. Amended by:

VIII. 1990.3.

Title II

OF THE COURT OF MAGISTRATES

367. (1) Every Court of Magistrates shall consist of a magistrate and shall have a twofold jurisdiction, namely, as a court of criminal judicature for the trial of offences which fall within its jurisdiction, and as a court of inquiry in respect of offences which fall within the jurisdiction of a higher tribunal.

(2) There shall be two Courts of Magistrates, one for the Island of Malta and one for the Islands of Gozo and Comino to be styled Court of Magistrates (Malt a) a nd Court of Magist rates (Gozo) respectively.

Amended by: VIII. 1990.3.

Constitution of Court of Magistrates. Jurisdiction. Amended by: XI. 1900.57; VIII. 1990.3; III. 2002.80.

Number of Courts of Magistrates.

368. (1) No magistrate may be challenged or may abstain from taking cognizance of any cause, except immediately after the report or complaint and for any of the reasons set out in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (e) and, so far as applicable, article 734(d) of the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure or on the ground that he has given or is to give evidence as a witness in the cause, or on the ground that the cause is in respect of an offence committed to his prejudice or to the prejudice of his spouse or of any other person related to him by consanguinity or affinity in any of the degrees mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the said article.
(2) Nor may any magistrate be challenged or abstain from taking cognizance of any cause in the cases mentioned in article
403 and article 433(5) notwithstanding that during the inquiry the magistrate may have conferred with the Police or with any member thereof or with the A ttor n ey Gen e r a l in connecti on wi th t h e
collection of evidence.
(3) If upon hearing the report or complaint, the magistrate is of opinion that there exists in his respect any of the reasons aforesaid, he shall make a statement thereof before proceeding further with the cause.
(4) None of the above reasons shall debar any magistrate from issuing any warrant or performing any act in connection with any inquiry relating to the "in genere", or any inquest or "repertus" held in accordance with the provisions of this Code.

When abstention or challenge of magistrate may

take place.

Amended by:

VI. 1871.27;

I.1903.19;

I.1924.2;

XXX.1934.4;

L.N. 46 of 1965;

XLVI.1973.108;

LVIII. 1974.68.

Cap. 12.

Added by: VI. 1871.28. Amended by: XI.1900.58; VIII. 1990.3. Substituted by:

XXIV. 1995.360; XXXI. 2002.199.

Cap. 12.

Amended by: VIII. 1990.3.

Offences cognizable by the Court of Magistrates as court of criminal judicature. Amended by:

IV. 1856.24; VI. 1871.29;

XIV. 1889.46; XI. 1900.59; XXIX. 1940.2;

XXIII. 1963.2; L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68;

XLIX. 1981.4; XIII. 1987.2; VIII. 1990.3;

XXIX. 1990.17; III. 2002.81;

IX. 2003.128.

performed by any of the court executive officers referred to in article
57(3) of the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure.

Sub-title I

OF THE COURT OF MAGISTRATES AS COURT OF

CRIMINAL JUDICATURE

370. (1) The Court of Magistrates shall be competent to try- (a) all contraventions referred to in this Code;
(b) all crimes referred to in this Code which are liable to
the punishments established for contraventions, to a fine (multa) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months with or without the addition of a
fine (multa) or interdiction;
(c) all offences referred to in any other law which are liable to the punishments established in the preceding paragraph, unless the law provides otherwise.
(2) The offences referred to in subarticle (1) shall still be co gn izable by th e sai d co urt n o twit hstan d in g that , in v i ew of concurrent offences and punishments, of any previous conviction or of the applicat ion of t he p rovisions of article 18, a punishment higher than any of the punishments mentioned in the said subarticle shall be applicable.
(3) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of subarticle (1)(b), the Attorney General may send for trial by the said court any person charged with a crim e punishable with imprisonment fo r a term exceeding six months but not exceeding ten years if there is no objection on the part of such person.
(b) On the record being returned to the court to try such crime, the court shall ask the accused whether he objects to his case being dealt with summarily; the court shall, in its discretion, give a reasonable time to the accused to reply to this question.
(c) If, within the said time, the accused replies that there is no objection on his part to the case being tried summarily, the court shall note the reply in the records of the proceedings and thereupon the c o urt sha l l bec o me compe t en t to try the accused a n d shall proceed to give judgment forthwith, as provided in article 377.
(d) If the accused makes objection to the case being dealt with summarily, the court shall order the record of the case to be transmitted to the Attorney General, within the term fixed in article
401(3), to be dealt with according to law. In such case the term fixed in article 432 for the filing of the indictment shall run from
the day on which the Attorney Genera l shall ha ve received the record of the case.
(e) Where the number of the accused sent for trial by the
Court of Magistrates under the provisions of paragraph (a) is two or more, the provisions of the last foregoing paragraph shall apply only in respect of any one or more of the accused who m a kes objection to the case being dealt with summarily, and in such case the term fixed in article 432 for the filing of the indictment shall run from the day on which the Attorney General shall have received the record of the case after the decision in each of the cases dealt with summarily shall have become res judicata.
(f) Before asking the accused whether he objects to his case being dealt with summarily, as provided in paragraph (b), the court shall hear such further evidence as may be indicated by the Attorney General in the same note by which he sends the person charged for trial by the said court in accordance with paragraph (a).
(4) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of subarticle (1)(b), if the crime with which the accused is charged is punishable with imprisonment for a term exceeding six months but not exceeding four years, the court shall, during the examination of the accused under article 392 but before he is examined under subarticle (1)(b) of that article, ask the accused whether he objects to his case being dealt with summarily; and shall give him a reasonable time to reply to this question.
(b) If, within the said time, the accused replies that there is no objection on his part to the case being dealt with summarily, the court shall ask the prosecuti ng of ficer whet her the Attorney General has given his consent in writing to the case being dealt with summarily, and if no objection is raised, the court shall note this fact in the records of the proceedings and thereupon the court s h all be come compete n t to try the ac cused and s h a l l procee d accordingly:
Provided that nothing in this subarticle shall be construed as precluding the court from proceeding with the necessary inquiry if from the evidence it appears that a graver crime which it has no jurisdiction to try has been committed.
(5) The provisions of subarticle (2) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the crimes referred to in subarticles (3) and (4).
(6) The court shall also be competent to pass sentence on the party accused in the circumstances and as provided in article 392A.

371. (1) In determining the jurisdiction, regard shall be had to the alleged offence and not to any extenuating circumstances, even th ough, by reason of an y such extenuating circumstances, the accused shall not be liable to punishment or there may be a descent from a higher to a lesser punishment. In such case the provisions contained in article 389 and following articles shall apply.

(2) Nevertheless, the Court of Magistrates shall be competent to try -
(a) any crime committed by any person under eighteen years of age or by any deaf-mute where the punishment awardable according to law does not exceed the jurisdiction of such court;

How jurisdiction is determined. Amended by:

IV. 1856.25; XI.1900.60; XII.1913.11;

XXIII.1963.3; L.N. 46 of 1965; III.1971.14;

LVIII.1974.68; XLIX.1981.4; XIII.1983.5;

VIII. 1990.3;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

opinion of the Attorney General, the grounds for the excuse appear from the record of the inquiry and the punishment awardable according to law does not exceed the jurisdiction of such court:
Provided, in either case, that no other person is simultaneously charged with the crime, whether as principal or accomplice, or that the crime is not otherwise connected with any other crime outside the jurisdiction of such court;
(c) any theft aggravated by "means", but not also by "violence", or by "person" or by "the nature of the thing stolen", when the value of the thing stolen does not exceed eleven euro and sixty-five cents (11.65) and, in the opinion of the Attorney General, the crime would be adequately punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months with or without a fine (multa).

How jurisdiction between the Courts of Magistrates is determined.

Added by: XI.1900.61. Amended by: XII.1913.12; VIII.1990.3.

Waiver of plea to the jurisdiction.

372. (1) The jurisdiction as between the Courts of Magistrates shall be determined -

(a) by the place where the offence has been committed; or
(b) if there is only one accused person or if, there being two or more accused persons, they all reside in Malta, or all reside in Gozo or Comino, by the place of his or their residence.
(2) If a person is charged with two or more offences committed in different Islands, such person shall be tried by the court within the territorial jurisdiction of which the graver offence or, if the offences are of equal gravity, the greater number of offences has been committed.
(3) If the place where the offence was committed is unknown and the accused is one, or the accused are two or more, residing, however, within the limits of the jurisdiction of the same court, the jurisdiction shall be solely determined by the place of his or their residence; or if the persons accused reside in different Islands, the jurisdiction as between the courts shall be determined by the place of residence of the maj o rity of th e p e rsons accused; or if th e number of the accused residing in Malta and the number of the accused residing in Gozo or Comino be the same, either court shall be competent to try all the accused.
(4) The plea to the jurisdiction by reason of the place where the offence has been committed or of the place of residence of the offender may be waived, and, if not raised immediately after the statement of the facts constituting the offence, it shall be deemed to be abandoned.

373. As regards offences referred to in article 370(1), the pro secu tio n sh al l l ie w ith th e in jur ed p arty or wi th the perso ns mentioned in article 542 on behalf of such party, where proceedings cannot be instituted except on the complaint of the injured party:

Provided that if the offence in respect of which no p r o s ecutio n may b e institut e d except on t h e complain t of the injured party, is aggravated by public violence or is accompanied with any other offence affecting public order, or if, in the absence of any such circumstances, the injured party shall fail to institute proceedings and shall not have expressly waived the right to prosecute within four days from the commission of the offence, it shal l be lawful for the Executive Police ex officio to institute proceedings in respect of the offence.

374. In proceedings instituted on the complaint of the injured party, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) the complainant and the defendant shall appear personally on the day appointed for the hearing of the complaint. They may, however, be assisted by advocates or legal procurators;
(b) in the case of contraventions, it shall be lawful for the court, upon good cause being shown, to exempt either of the parties from appearing personally and to permit the husband or wife or a near relative, by blood or affinity, of such party, or any other person having the charge of such party or authorized in writing by such party, to appear instead;
(c) if neither of the parties shall appear, the cause shall be struck off the list;
(d) if for the first sitting the complainant does not appear and the defendant alone appears, the latter may demand his discharge;
(e) nevertheless, upon an application by the complainant within four days from the day on which the cause was struck off the list or the defendant was discharged, accompanied by a declaration of the complainant himself sworn before the registrar, to the effect that he was, on account of illness or for any other reason independent of his will, to be expressly stated in the application, prevented from appearing, the court shall appoint another day for the hearing of the cause on the same acts;
(f) a written notice of the day appointed for the hearing of the cause shall be given to the parties and to the witnesses within the time prescribed in article 361 and in article 441(1);

Proceedings on complaint of injured party. Amended by: XI. 1900.62;

I. 1903.20, 21; VIII. 1909.35;

VIII. 1990.3; III. 2002.82.

Exceptions.

Trial. Amended by: IV. 1856.26; XI. 1900.62; VII. 2010.29.

Parties to appear personally.

Exemptions.

Non-appearance of parties.

Non-appearance of complainant.

Court may appoint another day for hearing of cause.

Notice of day of hearing to be given to parties and witnesses.

Lapse of action. (g) in the absence of an application as aforesaid, the right of action shall lapse;

Non-appearance of defendant.

(h) if the defendant does not appear, the second part of article 364 shall apply;
Hearing of cause. (i) if both parties appear, the proceedings shall be conducted summarily and viva voce in the following order:
(i) the complainant or his advocate or legal procurator shall state the facts constituting the offence and shall produce his evidence;
(ii) the defendant or his advocate or legal procurator shall submit his defence and shall produce his evidence;
(iii) the complainant or his advocate or legal procurator may reply, and the defendant or his advocate or legal procurator is entitled to a rejoinder:
Provided that it shall be lawful for the court, on good grounds, to vary the order of the proceedings;

Confirmation of complaint on oath.

(j) it shall be lawful for the court to require that the complaint be made or confirmed on oath.

Proceedings by Executive Police ex officio. Amended by:

VI. 1871.30; III. 1880.2;

XI. 1900.62.

Accused to appear personally.

375. In proceedings instituted by the Executive Police, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) the accused shall appear personally. He may, however, be assisted by advocates or legal procurators;
Exemption. (b) in the case of contraventions, the provisions of paragraph (b) of the last preceding article shall apply as regards the accused;
Hearing of cause. (c) the officer of the Executive Police in charge of the prosecution and the accused or his advocate or legal procurator shall be heard in the order set out in paragraph (i) of the last preceding article;

Confirmation of report on oath.

Cross-examination of prosecuting officer by accused.

(d) it shall be lawful for the court to require that the report made by the officer of the Executive Police be confirmed on oath;
(e) the accused may cross-examine the said officer.

376. (1) The magistrate shall take down or cause the registrar to take down -

(a) any plea to the jurisdiction of the court, or of inadmissibility or extinguishment of action, or of inadmissibility of any evidence as well as any order rejecting such evidence; and
(b) where the court shall deem it expedient so to do, or where a request is made by any of the parties and the court shall see fit to accede to such request, the substance of the evidence given by the witnesses, recording any expression having a direct bearing on the merits of the case.

Noting down of pleas raised by accused, and of substance of evidence of witnesses. Added by:

XI. 1900.62. Amended by:

XII. 1913.13.

(2) The notes of the depositions taken down as aforesaid, if any, shall in the pres enc e of the parties be read over to the witnesses and a mention of such fact shall be entered in the record.
(3) The non-observance of any of the provisions of subarticles (1) and (2) shall not affect the validity of the proceedings; nor shall such non-observance be a bar to the production, where necessary, at any part or stage of the proceedings, of evidence to prove, in the manner prescribed by law, the facts to which the said provisions refer, or to the recalling of the said witnesses.

Reading over of deposition to witnesses.

Non-observance of provisions of subarticles (1) and (2) not to affect validity of proceedings. Production of other evidence.

Recalling witnesses.

377. (1) When the hearing is concluded, the court shall, on the sam e day, if conv enient ly practi cable, del i ver jud g m e nt ei ther discharging or sentencing the accused.

(2) Where the offence established by the evidence is one in respect of which the prosecution lies with the injured party, the provision contained in article 403(2) shall apply.
(3) The court may, notwithstanding any punishment to which it may sentence the offender, order him to remove any nuisance or inconvenience to which the of fence relates, or, according to circumstances, to conform with the law, within a time, sufficient for the purpose but in any case not exceeding three months from the date of the judgment, to be fixed by the court; and, if the offender fails to comply with any such order within the time so fixed, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (ammenda) of not less than four euro and sixty-six cents (4.66) and not more than twenty-three euro and twenty-nine cents (23.29) for every day during which the default continues after the expiration of the said time.
(4) The court shall not grant any application for the extension of the time fixed under the last preceding subarticle if such time and the time of the extension exceed in the aggregate three months and the Police oppose such extension.

Judgment. Amended by: XI. 1900.62; I. 1903.22;

VIII. 1909.36; XII. 1913.14;

XXXIII. 1972.5; XIII. 1983.5;

III. 2002.83;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Applicability of s.403(2).

Court may order offender to abate nuisance.

Extension of time- limit.

Abatement of nuisance by Police at the expense of offender.

(5) The court shall, upon an application to that effect by the Police at any time after that a person has been found guilty of an offence, in the event of a supervening cause or, in any other case, after the expiry of the time-limit g r anted by the court un der subarticle (3) or (4) hereof, authorise the Police to remove any n u isance or in conven i ence t o wh ich t h e offence relates at the expense of the offender, in which case the offender may be made to refund the expense under a warrant issued by the said court.

Court may allow offender to retract his words or apologize.

Presumptive evidence of gaming. Added by: XII. 1913.15. Amended by: XII. 1914.11; XI. 1977.2.

378. In the case of contraventions, where the offence is in r e spect o f any i n sult, defamati on or thr e at, th e co urt may, in p a ssi ng sen t e n ce , al lo w th e offend er, i n o r d e r t h at he m a y be exempted from the whole or part of the punishment, to retract his words or to apologize to the complainant in open court according to the nature of the offence.

