If you put false or misleading information in a charging document, you can get in trouble. You will be in trouble if you know the information is false or misleading and you still include it. If you are found guilty, you could go to prison for up to 3 years.

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This page was last updated on 29 June 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3865714.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Criminal lawCrime and justice > Courts and legal help

22: Certain charges to disclose range of penalties and previous convictions, or

"Charges must tell you the possible penalties and if you've been in trouble for something similar before"

24: Endorsement of consent, or

"Getting permission to take someone to court for a crime"

Part 2Commencement of proceedings and preliminary steps
Filing a charging document

23Offence relating to false or misleading information in charging document

A person commits an offence who includes, or directs any other person to include, in a charging document any false or misleading information that the person knows is false or misleading.
A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years.