Frequently Asked Question
What is the local definition of offences?
Offences punishable by the local law are defined as crimes (most serious offences), misdemeanours (less serious offences) and contraventions (least serious offences).
What are crimes?
Crimes are defined as offences that are punishable by:
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penal servitude;
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fine exceeding 5,000 rupees.
What are misdemeanours?
Misdemeanours are defined as offences that are punishable by:
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imprisonment for a term exceeding 10 days;
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fine exceeding 5,000 rupees.
What are contraventions?
Contraventions are defined as offences that are punishable by:
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imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 days;
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fine not exceeding 5,000 rupees.
Can the number of reported offences at the police be seen as the exact level of offences committed in the country?
Reported offences at the police are often qualified as the “Tip of the icebergs”. They can generally give an insight on the trend and proliferation of offences by region, and in some cases on the performance of the police. However:
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Certain reported offences may turn out to be untrue or may be reclassified, usually as less serious, as they proceed from police investigation through prosecution to final court judgment.
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While some offences may not be reported depending on the preparedness of the victims to report due to the prejudice caused or their level of trust on the police or the trivial nature of the offences; others depend on the police priorities and initiatives targeted at specific offences: for example, detection of drug offences, road traffic offences and environment littering offences, etc depends largely on police and local government operations.
Therefore, surveys on the experience of victimization from the public together with the data from reported cases give a more comprehensive picture on actual offence level.
What is a criminal case?
A criminal case is a case dealing with an offender indicted for an offence as defined by the law.
What is an assault?
An assault is defined as physical attack against the body of another person.
What is automobile theft?
Automobile theft is defined as the removal of a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner of the vehicle.
What is burglary?
Burglary is defined as unlawful entry into someone else’s premises with the intention to commit a theft.
What are drug offences?
Drug offences are as spelt out under the Dangerous Drug Act 2000. They relate mainly to drugs like gandia, heroin, hashish, opium, cocaine and other psychotropic substances.
What is embezzlement?
Embezzlement is defined as the wrongful appropriation of another person’s property that is already in the possession of the person doing the appropriating.
What is fraud?
Fraud is defined as the acquisition of another person’s property by deception, including financial property.
What is intentional homicide?
Intentional homicide is defined as death deliberately inflicted on a person by another person, including infanticide and abortion.
What is non-intentional homicide?
Non-intentional homicide is defined as death not deliberately inflicted on a person by another person.
What is robbery?
Robbery is defined as the theft of property from a person, overcoming resistance by force or threat of force.
What is sexual offence?
Sexual offence is defined as sexual intercourse or assault without valid consent.
What is theft?
Theft is defined as the removal of property without the property owner’s consent.
Who are juveniles?
Juveniles are defined as persons aged below 18 years old.
What is juvenile delinquency?
Juvenile delinquency is defined as juveniles involved in crimes and misdemeanours (excluding contraventions).
What are the different sentences imposed?
The different sentences imposed by the Courts of the Republic of Mauritius are: Penal servitude, Imprisonment, Fine, Community Service Order, Probation Order, and Absolute or Conditional Discharge.
What is the difference between penal servitude and imprisonment?
Penal servitude is the punishment imposed for life or for a minimum term of 3 years and where in any enactment the punishment is imposed without a term being specified, the maximum term for which penal servitude may be imposed is 40 years.
Whereas for imprisonment where in any enactment the punishment is imposed without a term being specified, the term for which imprisonment imposed may exceed 10 days but shall not exceed 10 years.
What is Community Service Order?
Community Service Order is a sentence requiring an offender to perform unpaid community work.
What is Probation Order?
Probation order is a sentence whereby an offender is placed under the supervision of a probation officer for a period not less than one nor more than three years.
What is absolute discharge?
Absolute discharge is complete and unconditional release.
What is conditional discharge?
Conditional discharge is a sentence whereby an offender is released under certain conditions, e.g., regular reporting to police stations for a specified period of time.
What is admission rate?
Admission rate is defined as the number of people admitted to prison in a given year per 100,000 mid-year population.
What is contravention rate?
Contravention rate is defined as the number of reported contraventions per 1,000 mid-year population.
What is crime rate?
Crime rate is defined as the number of reported crimes per 1,000 mid-year population.
What is drug offence rate?
Drug offence rate is defined as the number of reported drug offences per 1,000 mid-year population.
What is imprisonment rate?
Imprisonment rate is defined as the number of detainees in prison per 100,000 mid-year population.
What is intentional homicide rate?
Intentional homicide rate is defined as the number of intentional homicide reported per 100,000 mid-year population.
What is juvenile delinquency rate?
Juvenile delinquency rate is defined as the number of juvenile offenders involved in offences (excluding contraventions) per 1,000 juvenile populations.
What is misdemeanour rate?
Misdemeanour rate is defined as the number of reported misdemeanours per 1,000 mid-year population.
What is prison occupancy level?
Prison occupancy level is defined as the ratio of the prison population to the prison capacity (number of beds).
Who is a detainee?
Detainee is referred to as any person confined to prison and is classified as follows:
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Convict: person sentenced to imprisonment.
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Person on remand and trial: person charged for an offence with a court of law and awaiting judgment.
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Civil debtor: person found guilty by the court for the non-payment of debts.
Who are fine defaulters?
Fine Defaulters are convicts sentenced to imprisonment for non-payment of fines; they either stay in prison for a specified period or are released as soon as they pay the fines.