379. (1) In the case of the contravention contemplated in article 338(h), any moneys, effects, instruments or other means of gaming referred to in article 344(a) which may have been found and seized by the Police on the occasion of any search effected in any place suspected to be used in contravention of the said article
338(h), may, until the contrary is proved, be taken as sufficient evidence that such place was actually used for the playing of games
of chance for money or money’s worth and that the persons found therein at the time of the search were playing at a game of chance for money or money’s worth, although no play was actually going
on in the presence of the Police officers entering the same.
(2) Where any Police officer lawfully authorized to enter any place suspected to be used for the commission of the contravention contemplated in article 338( h ) is wilfully prevented from, or obstructed or delayed in entering the same or any part thereof, or where any external or internal door of, or means of access to any such place, shall be found to be fitted or provided with any bolt or bar or any m eans or contrivance fo r the purpose o f preventin g, delaying or obstructing the entry into the same or any part thereof, of any Police officer authorized as aforesaid, or for giving an alarm in case of su ch entry, or if any such place is foun d fitted or provided with any means or contrivance for unlawful gaming, or for concealing, removing or destroying any instruments of gaming, it shall be evidence, until the contrary is made to appear, that such place is used for the playing of games of chance for money or money’s worth, and that the persons found therein were playing at a game of chance for money or money’s worth.

Award of costs in proceedings instituted on complaint of injured party. Amended by:

XI. 1900.63; VIII.1909.37, 38;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Fees of advocates or legal procurators.

380. (1) In the case of proceedings instituted on the complaint of the injured or aggrieved party, including the cases referred to in article 374(c) and (d), the court shall also decide as to the costs and, where the persons sentenced are two or more, the court shall direct whether such costs are to be borne by them jointly or severally.
(2) The fees of the advocate or legal procurator for either party shall be taxed by the court in the judgment itself at a rate ranging from fifty-eight cents (0.58) to one euro and forty cents (1.40) for
every sitting.
(3) The provision of subarticle (2) shall apply also in the cases referred to in article 374(c) and (d), as well as in the case where the complainant waives the action, if the advocates or legal procurators of the parties have appeared at the trial.
(4) If more than one advocate or legal procurator appear on behalf of any of the parties, such party may only recover from the unsuccessful party the fee of one advocate or legal procurator.
(5) Where the complaint is evidently frivolous or vexatious, it shall be lawful for the court, at the request of the defendant, to sentence the complainant to a fine (ammenda), and in default of paymen t of such fine ( a mmenda ), the p r ovi si ons cont ai ned in article 13(2) shall apply.
(6) The registry fees shall be taxed and levied in accordance with the scale in Schedules A and B annexed to this Code.

Successful party may only recover fees of one advocate or legal procurator.

Frivolous or vexatious complaint.

Taxation and recovery of registry fees.

381. The payment of costs, including the fees due to the advocates or legal procurators, taxed in accordance with the last preceding article, may be enforced by the same court at the suit of t h e creditor i n the same mann er and b y the same means as a judgment of an inferior court in a civil action may be enforced.

382. The court, in delivering judgment against the accused, shall state the facts of which he has been found guilty, shall award punishment and shall quote the article of this Code or of any other law creating the offence.

382A. (1) Without prejudice to its powers under the provisions of the following articles of this Sub-title, where the court considers it expedient to do so for any of the purposes mentioned in article

412C(1), it may, in passing judgment against the accused, together with any punishment to which it may sentence the offender, make
an order (hereinafter referred to as a "restraining order") which may give effect to any thing provided in subarticle (3) of the said article 412C.
(2) A restraining order shall remain in force for such period, not exceeding three years, as specified by the court which m ay order that such period shall com m ence to run from the date of expiration or remission of the punishment. The provisions of article
412C(6) shall mutatis mutandis also apply to a restraining order.
(3) If without reasonable excuse the offender contravenes any prohibition or restriction imposed upon him by an order under this article, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable a fine (multa) of two thousand and three hundred and twenty- nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2329.37) or to imprisonment not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

How payment of costs may be enforced. Amended by: XI.1900.63;

VIII. 1909.39.

Requisites of judgment.

Restraining Orders. Added by: XX. 2005.17. Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Power of court to bind over parties. Amended by: Xl.1900.64;

XII. 1913.16; XXII. 1976.4;

XIII. 1983.5; XXIX. 1990.18; XX. 2005.18;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

Amount and term of recognizance.

Commencement of term of recognizance.

383. (1) The court may, where it deems it expedient, in order to provide for the safety of individuals or for the keeping of the public peace, in addition to, or in lieu of the punishment applicable to the of fence, require the of fe nd er t o en ter in to h i s o w n recognizance in a sum of money to be fixed by the court.

(2) Such sum shall not be less than one hundred and sixteen euro and forty-seven cents (116.47) nor more than two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37) according to the means of the party entering into a recognizance, and the term of the recognizance shall not exceed twelve months.
(3) Where the offender entering into a recognizance is, in respect of the same offence, sentenced to a punishment restrictive of personal liberty, the term of the recognizance shall commence to run from t h e day o n whi c h th e sa id pu ni shm e nt i s serve d o r condoned.

Recognizance with surety.

Amended by: IV.1856.27; V.1868.21.

Detention in default of recognizance. Amended by: VIII. 1857.12; V. 1868.21;

IV. 1874.9; XII. 1913.17; XII. 1957.17; III. 2002.84.

384. Where, however, there are reasonable grounds to believe that, for providing for the safety of individuals or for the keeping of the public peace, the recognizance referred to in the last preceding arti cle i s not suf f i c ient , th e cou r t m a y m o reover requi re the offender to find a suff icient su rety, and the court may further require that such recognizance, with or without surety, be entered into for an indefinite period, that is to say, until such time as the court shall be of opinion that there is good cause for the termination of the said recognizance.

385. (1) If, in the cases referred to in articles 35, 36 and 383, any person refuses to enter into his own recognizance, or if, in the case referred to in the last preceding article, any person refuses or is unable to comply with the requirements of the said article, the court may order such person to be detained until he carries out what is required of him or, where the court ordered him to find a surety, until such tim e as the court, on the application of the per s on detained, shall declare that the reasons for which he was ordered to find a surety have ceased.

Term of detention. (2) The term of detention shall not exceed twelve months.

Maintenance of person under detention.

Discharge of person bound over.

(3) The provisions of article 12(1) shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to a person detained under this article.
(4) On satisfying what is required of him, the person detained may at any time obtain his discharge.

Form of recognizance. Security may consist in deposit

of sum of money or pledge.

Amended by:

VIII. 1857.13;

III.1899.11;

XII.1913.18;

XII.1957.17.

386. The party bound over under articles 35, 36 and 383, and the sureties, if any, shall bind themselves in writing, either jointly and severally or otherwise, as the court shall direct. The security may, where the court shall so think fit, be effected by the deposit of the amount or of an equivalent pledge.

387. (1) Where the person bound over as in the preceding articles mentioned is found guilty by a competent court of having failed to observe any of the conditions of his recognizance, the sum fo r whi c h he has b een bo und o v er sha ll be fo rfeit e d to th e Government of Malta.

(2) Payment may be enforced against the said person and his sureties in accordance with the provisions of article 585.
(3) The provisions of article 586 shall also apply.
(4) The recovery or payment of the said sum or the detention under article 586(1) shall not exempt the person who has made default in ob serving the condi tions o f hi s recognizance from punishment for the offence committed by such default.

Default of observance of conditions of recognizance. Amended by: VIII. 1857.13; XI. 1900.65; XXVII. 1975.24.

388. Access to any person under detention shall always be allowed during the proper hours.

Access to person under detention.

Sub-title II

OF THE COURT OF MAGISTRATES AS COURT OF CRIMINAL INQUIRY

Amended by: VIII. 1990.3.

389. In respect of offences liable to a punishment exceeding the jurisdicti on of the Court of Magistrates as cour t of crim inal judicature, the Court of Magistrates shall proceed to the necessary inquiry.

390. (1) The court shall hear the report of the Police officer on oath, shall examine, without oath, the party accused, and shall hear the evidence in support of the report. Everything shall be reduced to writing.

(2) The court shall examine and reduce to writing the evidence adduced on behalf of the accused.
(3) In cases where no proceedings can be instituted except on the complaint of the injured party, the accused may, even before he is examined, deman d the producti on of the complaint, if the com p lai n t was m a de in writi ng, or of ot her evi d ence of th e complaint, if it was made orally.
(4) The attendance of the complainant shall not be necessary to prove the com p laint, if from other eviden ce it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the complaint was made.
(5) If, in the course of the inquiry, the accused shall not have demanded nor the court ex officio shall have ordered the production of evidence of the complaint, the complaint shall be presumed to have been made according to law.
(6) The court may, having regard to the circumstances of the case, ex officio, order that the answers given by the witness, or the substance thereof, be taken dow n in short h an d by m e ans of

The Court of Magistrates as court of criminal inquiry.

Amended by: VIII. 1990.3.

Mode of procedure in preliminary inquiries.

Amended by: VI. 1871.31;

XIII. 1980.13.

Taking down of evidence on behalf of accused.

Accused may request the production of the complaint.

Presumptive evidence of complaint.

electromagnetic means. Shorthand notes shall be taken down in indelible ink and signed on each page by the stenographers and shall, together with the transcript, be inserted in original in the record. The electromagnetic recording shall be transcribed under the direction of the registrar and the transcript shall be inserted in th e record. In either case, the tr an scri pt m ay be handw ritt en or typewritten and shall be read over to the witness, during or after the sitting, by the registrar who shall make a note of such reading at the foot of the transcript.

Examination of witnesses. Amended by: V.1868.22; I.1903.23; XXX.1934.5; VIII.1944.2; XXXII. 1965.8; IV. 1994.11; XVI. 2006.8. Cap. 258.

Employment of interpreter.

391. (1) The witnesses shall be examined by the court. The name and surname of the witness, the name of his father and, if the witness is a person to whom articl e 3 of the Identity Card Act applies, the number, if known to the witness, of his identity card issued under the said Act, as well as the place of birth and abode of the witness and the language in which he shall have deposed, shall be noted down at the head of every deposition:
Provided that the court may, in exceptional circumstances and to p r o v i d e f o r th e safety o f th e wi tn ess, o mit t h e ab ov e particulars, other than the name and surname of the witness and the language in which he shall have deposed, making a note to that effect in the record of the proceedings.
(2) If the magistrate is conversant with the language spoken by t h e w itn ess, he m a y hi mself t r an sl ate the depo siti on in to the language in which the writte n proceedings are conducted; otherwise, or at the request of the accused, a sworn interpreter shall be employed.
(3) Where the witness is a minor under the age of sixteen years the witness shall be examined and cross-examined in one sitting and his testimony shall be recorded by audio-visual means. The au dio-visu al reco rd ing shall form part of th e reco rd of the proceedings:
Provided that for special and exceptional reasons which arise after t h e wit n ess has gi ven hi s t e sti m on y the C ourt may authorize the hearing of the witness in a subsequent sitting.

Examination of accused. Amended by: IV.1856.28; IV.1874.10; XIII.1980.14; IV. 1994.12.

Caution to accused.

392. (1) The examination of the accused referred to in article

390(1), shall, without threat or promise, and without oath, be made in the following manner:
(a) the court shall ask him his name and surname, his age, his place of birth and abode, his trade, profession or calling, the name and surname of his father and whether his father is alive or dead;
(b) the court shall ask the accused if and what he wishes to reply to the charge.
(2) Before asking any of the above questions, the court shall explain to the accused the nature of the charge preferred against h im and shal l i n fo rm him t h at h e is no t o b lig ed to answer any question nor to incriminate himself; that he may, if he so desires, be assisted by advocates or legal procurators and that whatever he says
may be received in evidence against him.
(3) The court shall note down at the head of the examination that the requirements of the last preceding subarticle have been complied with.
(4) The answers shall be taken down by the magistrate in the manner provided in article 391, stating the language in which they are given.
(5) If the accused stands mute, the court shall note down the circumstance and shall proceed with the case as if the accused had pleaded not guilty.

Taking down of answers.

Accused standing mute.

392A. (1) If the accused, in answer to the question in article

392(1)(b), states that he is guilty of the offence charged and the said o ff e nce i s li abl e to a p u nishme nt not exc eeding ten years imp risonm ent, the p r ovi sio n s of ar ticle 4 53(1 ) shall mutatis

mutandis apply subject to the following provisions of this article.

(2) Saving the provisions of subarticle (3) and notwithstanding any other provision of this Code or of any other law, if the accused persists in his statement that he is guilty of the offence charged the Court as a court of criminal judicature shall proceed to pass on the accused such sentence as would according to law be passed on an accused convicted of the offence and shall order that the record, together with a copy of the judgment, be transmitted to the Attorney General within six working days.
(3) Nevertheless, if there is good reason to doubt whether the offence ha s rea lly take n plac e at all, or whether the a ccused is gui lt y of t h e of fence, th e co urt shal l, n o t w i t h s tan d in g th e confession of the accused, order that the inquiry be proceeded with as if the accused had not pleaded guilty.
(4) The provisions of article 370(2) and of article 371 shall mutatis mutandis apply to proceedings under this article in respect of an offence to which subarticle (1) applies.
(5) The provisions of article 453A shall apply mutatis mutandis b e fore the accu sed replies t o the quest ion in arti cle 392(1 ) ( b ) provided that for the purpose the Attorney General shall appear for the prosecution, and a note made jointly by the Attorney General and the person charged, and which contains the agreement reached as provided in the said article 453A, shall be sufficient for this purpose.

Admission of guilt by the accused during the examination. Added by:

III. 2002.85. Amended by:

IX. 2003.128.

393. The accused may cross-examine the witnesses, and his questions, together with the answers, shall be taken down at the end of the examination-in-chief.

394. Any point of fact which, upon the examination of any witness or in the course of the inquiry, is submitted by the accused, shall be noted down by the court in the corresponding part of the record.

Cross-examination by the accused. Amended by:

III. 1880.3.

Noting down of points of fact submitted by accused.

witnesses and examination of accused to be signed by magistrate. Amended by: Order-in-Council of 1899, s.1.

Counter-signing of exhibits.

Powers of magistrate during inquiry.

Amended by: IX.1859.23;

V. 1868.23; XIII. 1931.2;

L.N. 4 of 1963; XXXI. 1966.2.

Examination of body.

Photographs, measurements and finger-print impressions.

Arrest of accused not in custody.

the accused shall be signed by the magistrate.

396. Every document produced in the course of the inquiry shall be co un ter - si gn ed b y th e mag i st rate, and a r e co rd o f such production shall be entered on the document itself by the registrar or the officer acting in his behalf.

397. (1) The court may order the attendance of any witness and the production of any evidence which it may deem necessary, as well as the issue of any summons or warrant of arrest against any other principal or accomplice whom the court may discover. The court may likewise order any inquest, search, experiment or any other thing necessary for the fullest investigation of the case.

(2) The court may also, under such safeguards as it may consider necessary for the purpose of decency, examine or order to be examined by experts any part of the body of the accused or of the party on whom or with whom the offence is alleged to have been comm itted, i f the court is of opinion th at from such examination a proof might result either against or in favour of the accused.
(3) The court may, moreover, at the request of the Police, order that any accused person be photographed or measured or that his finger-prints be taken:
Provided that when an accused person, who has not been previously convicted of crime, is acquitted, all photographs (both negativ es and prints), finger- print impressions, and reco rds of measurements so taken, shall be destroyed or handed over to the person acquitted.
(4) The photographs, finger-print impressions and measure- ments referred to in the last preceding subarticle shall be taken in accordance with such regulations as may from time to time be made by the Minister responsible for justice.
(5) The court may also order the arrest of the accused not already in custody.

How and where alterations, corrections, or additions may be made.

No erasures may be made.

398. (1) Where, previously to the signing of any act, it is necessary to make thereon any alteration, correction or addition, the same shall be made by means of a note at the foot of the act itself and before the act is signed. Any alteration, correction or addition required to be made after the act is signed shall be made by means of a note in the margin.

(2) No erasure may be made in any act, nor may any blank space be left therein unless it be lined, and if it is necessary to make any cancellation, the same shall be made in such a manner as to leave the word cancelled distinctly legible.
(3) The magistrate shall sign any such notes or cancellation.

Magistrate to sign notes, etc.

399. (1) When the court decides that the examination of any witness or any other process of the inquiry by an authority outside Mal t a is in di sp en sabl y nece ssa r y, th e l e tt er o f requ est and t h e court’s decision shall be served on the Attorney General who may within five working days make any submissions in writing as he may deem appropriate. The provisions of articles 618 and 619 of the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure shall apply.

(2) The accused may, within the term of four working days from any such order, appoint some person to represent him at the examination or process. Such term may, upon good cause being shown, be extended.
(3) The provisions of article 622B of the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure shall apply to a request for the examination of any witness under this article.

Evidence by commission. Added by: XI.1900.66. Amended by: XXXI. 2007.16.

Cap.12. Accused may

appoint person to

represent him.

Cap. 12.

