Can I be charged for damaging my own property?
- Yes if the property is jointly owned with another person such as a jointly owned house.
- If the property is owned wholly by you the offences of wilful damage or destroying or damaging property do not apply.
- The exception is lawful Australian currency. This must not be damaged or destroyed even if it is owned by you.
- If property is destroyed in order to make a claim on insurance then the offence of criminal damage with a view to gain may have been committed.
- You can use our Phone a Lawyer service for a preliminary legal consultation if you think you may need legal advice.
Read some more FAQS from our Criminal Property Law section