Victorian Current Acts

CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES ACT 2005 - SECT 498

S. 498(1) amended by Nos 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 18.16), 43/2017 s. 53.

    (1)     A person who is lawfully detained in a remand centre, youth residential centre or youth justice centre must not escape, attempt to escape or be absent without lawful authority from the remand centre, youth residential centre or youth justice centre or from the custody of the Chief Commissioner of Police or of any police officer or other officer in whose custody the person may be.

Penalty:    

        (a)     In the case of a child who is under the age of 15 years, detention in a youth residential centre for 6 months;

        (b)     In the case of a child who is of or above the age of 15 years, detention in a youth justice centre for 12 months;

        (c)     In any other case, imprisonment or detention in a youth justice centre for 12 months.

S. 498(2) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 18.16).

    (2)     Without limiting section 458 of the Crimes Act 1958 , a person who is escaping or attempting to escape or who is unlawfully absent as described in subsection (1) may be apprehended without warrant by any police officer.

S. 498(3) amended by No. 6/2018 s. 68(Sch.  2 item 20.5).

    (3)     If it appears to a magistrate by evidence on oath or by affirmation or by affidavit that there is reasonable cause to suspect that a person so escaping or unlawfully absent is in any place, the magistrate may issue a search warrant.

    (4)     A child apprehended under this section may—

        (a)     be placed in a remand centre, youth residential centre or youth justice centre; or

        (b)     be placed in prison or a police gaol if it is not possible to place the child in a remand centre, youth residential centre or youth justice centre.

S. 499 amended by No. 43/2017 s. 54.