400. The accused may, in the course of the inquiry, be assisted by advocates or legal procurators.

401. (1) The inquiry shall be concluded within the term of one month which may, upon good cause being shown, be extended by the President of Malta for further periods each of one month, each such extension being made upon a demand in writing by the court:

Provided that the said term shall not in the aggregate be so extended to more than three months:
Provided further that unless bail has been granted, the accused shall be brought before the court at least once every fifteen days in order that the court may decide whether he should again be remanded in custody.
(2) On the conclusion of the inquiry, the court shall decide whethe r there are or not suff icient grounds for committing the accused for trial on indictment. In the first case, the court shall com mit the accused for trial by the Cr iminal Court, and, in the second case, it shall order his discharge.
(3) In either case, the court shall order the record of the inquiry, t o g e th er wi th al l th e ex hi bi ts i n t h e case, to be , wi th in th r e e working days, transmitted to the Attorney General.
(3A) Where the court has committed the accused for trial by the Criminal Court the court shall, besides giving the order mentioned in subarticle (3), adjourn the case to another date, being a date not earlier than one month but not later than six weeks from the date of the adjournment. The court shall also adjourn the case as aforesaid after having received back from the Attorney General the record of the inquiry and before returning the record to the Attorney General in terms of any provision of this Code.
(4) In deciding whether there are or not sufficient grounds for committing the accused for trial on indictment the court shall not consider any question of prescription or any plea as is mentioned in

Accused may be assisted by advocate or legal procurator.

Term for conclusion of inquiry. Amended by: VIII. 1857.14: XI. 1900.67;

L.N. 46 of 1965; III. 1973.2; LVIII. 1974.68; XXVII. 1975.40; XIII. 1980.15; III. 2002.86; XVI. 2006.9.

Committal or discharge of accused.

Record to be transmitted to Attorney General.

article 449(1)(d).

Suspension of term for inquiry,

Added by: IV. 1856.29.

Amended by: XI. 1900.67;

L.N. 46 of 1965;

XXV. 1967.2;

LVIII. 1974.68;

XXVII. 1975.40;

XXIX. 1990.19.

in case of insanity of accused,

in case of illness of accused,

in case of the taking of evidence by commission,

in case of illness of witnesses,

in case where accused cannot be found.

Appointment of experts.

Insanity at the time of the offence.

Contestation of insanity by Attorney General.

Insanity at the time of the inquiry.

402. (1) The terms referred to in the last preceding article, in article 407 and in article 432(3) shall be held in abeyance -

(a) if it is alleged or if there is reason to believe that the accused was insane at the time of the offence or that he is insane at the time of the inquiry;
(b) if the accused owing to illness or for any other cause, is unable to appear;
(c) if there has been any order for the examination of any witness or for any other process of the inquiry under article 399.
(2) Such terms may also be held in abeyance -
(a) if any witness is so infirm as to be unable to give evidence even in his place of abode;
(b) if the accused cannot be found and there is reason to believe that he has absconded or left Malta.
(3) In the case referred to in subarticle (1)(a), the court shall appoint one or more experts to examine the accused and the facts relating to the alleged insanity.
(4) If from the report of the experts, it appears that the accused was insane at the time of the commission of the offence, the court shal l ord e r that th e r ecor d o f t h e inq u ir y b e t r ansm it ted to the Attorney General within the term prescribed in subarticle (3) of the last preceding article and shall make an order as provided in article
623.
(5) If, upon receipt of the record, the Attorney General decides to contest the finding of the experts that the accused was insane, he may, within the term prescribed in article 432(1), either send back the record to the court of criminal inquiry with a written request that the inquiry into the merits of the case be proceeded with, or file an application before the Criminal Court submitting the issue to that court, so that action may be taken as provided in articles 620,
627 and 628:
Provided that the Attorney General shall file such application if the accused by application to the court of criminal inquiry m a kes a request to that ef fect before the record is transmitted to the Attorney General in terms of the last preceding subarticle.
(6) If from the report of the experts, it appears that the accused was insane at the time of the inquiry, the court shall proceed with the inquiry into the merits of the charge.
(7) In the cases referred to in subarticles (5) and (6), the inquiry may be continued in the absence of the accused, and if he is not assisted by an advocate or legal procurator, the provisions of article 519 shall apply.

Inquiry may be continued in the absence of the accused.

402A. Where in respect of a person charged before the Courts of Magistrates as a court of criminal inquiry a court has made an order fo r hi s t e m p o r ary su r r en der to a foreign S t ate requesting his extradition or to any other foreign competent authority requesting his surrender, the terms referred to in article 402(1) shall, from the date of his return to Malta, recommence to run anew.

403. (1) If, on the conclusion of the inquiry, it appears to the cou r t t h at t h e off e nce is not one with in the ju risdi c t i on of the Criminal Court but is one within the jurisdiction of the Court of Magistrates as court of criminal judicature and for the prosecution of which the complaint of the injured party is not required, the court conducting the inquiry shall give judgment as provided in article 377 and shall order that the record, together with a copy of the judgment, be transmitted to the Attorney General, as provided in article 401(3).

(2) The provisions of subarticle (1) shall apply also in the case where the offence is one triable on the complaint of the injured party and such party does not appear to waive the complaint.

Terms under article

402(1) to run anew.

Added by:

XXXI. 2007.17.

When court is of opinion that offence is triable by the Court of Magistrates as court of criminal judicature.

Added by: XI. 1900.76.

Amended by: I.1903.24;

VIII. 1909.40; L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII.1974.68;

XXVII.1975.40; VIII. 1990.3.

404. In every case where the Court of Magistrates discharges an accused for want of evidence, it shall be the duty of the Executive Police to continue to make further and fuller investigation into the case.

405. (1) After the committal of the accused for trial, and before the filing of the indictment, the court shall, upon the demand in writing of the Attorney General, further examine any witness previously heard or examine any new witness.

(2) The Attorney General shall, for such purpose, transmit to the court the record of inquiry together with the demand, stating therein the subject on which the examination or re-examination is to take place.
(3) The witnesses shall be examined or re-examined in the presence of the accused in order that he may have the opportunity of cross-examining them, and, for such purpose, the court shall order the accused, if in custody, to be brought up, and, if not in custody, to be summoned to appear before it.
(4) If the accused fails to appear to the summons, the witness shall be examined and his deposition shall be considered as if it had been taken in the presence of the accused.

Duty of Executive Police to continue investigation after discharge of accused for want of evidence.

Amended by: VIII. 1990.3.

Re-examination of witnesses or examination of new witnesses upon demand of Attorney General. Amended by:

IV. 1856.30; III. 1880.4;

VIII. 1909.41; L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68.

Attorney General to forward record of inquiry together with demand.

Examination of witnesses in presence of accused.

Failure of accused to appear to the summons.

Re-examination of witnesses or examination of new witnesses upon the demand of accused. Transmission of record to court by Attorney General. Commissioner of Police to be notified.

Sending back record to Attorney General.

Commencement of term for indictment where demand for re-examination of witnesses or examination of

new witnesses is made by accused.

(5) The provisions of the preceding subarticles of this article shall apply in the case of witnesses whom the accused may wish to examine or re-examine. In such cas e, the demand shall be communicated to the Attorney General who, not later than the day following, shall forward to the court the record of inquiry. The court shall then cause the Commissioner of Police to be notified of the day appointed for the hearing of the witnesses in order that he or any other Police officer may, if he so desires, appear and cross- examine the witnesses.
(6) The depositions of the witnesses taken under this article shall, without delay, be transmitted to the Attorney General.
(7) When the demand for the examination of witnesses is made by th e accused, the term for the filing of the indictm e nt shall commence to run from the day on which the record of the inquiry, including the depositions of the witnesses so examined, is sent back to the Attorney General.

Application for the re-examination of witnesses or the examination of

new witnesses made after the

filing of the indictment.

Amended by: III. 1880.5;

L.N. 46 of 1965;

LVIII.1974.68:

XXVII. 1975.40;

IX. 1982.2;

VIII. 1990.3.

Application to be allowed only in certain cases. Depositions taken after expiration of period prescribed for list of witnesses, admissible at trial only with leave of court.

406. (1) Where the indictment has already been filed, the demand of the Attorney General or of the accused, referred to in the last pr eceding arti cle, shall be made by an application to the Cr im inal Cou r t. Such app licati on sh all contai n a list of the proposed witnesses and a clear indication of the subject on which they are to be examined. The court, if it allows the application, shall order the hearing of the witnesses, and shall, for this purpose, direct that the application be transm itted to the Court of Magistrates as a court of criminal inquiry, and the latter court shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of the said article.

(2) Where the record of inquiry has already been lodged in the registry of the Criminal Court, it shall be forwarded by the registrar to the Court of Magistrates together with the said application; and where the record is still with the Attorney General, it shall be by him forwarded to the Court of Magistrates not later than the day fol l ow ing t h at on whi c h the last m e nti oned co urt sha ll have co mmun i cated t o him th e ord e r of th e Cr imin al Cou r t for th e hearing of the witnesses as demanded by him or by the accused.
(3) The Court of Magistrates shall send back the record, together with the depositions taken, to the Criminal Court, if the record shall have been forwarded by that court, or, otherwise, to the Attorney General.
(4) The demand for the hearing of witnesses in the cases referred to in this article shall not be granted, unless the court is satisfied that the witnesses are about to leave Malta or are in danger of life or are in such a condition as to be probably unable to attend in court on the day appointed for the trial; and if the hearing of the witnesses takes place after the lapse of the term fixed in article 438 for the filing of the list of the witnesses to be produced at the trial, their depositions shall not be admissible except with the leave of the Criminal Court to be granted only if th e said court, having regard to the circumstances of t h e case, is of opinion that th e evidence resulting therefrom is relevant.

407. In the cases referred to in the first part of article 402(5) an d i n th e last pr ecedi n g two arti cl es, th e i nqu ir y sh all be concluded within t h e term mentioned in article 401(1) to be reckoned from the day on which the record is received by the court.

408. (1) During the inquiry and until the record is transmitted to the Attorney General, no access to the party accused, when in custody, shall be allo wed ex cept wi th th e p e rmission o f the inquiring magistrate.

(2) Such permission shall not be granted if the magistrate deems it prejudicial to the ends of justice.

Term within which to conclude

inquiry, in case of

contestation by

Attorney General

of insanity of

accused and in case

of fresh evidence.

Amended by:

XI.1900.68.

Access to accused during inquiry. Amended by:

XI. 1900.68;

L.N. 46 of 1965;

LVIII. 1974.68.

409. (1) It shall be lawful for the court to order the proceedings to be conducted with closed doors, if it appears to it that the ends of justice would be prejudiced if the inquiry were conducted in open court.

(2) In any such case, the officials attached to the court and taki ng part i n the inq u iry shall be bou nd no t t o d i sclo se th e proceedings thereof under the penalty provided in article 257.

When inquiry may be held with closed doors.

Added by: XI. 1900.69.

409A. (1) Any person who alleges he is being unlawfully detained under the authority of the Police or of any other public au th or it y no t in co nn ect i o n wi t h an y offen c e wi th w h i c h he is charged or accused before a court may at any time apply to the Court of Magistrates, which shall have the same powers which that court has as a court of criminal inquiry, demanding his release from custody. Any such application shall be appointed for hearing with urgency and the application together with the date of the hearing shall be served on the same day of the application on the applicant and on the Commissioner of Police or on the public authority under w hose auth orit y t h e appli c ant is all e g e d l y b e i ng unl aw full y detained. The Commissioner of Police or public authority, as the case may be, m a y file a reply by n o t later than the day of the hearing.

(2) On the day appointed for the hearing of the application the court shall summarily hear the applicant and the respondents and any relevant evidence produced by them in support of their submissions and on the reasons and circumstances militating in favour or against the lawfulness of the continued detention of the applicant.
(3) If, having heard the evidence produced and the submissions made by the applicant and respondents, the court finds that the continued detention of t h e a pplicant is not founded on any provision of this Code or of any other law which authorises the arrest and detention of the applicant it shall allow the application. Otherwise the court shall refuse the application.
(4) Where the court decides to allow the application the record of the proceedings including a copy of the court’s decision shall be t r an smitted to t h e Att o rney General by not later th an the n e x t

Application by person in custody alleging unlawful detention.

Added by: III. 2002.87.

days from the receipt of the record and if he is of the opinion that the arrest and continued detention of the person released from custody was founded on any provision of this Code or of any other law, apply to the Criminal Court to obtain th e re-arrest and continued detention of the person so released from custody. The record of the proceedings and the court’s decision transmitted to the Attorney General under the provisions of this subarticle shall be filed together with the application by the Attorney General to the Criminal Court.

Amended by: VIII. 1990.3.

GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THE COURT OF

MAGISTRATES WHETHER AS COURT OF CRIMINAL JUDICATURE OR AS COURT OF CRIMINAL INQUIRY

Right of complainant or his advocate or legal procurator to be present at the proceedings. Added by:

VIII. 1909.42. Amended by: VI. 1930.2;

III. 2002.88.

Examination on oath of complainant.

Police and party injured may be assisted by advocate or legal procurator.

Injured party may be present in court during sittings.

410. (1) In any proceedings instituted by the Executive Police o n t he com pl ain t o f th e in ju red p art y, i t sh all b e law fu l fo r the complainant to be present at the proceedings, to engage an advocate or a legal procurator to assist him, to examine or cross-examine wi tnesses an d to p r oduce, in support of the charge, such other evidence as the court may consider admissible.

(2) Where the complainant is to be heard on oath, his evidence shall be taken before that of any other witness of the prosecution, saving the case where, in the opinion of the court, his evidence be come s ne ce ssa ry eve n at a la ter stage of the proceedings, or where the accused applies for such evidence at any stage of the proceedings, or where the court sees fit to vary the course of the taking of the evidence.
(3) In any proceedings instituted by the Executive Police ex officio, it shall be lawful for the Police and for the party injured to en gage an advo cate or a l e gal pr ocurator to assist them; such advocate or legal procurator may examine or cross-examine witnesses, produce evidence or make, in support of the charge, any other submission which the court may consider admissible.
(4) Without prejudice to the provisions of subarticle (3) and subject to the provisions of subarticle (6), any party injured having an interest in being present during any proceedings instituted by the Executive Police shall have the right to communicate that interest to the police giving his or her particulars and residential address whereupon that injured party shall be served with a notice of the date, place and time of the first hearing in those proceedings and shall have the right to be present in cou r t during t h at and all subsequent hearings even if he is a witness.
(5) Without prejudice to the provisions of subarticle (3) and subject to the provisions of subarticle (6), any person not served with the notice referred to in subarticle (4) and claiming to be an in j u red par t y may ap pl y to th e co ur t t o b e ad mi tt ed in t o t h e
proceedings as an injured party and if his claim that he is an injured party is allowed by the court that person shall thereupon have the right to be present at all subsequent hearings even if he is a witness.
(6) The failure to serve the injured party with the notice of the date of the first hearing after an attempt has been made to that effect or the absence for any reason of t he inj ured party at any sitting shall not preclude the court from proceeding with the trial or inquiry until its conclusion.

411. (1) In the case of proceedings instituted by the Executive Police, the fees of the advocate or legal procurator shall be taxed in accordance with the scale in Schedule C annexed to this Code. The taxed bill of such fees may be impugned and shall be enforceable in the same manner as the taxed bills of judicial costs referred to in article 253(c) of the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure.

(2) The registrar may, in connection with the taxation of any fee, consult the magistrate by whom the offence was tried, with regard to th e i m port a nce of the ch ar ge, the durat ion of t h e proceedings and other circumst ances. The advocate or legal procurator may also apply to the said magistrate for the re-taxing of any fee within the scale in Schedule C annexed to this Code.

Taxation of fees of advocate or legal procurator in proceedings instituted by the Police.

Added by: XVI. 1921.6.

Cap. 12.

412. (1) The Court of Magistrates shall hold its ordinary sittings every day, except Saturdays, public holidays as provided in the National Da y and othe r Public Holidays Ac t, and Wednesday and Thursday of Holy Week.
(2) Nevertheless, where the matter relates to the binding over of the offender under articles 383 and 384, or to the performance of any act in connection with any inquest or other inquiry referred to in this Code or to any bail or to the issue of any urgent summons or to the examination of any witness who is about to leave Malta or is in danger of life, it shall be lawful for the magistrate to sit for the despatch of business on the days mentioned in subarticle (1) and in any place where it may be necessary.
(3) The Court of Magistrates (Malta) shall hold its sittings in Valletta and the Court of Magistrates (Gozo) shall hold its sittings in Victoria:
Provided that it shall be lawful for the Minister responsible for justice, by notice, to fix any other place where the said courts, as courts of criminal judicature, may hold their sittings:
Provided further that the Court of Magistrates, even as a court of criminal judicature, may hold its sittings at the Lazaretto or in any other place that it may deem proper, if the accused or any wi tn ess is per f or m in g q uar an ti ne , an d th e cou r t it sel f sha ll n ot deem it expedient to adjourn the cause until the expiration of the period of quarantine.

