Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Crimes against the person - Assaults and injuries to the person

197: Disabling

You could also call this:

“Making someone unable to act by knocking them out or making them sleepy on purpose is against the law.”

If you make someone unconscious or stupefy them on purpose, without a good reason or legal excuse, you can be sent to prison for up to 5 years.

Stupefying means making someone confused or unable to think clearly, usually by giving them drugs or alcohol.

This law applies to everyone in New Zealand. It’s important to remember that you should never try to make someone unconscious or stupefy them, as it’s against the law and can be very dangerous.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM329386.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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196: Common assault, or

“Hitting or hurting someone else is against the law and can get you in trouble.”

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198: Discharging firearm or doing dangerous act with intent, or

“Shooting, placing explosives, or setting fires to seriously hurt someone is against the law.”

Part 8 Crimes against the person
Assaults and injuries to the person

197Disabling

  1. Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years who, wilfully and without lawful justification or excuse, stupefies or renders unconscious any other person.

  2. Repealed
Notes
  • Section 197(2): repealed, on , by section 164(b) of the Sentencing Act 2002 (2002 No 9).