Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Crimes against the person - Homicide

162: Death must be within a year and a day

You could also call this:

“A person can only be charged with killing someone if the victim dies within one year and one day of being hurt.”

This part of the law is no longer in effect. It used to be about how long someone could live after being hurt before it could be called homicide. But on 12 March 2019, this rule was removed from the Crimes Act 1961. This means that the “year and a day” rule for homicide cases is no longer part of New Zealand law.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM329305.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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161: Procuring death by false evidence, or

“Making someone die by lying or tricking people in court”

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163: Killing by influence on the mind, or

“Scaring a child or sick person so badly that they die can be against the law.”

Part 8 Crimes against the person
Homicide

162Death must be within a year and a day (Repealed)

    Notes
    • Section 162: repealed, on , by section 6 of the Crimes Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 4).