Days on which the Court of Magistrates may hold sittings. Amended by: XII.1922.2;

XXX. 1934.6; L.N. 4 of 1963; XXXI. 1966.2; XXVII. 1975.25; VIII. 1990.3;

III. 2002.89.

Cap. 252.

Exceptions.

Place of sittings.

Sec. 3 of

Ordinance II of

1867 incorporated.

person charged or accused not in custody.

Added by: III. 2002.90.

the Court of Magistrates, whether as a court of criminal judicature or as a court of criminal inquiry, is not in custody the Police may thereupon or at any stage of the proceedings thereafter request the court to impose conditions upon the person charged or accused in order to ensure the appearance of that person at the proceedings on the appointed time and place or to otherwise ensure that that person
w i l l not i n any w a y unl awfu lly interfere in the correct administration of justice in those proceedings.
(2) The court may require the giving of sufficient security by th e p erson charg ed or accu sed by the mere recognizance of the same person charged or accused in order to ensure that he abides by the conditions imposed upon him by the court and the provisions of articles 576 and 584, shall apply to the security given under this subarticle.
(3) The sum given by way of security shall be forfeited to the Government of Malta and a warrant of arrest shall be issued against the person charged or accused where that person fails to observe any of t he condit ions im posed by the court in pursuance of the provisions o f thi s article and i n any of the ot her circu mstances m e nti oned in arti cle 57 9 provi ded that the p r ov ision s of thi s sub a rticl e shall n o t appl y where the court consi d ers that t h e infringement of the condition imposed by the court is not of serious consequence.

Application by person in custody pending criminal proceedings alleging unlawful detention.

Added by: III. 2002.90.

412B. (1) Any person in custody for an offence for which he is charged or accused before the Court of Magistrates and who, at any stage other than that to which article 574A applies, alleges that his continued detention is not in accordance with the law may at any time apply to the court demanding his release from custody. Any such application shall be appointed for hearing with urgency and together with the date of the hearing shall be served on the same day of the application on the Commissioner of Police or, as the case may be, on the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General, wh o may f i l e a repl y t h eret o b y no t lat e r th an th e d a y o f t h e hearing.

(2) The provisions of article 574A(2) and (3) shall mutatis mutandis apply to an application under this article.
(3) Where the application is filed in connection with proceedings pending before the Court of Magistrates as a court of criminal inquiry before a bill of indictment has been filed and the record of the inquiry is with the Attorney General in connection with any act of the proceedings the application shall be filed in the Criminal Court and the aforegoing provisions of this article shall mutatis mutandis apply thereto.
(4) The provisions of article 409A(4) shall apply to a decision of the Court of Magistrates under this article.

Protection Orders.

Added by:

XX. 2005.19.

Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007.

412C. (1) Where a person (hereinafter in this article and in article 412D referred to as "the accused") has been charged or accused with an offence before the Court of Magistrates whether as a court of inquiry or as a court of criminal judicature, the court

may, on reasonable grounds, for the purpose of providing for the safet y of th e i n j u red person or o f ot her i ndi vi du als o r fo r th e keeping of the public peace or for the purpose of protecting the injured person or other individua ls from harassment or oth e r cond uct w hic h w il l ca use a fe ar of violence, issue a protection order against the accused.
(2) A protection order may impose any restrictions or prohibitions on the accused that appear to the court necessary or desirable in the circumstances in order to give effect to any of the purposes mentioned in subarticle (1).
(3) Without limiting the nature of the orders which may be made under subarticle (1), a protection order may do all or any of the following:
(a) prohibits or restricts the accused from approaching or following the movements of the injured person or any other individual specified in the order; or
(b) prohibit or restrict access by the accused, for a period not exceeding six months or until final judgement, to premises in which the injured person, or any other individual specified in the order, lives, works or frequents even if the accused has a legal interest in those premises; or
(c) prohibit the accused from contacting or molesting the injured person or any other individual specified in the order.
(4) Before making an order, the court shall take into account: (a) the need to ensure that the injured person or other
individual specified in the order is protected from
injury or molestation; and
(b) the welfare of any children or any dependants who may be affected by the order; and
(c) the accommodation needs of all persons who may be affected by the order, in particular of the injured person, his children and his other dependants; and
(d) any hardship that may be caused to the accused or to any other person as a result of making the order; and
(e) the accused’s willingness or otherwise to submit to such treatment as the court may deem appropriate; and
(f) any other matter that, in the circumstances of the case, the court considers relevant:
Provided that particular attention shall be given to the matters in paragraphs (a), (b) and (e).
(5) A protection order shall remain in force for a period, not exceeding three years, specified by the court, but can be revoked or extended for further periods.
(6) A party to the proceedings in which an order has been made under this article or any other individual mentioned in the order, may apply to the court at any time for the extension, variation or
opportunity to be heard the court shall, in determining whether to ex tend, v a ry or revo ke an order, have regard to th e m a tters specified in subarticle (4).
(7) If without reasonable excuse the accused contravenes any prohibition or restriction imposed upon him by an order under this article, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be li ab le to a f i ne ( mu lta ) o f two thousand and three hundred and t w enty-nin e eu ro and t h irty-seven cen t s (2,329.37 ) o r t o imprisonment not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(8) The court may also order that any arm proper or arm improper, as defined in article 64, be deposited with the Court’s registrar.

Treatment Orders.

Added by:

XX. 2005.19.

Amended by:

L.N. 407 of 2007 .

Cap. 446.

412D. (1) Together with or separately from a protection order under article 412C, and provided the court is satisfied that proper arrangements have been made or can be made for treatment, the court may make an order (hereinafter in this article referred to as a "treatment order") requiring a person to submit to treatment subject to the conditions which the court may deem appropriate to lay down in the order:

Provided that where any person is convicted with an offence, a treatment order by th e co urt may be m a de wit h or without the consent of the convicted person and in the case of a person accused with an offence, a treatment order may only be made with the consent of the accused.
(2) The treatment may be of any of the kinds specified in article 7(5) of the Probation Act.
(3) The provisions of article 412C(5) and (6) shall apply to an order under this article.
(4) If at any time during the period that the order is in force it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that the person has failed to comply with any of the requirements or conditions of the order, the court may impose on such person a fine (ammenda) not exceeding one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euro and sixty-nine cents (1164.69).

Sub-title III

OF APPEALS FROM JUDGMENTS OF THE COURT OF

MAGISTRATES AS COURT OF CRIMINAL JUDICATURE

Added by: XI. 1900.70. Amended by: VIII. 1990.3.

413. (1) Any judgment of the Court of Magistrates may be appealed against -

(a) by the party convicted;
(b) in cases relating to summary proceedings for offences within the jurisdiction of the Court of Magistrates as a Court of Criminal Judicature under article 370(1), by the Attorney General, and, in the cases mentioned in article 373, by the complainant where:
(i) the inferior court rules that it has no jurisdiction to take cognizance of the offence;
(ii) the fact of which the party accused has been convicted is liable to a punishment exceeding the jurisdiction of that court as a court of criminal judicature;
(iii) the punishment awarded by the inferior court, is, by reason of its quality or quantity, different from that prescribed by law for the offence for which the party convicted has been sentenced;
(iv) the accused or defendant is acquitted on the ground -
(i) that the fact does not contain the ingredients of an offence,
(ii) of extinguishment of action,
(iii) of a previous conviction or acquittal;
(v) the defendant, in a case in which he has been allowed to prove the truth of the fact attributed to the complainant in accordance with the provisions of article 253, is declared to be exempt from punishment;
(vi) the Police, or, as the case may be, the complainant has not been allowed at the trial to produce, in support of the charge, some indispensable evidence which was admissible according to law;
(vii) the party accused was released from any of the obligations referred to in article 321 of the Code of Police Laws or in article 377 of this Code, or from the observance of any of the prohibitions made, or from the observance or execution of any of the prohibitions or orders made or given, by the Police or by any other public officer, under the Code of Police Laws or any other law;
(c) in all other cases by the Attorney General.

Appeals from judgments of the Court of Magistrates as court of criminal judicature.

Added by: XI. 1900.70.

Amended by: I. 1903.25;

VIII. 1909.43; IV. 1916.4; XVI. 1921.7;

L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68; XXXII. 1986.8;

VIII. 1990.3; III. 2002.91; IX. 2003.127;

XXII. 2005.5.

Cap. 10.

(2) Where a judgement is given in respect of several offences an d a rig h t of ap peal u nde r paragraph ( c ) of the preceding subarticle, or under any other law, is competent in respect of one of those offences, an appeal shall lie in respect of any other of those offences within the jurisdiction of the Court of Magistrates as a court of criminal judicature under article 370(1) connected with that offence.
There is connection between offences when -
(i) the facts of the offences are substantially the same; or
(ii) an offence has served as a means for the commission of another offence; or
(iii) the proof of an offence or of a circumstance thereof has a bearing on the proof of another offence or of a circumstance thereof.
(3) Where the accused or defendant is acquitted on any of the grounds laid down in subarticle (1)(b) (iv), (v) and (vi), the court shall clearly state such ground in the judgment, in default whereof the decision shall be null, and such nullity shall constitute a ground for appeal by the Attorney General, and, in the cases referred to in article 373, by the complainant.

Demand of Police for transmission of record of proceedings to Attorney General. Added by: XI.1900.70. Amended by:

VIII. 1909.44; XII.1913.19; VI.1947.11;

L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68; III. 2002.92.

414. (1) Where the proceedings have been instituted by the Police, the court by which the judgment has been delivered shall, on a demand in writing by the Police or by the injured party served with the notice of first hearing or admitted into the proceedings as provided in article 410(4) and (5), to be made not later than four working days from the delivery of such judgment, transmit, through the registrar, within three working days from such demand, a copy of the judgment, together with the record of the proceedings and the notes of the depositions, if any, to the Attorney General.

(2) In the case of judgments by the Court of Magistrates (Gozo), the copy of the judgment, together with the record of the proceedings and the notes of the depositions, if any, may be sent by post.

Appeal from interlocutory decrees. Added by:

XI. 1900.70.

415. (1) An appeal from an interlocutory decree which does not bar the continuation of the cause, may be entered only after the defin itive judgmen t and together with an app eal from such judgment.

(2) If no appeal lies from the definitive judgment, no appeal from any interlocutory decree shall be allowed.
(3) The voluntary execution of an interlocutory decree shall not operate as to bar an appeal therefrom.
(4) An appeal from the merits shall include an appeal from the interlocutory decrees, even though such decrees may not have been specifically indicated.

416. (1) The party convicted who is not in custody for the offence of wh ich he has been convicted m ay, on making, even orally, a declaration that he desires to enter an appeal against the judgment, obtain from the inferior court a stay of execution of the judgment, provided he gives sufficient security in terms of article

577(1) to appear at the proceedings before the superior court when called upon by such court; and in such case t h e p r ovisions
contained in articles 579, 581, 583, 585, 586 and 587 shall apply.
(1A) Where the party convicted who is not in custody for the offence of which th at party has been convicted is sentenced to imprisonment or detention and immediately prior to conviction that party was on bail as provided in Title IV of Part II of Book Second of this Code the conditions attaching to that bail, including the mode of security and the sum or equivalent pledge, if any, specified in the bail bond, shall continue to apply in addition to the security required under subarticle (1) upon obtaining a stay of execution of the judgement as provided in that subarticle either until the lapse of the tim e for th e fi lin g o f the appeal if no app eal i s fi led or if otherwise until the determination of the appeal.
(2) The amount of th e security shall be fixe d by the in ferior court, in accordance with the rules set out in articles 576 and 584:
Provided that where only a pecuniary penalty has been awarded, the amount of the security shall be equal to the amount of the penalty, and in such case the court may require that the security shall be either in the form of a deposit of a sum equal to the said amou nt or in t h e fo rm of a bank guarant ee, made o u t to i t s sati sf act io n , f o r th e said am ou nt ; b u t t h e se cur i ty sh al l no t b e re qu ir ed except on the demand of the prosecuti on and on go od cause being shown to the satisfaction of the court. In any such case, the security shall be ordered by the inferior court, during the time allowed for entering the appeal, or by the superior court after the entering thereof.
(3) A declaration of appeal shall stay the execution of the judgment in regard to the party convicted who is in custody, and such party may obtain, during the time allowed for entering the appeal and during the hearing of the appeal, his temporary release in cases where bail may be granted under the provisions contained in Title IV of Part II of Book Second of this Code.
(3A) The failure to make a declaration of appeal as provided in subarticle (3) shall not preclude the party convicted from appealing the judgement provided that such appeal is filed within the time allowed for entering such appeal.
(4) In no case shall the appeal entered by the Attorney General or by the complainant operate as a stay of execution of the judgment.
(5) If the party convicted, after making the declaration that he desires to enter an appeal, fails to give security as provided in the preceding subarticles of this article, he shall be kept in custody until he gives security, or, otherwise, until the determination of the appeal.

Stay of execution of judgment on appeal by party convicted when not in custody.

Added by: XI.1900.70.

Amended by: XII. 1914.12;

XXX.1934.7; L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68;

III. 2002.93; XVI. 2006.10.

Security.

Appeal by party convicted when in custody.

Appeal by Attorney General or complainant not

to stay execution of judgment.

Default of party appealing to give security.

Form of and time for entering appeal. Added by:

XI. 1900.70. Amended by: I.1903.26;

VIII.1909.45; VI. 1947.12; XII. 1957.17;

L.N. 46 of 1965; XXV. 1967.3; LVIII. 1974.68;

XXVII.1975.40; VIII. 1990.3;

VI. 2001.2.

417. (1) The appeal shall be brought before the Court of Criminal Appeal by an application to be filed within eight working days, and, in the case of an appeal from a judgment of the Court of Magistrates (Gozo), within twelve working days, to run, for the person convicted and for the complainant, from the day on which the definitive judgment is delivered, and, for the Attorney General, from the day on which he receives the record:

Provided that in the case of an appeal from a judgment of the Court of Magistrates (Gozo) the application of appeal may be filed in the registry of that Court and transmitted th rough the registrar to the registry of the Court of Criminal Appeal together with a copy of the judgment, the record of the proceedings and the notes of the depositions, if any, unless these have already been so t r an smi tted i n p u rsu a nce of th e p r ov isi ons of subarti c le (2 ) of article 414; and provided also that in any case of an appeal from such a judgment as aforesaid, all acts subsequent to the application of appeal, whether such application was filed as aforesaid or in the registry of the Court of Criminal Appeal, may also be filed in the Court of Magistrates (Gozo) and transmitted to the registry of the Court of Criminal Appeal as aforesaid.
(2) A person who has been discharged either absolutely or conditionally or in whose case a probation order has been made by the Court of Magistrates may appeal from his conviction, within the time prescribed in subarticle (1), to run from the day on which the order for discharge or the probation order is made. On any such appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeal shall have, in addition to the powers under this sub-titl e, the po wer of am end ing, altering or cancelling any of the conditions or requirements of the order for discharge or the probation order.

Constitution of Court of Criminal Appeal for appeals from judgments of the Court of Magistrates.

Added by: XI.1900.70.

Substituted by: XXV.1967.4.

Amended by: XXVII.1975.40; VIII. 1990.3

XXXII. 1997.3.

418. (1) One of the judges ordinarily sitting in the Court of Criminal Appeal or ordinarily sitting in the Criminal Court shall sit without a jury in the Court of Criminal Appeal for the hearing and det e rmination o f app e als fro m judgments of the Co urt of Magistrates.

(2) For the hearing of appeals from decisions of the Court of Magistrates (Gozo) as court of criminal judicature the Court of Criminal Appeal shall hold its sittings in Gozo.

Contents of application for appeal.

Added by: XI. 1900.70.

Amended by: XII.1913.20; L.N. 46 of 1965;

LVIII.1974.68; I.1984.2; XXIV.1995.362;

III. 2002.94.

419. (1) Besides the indications common to judicial acts, the application shall, under pain of nullity, contain -

(a) a brief statement of the facts; (b) the grounds of the appeal;
(c) a demand that the judgment of the inferior court be reversed or varied.
(2) If the appeal is made by the Attorney General, the application shall, under pain of nullity, be signed by him, and shall be filed directly in the superior court together with the record of the proceedings:
Provided that it shall not be a requirement for the registrar to note down the filing of the record of the proceedings.
(3) Where the appellant is not the Attorney General, the application shall be signed, under pain of nullity, by an advocate, and shall be filed in the registry of th e court wh ich shall have pronounced the judgment appealed from. The registrar shall, within two working days from the receipt of the application, transmit the same to the superior court, together with a copy of the judgment,
th e notes o f the depositions, if any, and th e record of the proceedings.
(4) In case of appeals from the Court of Magistrates (Gozo), the ap pli c at ion , t h e co py o f t h e j udgm ent, t h e n o tes of th e depositions, if any, and the record of the proceedings, may be sent by post.

420. The appellant as well as the respondent may be assisted by the Advocate for Legal Aid and the provisions of article 570 shall apply.

421. (1) Notice of the day appointed by the superior court for the hearing of the appeal shall be given to the parties and to the injured party served with the notice of first hearing or admitted into the proceedings as provided in article 410(4) and (5) by means of a written order signed by the Registrar of Courts:

Provided that the failure to serve the injured party with the notice of the date of the first hearing after an attem pt has been made to that effect or the abse nce of t h e in jured party for any reason at any sitting shall not preclude the court from proceeding with the appeal until final judgment.
(2) Where the appellant is not the Attorney General, and the proceedings before the inferior court have been instituted by the Police, the said notice shall be given to the Attorney General for the respondent.
(3) The injured party served with the notice of first hearing or admitted into the proceedings as provided in article 410(4) and (5) may be present at any appeal hearing and may engage an advocate to assist him although he might not have been served with t h e notice referr ed to in su bar ticle (1) and althou gh he m a y be a witness in the proceedings; any advocate engaged by the injured party may examine or cross-examine witnesses and make any other submission which the court may consider admissible.
(4) Notice in writing, as provided in subarticle (1), shall also be given to the party in whose absence the appeal shall have been put off.

Free legal aid. Added by: XI.1900.70. Amended by: XXI.1971.27; XXIV.1995.362. Substituted by: III. 2002.95.

Notice of day appointed for hearing of appeal. Added by:

XI. 1900.70. Amended by:

L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68; XXIV.1995.362;

III. 2002.96.

Non-appearance of appellant.

Added by:

XI.1900.70.

Amended by:

III. 2002.97;

XIII. 2002.9.

Non-appearance of respondent.

422. (1) If, on any day appointed for the hearing of the appeal, the appellant fails to appear, his appeal shall be taken to have been abandoned and the judgment appealed from shall be carried into effect; but on an application by the appellant, filed within four days from the day above-mentioned, together with a declaration sworn before the registrar by the appellant to the effect that he was, on account of illness or for any other reason independent of his will, to be expressly stated in the application, unable to attend on the day appointed as aforesaid, the court shall appoint another day for the hearing of the appeal, in which case the provisions of subarticles (1) and (2) of the last preceding article shall apply.

(2) If the respondent fails to appear, the court shall hear the appellant, and shall deliver judgment according to law.
(3) Where the appellant was on bail as provided in article
416(1A) and (3) prior to the abandonment of the appeal, his request
for tem p o r ary rele ase from cu st ody m a y be m a de in the same application mentioned in subarticle (1).

Appearance of appellant when in custody.

Added by: XI. 1900.70.

When new witnesses are admissible. Added by:

XI. 1900.70.

423. If, on the day appointed for the hearing of the appeal, the appellant is in custody, the provision contained in article 443(1) shall apply.

424. No new witnesses may be produced before the superior court, except -

(a) when it is proved by oath or other evidence that the party requesting the production of the new witnesses had no knowledge of them, or could not, with the means provided by law, have produced them before the inferior court;
(b) when the evidence shall have been tendered before the inferior court, and such court shall have wrongly rejected it.

Adjournment of cause on account of non-appearance of witnesses. Added by:

XI. 1900.70. Amended by:

VIII. 1909.46;

III. 2002.98.

Expenses for summoning witnesses on behalf of party having

free legal aid.

Added by:

XI. 1900.70.

Amended by:

XXI. 1971.27.

Order of hearing of cause.

Added by: XI.1900.70.

425. If any witness duly summoned fails to appear, and the court deems it necessary to hear such witness, the court may adjourn the hearing of the appeal to another day, and the provisions of article 441, in so far as applicable, shall apply. Unless the court orders otherwise, witnesses shall be summoned by the Police in the manner provided for in article 365.

426. Where, in the cases referred to in article 420, the party is assisted by the Advocate for Legal Aid, or by another advocate assigned by the court in his stead, the expenses for the summoning of witnesses shall provisionally be defrayed by the Police.

427. Saving the provision of article 422(2), the court shall hear the appellant and the respondent, in the order which it shall deem most convenient, regard being had to the circumstances of the case.

428. (1) If the superior court finds that the fact attributed to the of fender constit utes an of fen c e l i able to a p unishment exceeding the jurisdiction of the Court of Magistrates as court of criminal judicature, it shall quash the judgment, and shall transmit the record to the Court of Magistrates to proceed according to law.

(2) If the court finds that the offence attributed to the offender was not within the jurisdiction of the inferior court by which it was tr ied , b ut t ha t it w as w it hi n th e ju ri sdi cti on o f an ot her in fe ri or court, the superior court shall quash the judgment and refer the case to the competent court. But in this case the plea to the jurisdiction of the court shall not be allowed -
(a) if it was not raised before the inferior court;
(b) if, having been raised, it was expressly or tacitly waived.
(3) If the superior court finds that the inferior court, being comp et en t t o d e al with th e case, decl ared that it was not so competent, it shall quash the judgment, and shall proc eed to determ ine th e mer its of the cas e. The same procedure shall be followed where the superior court finds that a breac h or a n omission of any of the formalities prescribed by the law under pain of nullity, or otherwise substantial, has taken place.
(4) If the superior court finds that an appeal entered solely on the ground of want of jurisdiction or of any breach or omission of formalities, is groundless, it shall make a pronouncement to that effect, and shall refer the case to the inferior court.
(5) If the appeal is entered on the ground of want of jurisdiction or of any breach or omission of formalities, and also on the ground of a wrong judgment on the merits, the superior court, if it finds that the appeal, in so far as it is entered on the ground of want of jurisdiction or of any breach or omission of formalities, is without foundation, shall make a pronouncement to that effect and sh all decide on th e meri ts in accord an ce with the fo llo win g subarticle.
(6) If the appeal refers only to the merits, the superior court shall pronounce judgment either affirming or varying or reversing the judgment appealed from.
(7) If the appeal is made only by the party convicted, the punishment may not be increased.
(8) The Registrar of Courts shall, within twelve working days, transmit to the inferior court, a copy of the judgment affirming, varying or reversing the judgment appealed from.
(9) Where the inferior court is the Court of Magistrates (Gozo), the copy of the judgment may be sent by post.

Powers of appellate court. Added by: XI.1900.70. Amended by: XII.1913.21; I.1938.2;

VIII. 1990.3; XXIV.1995.362;

III. 2002.99.

Registrar to transmit to inferior court copy of judgment of appellate court.

court. Added by: XI.1900.70. Amended by: VIII. 1909.47; XXIV.1995.362; III. 2002.100;

L.N. 407 of 2007.

by whom the costs, both of the first court and of appeal, are to be borne, and shall fix the fees due to the advocate for either party in the appeal in the m anner provide d in subarticle (2) of the said article in a sum varying from fifty-eight cents (0.58) to one euro and forty cents (1.40) for every sitting. The payment of the said costs may be enforced before the inferior court in the same manner as provided in article 381.
Frivolous appeals. (2) In all cases it shall be lawful for the superior court, if it considers the appeal to be fri vol ous, to sentence the appell ant besides to the payment of costs, where applicable, to the payment of aa fine (ammenda) not exceeding two hundred and thirty-two euro and ninety-four cents (232.94).
(3) In default of payment of the fine (ammenda) referred to in subarticle (2), the provision contained in article 13(2) shall apply.
(4) The fees payable in respect of appeals in cases of proceedings where the prosecution lies with the injured party or with the persons mentioned in article 542, as provided in article
373, shall be taxed in accordance with the scales in Schedules A
and B annexed to this Code, and shall in all cases be levied by the
Registrar of Courts.

Duties of Attorney

General.

Amended by:

L.N. 46 of 1965;

LVIII.1974.68;

XXVII.1975.26, 40.

Title III

OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

430. (1) The Attorney General shall be the prosecutor before the Criminal Court.

(2) The Attorney General shall indict in the name of the Republic of Malta, and shall proceed ex officio independently of an y complaint of th e i n jured part y, ex cept i n cases where, acc ordi ng to l aw, no prosec uti on m ay be in sti tu ted wi th ou t the complaint of the injured party.

Commencement of functions of Attorney General. Amended by: XII.1913.22;

L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII.1974.68;

VIII. 1990.3; III. 2002.101.

431. (1) Unless otherwise provided in this Code or in any other law, the functions of the Attorney General commence from the day on which he receives the record of the inquiry made by the Court of Magistrates.

Access to accused. (2) From the day referred to in subarticle (1) and until the indictment is filed, access to the person accused, if in custody, may only take place with the permission of the Attorney General. The provisions of article 408(2) shall apply to such permission.

432. (1) The Attorney General shall be allowed the term of one month for the filing of the indictment, to run from the day of the receipt of the record referred to in the last preceding article. The said term shall, on the demand of the Attorney General, be extended by the court to an additional period of fifteen days, and, on the expiration of this other period, by the President of Malta to a further additional period of fifteen days, and, where the matter is such th at t h e determination of th e tr ue n a tu re of the of fence necessarily depends upon the lapse of a longer period of time, to such longer period:

Provided, however, that where such longer period extends beyond forty days, the accused shall have the right to be released on bail.
(2) If the record of inquiry is found to be defective through the non-observance of any of the pr ovisions of this Code or of any other law relating to such inquiry, the Attorney General may send back the record to the court from which it was received, together with a demand in writing that the court proceed afresh with the inquiry or that the record be rectified, according to circumstances, pointing out the defect and the relative provisions of this Code or of such other law.
(3) The court shall, within the term of five working days to run from th e day on which th e record was sent back as aforesaid, (which term may, upon a demand in writing by the court and on a just cause being shown, be extended by the President of Malta to a further period of five working days), conclude the fresh inquiry or rectify the record, and shall send the same to the Attorney General; and in such case the term for filing the indictment shall commence t o ru n fr om th e d a y on w h i c h th e A t t o r n ey G e neral sh all h a ve received the record of the fresh inquiry or the record as rectified.

433.* (1) If the Attorney General is of opinion that there are not su ff icient ground s for th e fi ling of an i ndi ctmen t agai nst th e accused, he may, within the terms prescribed in the last preceding article, by warrant under his signature, order the discharge of the accused, filing a declaration to that effect in the Criminal Court.

(2) The Attorney General may also withdraw an indictment already filed, by making in court a declaration to that effect.
(3) Finally, the Attorney General may, within one month from the day on which the record of inquiry shall have been transmitted to him, apply to the Criminal Court for the issue of a warrant for the arrest of any person discharged by the Court of Magistrates. The prov isi ons of subarti c l e s (3 A) and (3B) shal l apply to an application made under this subarticle.

Term for filing indictment. Amended by: IV.1856.31;

XI. 1900.71;

L.N. 46 of 1965;

LVIII.1974.68;

XIII.1980.16;

XXIX. 1990.20.

Enlargement of

term.

Power of Attorney General to send back record of inquiry.

Term for completing fresh inquiry or for rectifying record of inquiry.

Power of Attorney General to discharge person accused,

Amended by: IV.1856.32;

L.N. 46 of 1965; XXV.1967.5; LVIII. 1974.68;

XXVII.1975.40; XIII.1980.17;

VIII. 1990.3; VI. 2007.4.

to withdraw indictment,

to arrest person discharged by the Court of Magistrates.

*See transitory provision in article 5 of Act VI of 2007 as regards the amendments to this article.

Power of Attorney General, in cases where he is of opinion that the offence is triable by the Court of Magistrates.

Power of court to hear further evidence.

of the hearing.
(3B) Where the Criminal Court is of the opinion that there are sufficient grounds for an indictment to be filed against the person discharged it shall forthwith issue a warrant for the arrest of that person; and in such case the term for filing the indictment shall commence to run from the day of the arrest.
(3C) Where the person discharged fails to make an appearance at the hearing without good cause the Court shall order his arrest in order to appear for the hearing of the application..
(4) In all cases referred to in the preceding subarticles of this article, the Attorney General shall make a report to the President of Malta stating the reasons for his action.
(5) Nevertheless, if, on account of the absence of circumstances constituting an offence within the jurisdiction of the Crimi nal Cou r t, the Attorney Gen e ral decides not t o fil e an indi ctment agains t the accus ed, but is of opinion th at from the inquiry there might result an offence within the jurisdiction of the Court of Magistrates, he shall not discharge the accused, but shall send back the record of inquiry to that court, and that court shall decide upon the charge of such offence, independently of all other circumstances.
(6) Before convicting or acquitting the accused or before giving any other direction within its jurisdiction as court of criminal judicature, the court shall have power, on the charge of such offence, to hear further evidence whether against or on behalf of the accused.

Liability to further proceedings on fresh evidence. Amended by:

L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII.1974.68;

VIII. 1990.3.

Definition of

"fresh evidence".

434. Every accused person, whose arrest has not been ordered by the Attorney General under the provision of subarticle (3) of the last preceding article, or who ha s been disc harg ed for want of presentation of an indictment, shall always remain liable to fresh pro c eed i ng s, t o be reg u larl y co mmenced befo re th e Cou r t of Magistrates, whenever fresh evidence becomes available.

The expression "fresh evidence" means evidence which at the t ime of the d i scharg e of the accu sed , did not exist, o r w as not known to those who were entitled to prosecute.

Power of Attorney General on collection of further evidence. Amended by: IV.1856.33;

L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68;

VIII. 1990.3.

435. (1) It shall be lawful for the Attorney General to collect and produce further evidence besi d e s th at r e sult in g f r o m the inquiry:

Provided that he may not include in the indictment any charge for any offence, not founded on the said inquiry.
(2) Where as a result of such further evidence collected as a f oresaid, the Attorney Genera l becomes aware of s o me other offence not included in the inquiry, he shall send back the whole record to the Court of Magistrates, and such court shall continue the inquiry and shall proceed in respect of such other offence. In any such case the terms for the co ncl u sio n of th e i nquiry, the
transmission of the record and the filing of the indictment shall commence to run anew, the first term commencing from the day on which the record is sent back to the Court of Magistrates.
(3) Where such other offence not included in the inquiry as aforesaid shall be altogether separate and distinct from the offence or o ffences includ ed in t he inqu iry, a new and separate inq uiry shall, on the demand of the Attorney General, be held in regard to such other offence.
(4) Any demand of the Attorney General under the provisions of this article shall be made in writing.
435A. (1) The provisions of article 4 of the Act shall apply mutatis mutandis where the Attorney General has reasonable cause to suspect that a person is guilt y of a relevant offence and the provi sio ns o f the said ar ticle 4 shall appl y to any investigation order or attachment order applied for or issued by virtue of this subarticle as if it were an investigation order or attachment order applied for or issued under the same article 4 of the Act and in particular, the provisions of subarticles (12) and (13) of the said article 4 shall also apply to any investigation for a relevant offence by virtue of this subarticle.
(2) The provisions of article 5 of the Act shall apply mutatis mutandis where any person is charged with a relevant offence and the provisions of article 6 of the Act shall apply to any order issued by virtue of this subarticle as if it were an order issued under the said article 5.
(3) In this article the expressions "the Act" and "relevant offence" shall have the meaning assigned to them respectively by article 23A(1).

Special powers of investigation. Added by:

III. 2002.102.

435AA. (1) Where the Attorney General has reasonable cause to suspect that a person is guilty of a relevant offence (hereinafter referred to as "the suspect") he may apply to the Criminal Court for an order (hereinafter referred to as a "monitoring order") requiring a bank to monitor for a specified period the banking operations being carried out through one or more accounts of the suspect. The bank shall, on the demand of the Attorney General, communicate to the person or autho r ity indicated by the Attorney General the information resulting from the monitoring.

(2) Where a monitoring order has been made or applied for, whosoever, knowing or suspecting that the monitoring is taking place or has been applied for, discloses that such monitoring is taking place or has been applied for or makes any other disclosures likely to prejudice the monitoring operation shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa) not exceeding twelve thousand euro (12,000) or to imprisonment not exceeding twelve months, or to both such fine and imprisonment:
Provided that in proceedings for an offence under this subarticle, it shall be a defence for the accused to prove that he did not know or suspect that the disclosure was likely to prejudice the monitoring operation.

Issuing of monitoring order of banking operations.

Added by: XXXI. 2007.19.

Amended by: VII. 2010.30.

act o r omission wh ich if committed in these islands, or in corresponding circumstances, would constitute an offence liable to the punishment of imprisonment or of detention for a term of more than one year.

Temporary surrender of person in custody to foreign country. Added by:

XXXI. 2007.19.

435AB. (1) Pursuant to and in accordance with any treaty, convention, agreement or understanding to which Malta is a party or which is otherwise applicable to Malta, the Attorney General may, with the concurrence of the Minister responsible for Justice, give his consent to the temporary surrender of a person in custody for the purpose of an investigation to be carried out or being carried out by a judicial, prosecuting or administrative authority of any place outside Malta at the re qu est of a judi cial, prosecuting or administering authority in Malta.

(2) The person surrendered shall be kept in custody in the place outside Malta to which he has been surrendered.
(3) Any time spent in custody in the place outside Malta shall be deemed to be time spent in custody in Malta.

Powers of investigation in connection with offences cognizable by courts outside Malta.

Added by:

III. 2002.102.

Amended by:

XXXI. 2007.20.

Cap. 101.

435B. (1) Where the Attorney General receives a request made by a judicial, prosecuting or administrative authority of any place outside Malta or by an international court for investigations to take place in Malta in respect of a person (hereinafter in this article and in article 435BA referred to as "the suspect") suspected by that authority or court of a relevant offence, the Attorney General may apply to the Cr iminal Co urt f o r an inv e stigati on order or an attachment order or for both and the provisions of article 24A of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, hereinafter in this title referred to as "the Ordinance", shall mutatis mutandis apply to that application and to the suspect and to any investigation order or attachm ent order made by the court as a result of that application.
(2) The phrase "investigation order" in subarticles (2) and (5) of the s a me a r tic l e 24A of the Ordinanc e shall be read and con s tr u e d as i n cl ud i n g an in vest ig at io n or der m a de un d e r t h e provisions of this article.
(3) The phrase "attachment order" in article 24A(6A) of the Ordinance shall be read and construed as including an attachment order under the provisions of this article.

Issuing of monitoring order of banking operations.

Added by: XXXI. 2007.21. Amended by: VII. 2010.31.

435BA. (1) Where the request referred to in the preceding article is made for the purpose of monitoring the banking operations being carried out through one or more accounts of a person suspected of a rel e v a nt o ffe nce w i t h i n th e m ean in g of arti cle 4 3 5 A A ( 3), t h e Attorney General may apply to the Criminal Court for a monitoring order and the pro v ision s of article 43 5AA sh al l apply mut a tis mutandis.
(2) Where a person or authority has been indicated by the Attorney General as provided under article 435AA, that person or au thority shall transmit th e informati on result ing from the monitoring operation to the Attorney General.

435BB. (1) Pursuant to and in accordance with any treaty, convention, agreement or understanding to which Malta is a party or which is otherwise applicable to Malta, the Attorney General may, with the concurrence of the Minister responsible for Justice, give his consent to the temporary surrender of a person in custody in a foreign State for the purpose of investigations to be carried out

or being carried out in Malta at the request of a judic i al, prosecuting or administrative authority of that State.
(2) The provisions of article 30C of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance shall apply mutatis mutandis to a person temporarily surrendered to Malta under subarticle (1).

Temporary surrender of person in custody to

Malta. Added by: XXXI. 2007.21.

Cap. 101.

435BC. (1) Pursuant to and in accordance with any treaty, convention, agreement or understanding to which Malta is a party or which is otherwise applicable to Malta, the Attorney General may, with the concurrence of the Minister responsible for Justice, give his consent to the temporary surrender of a person in custody in Malta for the purpose of an investigation to be carried out or b e in g carr i ed ou t by a j u d i cial, pr osecut i n g or ad mi nist rati ve auth ority o f any plac e ou tsid e Ma lta at the request of the said authority.

(2) The person surrendered shall be kept in custody in the place outside Malta to which he has been surrendered.
(3) Any time spent in custody in the place outside Malta shall be deemed to be time spent in custody in Malta.

Temporary surrender to foreign country of person in custody in Malta at request of foreign authority.

Added by: VII. 2010.32.

435C. (1) Where the Attorney General receives a request made by a judicial, prosecuting or administrative authority of any place outside Malta or by an international court for the temporary seizure of all or any or the moneys or property, movable or immovable, of a pe rson (h erei nafter in th is arti cle referred to as "the accused") charged or accused in proceedings before the courts of that place or before the international court of a relevant offence, the Attorney General may apply to the Criminal Court for an order (hereinafter in this title referred to as a "freezing order") having the same effect as an order as is referred to in article 22A(1) of the Ordinance, and the provision of the said article 22A shall, subject to the provisions of subarticle (2), apply mutandis mutandis to that order.
(2) The provisions of article 24C(2) to (5) of the Ordinance shall apply to an order made under this article as if it were an order made under the said article 24C.
(3) Article 22B of the Ordinance shall also apply to any person who acts in contravention of a freezing order under this article.

Freezing of property of person accused with offences cognizable by courts outside Malta.

Added by:

III. 2002.102.

Amended by:

XXXI. 2007.22.

made by courts outside Malta following conviction for offences cognizable by those courts. Added by:

III. 2002.102. Amended by:

III. 2004.76.

of any property of or in the possession or under the control of any person convicted of a relevant offence shall be enforceable in Malta in accordance with the provisions of article 24D(2) to (11) of the Ordinance.
(2) For the purposes of this article "confiscation order" includes any judgement, decision, declaration, or other order made by a court whether of criminal or civil jurisdiction providing or purporting to provide for the confiscation or forfeiture of property as is described in subarticle (1).
(3) For the purposes of this article and of articles 435B and
435C:
"the A ct " and "the Ord inances" shall have th e sam e meaning assigned to them respectively by article 23A(1);
"relevant offence" mea ns an offence consisting of any act or omission which if committed in these Islands, or in corresponding circumstances, would constitute an offence, othe r than a crime under the Ordinances or under the Act, liable to the punishment of imprisonment or of detention for a term of more than one year.

Controlled deliveries and joint investigations with the competent authorities of other countries.

Added by:

IX. 2003.128.

Amended by:

III. 2004.77;

XXXI. 2007.23.

Cap. 101.

435E. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law it shal l be l a wfu l for th e Att o rn ey General to aut h o r i s e th e Executive Police and, where appropriate, the Customs authorities to allow a controlled delivery to take place with a view to identifying persons involved in the commission of any criminal o ffenc e un de r t h e l a w s of Mal t a or un d e r t h e l a w s of an ot h e r country.

For the purposes of this subarticle a "controlled delivery" shall mutatis mutandis have the same meaning assigned to it by article 30B(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance sohowever that the illicit or suspect consignment referred to in that subarticle may for the purposes of this subarticle consist of anything whatsoever and that the consignment may be int e rcept e d and allo wed to continue with the original contents intact or removed or replaced in whole or in part.
(2) With the same objective of identifying persons involved in the commissions of a criminal offence under the laws of Malta or under the laws of another country, it shall also be lawful for the Attor ney General to authorise the Execu tive Police or a person und er the superv ision or direc tion of the Ex ecutive Police, to acquire or procure an illicit or suspect consignment of anything from any person or place.
(3) Pursuant to any arrangement, including any treaty, convention, agreement or understanding, to which Malta is a party or which is otherwise applicable to Malta, the Attorney General may authorise the competent auth orit ies of an ot her co un try to conduct in Malta, jointly with or under the supervision or direction of the Executive Police, investigations into criminal offences by officers acting under covert or false id entity, pr ov ided that the Attorney General is satisf i ed of the true id entity and offici al
capacity of the officers in question and is fully informed of the nature of any documents which purport to guarantee, certify or authenticate the false identity assu med by an y such officers. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law the making or use of such documents by the said competent authorities or by such offi cer s fo r t he pu rp os e o r in th e course of such investigations authorised as aforesaid shall be deemed to be lawful and shall not entail any liability, civil, criminal or otherwise, on the part of such authorities or officers.
(4) Any official from another country taking part in any of the operations referred to in subarticles (1) to (3), both inclusive, shall, for the purpose of any criminal liability incurred under this Code or any other law by that official or by others for conduct against that official, be deemed to be a public officer.
(5) The provisions of subarticle (4) shall apply mutatis mutandis to any official from another country taking part in any operation in Malta of the kind referred to in subarticle (3) even if none of the officers taking part in the operation is acting under covert or false identity.
(6) For purposes of this article "competent authorities of ano t her country" and "off icial fro m another count ry" sh all be construed as including officials of bodies set up pursuant to the Treaty on European Union as defined in article 2 of the European Union Act.
(7) Where the Attorney General has authorised the setting up of a joint investigation team as provided in subarticle (3), the foreign officials participating in the said investigation shall be entitled to be present when investigative measures are being taken and, if so authorised by the competent officer of the Executive Police, to take investigative measures.

Cap. 460.

Title IV

OF THE CRIMINAL COURT

436. (1) The Criminal Court shall consist of one of the judges si tti ng w ith a ju ry for th e tr ial o f ev er y off e nce wh ich m a y b e prosecuted according to law in Malta sa ving the provisions of article 370.

(2) The jury shall decide on any matter touching the issue as to whether the accused is guilty or not guilty and on any collateral

Amended by: XXVII. 1975.40.

Constitution of Criminal Court. Amended by:

IX. 1857.1; V.1868.24;

Order-in-Council

of 1899, s.3;

XI. 1900.72,73;

I. 1903.27;

II. 1914.3;

XVI. 1929.3;

XVI. 1932.2;

XV. 1937.6;

XXV. 1967.6;

XXVII.1975.40;

XIII. 1987.4.

Attributions of jury and of court.

Further powers of court.

as declared by the jury, as well as on all other points of law or of fact relative to the proceedings.
(3) It shall also appertain to the court -
(a) to maintain good order during the sitting; (b) to conduct the hearing;
(c) to do, in matters which are not prohibited or prescribed by law under pain of nullity, whatever it may, in its discretion, deem necessary for the discovery of the truth.
(4) The court shall also be competent to try and determine offences which, although of an inferior jurisdiction, are brought before the court either because they are connected with a graver offence preferred in the indictment or because they are committed by the same person indicted for such graver offence.
(5) The court shall also be competent generally to try and determine any offence of an inferior jurisdiction and to apply the measures referred to in articles 377, 378, 383, 384 and 385 if, upon tri a l , th e accused i s conv icted o f any mi nor of fen c e w h ether preferred or comprised or involved in the indictment, or if such measures become necessary.
(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code and subject to the provisions of the following subarticles of this article, the accused may, not later than ten days after the date of service of the notice referred to in article 438(6) or of the order referred to in article 620(4), file a note in the registry of the court opting that a j u ry be n o t i m p a n e lled for th e trial o r for the decision of any collateral issue under Title VII of Part II of Book Second of this Code, and an o fficial copy of such note sh all be served on the Attorney General:
Provided that this subarticle shall not apply for the trial of the offence where the punishment demanded in the indictment is of imprisonment for life.
(7) The provisions of subarticle (6) shall not apply to the accused who has made the objection mentioned in article 370(3)(d).
(8) Where charges against two or more persons are joined in the same indictment and not all the accused have filed the note referred to in subarticle (6), the trial of the accused who has opted that a jury be not impanelled for his trial shall take place after that the trial of the cause of the other accused who has not filed such note has become res judicata.
(9) Where the option is exercised as provided in subarticle (6) the court shall consist of one of the judges sitting without a jury, and the provisions of this Title and of Sub-title I of Title II and of Ti t l e V of Part I of Book Seco nd o f this Code shall mu tatis mutandis apply.

437. (1) After the filing of the indictment, access to the accused shall not be allowed, except with the permission of the court, or with the consent of the Attorney General.

(2) The court, before granting the permission applied for, shall hear the Attorney General in the absence of the accused and with cl osed d o o r s . Th e co ur t sh al l n o t g r an t per missi o n un less it is satisfied that such access will not be prejudicia l to the ends of justice.

Access to accused.

Amended by:

V. 1868.25;

L.N. 46 of 1965;

LVIII. 1974.68;

IX. 1982.2.

438. (1) An official copy of the indictment and of the list referred to in article 590(2) shall be served on the accused.

(2) The accused shall, by means of a note to be filed in the registry of the court not later than fifteen working days from the date of such service -
(i) give notice of any pleas referred to in article 449 and any plea regarding the admissibility of evidence which he intends to raise, and
(ii) indicate the witnesses and produce the documents and other exhibits which he intends to use at the trial,
and an official copy of such note shall be served on the Attorney
General.
(3) The Attorney General shall, by means of a note filed in the registry of the court not later than five days from the date of service of the note filed by the accused, give notice of any plea regarding the admissibility of evidence which he intends to raise.
(4) On the expiration of the time referred to in the preceding subarticle, the court shall appoint a day for the hearing of all the pl eas and shall on that day direct the registrar to read out the indictment, and shall then proceed to determine such pleas before the accused pleads to the general issue of guilty or not guilty:
Provided that the court may ex officio or on the application of the Attorney General or th e accused request that the proof intended to be established by the witnesses, documents or exhibits be stated.
(5) If no pleas have been raised as provided in subarticles (2) and (3), or after the determination of such pleas, the court shall appoint a day for the hearing of the trial.
(6) The accused shall be served with a notice of such date allowing a term of at least twenty days to prepare his defence. The court may, on good cause b e ing shown, and after hearin g the Attorney General, extend such term to any further period as it may deem fit.
(7) If, on the day appointed for the hearing of the trial according to subarticle (5), or on any other day thereafter appointed for the same purpose, the t r ial is adjourned to anot her day on account of the fact that the accused, without ju st cause, and notwithstanding that he had been given notice according to law of the day appointed, fails to appear, or on account of the fact that

Service of indictment on accused. Amended by: L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68; III. 1976.2. Substituted by: LIII. 1981.2. Amended by:

IX. 1982.2; XIII. 1987.5;

III. 2002.103.

attributable to the accused and which the Court determines not to be a just cause, all the expenses incurred shall be charged to the accused, and it shall be lawful for the court, at the request of the Attorney General, to compel the accused to pay the same.
(8) The accused may waive his right to such term.

Order of hearing of causes.

439. Causes shall be tried in rotation, according to the date of the filing of the indictment:

Provided that it shall be lawful for the court, if it sees good reason for so doing, to postpone the trial of a cause which is next in rotation, and proceed to try another cause.

Accessibility of record of inquiry, etc.

Amended by: IX.1857.2;

III.1880.6; XI.1900.74;

L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII.1974.68; LIII.1981.3.

Preservation of documents, etc., by registrar.

Inadmissibility of witnesses, etc., without leave of court.

When leave is granted.

440. (1) The record of the inquiry, documents and exhibits filed in the registry of the court by the Attorney General or the accused shall be accessible to the Attorney Gener al and to the accused or his advocate or legal procurator.

(2) The registrar shall take the necessary precautions for the preservation of all the documents, exhibits, and record in the state in which they are at the moment in which they are filed.
(3) No witness, document or exhibit, which is not indicated in the lists or filed as provided in article 438, may be produced at the trial, without special leave of the court.
(4) Leave shall only be granted if the evidence is considered to be relevant, and the Attorney General or the party accused shall not have been prejudiced by the omission from the said list or by the default of filing within the term specified in article 438.
Powers of court. (5) Nevertheless, if in the course of the trial, the necessity or utility shall arise of examining any witness or of having for actual inspection any document or exhibit not indicated in the list of any of the parties, the court may ex officio cause such witness to be called and examined, or cause the document or exhibit which was not indicated in the list, to be produced.

Summoning of witnesses. Amended by: IX. 1859.24;

V. 1868.26; XI. 1900.75;

L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68; VIII. 1990.3;

XXIV. 1995.362; III. 2002.104.

Service of subpoena.

441. (1) Witnesses shall be summoned by means of a subpoena which shall be se rved on each witness not la ter tha n the day preceding the trial:

Provided that in the case referred to in subarticle (5) of the last preceding article, a witn ess may be summoned to appear forthwith or at a given time during the same day.
(2) A subpoena is served by the delivery of a copy thereof to the wi tness, or if he cannot conveniently be m e t with, then by leaving such copy at his usual place of abode.
(3) If the place of abode of the witness is in the Island of Gozo or of Comino, the Registrar of Courts may send, even by post, the
copy of the subp oena to the officer in charge of the Court of Magistrates (Gozo), for servic e on the witness; and the officer effecting service, shall deliver a certificate of such service, duly sworn, to the officer in charge of the Court of Magistrates (Gozo), who shall transmit it, even by post, to the Registrar of Courts.
(4) Whosoever being duly subpoenaed to give evidence or to give his opinion as an expert shall fail to appear in court at the time fixed in the subpoena, or, having appeared, shall leave before he is dismissed, shall be liable to be sentenced by the court to a fine (ammenda) and shall be liable to be compelled to appear to give evidence by means of a warrant of escort or of arrest.
(5) If, on account of the non-appearance of a witness, the trial is adjour ned to an other d ay, al l the exp en ses incur r ed shall be charged to the witness, and it shall be lawful for the court, at the request of the Attorney General or the accused, to compel such witness to pay the same:
Provided that it shall be in the power of the court, at any time, on just cause being shown, to remit the fine (ammenda) and also the expenses.

Non-appearance, etc., of witnesses.

(6) It shall be in the power of the court, if it is of opinion that the evidence of the witness, who left before he had been dismissed, is important for the ends of just i ce, to di scharg e the jury and adjourn the trial to another day.

Power of court to discharge jury.

442. Where the defence of the accused has been conducted by the Advocate for Legal Aid, the allowances due to the witnesses actually produced on behalf of the accused shall be paid by the Go v e r n m e nt at th e sa me ra te s f i xed f o r witnesses for the prosecution, provided the Advocate for Legal Aid shall affirm on oath that, in his opinion, the evidence of the said witnesses was relev ant fo r t he d efence, an d p rov ided also th at , in view of h is poverty, the accused has not the means of paying such allowances.

443. (1) On the day and at the time appointed for the hearing of the cause or of any question incidental thereto, the accused shall be put, without any restraint, in the place appointed for the purpose.

(2) If the accused is not in custody, he shall be required to appear by means of a summons, and, in case of his non-appearance, an order shall be made for his arrest; if he is in custody, he shall be brought to the said place in such manner as may be necessary in order to prevent his escape.
(3) If the accused attempts acts of violence, all necessary measures shall be taken to prevent such acts.

Allowances to witnesses on behalf of accused

admitted to free legal aid.

Amended by: XXI.1971.27.

Trial. Place of the accused in Court. Amended by: IV.1856.34;

IV. 1894.1, 2; XXX. 1934.8;

XV. 1937.7.

Summons to accused when not in custody.

Misbehaviour of accused.

444. During the trial, the witnesses shall be kept in a separate place where the discussion cannot be heard. Witnesses shall not be allowed to return to that place after their examination; but when it will probably be necessary to re-examine them on some particular circumstance, they shall be kept apart from the other witnesses not

Place of witnesses during the trial. Amended by: V.1868.27;

L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68;

III. 2002.105.

yet examined:

Powers of court. Provided that the court may, with the consent of the Attorney General and the accused, permit any witness to remain in court during the trial:

Provided further that the court may, notwithstanding the objection of either party, grant such permission to witnesses giving professional or expert evidence, if the cou r t i t self d e em s it expedient for the ends of justice that such witnesses should hear the depositions of other witnesses.

If accused appears without counsel.

Challenge of judge. Plea to be raised and determined before the reading out of indictment. Amended by:

IV. 1856.35; IX. 1857.3;

Order-in-Council of 1899, sec. 4; XVI. 1929.4;

XVI. 1932.3; L.N. 46 of 1965; XXV. 1967.7;

LVIII. 1974.68; LIII. 1981.4;

IX. 1982.2;

III. 2002.106

Grounds of objection to or of abstention by judge.

Cap. 12.

Form of declaration of abstention.

Declaration may be made in writing before day of hearing,

or orally on day of hearing.

Issue to be decided before the reading out of indictment.

445. If the accused appears without counsel, the court shall inform him that he has the right to be assisted by counsel.

446. (1) Any objection to the judge shall be raised, and the decision of the court shall be given thereon, before the reading out of the indictment, when the accused has been placed at the bar, on the day appointed for the hearing of the preliminary pleas, or, if no such pleas have been raised, on the day appointed for the trial.

(2) The judge may not be objected to by the Attorney General or by the accused, nor may he abstain from sitting in any case, except for any of the causes referred to in article 734 of the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure, or on the ground that the offence was committed against himself, his spouse, or any person related to him by consanguinity or affinity in any of the degrees referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the said article.
(3) The judge who, previously to the reading out of the indictment, is aware of the existence in his respect of any of the causes for which he might be objected to or might abstain from sitting, shall make a declaration of his abstention stating the cause.
(4) The said declaration may be made in writing previously to the day appointed for the hearing of the cause, in which case notice thereof shall be given to the Attorney General and to the accused, a nd the abstention shal l be deemed to be by them accepted, if, within two days from the said notice, neither of them shall make a declaration, by means of a note, to the effect that he intends to oppose the same.
(5) The said declaration may also be made orally on the day of the hearing, in which case any objection thereto shall be raised immediately after such declaration.
(6) Upon any challenge, or objection to abstention, as aforesaid the court shall decide the issue previously to the reading out of the indictment.
(7) After the reading out of the indictment, the judge may not be challenged, nor may he abstain from sitting, except where the cause for objection or abstention becomes known after the reading of the said indictment.
(8) The judge, notwithstanding the existence in his respect of any cause for objection, or notwithstanding his abstention, shall nevertheless be competent, like the judge surrogated in his stead, to issue and sign any summons or writ, and to give any decree or order which m a y be requ ired , prev iou s l y t o th e read ing out of th e indictment, or after judgment is delivered.

No challenge or abstention may be allowed after the reading out of indictment.

Power of judge notwithstanding challenge or abstention.

447. (1) Where the judge has been objected to, or has abstained from sitting, another judge shall be surrogated by the President of Malta in his stead.

(2) If every one of the judges is, for any of the causes referred to in the last preceding article, precluded from sitting, it shall be lawful for the President of Malta to surrogate acting judges.
(3) An acting judge shall, on being surrogated, take the oaths prescribed in ar ticle 10 of the Cod e of O rgani zati on and Civil Procedure.
(4) A judge surrogate may also be objected to for any of the said causes.

Surrogation in the person of a judge. Amended by:

IV. 1856.36; XIII.1964.26;

L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII.1974.68; XXVII. 1975.40.

Oath of office by judge surrogate. Cap. 12.

Grounds of challenge to apply to judge surrogate.

448. Where no pleas have been raised as provided in article

438, the court shall direct the registrar to read out the indictment.
449. (1) The following pleas, that is to say: (a) plea to the jurisdiction of the court;
(b) plea of nullity of or defect in the indictment;
(c) plea of extinguishment of action;
(d) plea of "autrefois convict" or "autrefois acquit";
(e) plea of insanity of the accused at the time of the trial; (f) plea of insanity at the time of the offence or any plea
relating to any other point of fact which excludes the
imputability of the accused or in consequence of which the trial should not take place at the time, or at any future time; and
(g) saving the provisions of article 446(1), any other preliminary plea,
may only be raised if notice thereof has been given as provided in article 438(2):
Provided that the court may authorise such pleas to be raised for a reason which arises after the time within which the note referred to in article 438(2) is to be filed in the registry of the court.
(2) Deleted by III. 2002.107.
(3) Nevertheless, the pleas mentioned in subarticle (1), with the

Reading out of indictment to accused. Substituted by: LIII.1981.5.

Pleas to be raised and determined after the reading out of indictment. Amended by:

IV. 1856.37; IX. 1857.4;

V. 1868.28;

VI. 1871.32,33;

XI. 1900.76;

L.N. 46 of 1965;

XXV. 1967.8;

XXVII. 1975.40;

III. 1976.3;

XIV. 1976.2;

LIII. 1981.6;

III. 2002.107.

Want of jurisdiction and nullity of indictment may be raised by court ex officio.

exception of the plea of challenge of the judge or the plea of defect in the indictment, may be raised after the verdict of the jury and before judgment, if th e n e cessity ari s es from any fact or circumstance of fact expressly found by the jury.
(4) Any point of fact which, without excluding the imputability of the accused or without excluding his capacity to plead, is a bar to his undergoing punishment, may be raised even after the verdict of the jury.
(5) The want of jurisdiction of the court and the nullity of the indictment may also be raised by the court ex officio, either before the accused answers to the charge, or after the verdict of the jury:
Provided, however, that, after the verdict of the jury, the indictment may only be annulled in either of the following cases:
(a) if the indictment does not contain, in substance, a statement or description of the offence as stated or described in the law;
(b) if the fact stated in the indictment does not constitute, in substance, the offence stated or described in such indictment.
(6) Where it is decided that the court has no jurisdiction or that the indictment is nu ll , the accused shall be placed again in the co ndit i on in which he st ood prev iously to the fil i ng of the indictment. But where the plea of extinguishment of action or the plea of "autrefois convict" or "autrefois acquit" is allowed, the accused shall be acquitted.

Question to accused on general issue.

Rules respecting deaf-mutes, etc. Amended by: VIII. 1857.15; XXX. 1934.9.

450. When the preliminary pleas have been determined, or if no such pleas have been raised, the accused shall be asked whether he is guilty of the offence charged in the indictment.

451. (1) If the accused is a deaf-mute and is able to write, the contents of the indictment shall be explain ed, and t he qu est ion prescribed under the last preceding article shall be made to the accused in writing, and he shall answer in writing; and in this case, the explanation, the question and the answer thereto, shall be publicly read out by the registrar and laid before the court and the jury, and then preserved in the records of the court.

(2) If the accused is a deaf-mute and is unable to write, the court shall ex officio appoint as interpreter some person familiar with him, or some other person able to understand him.
(3) If the accused is dumb, but not deaf, the explanation and question shall be made to him in the same manner as to any other accused. If he is able to write, he shall answer in writing; but if he is unable to write, an interpreter shall be assigned to him.
(4) It shall be lawful for the court, whenever it shall deem it expedient, to apply the said provisions, respecting deaf-mutes, to an accused who is deaf only.

452. (1) Save as otherwise expressly provided, an interpreter shall not be chosen from among the jurors, counsel for the accused, witnesses, referees, or other persons employed in the service of the court or of the Attorney General, with the exception of the official interpreter. It shall, however, be lawful for any of the parties to take obje ction against the of ficial i n t e rp re te r or an y ot h e r p e rson appointed to act as interpreter, before the sam e enters upon his duties, and any such objection shall be determined by the court.

(2) Nevertheless, it shall be lawful for the court to appoint any person employed in the service of the court to act as interpreter, if it appears to its satisfaction that sufficient inquiries have been made and that no othe r pe rson suitable to act as inte rpreter could be found.
(3) The person appointed to act as interpreter, if he is not in the building in which the court is sitting, shall be summoned by means of a subpoena.
(4) Any person residing in Malta, who, being appointed to act as interpreter, shall, without a just cause, fail to appear at the time an d place appoin t ed by the court, or shall refuse to act as interpreter, or shall leave the court before he is dismissed, may be dealt with as a witness who fails to appear to give evidence, or who, having appeared, refuses to give evidence, or leaves the court before he is discharged.
(5) The provision contained in article 633(2) shall apply if the interpreter is the husband or wife of the accused, or is related to the accused by consanguinity in any of the degrees mentioned in that article, or if other particular circumstances occur.
(6) The interpreter appointed by the court, if he is not a person employed in the service of the Government, shall be entitled to a remuneration to be fixed by the court according to circumstances.

Appointment of interpreter. Amended by:

V. 1868.29; XVI. 1932.5; L.N. 46 of 1965;

LVIII. 1974.68.

453. (1) If the accused, in answer to the question prescribed under article 450, states that he is guilty of the offence, the court sh al l in the m o st solem n m a nner warn him of the legal consequences of such statement, and shall allow him a short time to re tract it; but if the ac cuse d pe r s i s ts in hi s stat emen t, su ch statement shall be recorded and the court shall proceed to pass on the accused such sentence as would according to law be passed on an accused convicted of the offence.

(2) Nevertheless, if there is good reason to doubt whether the offence ha s rea lly take n plac e at all, or whether the a ccused is gui lt y of t h e of fence, th e co urt shal l, n o t w i t h s tan d in g th e confession of the acc use d , order the trial of the ca use to be proceeded with as if the accused had not pleaded guilty.

Admission of guilt by accused. Amended by:

VIII. 1909.48.

Duties of the court.

453A. (1) Before the accused pleads to the general issue as provided in article 453, the accused and the Attorney General may request the court, in the eventuality of a plea of guilty, to apply a sanction or measure or, where provided for by law, a combination of sanctions or measures, of the kind and quantity agreed between them and to which the accused can be sentenced upon conviction

Sentence at the request of the parties.

Added by:

III. 2002.108.

Amended by:

XIII. 2002.9.

Cap. 446.

Cap. 446.

for the offence or offences with which he is accused.
(2) If the court is satisfied that the sanction or measure, or combination of sanctions and measures, requested as provided in subarticle (1) is one w h ich i t wo uld have been l a wful for it to impose upon conviction for the offence to which the accused has pleaded g uilty and do es not have cause to order the trial of the cause to be proceeded with for a reason referred to in article 453(2) or for any other reason to reject the request, and after explaining to the accused in clear terms the consequences of his request, the court shall, upon a plea of guilty by the accused, proceed to pass the sentence indicated to it by the parties declaring in its judgement that the sentence being awarded is being so awarded at the request of the parties.
(3) Where the Attorney General and the accused agree that the sentence to be imposed shall consist of a period of imprisonment which is to be suspended in accordance with the provision s of article 28A and the agreemen t is not rejected by the court as p rov id ed i n sub art icle (2 ) su ch agreement shall not in any way affect the court’s power to make an order under article 28G or 28H or both.
(4) Where the Attorney General and the accused agree that a measure provided for under the Probation Act is to be applied and the agreement is not rejected by the court as provided in subarticle (2) such agreement shall not in any way affect the court’s power to make an order under article 11 of the said Act.
(5) A sentence imposed at the request of the parties as provided in t h is article sh all not affect any matter referred t o in art i cl e
25(3)(a) to (h) of the Probation Act.

Recording of plea of "not guilty". Amended by:

IX. 1857.5; III. 1880.7;

Order-in-Council

of 1899, sec. 7;

XVI.1932.6;

XXX.1934.10;

XX.1936.2;

XXXII.1965.8;

L.N. 46 of 1965;

XXV.1967.9;

LVIII.1974.68;

LIII.1981.7;

IX. 1982.2.

Where proceedings are to be conducted in the English language.

Cap. 189.

Impanelling of jury.

454. (1) If the accused pleads not guilty, such plea shall be recorded.

(2) Where, under the provisions of the Judicial Proceedings (Use of English La nguage) Ac t, the proceedings are to be conducted in the English language, the court shall, if no pleas have been raised as provided in article 438, or after the determination of such pleas, appoint the day on which the cause shall be tried before a special jury impanelled from the persons included in the list of special jurors for the trial of English-speaking persons as provided in article 605.
(3) On the day fixed for the trial the court shall impanel the jury and shall then proceed with the trial.
(4) Where the accused does not simply answer that he is guilty, any other answer, or his silence, shall be taken as a plea of not guilty.
(5) It shall not be lawful for the court, the Attorney General or the jury, during the trial, to put any other question to the accused with regard to the facts with which he is charged.

Accused making answer other than "guilty" or standing mute.

Accused not to be questioned on facts with which he is charged.

455. (1) As soon as the jury have been sworn, the registrar shall read out the indictment, of which a copy shall be given to the jury; and he shall also read out to the jury whatever shall have been recorded with reference to the question prescribed under article

450.
(2) Where the court deems it expedient that two or more causes be successively tried on the same day by the same jury, the jury shall be sworn in the presence of all the accused whose trial is to take place as aforesaid, previously to the commencement of the trial which is to take place first.

Reading out of indictment to jury. Amended by: V.1868.30.

Trial of two or more causes on the same day.

456. The Attorney General shall then address the jury on the facts constituting the offence preferred in the indictment; he shall state the evidence which he proposes to produce in support of those facts; and after making such submissions as he may think necessary in order to make the case clear, he shall conclude by demanding a declaration of guilt against the accused.

457. After making the address referred to in the last preceding article, the Attorney General shall call his witnesses examining them viva voce, and shall produce any other evidence he may have to offer.

458. (1) When the case for the prosecution is concluded, the accused shall be asked what he has to state in his defence. He shall h a v e th e rig h t to mak e hi s defence, eith er person al ly or by an advocate, and to call and examine his witnesses in the manner provided in the last preceding article, and to produce any other evidence he may have to offer.

(2) If the accused is assisted by more than one advocate, such advocates may divide the duties between them in such a manner tha t o n e wi ll m a ke th e d e fe nce and th e o t h e r wi ll m a ke th e rejoinder, when this is allowed, or, that one will make the defence and rejoinder and the other will examine the witnesses; but neither of them may address the court or the jury after the defence or rejoinder has been made by the other; and the provisions of this subarticle shall apply to every other stage of the proceedings in which the accused is assisted by more than one advocate.
(3) It shall also be lawful for the accused either to make his own defence and leave to his advocate the rejoinder, when this is allowed, or to make the rejoinder notwithstanding that his defence was made by his advocate.

Address by the prosecution. Amended by: L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII.1974.68.

Production of evidence for the prosecution. Amended by: L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68.

Defence of accused. Amended by: IX. 1859.25.

Where accused is assisted by more than one advocate.

Accused may make his own defence.

458A. The provisions of article 458(2) shall apply mutatis mutandis where the conduct of the prosecution is delegated by the Attorney General to more than one counsel.

Applicability of article 458.

Order of examination of witnesses.

459. The order to be followed in the examination of witnesses shall be as hereunder:

The party calling the witness proceeds to examine him; then the opposite party may, if he so desires, cross-examine him; any juror may then put any question which he may deem necessary; and the court, besides the questions which it may deem proper to put in the course of the examination or cross-examination, may finally put any other question which it shall deem necessary.

Where accused takes stand to testify.

Added by:

III. 2002.110.

Amended by:

XIII. 2002.10.

459A. (1) The accused who takes the stand to testify shall not be asked, and if asked shall not be required to answer, any question tending to show that he has committed or been convicted of or been charged wit h any offen c e other than th e one wi th wh ich he i s accused, or is of bad character, unless -

(a) the proof that he has committed or been convicted of such other offence is admissible evidence to show that he is guilty of an offence with which he is accused; or
(b) he has personally or by his advocate asked questions of the witnesses for the prosecution with a view to establish his own good character, or has given evidence of his good character, or the nature or conduct of the defence is such as to involve imputations on the character of the prosecutor or the witnesses for the prosecution, or the deceased victim of the alleged crime; or
(c) he has given evidence which involves in the commission of the offence with which he is being accused, any other person accused in the same proceedings.
(2) In any of the circumstances mentioned in paragraphs (a) to ( c ) above a ny record showing any previ o u s co nv ict i o n s of t h e person charged or accused may be produced in evidence.

Further questions after cross- examination only

to be made through court.

Rules as to the admissibility of evidence. Amended by: IX. 1857.6;

L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68.

460. After the cross-examination of the witness, it shall not be lawful for the parties to put any question directly to the witness. They may, however, submit to the court any further question they m a y desire to put to th e witness, and any such question, if considered by the court to be material to the case, shall be put to the witness by the court itself.

461. (1) If the Attorney General or the accused desires to prove facts upon the existence or non-existence of which depends the admissibility of evidenc e for the production of which the permission of the court has been obtained under the provisions of article 440, he may adduce evidence of such facts at the stage of the trial at which such permission has been obtained.

(2) The same shall apply with regard to evidence as to the existence of the circumstances required under article 646 for the admissibility of any of the depositions therein referred to, when the request for the production of any such deposition is made during the trial.

462. Notes of the evidence of the witnesses shall be taken down in brief by the court.

*463. (1) Shorthand notes shall be taken of the proceedings at the trial on indictment of any person before the Criminal Court. A transcript of the notes or any part thereof shall be made whenever the Criminal Court or the Court of Criminal Appeal so directs:

Provided that subject to the provisions of article 518, a transcript shall be furnished to any party having an interest in the proceedings upon the payment of such charges as may be fixed by tariff.
(2) The Attorney General may also, if he thinks fit, in any case, direct a transcript of the shorthand notes to be made and furnished to him for his use.
(3) The cost of taking any such shorthand notes, and of any transcript, where a transcript is directed to be made by the court or by the Attorney Gener al, shall be defrayed, in accordance with scales of payment to be fixed from time to time, out of m oney provided by the Government. Rules may be made by the Board appointed under article 516(3), for securing the accuracy of the notes to be taken and for the verification of the transcript.

Brief notes of depositions to be taken by court. Amended by:

IX. 1857.7.

Shorthand notes of proceedings at

trial. Added by: VI.1947.13.

Amended by: L.N. 46 of 1965; XXV.1967.10;

LVIII.1974.68; XXVII.1975.40.

464. After the close of the defence, the Attorney General shall be allowed to reply, if he so desires; but, in such case, the accused shall have the right to a rejoinder:

Provided that no fresh evidence may be produced, without the special permission of the court, either in the reply or in the rejoinder.

Reply and rejoinder. Amended by: L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII.1974.68.

465. After the conclusion of the case for the prosecution and for the defence, the judge shall address the jury, explaining to them the nat u re and the ingredients of t h e of fence preferred in the indictment, as well as any other point of law which in the particular case may be connected with the functions of the jury, summing up, in such manner a s he may think ne ces sary, the evidence of the witnesses and other concurrent evidence, acquainting them with the powers which the jury may exercise in th e p art icu lar c ase, and making all such other remarks as may tend to direct and instruct the

jury for the proper discharge of their duties.

466. On the conclusion of the address by the court, the jury shall consider their verdict.

467. (1) The jury shall in their deliberations consider, in the first place, whether the accused is guilty of the offence charged against him in the indictm e nt, with all the aggravating circumstances, if any, therein specified; and, if the jury shall be of opinion that such guilt is proved, they shall, in the manner provided

in articles 468 and 469, find the accused "guilty".

Summing-up by judge. Amended by: IX.1857.8; IX.1859.26; V.1868.31; XXV. 1967.11.

Deliberation by the jury.

Functions of the jury and rules connected therewith. Amended by:

IV. 1856.38; III. 2002.111.

*Article 463 has not yet come into force. Vide article 13(2) of Ordinance No.VI of

1947.

(2) Where there is no proof that the accused, or any one of the accused, was the principal or one of the principals in the offence ch ar g e d in t h e ind i ct men t , bu t th ere is p r oof that h e was an accomplice or of being guilty of conspiracy to commit that offence, it shall be lawful for the jury to find him guilty of complicity in, or of conspiracy to commit, such offence; conversely, where a person is accused, in the indictment, of being an accomplice in an offence it shall be lawful for the jury to find him guilty of conspiracy to co mmi t t h at of f e n c e or of bei ng th e pri n ci pal, or on e of th e principals, in that offence and if he is accused of conspiracy to commit an offence he may be found guilty of being an accomplice in that offence or of being a principal, or one of the principals, in that offence, completed or attempted, if there is proof to that effect:
Provided that where a person accused in the indictment of conspiracy to commit an offence is found guilty as aforesaid of being a princip a l, or one of th e princi pals, in the of fence, completed or attempted, the punishment shall not be more severe than the punishment demanded in the bill of indictment.
(3) Where two or more individuals are indicted as principals in an offence and there is proof that such offence was committed by one or more of them, but there is no proof as to which one of them or which of them committed the offence, it shall be lawful for the jury to find all the accused guilty as accomplices in the offence, if it is proved that all of them took in the offence a part sufficient to render them accomplices.
(4) Where the offence is not proved in the terms in which it was specified in the indictment, but it shall appear at the trial that either the same offence but of a less ag gravated character, or a lesser of fen c e, or an at tempt e d o f fence only h a s been committ ed, provided the same be included or involv e d in any p a rt of th e
in di ctmen t , t h e j u r y may eit h er exc l ude the aggravating circumstances or add those circumstances which make the offence
of a less aggravated character, or find the accused guilty of such lesser of fen c e or of an at temp ted of fen c e, or of t h e facts constituting such lesser offence or attempted offence, as the case
m ay be. The jury may enter their verdi ct by say ing " guilt y, but w i t hou t th e c i rc um sta n ce or circ umstances of . . . . . . . . . . , " specifying the circumstance or circumstances which they want to
exclude; or, "guilty, but with the circumstance or circumstances of .
. . . . . . . . . . ," specifying the circumstance or circumstances which make the offence of a less aggravated character; or, "guilty, but

only of . . . . . . . . . . ," specifying the offence or the attempted of fence (or t h e fact s con s titu tin g such o f fen c e o r attempted offence) of which the jury may find the accused guilty as aforesaid.

(5) If the jury are of opinion that the accused is not guilty in any form as aforesaid, they shall find the accused "not guilty".

Number of votes required for a legal verdict.

Duties of foreman of jury.

468. For every verdict of the jury, whether in favour of, or against the accused, there shall be necessary the concurrence of at least six votes.

469. The foreman of the jury shall collect the votes of the other jurors in respect of each verdict, noting down against the name of

each juror respectively the vote given by such juror, an d sh all fi nally ad d hi s own vot e; an d after coun ting the v o tes, an d ascertaining the concurrence of at least six votes, he shall write down the verdict to be returned, which he shall lay before the other jurors.

470. (1) The jury may apply to the court for any elucidation or explanation they may require for the discharge of their duties. And every such elucidation or explanation shall be given in open court.

(2) The jury may, for the purpose of considering their verdict, withdraw to the place appointed for that purpose.
(3) When the jury shall have retired to deliberate, the registrar shall be the means of communi cation between the jury and the court.

Explanations required by jury from court.

Place for deliberating.

Means of communication between jury and court.

471. (1) A juror once impanelled must not, until the recording of the verdict of the jury, absent himself or communicate with any one except with the court, the other jurors, or the officer authorized to communicate with the jurors, save, in some special case, with leave of the court.

(2) When a trial does not come to an end on the same day in which the names of the persons to serve as jurors have been drawn, th e court m ay, unless it deems it prejudicial in th e in terests of justice, al low t h e jurors to return to their respective ho me on condition that they present themselves in court on the day and time to which the trial has been adjourned, and on such other conditions that the judge may deem fit to impose in the interests of justice.

Jurors not to absent themselves or communicate with unauthorized persons.

Amended by: XXVII. 1975.27.

472. After the jury shall have retired for their deliberation and until their verdict is recorded, they shall not be allowed to have food or drink without leave of the court.

473. As soon as the jury are ready to return their verdict, they shall cause the court to be informed, in order that it may hear the delivery thereof in open court.

474. The court shall, through the registrar, ask the jury, "whether the accused is guilty of what is adduced against him in the indictment", and the foreman, in the presence of all the other jurors, shall read out in open court the verdict returned by the jury, and su ch verdict shall be giv e n to t h e reg i strar to be by h i m recorded.

475. If, after the accused has been in any form found guilty, the court is of opinion that, upon the submissions made by the defence or a s a r es u lt o f th e f a ct s p r o v ed at th e tr i a l, t h er e sh ou l d be a further declaration on the part of the jury as to whether some fact, which the law expressly specifies as an excuse and of which no mention was made in the indictment, has or has not been proved in the case, the court shall refer the question for the determination of the jury who shall answer affirmatively or negatively, as they shall adjudge:

No food or drink to be given to jurors after they retire for deliberation and until their verdict is recorded, without leave of court.

Jury to inform court as soon as they are ready to return verdict.

Reading out of verdict by the jury.

Additional declaration by jury relative to facts amounting to an excuse.

467, if so satisfied from the evidence, from declaring on their own initiative and without waiting for any question by the court to that effect, that some particular fact, which the law expressly specifies as an excuse, has been proved; in which case, the jury shall find the accu s ed guilty, and also that the facts constituting the excuse specified in the law have been proved.

Verdict by jury in case of infanticide. Amended by:

VI. 1947.14; III. 2002.112.

Verdict in the case of theft, misappropriation or receiving stolen property.

476. (1) If a woman tried for the murder of her child or for infanticide is acquitted thereof, it shall be lawful for the jury, by whose verdict such woman is acquitted, to find, in case it shall so satisfactorily appear in evidence, that such woman had given birth to a child and that, by secretly burying or otherwise disposing of the dead body of such child, she endeavoured to conceal the birth thereof.

(2) If a person tried for the theft, whether simple or aggravated, of any object is found not guilty of that charge, it shall be lawful for the jury to find him guilty of misappropriation of that object or of the offence contemp l ated in art i cle 334 with regard to that object, if there is proof to that effect; and, conversely, a person tried for misappropriation or for the offence contemplated in article
334 may be found guilty of theft, whether simple or aggravated, of the object concerned if there is proof to that effect:
Provided that in no case shall the punishment be more severe than that demanded in the indictment.

Powers of court in case of incomplete or ambiguous verdict.

Riders on supplementary questions.

Verdict not to be recorded before it is complete.

Questions to jury. Amended by: IV.1856.39; IX.1857.9;

L.N. 46 of 1965; XXV.1967.12;

LVIII.1974.68.

477. It shall be in the power of the court to require the jury to consider any question upon which they are empowered to enter a verdict accordi ng to the provisions of arti cle 467, and also to consider whether any material circumstance which will serve to complete or explain the first verdict, has or has not been proved.

478. Any other question which the court may deem necessary to put to the jury in consequence of their first verdict, shall be made, and the relative answer received, in the manner provided in article

474.

479. In all cases where a further deliberation by the jury is required in order to render their verdict complete, the court shall order that the verdict be not recorded until it is complete.

480. (1) It shall be lawful for the court, in order to assist the jury in the discharge of their functions, to give to the jury, through the registrar, one or more written questions, which shall be by the registrar signed and read out in open court, respecting the matters upon which, in the various cases referred to in articles 467, 475,

477 and 488, the jury are empowered or bound to enter a verdict.
(2) It shall be lawful for the court to make, where necessary, the said questions, either orally or in writing, even after the jury, in answer to the question whether the accused is guilty of the offence as stated in the indictment, have found the accused not guilty of such offence or have found him guilty but n o t in terms of t h e indictment.
(3) If any doubt arises on any question of law upon the determination of which might depend the finding of the jury as to whether th e accu s ed is gu ilty of the of f e nce stated i n th e indictment, or of any other offence as provided in article 467, or whethe r the facts adduced in th e defence cons titute a n excuse according to law, it shall be in the power of the jury, if they so desire, instead of finding the accused guilty or not guilty, or that an excuse has or has not been prov ed, to fin d only, upon writ ten questions given to them by the court for the purpose, that the facts or some of the facts adduced eith er against or in favour of the accused have or have not been proved, and to leave to the court to determine whether the facts found by the jury constitute the offence stated in the indictment or any other offence under the provisions of the said article 467 or an excuse according to law.
(4) The court shall pronounce judgment on any question so referred to it by the jury on the same day or on any other day after hearing the Attorney General and the accused or his advocate in the manner provided in article 490.

Power of jury to refer to court the decision on points of law.

481. If more offences are charged in the same indictment or if the accused on trial are more than one, the jury shall give a separate verdict in respect of each offence and of each accused.

482. Every verdict of the jury shall state the number of votes which concurred in such verdict.

483. Where, on the reading out in court of any verdict, the absence of the concurrence of at least six votes in support of such v e rdict is made to appear to the cou r t by a numb e r of jurors sufficient to show such defect, the court shall require the jury to retire for further deliberation under the direction of the foreman of the jury or of any other juror whom the court shall appoint for that purpose in order that a true verdict may be returned; and no verdict shall be recorded so long as there is not the number of votes required by law for a true verdict.

484. Any juror may recommend to the mercy of the court the accused person found guilty, stating the reason for so doing; and the court may take into consideration any such recommendation, either in applying the law, or by communicating the same to the President of Malta in a report made for the purpose, or in any of the reports referred to in articles 493 and 494.

485. Once the jury has been impanelled, the trial of the cause shall be continued without interruption up to the recording of the verdict of the jury inclusively; and it shall not be adjourned, except for such intervals as the court may think necessary for the rest of the court itself, of the jurors, witnesses, or parties accused, or if a Saturday, a Sunday or other public holiday intervenes:

Provided that the court may, if it deems it expedient so to do, continue the trial of the cause on any Saturday, Sunday or other public holiday.

Separate verdict in respect of each offence and of each accused.

Number of votes to be stated in every verdict.

Further deliberation in default of legal number of votes.

Recommendation of accused to mercy of court. Amended by:

L.N. 46 of 1965; LVIII. 1974.68.

Trial to go on without interruption. Amended by: XXX.1934.11; III.1976.4.

juror. Amended by: X.1896.1.

Acquittal and discharge of accused if declared not guilty. Amended by: XI.1900.77.